Review: 10294 Titanic
Posted by Huw,
The ill-fated ocean liner Titanic, upon which many people lost their lives on its maiden voyage in 1912, might seem like an unusual choice for a LEGO model.
However, because of the disaster, which remains one of the worst in maritime history, it is perhaps the most well-known and famous ship, and in its day it was certainly the largest, most technologically advanced and luxurious vessel ever to have sailed.
At 1.35m from bow to stern, 10294 Titanic is the longest LEGO set ever, and its part count of 9,090 is surpassed only by the 11,695-piece 31203 World Map.
Its lavish dimensions and high piece count have resulted in an accurate scale model that would not look out of place on display in a museum.
Box and instructions
This box is massive, the same size as that of the Millennium Falcon and the Colosseum, I believe. It's 58x48x38cm and shown here with a goat for scale. It's also exceeding heavy, around 14Kg, so it's not going to be much fun carrying it out of the shop!
There are three boxes inside, and as the small pictures on the tops of the boxes show, they contain parts for the front, middle and rear sections of the vessel, which are built separately.
Each section has its own instruction manual which range from 215 to 315 pages long.
Information about the liner precede the instruction steps in each, and reveal that the set was designed by Mike Psiaki.
There is no sticker sheet. There is, however, a flexible last sheet printed with flags: the Union Jack, the US flag and a larger Royal Ensign.
Construction
You might think that building such a behemoth would be a bewildering experience requiring a space the size of one of the ship's dining tables to do it on, but that is not the case at all.
Construction is split into three distinct parts, and it's built from bow to stern rather than from top to bottom. You are therefore never working on anything much bigger than a 48x48 baseplate, other to connect them together at the end. Furthermore, each of the three subsections is built in two halves: effectively you're building six mini-models, so it never feels overwhelming.
Parts are divided into numbered bags, from one to 46, so each contains an average of around 200 pieces. I didn't time how long it took to build it overall, but I reckon it averaged about 15 minutes per bag, so about 11 hours in total, which I split over four days.
I took copious photos during construction so if you'd like to see how it's built please see the separate article Constructing the Titanic. Suffice to say now, though, that it was very enjoyable. There is some repetition, but the repetitive parts are distributed throughout the build, so you are not bogged down by them, and it never feels like a chore.
Mike Psiaki has employed many ingenious and magnificent building techniques within the model, some of which I point out in the aforementioned article, but perhaps the best of all is the way that the three sections are held together, because clearly the usual method of using Technic pins or clips would not suffice given the weight of the thing.
The ends of the sections have central vertical columns of 2x2 coupling plates. When two parts are pushed together, aided by Technic pins and clips to ensure alignment, the two columns of plates mate, leaving a vertical hole through which an axle can be threaded. A small section of deck with a 16l axle underneath is pushed down through the holes, thus locking them together.
When all three parts are connected in this way the model is extremely sturdy and can be lifted easily with two hands: It does not bow or flex at all.
As you can see the ends are packed with details, including boilers, engines, lounges, cabins and so on. It's a shame they are not visible when it's all joined together.
The connectors can be removed easily, thanks to the protruding telephone handset pieces, allowing it to be separated into manageably-sized chunks for storage.
The completed model
I'm going to have to resort to a thesaurus for superlatives to describe it because I've already used 'magnificent' elsewhere. It's gorgeous, grandiose, imposing, impressive, lavish and opulent: much like the real ship!
It's 1.35 metres long -- 25cm longer than 75252 Imperial Star Destroyer --, 14cm wide, and just under 50cm tall to the top of the masts. The real ship was 269m long and 28m wide, which equates to a scale of 1:200 both length-wise and width-wise. There has been no selective compression: it's an accurate scale-model. The instructions suggest that it's to scale with 21042 Statue of Liberty which, unfortunately, the real ship never got a sight of.
Here it is with a minifig and goat for scale. The size made it a challenge to photograph: I had to rearrange the room, use a wide-angle lens, and resort to a bit of Photoshopping round the edges to do so!
A name plaque made using 21327 Typewriter keys is provided.
The hull is supported on six brown stands, which are pinned in place with axles. As well as being decorative, they are functional too, allowing you to get your hands underneath the hull to lift it.
One of the most demanding aspects of designing large ships like this is getting the curves of the hull right, but there's no doubt that Mike has nailed it perfectly. It looks excellent from every angle.
(I noticed a minor building mistake after taking this photo, see if you can spot it...)
Exterior details
The decks are largely tiled and full of intricate details, such as the crane and chain guides. Two sections of white flex tube are used to form the railings around the bow. Jack and Rose microfigs are not provided.
The vessel's name is printed in gold on 2x3 tiles.
The bridge and in particular its external wings are ingeniously constructed to form the distinctive angular shape.
The liner had 16 wooden lifeboats which was enough for around one third of the passengers and crew. Here they've been built using just 10 pieces each, including 1x1 tooth plates, and their corresponding pair of davits represented by robot arms.
The portholes in the black section of the hull are formed using minifig neck brackets on top of 1x2 rounded plates. The white of the brick underneath shows through and the result is very effective.
Telephone handsets have been embedded into the deck, sticking out halfway out to form vents to the deck below.
The vessel's distinctive angled funnels are held in place using Technic pins under the deck.
The stern of the ship is the most complicated part of the build. The deck has been made to match the curve of the back end almost perfectly. The gear wheel in the middle is used to tension the string that runs from bow to stern.
The propellers are connected to two reciprocating steam engines inside the vessel, and turning the two outer ones causes the pistons of the engines to move. This can be observed when the rear section is separated from the central part. The central screw is connected to a third engine, a Parsons turbine, embedded further inside the rear section. The rudder is hinged using clips allowing it to be moved from side to side.
The name at the back is printed on a 1x4 brick with bow. White Star lines, the owner of the ship, had its headquarters in Liverpool.
The benches -- embedded sideways into the deck -- are the work of a genius!
The curves of the hull are created using a combination of 2x8 curved panels and angled sections, which meet seamlessly. The 2x6 tiles used in the dark red section of it give the impression of riveted steel sheets.
Interior details
The ends of the three sections are packed with interior details, which in the case of the upper decks, extend 4 or so studs into the hull.
The end of the front section has four boilers at the bottom, the ship's spa including swimming pool just above, then three decks of cabins and a lounge at the top. The deck floors are tiled and 1x3 car doors are used to create the room dividers.
The grand staircase runs up through the middle, but as it has to incorporate the 2x2 rounded-end plates, it's not really obvious what it is.
The front of the middle section has much the same. The larger open rooms halfway up with gold pillars are the millionaires' suites.
The back of the middle section has a cavernous space at the bottom into which the engines fit when the back section is attached to it. More cabins and lounges occupy the upper decks.
The two reciprocating steam engines are housed between the middle and rear sections and can be removed. The third engine is hidden away further back inside.
The passenger decks are fully tiled and embellished with details such as beds, tables and chairs.
Verdict
There is no doubt that this is an exceptional model. It's the most accurate depiction of a real-life subject LEGO has produced, thanks to its large scale and high piece count. I am sure some artistic licence has been necessary, but it's not evident. I didn't count the portholes, for example, but it certainly looks like it has the right number!
When you're buying a set of this size, you're not just buying the model, you're getting a building experience as well, and that too is exceptional. The process is littered with examples of ingenious techniques and parts usage to marvel at, enjoy and learn from. It's never overwhelming and to be honest it's also never really evident that you're constructing something of this magnitude until it all comes together at the end.
There is nothing negative I can say about it. Even the price of £570/$630 seems perfectly reasonable for so many pieces and such an impressively-sized model: it's certainly cheaper than comparatively large Star Wars models with fewer pieces.
So, should you buy it? My advice is to think before you do so: where are you going to put it?! It's long and thin so much easier to display on a shelf or sideboard than, say, the Colosseum, but it still needs a lot of space. At least it can easily be split into three to facilitate storage.
It would look very impressive in a display case, perhaps a wood and glass one like those scale models such as this are often displayed in at museums.
It will be available from LEGO.com from 1st November priced at €629.99 / $629.99 / £569.99/ 999.99 AUD/799.99 CAD and will ship a week later. Hopefully it will reach the USA this time...
Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
286 likes
149 comments on this article
I suppose we’ll have to build our own iceberg, or get it as a GWP.
No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased...
Hello Christmas!!!!!
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
I didn't realise its significance until I read about it in another review :)
This is one of those sets that's hard to get excited about. It's just so large that, like you mention at the end, you have to figure out where it's going to go when you build it.
Between this and yesterday's RSOTD, a tiny Steam Shovel, I'd easily choose the latter.
So many details!
I certainly appreciate the instruction manual being divided into three. I remember opening 75192 to find the instruction manual alone was (when opened) the size of the table I'd intended to build on
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
What is the easter egg?
A beautiful model but an official blue ensign flag! Now we can have different Royal Navy color squadrons!
definite pass for me. No Rose, Jack or even a James Cameron minifig to display with it??
Any indication whether a GWP will be offered at release?
I couldn't be more disappointed. With a piece count like that I was expecting portions to lift off and show detail of ballrooms or state rooms or the bridge. Instead we get cross sections. Sure, that is more a problem of my expectations but with a $6xx price tag expectations are through the roof. Overall it's beautiful but I just can't justify the price. I'd probably appreciate it more if I could experience the build process but at that price...no dice.
Hopefully they release a smaller version but I doubt it.
This thing looks amazing, but does it float? Seriously though, I was wondering what large set I should spend the last of my 2021 Lego money on, and here it is! This should be a fun set to build on my Christmas holiday, when I have two weeks instead of two days to build a large model.
Again, not enough lifeboats
@CDM Don't be deceived by the piece count. It looks like there are a lot of small pieces in this set
@Alienware said:
" @Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
What is the easter egg?"
I think it is the TC grave stone tile as seen in the 10273.
My son was a huge Titanic buff, but this is a little too expensive for my budget. The engines are a nice detail, but I want the grand staircase!
@guachi said:
" @CDM Don't be deceived by the piece count. It looks like there are a lot of small pieces in this set "
Yeah, I mean maybe I expected too much, and if so, that's a 'me problem'. I expected less of those pieces to be structure and more to provide microscale details. But ultimately they nailed the shape of the hull so if that's what it takes...it is what it is. It really is a beautiful set and I hope those able to justify the cost enjoy it.
I have intentionally stayed away from these huge expensive sets out of principle--Colosseum, UCS Falcon and SD, Taj Majal. The better they sell the more we will see, which I think is bad overall for the direction of LEGO. This, however, I may have to break my own self-imposed rules for...
That bench design is so simple and so incredibly clever.
*Boat actually sinks
I absolutely love the engines and boilers. That and the shaping of the hull. Outstanding
Easter Egg:
" I was surprised to see the “TC” shield tile, which is the initials of former LEGO designer Tiago Catarino and was designed as a gravestone easter egg in 10273 Haunted House last year."
- https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.brothers-brick.com/2021/10/LEGO-for-Adults-Creator-Expert-10294-Titanic-TBB-Review-PNS7D-27-640x427.jpg
I spot a yellow lightsaber hilt being upside down ;-)
Amazing set, though! Priced a little higher than expected, and I need to work out a place to display this thing, but the biggest issue is convincing the wife that this is a necessary purchase.
Amazing, but too expensive, so...
I do not want this big-a** boat.
I do not want it with a goat.
Without a door for Rose to hog
As Jack sinks slow into the fog
Sigh. And I’ve been telling my husband that I would never want a $600 set…..
This set can be appreciated from...Near, far, wherever you are.
Really incredible. I can't afford it... but incredible!~
Sterling effort, Huw!
It's a shame that it doesn't split halfway along its length for adding to an underwater-themed display...
This does seem to be a one-off for those who are fascinated by the history but doesn't really have the appeal to justify the time and cost for me. I would prefer a boat more down to earth similar in size to the Maesk container ship 10241, which was a fun build with only 1500 pieces and is still very popular on the secondary markets.
today must be the embargo date that allows everyone in LAN to do a video or review on this set
@bananaworld said:
"
Sterling effort, Huw!
It's a shame that it doesn't split halfway along its length for adding to an underwater-themed display..."
It could do without too much effort!
I came into work this morning only to be absolutely delighted to see this gargantuan vessel on my brickset - Guess I have to part with EVEN MORE of my hard earned money. TLG is really pumping out some bangers, huh?
@medleyj said:
"today must be the embargo date that allows everyone in LAN to do a video or review on this set "
Yes, of course it is. We are all coordinated :-)
The LEGO name would be the TileTanic seeing how the side is tiled up.
@MeganL said:
"Sigh. And I’ve been telling my husband that I would never want a $600 set….."
In your defense, you can say it's a $630 set and not exactly a $600 one .. ;)
@Alienware said:
" @Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
What is the easter egg?"
Watch his review on Youtube!
Wait a minute, is this some kind or insurance scam... is that the Titanic or the Olympic... quick count the number of portholes on the port side!!!
Lego at its best IMO. Excellent model. Mike Psiaki is truly a Lego Master. Those two parts embedded to create a bench are truly the perfect symbol of his creativity and imagination. One of the best parts usage I have ever seen. It even gives so much texture to the bench that at this scale it is instantly recognized. Amazing Lego set.
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
Just watched your video, now is clear!....truly happy for you, and definitely a great Easter egg!
Stupendous!
@followsclosely said:
"Easter Egg:
" I was surprised to see the “TC” shield tile, which is the initials of former LEGO designer Tiago Catarino and was designed as a gravestone easter egg in 10273 Haunted House last year."
- https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.brothers-brick.com/2021/10/LEGO-for-Adults-Creator-Expert-10294-Titanic-TBB-Review-PNS7D-27-640x427.jpg
"
So I guess Tiago Catarino "went down with the ship."
What was the building error you mentioned?
That is one incredible looking set. I wasn't at all excited when I first heard about it. This review has now changed my mind. It is now listed under 'when I can afford it'. Wow!
The 46 star US flag, really nice attention to detail.
This whole set just leaves me speechless. Just absolutely insane and innovative techniques. We should all bow before Mike Psiaki.
I like this. I like this a lot. Do I like it a €629 lot? Not so sure about that.....
But except for that pricetag I don't see much to complain about. Yes, a lot of ridiculous colours on the inside, but for a set like this I don't really mind. And on the outside the only thing I don't like are those flags, that blue pin at the mast and red axle at the gear wheel, and that plaque looks just cheap. Minor issues on such a fabulous set. So much is done so well.
Well, one more thing to complain about: I was already thinking of a place where I could put it, but it's 15 cm too long for that.....maybe I should wait for a version made of Loz Mini Blocks ;-)
I LOVE the Star Wars movies (most of them, anyway). I LOATHE James Cameron's Titanic. And yet . . . I will never buy a UCS Star Destroyer, but this thing . . . this beautiful thing . . . . I think that I must have it someday.
Set 10294 is not a floating boat like 60266 is. This shows Lego's rigorous attention to detail, as the real Titanic is no longer a floating boat either.
But is it swooshable??
I think LEGO missed an opportunity to include minifig versions of the string quartet that played as the ship sank. It begs to have an official LEGO light kit add-on set in the future too
pass
@kingalbino said:
"Wait a minute, is this some kind or insurance scam... is that the Titanic or the Olympic... quick count the number of portholes on the port side!!!"
^^ I understood that reference
Really great review! Those benches are a wonderful little detail.
Absolutely spectacular set. I'm not typically drawn to Lego's 3000+ piece sets but this is on another level!
@PixelTheDragon said:
"I suppose we’ll have to build our own iceberg, or get it as a GWP."
Too soon.
@Paternoster_Lift said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
"I suppose we’ll have to build our own iceberg, or get it as a GWP."
Too soon."
Can't wait for Lego 9-11
I am honestly kind of surprised it took them so long to release a set like this. Other knock-off LEGO brands have been making models of the Titanic for years, and there have been several rejected Titanic LEGO Ideas projects in the past...
The one and only Mike Psiaki brings out another legendary Creator Expert Set. Thank goodness he was spared of another boring stadium and could focus all his energy on this engineering marvel of a ship. Ingenious building techniques and the working engines are a nice touch. The only thing I dislike is the loose plaque with the typewriter letters.
Now let's hope the quality of the bricks will be in line with the COBI counterpart, because design wise it's much better and grander. I just wish the trend for 18+ sets would be smaller and cheaper and not the other way around. Started to have serious space shortage here.
Is it ironic, or simply fitting, that a symbol of the excesses of the Gilded Age should have a price tag like this?
@bananaworld said:
"
Sterling effort, Huw!
It's a shame that it doesn't split halfway along its length for adding to an underwater-themed display..."
It actually split between the third and faux funnel, so you could just pop it apart where it splits for the interior
A beautiful set. It’s just amazing some of the techniques used. Too bad I don’t have $600 or any space
Could buy a third of my my entire lego-backlog for that sum so no deal, but easily the most impressive set I've seen, can't think of anything that compares with the ingenuity of this set.
Standing ovation.
"Hopefully it will reach the USA this time..."
Lego can ship them here on a container ship - those *never* have any problems reaching their destinations.
This set is incredible! I've been obsessed with the Titanic since I was a kid and always wanted a LEGO model. Definitely a day one buy for me, and it's really nice to hear that the build experience isn't overwhelming.
This is, at least for me, one of the sets you have nothing to do with unless you're an avid fan of Titanic merchandise. It doesn't look like it's an repetitive build like the Colosseum, but I do find its size to be too much. By definition, it can only be a centre display piece, and I guess I don't care about that ship that much to justify getting rid of other sets just for that.
Having said that, if you're a fan of the ship and have the space, it can look great with lighting on a shelf.
For each his own of course, but as reviewer mentioned "There is nothing negative I can say about it", I disagree and think its size is indeed a negative about it.
(The set is expensive, but I think the price is OK for what you get so that's not the issue I have with it).
I like that the US flag has 46 stars, as it should have.
Very impressive, and worth the $, IMHO.
What no Jack & Rose minifigures? Guess they don't come with UCS sets.
I think I might buy 3 so i can build the Olympic and Britannic too
Looks like one of the white 1x1 Technic brick portholes is rotated the wrong way at the back, is that the build error @Huw?
It looks gorgeous, I must admit. But I simply can't afford it.
Thank you for the review. Some of those building techniques are simply genius!
@MeganL said:
"Sigh. And I’ve been telling my husband that I would never want a $600 set….."
Heh my wife gives me a hard time about my Lego, then I reminder of her 600+ puzzles... And she has every Architecture set made...
Building mistake is port holes middle row last set on the right are in the wrong position.
Do I win a Chrysler K-Car?
^ Correct, well spotted!
OK, it's cool looking set, nice build,... but where would I put it?!
A fan model of ‘Olympic’ at roughly the same scale was pictured in the Autumn 1985 edition of Bricks’n’Pieces https://images.brickset.com/library/view/?f=bricksAndPieces/1985-3%20Autumn
That’s a really impressive model, especially when you consider the pieces and colours available at the time.
I wasn't too interested when the 1st rumours started... too expensive, too big, too bland...
But as soon as the box was revealed the only question was, 'Day 1' or 'Be patient for a good offer'? I'm not sure that patience is going to win!
@JRBricks said:
"What was the building error you mentioned?
"
I spent a stupid amount of time looking, and can't see it either!
Edit: someone else spotted it. I thought the portholes were meant to be offset!
Breathtaking set. But I’m not into the Titanic enough to spend £570 on it. I’ll wait for the inevitable “ugly pile of grey bricks in comparison” comments when the next Star Wars UCS is released because this is a nice mix of white, black, dark red and tan on the most part.
Looks incredible hats off to the designers..
it's a really Tip of the iceberg build lol
No jack & Rose minifigs though!
@sjr60 said:
"I wasn't too interested when the 1st rumours started... too expensive, too big, too bland...
But as soon as the box was revealed the only question was, 'Day 1' or 'Be patient for a good offer'? I'm not sure that patience is going to win! "
With these sets, due to their price, it's always best and time it with X2 VIP points event/GWP/Black Friday.
I'd love to build this! I wonder, for no particular reason, whether the front and aft section would fit together, or whether additional middle sections would fit to make it even longer.
@elangab said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I wasn't too interested when the 1st rumours started... too expensive, too big, too bland...
But as soon as the box was revealed the only question was, 'Day 1' or 'Be patient for a good offer'? I'm not sure that patience is going to win! "
With these sets, due to their price, it's always best and time it with X2 VIP points event/GWP/Black Friday."
Yes, my preference would be for an interesting GWP. Black Friday reduction is unlikely so soon after launch, and I think the extra 5% reduction for x2 VIP points is quite tight... should be x4 VIP points at least!
I don’t understand why the iceberg isn’t included.
LEGO has been all about packaging conflict in boxes for years now, and what grander conflict is there than man versus nature?
@peterlmorris said:
"I don’t understand why the iceberg isn’t included. "
Global warming.
@peterlmorris said:
"I don’t understand why the iceberg isn’t included. "
The most obvious reason why Lego wouldn't add that would be to keep the focus of this set on the Titanic as a historic vessel and feat of engineering, rather than the more depressing aspect of it as the site where a ton of people were left to die at sea.
But on a more personal level as a consumer... would you really want this set to cost even more than it already does (and take up even more space) just to include a giant hunk of white bricks?
@peterlmorris said:
"I don’t understand why the iceberg isn’t included.
LEGO has been all about packaging conflict in boxes for years now, and what grander conflict is there than man versus nature?"
I'm astounded someone even asked this question - what is wrong with you? Lego doesn't want to explicitly profit from the deaths of a few hundred people. It's the same reason miniature crucifixes and lions weren't included with the colosseum, it's the same reason the NYC Skyline doesn't have a 9/11 memorial, it's the same reason the Las Vegas architecture set featuring the Mandalay Bay was pulled.
Like seriously, what company in it's right mind would do something like that?
If I didn't have the Cobi version already (the non limited edition without the iceberg), which is a much more manageable size (and price) I might have been tempted. But I would still have no place to display it properly in its entirety.
So, hard pass I guess.
@AustinPowers said:
"If I didn't have the Cobi version already (the non limited edition without the iceberg), which is a much more manageable size (and price) I might have been tempted. But I would still have no place to display it properly in its entirety.
So, hard pass I guess. "
I feel like it’s been a while since you reminded us that you like other brand building sets.
@Sandinista, Crucifixes and lions would not have been included in the Colosseum set not just to avoid reference to loss of life or to avoid religious symbolism but because Christians were never fed to lions or executed for their faith in any other way at the Colosseum. There’s no evidence that ever took place.
What a fantastic set. I love Titanic and have read countless books, seen more documentaries than I can remember and watched the James Cameron movie at least 100 times. This set is amazing. But the price... sheesh. The most I’ve ever spent on a Lego set was £300 for the Death Star and that was a gift. I could never spend nearly £600. Even if I’m am seriously tempted.
I’ve had my eye on the Trumpeter 1:200 scale model kit with LED lighting for a while now and as impressive as this Lego set is, I think I would rather buy that. It’s £400 vs £570 for the Lego set but I would also need to buy paint.
If this Lego set was closer to £400, I’d buy it in a heartbeat though. I love how it comes in sections so you can reenact the ship breaking in two as it sinks :)
@jsutton said:
"A fan model of ‘Olympic’ at roughly the same scale was pictured in the Autumn 1985 edition of Bricks’n’Pieces https://images.brickset.com/library/view/?f=bricksAndPieces/1985-3%20Autumn
That’s a really impressive model, especially when you consider the pieces and colours available at the time."
Nice find.
However, it is nearly double the size (220cm vs 135cm) using close to the same number of pieces Still, both models highlight the peak of what was/is possible in their respective eras.
@Pollywog79 said:
"But is it swooshable??"
Any Lego set is swooshable if you work hard and believe in yourself.
This could have been another Creator set that has two official builds: launch configuration and post-maiden-voyage configuration...
@sjr60 said:
" @elangab said:
" @sjr60 said:
"I wasn't too interested when the 1st rumours started... too expensive, too big, too bland...
But as soon as the box was revealed the only question was, 'Day 1' or 'Be patient for a good offer'? I'm not sure that patience is going to win! "
With these sets, due to their price, it's always best and time it with X2 VIP points event/GWP/Black Friday."
Yes, my preference would be for an interesting GWP. Black Friday reduction is unlikely so soon after launch, and I think the extra 5% reduction for x2 VIP points is quite tight... should be x4 VIP points at least!"
The Disney train got Black Friday price cut shortly after release, so who know ?
Mike Psiaki, what an incredible designer he is. I really hope he'll do some minifig set again, 10260 Downtown Diner still is my favourite modular building with its for the series unusual architecture and shapes.
@monkyby87 said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"If I didn't have the Cobi version already (the non limited edition without the iceberg), which is a much more manageable size (and price) I might have been tempted. But I would still have no place to display it properly in its entirety.
So, hard pass I guess. "
I feel like it’s been a while since you reminded us that you like other brand building sets. "
Oh don't worry, he also posted this in another of the Titanic comment sections
@elangab said:
"The Disney train got Black Friday price cut shortly after release, so who know ?"
Oh yes, I should have remembered that as I got it on the Black Friday deal... here's hoping!
Next up, $800 Boeing 747.
50 years later, $200 Castle of King Ludwig.
@morvit said:
"If this sells better than a classic castle set, I will donate $500 to a charity lol"
Bold of you to commit to such a large charity donation with conditions that will never be verifiable (since Lego rarely if ever discloses specific sales statistics for individual sets, and there are not even any such public statistics for "classic castle" sets to compare to).
I had hoped that the very good Medieval Blacksmith set would make castle fans slightly less insufferable, but I suppose that was a little too much to hope for. They still feel the overwhelming need to comment on anything non-castle about how much of a mistake Lego is making by releasing it, and how very very smart they are for knowing better than the people who actually have concrete data on what sells and what doesn't.
This review only left out one important detail. What cost more, this Lego set or a ticket to sail on the Titanic?
It’s not for me, but I think if they follow this up in a few years with a $100 Titanic play set I may be tempted to buy it.
@Pollywog79 said:
"But is it swooshable??"
No, but it's splashable.
Nah man. Too soon…
Does it float?!
I love ships and yachts in Lego form so I have to decide if I’ll be getting this. I know from the pictures it’ll blow my mind when I see it in the Lego Store. Tempting!
Mike Psiaki did wonderful work yet again. His work is really inspiring for us MOC builders. I do hope he does another modular building too in the future.
Although more detailed interiors would have been great (and a way to view them), I know that would make the set even bigger and more expensive. But must admit these cross sections are great to see too.
It also contains and features so promptly my favorite Lego color dark red and I’m hoping the color inconsistency won’t be a turnoff. That would be a though pill to swallow giving its price tag. What’s your take on this @Huw ?
Thanks for a good and detailed review. Love the additional construction article too.
Everybody does know that the Titanic sank and has existed in the public imagination for 85 years longer than James Cameron’s movie has been a thing, right?
@elangab said:
"
The Disney train got Black Friday price cut shortly after release, so who know ?"
That one was already way overpriced, not selling well, so I don't think they'll be doing the same thing with the Titanic.
@alfred_the_buttler said:
"This review only left out one important detail. What cost more, this Lego set or a ticket to sail on the Titanic?"
I guess it depends on what class you want to travel in, but I suspect it's somewhere in the range of where you can buy several sets for the price of a first class ticket and probably book a (very) small family for the cheapest quarters for the RRP of this set, with a single second class ticket being roughly equal to it.
@Huw : very nice review; thank you for the work that has gone into both articles!
I'd suggest to buy two of these and convert the other one to Olympic.
...or buy a decent watch.
Thank you all for your kind words ;)
@vaoinas said:
"I'd suggest to buy two of these and convert the other one to Olympic.
...or buy a decent watch."
What about the third one (Britannic)….
I did think it was a bit odd that LEGO made a set of a ship on which over 1500 people died. Then I remembered they already did the colosseum which was literally a place where people were forced to fight to the death...
Nice review, beautiful set. Is it easily possible to fix the rotors to go in sync? A few gears in the back should do the trick, right?
@sjr60 said:
" @peterlmorris said:
"I don’t understand why the iceberg isn’t included. "
Global warming."
Well, at least the British guy gets it.
We’re going to revisit this iceberg thing in ten years, when the set is eligible for RSotD.
Sounds like an awesome set based on this review (and other reviews, everyone loves it). I would love to build this!
But likely I won't. That pricetag would also get me the modular Police Station and the Medival Blacksmith and the 3-in-1 Castle and the Heavy Duty Tow Truck AND Santa's visit. So, for me the question is, does the fun of building one awesome ship outweigh the fun of building all of those other sets. For me, probabaly not, so I will spend my limited budget on the other sets.
@MeganL said:
"Sigh. And I’ve been telling my husband that I would never want a $600 set….."
Ask for a 600$ ring and swap it for this set! :PPPPP
@fakespacesquid said:
" @monkyby87 said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"If I didn't have the Cobi version already (the non limited edition without the iceberg), which is a much more manageable size (and price) I might have been tempted. But I would still have no place to display it properly in its entirety.
So, hard pass I guess. "
I feel like it’s been a while since you reminded us that you like other brand building sets. "
Oh don't worry, he also posted this in another of the Titanic comment sections"
What's it to you both whether I mention a set of the same subject matter from another manufacturer? I didn't even say that the other one was better, did I? Nor did I try to pursuade anyone not to buy the LEGO version and rather get the other.
All I did was explain, why I most likely will not be getting this set. Perfectly reasonable wouldn't you agree?
Plus, the two sets are so completely different that they don't even try to compete against each other.
Someone who loves Titanic and owning recreations of it probably already has a scale model, and the Cobi version, and will also get the LEGO one, enough display space (and funds) provided.
@Zander said:
" @Sandinista, Crucifixes and lions would not have been included in the Colosseum set not just to avoid reference to loss of life or to avoid religious symbolism but because Christians were never fed to lions or executed for their faith in any other way at the Colosseum. There’s no evidence that ever took place."
Well, they couldn't be made to worship the Roman gods and Emperor because they were Christians, so they were put to death. Same thing.
Anyway, the Titanic model is amazing and opens the door for more model makers to get involved in Lego, which can only be a good thing. Imagine a Lego Flying Scotsman locomotive on this scale and with this complexity?
If they could produce more models of smaller vehicles with this level of model kit detail and complexity (beyond cars!) and accessible for more budgets, that would be brilliant.
@Alienware said:
" @Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
What is the easter egg?"
Back in 2019, Tiago Catarino (who happens to have commented here too) submitted the idea for the Titanic. He then left LEGO. 2 years later, the Titanic is released, and Tiago's tombstone found in the Haunted House set is fou d in the hull? of the ship.
I wonder if it says "Model does not float" anywhere on the box.
I was reading the news about the release of this set while I had a smoking break at my work (I know: bad habit, but the breaks I have on my work mean that I can check my favourite sites).
For the first time I really experienced that my heart skipped a beat. This is my dream set!
€630 is a lot of money... but I think it's worth every penny.
Next task for me: where to get the money?
^ Well... depending on how much you smoke, quitting might provide you with the necessary funds to buy the set by this time next year! ;-)
@tallblocktoo said:
" @Alienware said:
" @Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
What is the easter egg?"
Watch his review on Youtube!"
people who drop vague hint after hint when others ask to have something explained are the worst. just say it or say nothing at all
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
I watched the review. I think it’s super cool that the designers did it again after the creator expert haunted house.
At my LEGO store they didn’t make you carry a box that size. They wheeled the box on a cart and put it in your car at the entrance of mall when Falcon released.
They should do a USS Kittyhawk.
@BrickRandom said:
"Sounds like an awesome set based on this review (and other reviews, everyone loves it). I would love to build this!
But likely I won't. That pricetag would also get me the modular Police Station and the Medival Blacksmith and the 3-in-1 Castle and the Heavy Duty Tow Truck AND Santa's visit. So, for me the question is, does the fun of building one awesome ship outweigh the fun of building all of those other sets. For me, probabaly not, so I will spend my limited budget on the other sets. "
I already have the Police Station modular, (and Mos Eisley, which conveniently came back into stock in the US a week ago), but even substituting in the Haunted House and Pirates of Barracuda Bay into your list doesn't change my mind. I'd *much* rather have the Titanic. With any luck the other sets will still be available by the time I feel ready to buy more expensive Lego, but there's no way I'd risk missing this one. I'm actually sorry to have bought Mos Eisley--over half the cost of the Titanic, so giving it a pass would have made the Titanic seem (slightly) less expensive to me....
Yes, Lego *is* putting out far too many large, delightful sets these days. Even given that I can pass on buying at least half of them with only minor pangs of regret, my want list keeps expanding and getting more expensive--and then an announcement like this, coming with no warning out of nowhere, completely upends everything! I'm not complaining, though; there *are* many, many smaller sets for those who can't find the space or the money for the high end of the product range. I'm just glad to be an AFOL during this period of exceptionally creative set designs!
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
I'm glad to have your initials in it. It was a tribute to you from Lego for all that you had done for them and for us.
@ohrmazd said:
"definite pass for me. No Rose, Jack or even a James Cameron minifig to display with it??"
You do know that the set is based off the actual disaster/ship not the film
To all of the people that are talking about jack and rose minifigs this set is based off the real ship
@fulcrumbop said:
"Amazing, but too expensive, so...
I do not want this big-a** boat.
I do not want it with a goat.
Without a door for Rose to hog
As Jack sinks slow into the fog
"
I think I'd buy it if it came with a goat
How far apart are the front and back stands?
@Danny08 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"definite pass for me. No Rose, Jack or even a James Cameron minifig to display with it??"
You do know that the set is based off the actual disaster/ship not the film"
That's unfortunate, because it drastically lowers the chance of a Lego set of the Titanic II.
(Yes, that movie exists, and yes, it is every bit as terrible as you'd expect it to be....)
@oldgrey said:
"I wonder if it says "Model does not float" anywhere on the box."
Well, @Huw, does it?
This is a masterpiece!
Thanks for the great review!!
Hard to get excited about this. While the cross sectioning looks like a nice idea at first glance, it is one of those features that you will use so rarely, there seems no point in it. After the really good Cobi entry, they had to come up with something special but it is a bit disappointing. And even with an inevitable 20% discount, it is too expensive - yet another set to just collect dust.
Any worlds regarding order limit online..?
@Catarino said:
"No mention of the best Easter egg of all time?! I'm disappointed!
Amazing LEGO model, for me, best LEGO set ever! But I'm kinda biased..."
So since Lego buried you in a tombstone in the Haunted Mansion set, and the Titanic is in a watery grave.. I'm seeing a trend.. better watch your back.. nobody leaves TLG... alive. :)
I don't have the money, space, or connection to the source material to buy this, but it is absolutely amazing! This has got to be one of the most detailed and accurate sets I've seen in a long time! Beautiful construction, and I really hope my Lego store gets a copy because I would love to see it in person. My only super minor complaint is the name plate, the letters would look much better without the stud gap between them, they're to far apart. Otherwise I have no complaints at all!
As a Lego fan and a Titanic fan, I really hope they correct the centre propellor. Wrong number of blades…
Won’t stop me buying it though!
the flags confused me and after looking into it, its really interesting, as a British ship it had that flag on the back and in the front on the mast, the flag of the destination country, in-fact Lego even got the detail right about 46 stars, that's how many states there were at the time!
Huw, you wrote: "...getting the curves of the hull right, but there's no doubt that Mike has nailed it perfectly.". While I love this model overall and many details (like the benches) were built with ingenious techniques I think Mike has not nailed the curves of the hull perfectly: In reality, the hull rises slightly at first and then continues to rise at an angle of about 75°. This shape is quite iconic. I understand why the designer did not go for the correct shape since this could only be achieved with individual slopes which would make the hull rough. Nevertheless, I think it's a pity that the shape deviates so clearly from the original, because that affects the overall impression considerably.
@guachi said:
"This is one of those sets that's hard to get excited about. It's just so large that, like you mention at the end, you have to figure out where it's going to go when you build it.
Between this and yesterday's RSOTD, a tiny Steam Shovel, I'd easily choose the latter."
Yeah, this here is where I'm at. The Titanic Disaster is so important to me personally (it was the first history project I ever worked on in grade school in the early 90s, and I became obsessed for like 5 years, knowing everything about it. It's what led me to a career as an historian!). But this set, as *beautiful* as it is, is just far, far too large to be practical. I've made that mistake once before (bought a 1/350 scale model of the USS Enterprise-A, and haven't assembled it because I didn't really understand just *how big* 1/350 scale actually is!).
This looks spectacular! Thanks Lego... Not sure I can afford it though... $1000 AUD
"Shown here with a goat for scale" is probably my new favourite phrase!
Set sold out within minutes of store opening in Nashville, TN. Long line of disappointment. Think maybe TLG didn't correctly predict the appeal of this set at this price point and hedged their bets- shipping only a few units. No doubt didn't want to have many of these sitting around in a warehouse unsold. Hopefully they restock soon.
Can someone confirm if the height of 44cm is including the stand and the "flag poles" on top? I have a good spot but with only 43cm in height, I could live without the flag on top.
Thanks in advance.
@WizardOfOss said:
"I like this. I like this a lot. Do I like it a €629 lot? Not so sure about that.....
But except for that pricetag I don't see much to complain about. Yes, a lot of ridiculous colours on the inside, but for a set like this I don't really mind. And on the outside the only thing I don't like are those flags, that blue pin at the mast and red axle at the gear wheel, and that plaque looks just cheap. Minor issues on such a fabulous set. So much is done so well.
Well, one more thing to complain about: I was already thinking of a place where I could put it, but it's 15 cm too long for that.....maybe I should wait for a version made of Loz Mini Blocks ;-)"
The ridiculous colors on the inside make it so much easier to build. They are a lot easier to distinguish when looking for them in the big pile of bricks...