Why LEGO Ideas 21344 Orient Express changed so much
Find out why LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train has changed so much on the journey to shelves, from a switch in scale to a brand new colour scheme.
Unveiled by the LEGO Ideas team today, 21344 The Orient Express Train will chug on to store shelves (both real and virtual) on December 1, more than a year after being given the green light in the first 2023 review. But the finished product looks remarkably different from Thomas Lajon’s initial proposal, making major changes to its scale, colour scheme and even the number of carriages in the box.
It’s no surprise to see a LEGO Ideas set change during the official design process, but to see 21344 Orient Express altered to this degree may still come as a shock to the 10,000 fans who voted to bring it to store shelves. The good news is that we at least know why the LEGO Group decided to make those changes, courtesy of LEGO Ideas Design Manager Jordan Scott.
The theme’s head honcho unveiled 21344 The Orient Express Train to Brick Fanatics and other LEGO Fan Media in Billund in late September, explaining exactly why the designers decided to make such sweeping changes to the model. While we were unable to film the presentation, we’ve recapped all the highlights in our latest YouTube video, diving into the minutiae of this legendary locomotive and all its trappings.
Hit play above to learn more, or head over to our YouTube channel to watch there. Don’t forget to subscribe for more exclusive insights into upcoming LEGO sets in 2024 and beyond.
LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train launches December 1 for £259.99 / $299.99 / €299.99. Find out even more about the 2,540-piece set here.
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- I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.
