Review: 910002 Studgate Train Station

In this review I take a look at 910002 Studgate Train Station.

There has been a range of train stations in the LEGO City. The Studgate Train Station represents the largest and most comprehensive train station released as a complete set.

Read on as I take a detailed look at this train station as I compare it to the original LEGO Ideas submission.

Background

The original project has been designed by Pablo Sánchez, an AFOL from Madrid, Spain - known as Bricky_Brick at LEGO Ideas.

Pablo Sánchez has made eighty-four submissions to LEGO Ideas with an impressive 15 projects reaching 10,000 Supporters. He appears in this 10K Club interview when discussing his project The Train Station: Studgate.

The Train Station: Studgate

The Train Station: Studgate was submitted to LEGO Ideas in May 2019. Later that month it had reached 1,000 Supporters. By August 2019 the project had reached 5,000 Supporters.

By mid-February 2020 the project had reached 10,000 Supporters.

Unfortunately, the LEGO Review Board declined to take this Ideas project any further.

BrickLink Designer Program

In 2020 LEGO announced that certain rejected LEGO Ideas projects would become available through the BrickLink Designer Program.

27 members agreed to participate and
31 10K Club projects were developed further.

How did the BrickLink Designer Program work?

The program launched in 2021 and had three rounds of crowdfunding.

1 - Pre-production

The BrickLink team and invited designers of the LEGO Ideas 10K Club projects collaborated to test build and refine the projects for production.

2 - Crowdfunding

Projects were made available for crowdfunding in three different rounds. In each round, the first five projects that reached the crowdfunding threshold of 3,000 pre-orders went into production.

3 - Production

Successfully crowdfunded projects went into production as a limited edition BrickLink Designer Program set. Up to 10,000 of each set were produced. Only registered BrickLink members who pre-ordered received these exclusive sets.

Round 3

Crowdfunding for nine LEGO Ideas 10K Club projects were held in May/June 2022.

From these nine original projects, five sets were released in Round 3 of the BrickLink Designer Program.

The Box

The box is a similar quality to other Creator Expert or Icons Modular buildings.

The image on the front of the box looks down onto the front facade of Studgate Train Station. This has been designed for AFOLs 18 years or older.

The image on the rear of looks into the train station where two yellow trains are waiting at the two platforms.

Looking at the side of box there is only one LEGO logo and no LEGO Ideas branding.

Each BrickLink Designer Series box comes with hologram security seals.

I am noticing that nowadays toy shops are preferring to have empty display boxes on the shelves to deter people tampering with the box contents. Having hologram security seals on regular LEGO boxes would make it easier to spot if the seals have been tampered with.

There are three sub-boxes inside and one 48x48 Medium Stone Grey baseplate loose inside the outer box. The parts bags were randomly distributed in each of the three smaller boxes.

This baseplate has appeared in 11 sets.

Instructions

There is no printed instruction book included in this set. Instructions for Studgate Train Station can be downloaded here.

Instructions for all fifteen Rounds 1, 2 and 3 sets can be found here.

I am becoming more accustomed to using this modern, digital format of instructions however it would be useful if bookmarks were incorporated into the PDF, to make it easier to navigate through the large file. .

This digital format becomes useful as you have the ability to zoom into instruction steps that are less than clear, particularly when involving small parts of similar colour hues such as Dark Stone Grey and Black.

The reverse of the instruction card contains a QR Code that will take you to the appropriate link to download the instructions.

Sticker sheet

There is a small sticker sheet with three Studgate signs and some LEGO train livery.

Parts

The part count for the original LEGO Ideas submission was 2988 pieces.

There are 4027 parts in Studgate Train Station which have been divided into twenty-three sections of numbered bags.

There are 525 unique parts.

The overall build is divided into six sections:

Section 1 - Bags 1 to 3

Section 2 - Bags 4 to 8

Section 3 - Bags 9 to 12

Unfortunately I forgot to capture an image for the un-opened parts bags for Bags 9 to 23.

Section 4 - Bags 13 to 17

Section 5 - Bags 18 to 21

Section 6 - Bags 22 to 23

Other parts

There are three un-numbered bags with the larger pieces.

There is one Medium Stone Grey 48x48 baseplate, eight straight Dark Stone Grey train track sections and two black 24x6 train chassis loose in the boxes.

This 24x6 train chassis has been seen in six other sets.

Minifigures

There are eleven minifigures in the Studgate Train Station. There are four train workers:

• Male train driver

• Female train driver with a Medium Nougat shoulder bag (this shoulder bag seen in four other sets in this colour)

• A male platform worker who has a broom and shovel, and

• A male train controller with a red flag

Ther are seven other people at Studgate Train Station:

• A boy with a guitar

• A male traveller with Brick Yellow fur collar and two black suitcases

• A female traveller with a camera

• A male traveller with a brown knapsack, brown suitcase and Brick Yellow fedora hat

• A female traveller with a ticket

• A female traveller in a wheelchair, and

• Hot Dog stand manager

Only the four female minifigures have alternate facial expressions. The hot dog stand manager also comes with a chefs hat.

Interestingly, there were only seven minifigures included in Pablo Sánchez's original LEGO Ideas submission. These were:

1. Station master:
2. Train driver
3. Girl in a wheelchair
4. Mother of the girl in the wheelchair
5. Staff on the ice cream stall
6. Carefree traveller
7. Business traveller

The Build

As stated earlier, the overall build is divided into six sections.

Section 1 - The train carriages

Bags 1

The parts from Bags 1 assemble the two train units. These two units are identical.

Bags 2

The windows and cabs have been assembled.

Bags 3

The train units are complete. I have yet to apply the stickers.

Section 2 - Studgate Station front

Bags 4

The foundations to the front of the train station has begun to be assembled.

Bags 5

The front entrance to the train station appears. Mobility access can be seen to the right.

Bags 6

The upper level, including stairs, is being assembled.

Bags 7

The upper level now has two tables with red umbrellas. There is a station clock and two wrought iron lamp stands.

Bags 8

The ornate wrought iron facade is complete above the front entrance of Studgate Train Station.

Section 3 - Studgate Station platform 2

Bags 9

The platform servicing the other second train track starts to appear. There is an access way built across the tracks from one platform to the other. These parts will pop off the tracks as you pick up the flexible baseplate.

Bags 10

The outer wall with windows has been completed. You can see the access way across the tracks from this better angle.

Note: At this point I have assembled the minifigures with the wrong heads.

Bags 11

A stairway that arches over the two tracks is assembled from the parts in Bags 11.

Bags 12

A structural arch with two locating pins is assembled. This supports the stairway to the upper level.

Section 4 - Upper level

Bags 13

The parts from Bags 13 assemble to framework for the upper level of Studgate Train Station.

Bags 14

The parts from Bags 14 continue to assemble the upper level. There is now floor plates and some of the decorative walls have appeared.

Bags 15

The wrought ironwork on the upper level is supporting the balustrades. Two yellow outdoor sofas appear.

Bags 16

The decorative wrought ironwork and one station clock is assembled at the end of Studgate Train Station.

Bags 17

A hot dog stand is one feature of the upper level. This end of the station is decorated in exactly the same way with a station clock and wrought ironwork.

There is a pair of tower viewers or binoculars, so the travellers can take a close-up view of the local scenery. Two red umbrellas provide shade for the travellers who want to recline on the sofas.

Section 5 - Glass roof

Bags 18, 19, 20 and 21

The parts from Bags 18 and 19 assemble the curved glass roof on one side of Studgate Train Station. Bags 20 and 21 assemble are an exact copy - not a mirror image - of Bags 18 and 19.

The curved window sections are, at this stage, quite flexible. The curved window sections are held together by the joints between the sections as shown in the image below.

This is what the sections look like when lined up. The glass panels are made from transparent roller door pieces.

Do not underestimate the task of connecting all the pins and the edges of the roller door pieces into the edge of the upper floor. I have used a spare camera battery to prop up the floor section, so you can see all the connection points along one edge.

The aim is to attach all the connection points simultaneously. I resorted to splitting up the individual curved window subsections and attached them one-by-one.

Once both completed curved window sections are attached to the upper floor the whole upper floor is beginning to look complete.

Section 6 - Skylight

Bags 22

The parts from bags 22 assemble the central skylight. This, lower level of skylight, is assembled using Transparent Shell 4x8x2 W/Forks. This part has only been seen in 10274 Ghostbusters ECTO-1.

Bags 23

There is an ingenious candle chandelier that hangs from the tip of the skylight. I have assembled a beam to show the chandelier before it is added to the skylight.

Note: This beam is not part of the build and has been used to showcase the chandelier.

The chandelier is supported by four transparent 2x5x2 Cockpit W.Shaft pieces.

Then eight further 2x5x2 Cockpit W.Shaft pieces are pivoted in to support the spire.

This is what the chandelier looks like when looking in through the Studgate Train Station entrance.

The completed build

When all assembled, this is what Studgate Train Station looks like with the carriages on separate tracks.

Lowering the camera to get a view looking up into the glazed roof.

Side on looking at Studgate Train Station main entrance.

Atocha Train Station - One of the most beautiful railway stations in the world

Pablo Sánchez comments on his inspiration for Studgate Train Station in his LEGO Ideas 10K Club Interview:

I live near Atocha station in Madrid, and I also like everything related to trains and models, I took the concept of the exterior of the station applying it to my way of building. Additionally, the importance of ancient elements of space sets such as dome-shaped pieces.

Source: 10K Club Interview: Introducing Pablo Sánchez of the Train Station Studgate

A high resolution image of Atocha Train Station can be viewed at this link. In that image you can see the inspiration for the decorative clocks that adorn each end of Studgate Train Station.

When building the glass walls and ceiling of Atocha Train Station, and before researching for this review, I was linking the station's design to Crystal Palace that was originally built in Hyde Park, London, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. Interestingly, the original Atocha Train Station was built in 1851, too!

The original Atocha Train Station was largely destroyed by fire and was rebuilt and reopened in 1892. The new station was built using wrought iron and was designed by Alberto de Palacio Elissagne, who collaborated with Gustave Eiffel.

Railway time

Studgate Train Station has three prominent clocks. That is appropriate as it was the railway industry that inspired nations to adopt a common, standard time zone throughout a country to enable people to arrive at the train stations before the timetabled train's arrival.

Overall opinion

There have been several LEGO Train stations available over the years.

Searching the Brickset database with the tag Train Station returns these results.

Apart from 76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition - which is in a category all on its own by not being regular six-stud-wide rail gauge - Studgate Train Station is the largest LEGO train station set by a long way.

The 71044: Disney Train and Station has more than 1000 fewer parts which also incudes a complete Disney train (with Powered Up components).

Studgate Train Station is a very attractive, fully featured train station which will compliment any discerning LEGO train enthusiasts train layout.

Studgate Train Station has been inspired by an historic train station that would have been serviced by coal-fired steam engines. I would imagine that any travellers who used the upper viewing area above the two platforms would have been engulfed in steam and smoke as engines came into the station.

While I really like the candle chandelier that hangs from the skylight, I feel as if this is out of place in the train station. I certainly had to wait for the chandelier to stop swinging back and forth whenever I moved the station to photograph the station from different angels.

While the 48x48 Medium Stone Grey baseplate has been seen in 11 sets, apart from a chess board and mosaics, Studgate Train Station is the only building to be assembled on such a baseplate.

The model is very flimsy during the initial stages of assembly and only becomes reinforced after Bags 12 has been completed. The model remains slightly flimsy and so care must be exercised when picking this model up.

Rolling stock

In my opinion, the weakest component of this build are the two carriages. They do not include any Powered Up functions nor is there any explicit way included in the instructions to show how a Powered Up Hub could be included in one of the carriages.

Such an adaptability is included as a feature of regular non-motorised trains offered by LEGO. That being said, it would be reasonably straight forward to adapt one of the carriages to include Powered Up Hub (or Power Functions and an IR receiver).

This brick-built carriage reminded me of the brick-built carriages of 7938 Passenger Train. The similarities are:

• Brick-built cabs
• Similar size
• Similar weight

Review with a range of LEGO trains

I decided to test a variety of LEGO trains in Studgate Train Station to see whether other these other trains would be compatible with the station and platform layout.

60197: Passenger Train

There were no issues. This train is completely compatible with Studgate Train Station. There is plenty of clearance for the train's pantograph.

Hinged platforms

One of the unexplained features of Studgate Train Station is the hinged platform edges: the white tiles at the edge of each platform are hinged and can be folded down.

This image shows one eight-stud section of platform folded down in this way.

10194: Emerald Night

Given that Studgate Train Station is modelled on a nineteenth century train station (erroneously stated as a seventeenth-century concept in Pablo Sánchez's original LEGO Ideas submission which he corrected in one of his update comments - updates to the original LEGO Ideas submissions are not permitted) I decided to test Studgate Train Station with 10194 Emerald Night - itself loosely modelled on a LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman which was in service from 1923.

10194 Emerald Night has smoke deflectors (sometimes called blinkers) either side of the smokebox. These deflectors only just miss contacting the stairway arch at the end of the station.

With the platforms hinged down, there is minimal clearance with the crankshafts and connecting rods.

10194 Emerald Night will get through Studgate Train Station, but I wouldn't recommend it!

71044: Disney Train

There is no clearance for 71044 Disney Train: the chimney will not fit under the stairway and the piston cylinders clash with the platform.

71044 Disney Train carriages do not fit, either.

I did not test 7597 Western Train Chase from the Toy Story theme: there is no way the Western Train will fit through this station.

Train layout

I laid some extra train track out on my dining table to see Studgate Train Station in a simple layout.

I have also included my brick-built red 7938 Passenger Train along with the two yellow carriages that come with Studgate Train Station.

45 comments on this article

By Jack_Rizzo in Denmark, 01 Aug 2023 09:38

Thanks for the review! I missed out on this during crowdfunding, but might see if I can slowly get all of the pieces needed, since it looks like there aren't too many exclusive/rare elements (save the sticker sheets, which I can live without).

Parts of it remind me of the station in York, where I lived for a few years, so would be a nice addition to my own city (not that I have space for trains in my current setup, so I have plenty of time to source the parts!).

By Zordboy in Australia, 01 Aug 2023 10:09

I like that you tested a number of different Lego passenger trains.

The first thing I did, when I bought Emerald Night, was remove the smoke deflectors.

I wonder what the thinking was, in terms of the white platform edges being hinged to fold down?

By Binnekamp in Netherlands, 01 Aug 2023 10:26

Interesting to finally see it up close. This set is and always has been out of my price range and my first thought still is 'What a nice MOC' instead of thinking of it as a great 'set', but the result still speaks volumes. Or tons. And this review did suprise me in that it still has been laid out well and been thought out thoroughly, what with the hinged platform edges! It's not size for size's sake or detail for detail's sake like you would expect. It really is just a jumbo sized model to encapsulate a (relatively small) full-sized train station.
The designer gets my respect! Now if only this hadn't been available for a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment...

By Sipowicz in United Kingdom, 01 Aug 2023 10:59

In my opinion there is nothing to recommend about this station at all. A far better MOC was recently rejected in the Ideas scheme which I thought was far better than this.

By johleth in United Kingdom, 01 Aug 2023 11:02

I wonder if the flimsiness is the reason the set doesn't work as a general release product but is more suitable for the niche collectors market,

By StyleCounselor in United States, 01 Aug 2023 11:09

Nice review! My first experience with European trains involved the Atocha station. This adds a bit of personal nostalgia to an already wonderful design. I'm glad I made the sacrifice to get it (even though it took so long to arrive).

By Stebai in Australia, 01 Aug 2023 11:10

@Sipowicz said:
"In my opinion there is nothing to recommend about this station at all. A far better MOC was recently rejected in the Ideas scheme which I thought was far better than this."

A wise lady once told me: "if you don't have anything nice to say, best not say anything at all." Bit harsh wasn't it? Your MOC rejected?

By mfg3000 in Canada, 01 Aug 2023 11:32

That was a wonderful overview, Huw. I feel like I have a strong understanding of the build experience and the strengths and challenges of the Studgate Train Station set, as well as its place in recent Lego train history. It's a beautiful looking set, and it's fun to see the train station that inspired it and Crystal Palace, too. Thank you for taking all those pictures, inserting the links and writing such a detailed review!

By Norikins in United States, 01 Aug 2023 12:28

I want to know how he obtained the quarter domes (or most likely recreated them) in trans clear!

By roygolan in United States, 01 Aug 2023 12:41

Even though this is a nice design, I really liked "The Meeting Point" build by Brickester for LEGO ideas.

By monkyby87 in United States, 01 Aug 2023 13:33

@Sipowicz said:
"In my opinion there is nothing to recommend about this station at all. A far better MOC was recently rejected in the Ideas scheme which I thought was far better than this."

That’s kind of an odd take: not liking it because another submission, which didn’t pass and won’t be a set, was better in your opinion.

By rljf311 in United States, 01 Aug 2023 13:45

“Atocha Train Station - One of the most beautiful railway stations in the world”

I think 30th Street Station in Philadelphia ought to provide some competition!

By dimc in Austria, 01 Aug 2023 14:05

Glad to see this! I had to pick one up since it's one of the more architecturally-detailed sets Lego has made. I haven't built it yet (no space, especially for train layouts) but I will have to pick up a train to go with it. I have some early 2000s trains, and a Hogwarts Express from a similar era, but no idea if they'll fit.

I'm hoping this will fit in nicely with some of the modulars; I love having a train station at the center of a city.

By MrJackson in United States, 01 Aug 2023 14:07

@Norikins said:
"I want to know how he obtained the quarter domes (or most likely recreated them) in trans clear!"

Thru LDD, or a similar virtual building program. Parts that don't exist, colors that don't exist, parts that don't exist in colors that don't exist, etc. I've said before, more than once, that submissions should need to be "built in the brick." Check out the disastrous 21337 Table Football set for Exhibits A thru Z as to why.

By gunther_schnitzel in Ireland, 01 Aug 2023 14:28

@Stebai said:
" @Sipowicz said:
"In my opinion there is nothing to recommend about this station at all. A far better MOC was recently rejected in the Ideas scheme which I thought was far better than this."

A wise lady once told me: "if you don't have anything nice to say, best not say anything at all." Bit harsh wasn't it? Your MOC rejected?
"

You chose not to heed her advice…

By Brainslugged in United Kingdom, 01 Aug 2023 15:05

Great review. Still happy that I passed on it. But that sticker on the Emerald Night! :_(

By Sandinista in United States, 01 Aug 2023 15:10

I hope this set finally quiets the people begging for a modular train station - it should be obvious why that set concept doesn’t work - no room for the tracks with adjacent buildings.

Although, with what they did with dragon alley, I can see them trying to do something similar with a subway

By Murdoch17 in United States, 01 Aug 2023 15:19

No mention of the tracks being four studs too close together @FlagsNZ ? It certainly isn't on the normal track grid of eight studs between the tracks.... Just thought I'd point that out.

By elangab in Canada, 01 Aug 2023 16:15

Thanks for the review, I was waiting for this!

During crowdfunding I found the set to be fragile and huge and a bit "moc-y" (and quite expensive, if that matters), so skipped it.

From reading the review, I REALLY like it until bag 12, but for me it's going downhill from there. The upper floor and glass roof were unnecessary.

By kyrodes in Spain, 01 Aug 2023 16:33

@FlagsNZ said:
"There are some flimsy design aspects"

Sounds like a recurring problem with BrickLink Designer Program sets. Apparently they don't get the same treatment of Ideas sets.

By flintlock in United States, 01 Aug 2023 16:39

"updates to the original LEGO Ideas submissions are not permitted"

If anyone is curious, Lego has actually changed that. Today, projects can be updated (with moderator approval) as long as they have not been changed earlier in the last 30 days.

By sammy_zammy in United Kingdom, 01 Aug 2023 17:35

@johleth said:
"I wonder if the flimsiness is the reason the set doesn't work as a general release product but is more suitable for the niche collectors market,"

Unlikely. I’d imagine many Ideas submissions are flimsy when submitted, and the Lego designers’ modifications and in some cases complete reworks are what makes it stable for mass release. I see no reason that this couldn’t have theoretically been approved on Lego Ideas and been given the same treatment. The only reason it’s flimsy is because Bricklink Designer Program sets don’t get modified by Lego designers.

By OttoT in Netherlands, 01 Aug 2023 17:39

A very good review and I totally agree with the comment about the candle chandelier, it's location is laughable.
Looking at the original I think the final product is very disappointing and misses the charm the original has. It also looks more realistic that what ended up in the box. very disappointing overall.

By tomthepirate in United States, 01 Aug 2023 18:22

Thank you for this review! I am looking forward to building this set once I get the proper amount of time.

I am also thinking about the distance between the train tracks. They are quite close together and some flex pieces would be required to fit the train station after a switch track. On the other hand, the train station would be perhaps too wide with the standard track-to-track spacing.

By AustinPowers in Germany, 01 Aug 2023 19:03

Thanks for the in depth review.
I have to admit though that I don't like this set very much. It looks far too overdetailed, especially on the roof, if that makes sense.
I like the lower part of the roof with the shutters as windows and the black ironwork, but everything above destroys the look of the whole thing for me.
Very happy with my decision to have passed on this one.

By FlagsNZ in New Zealand, 01 Aug 2023 20:32

@Brainslugged said:
"Great review. Still happy that I passed on it. But that sticker on the Emerald Night! :_("

It was purchased second hand already assembled including sticker placement.

By FlagsNZ in New Zealand, 01 Aug 2023 20:36

@Murdoch17: I dwelt on including the track separation as part of the review. The two tracks are closer together than usually found on LEGO train layouts. The tracks at real train stations usually are closer together, too.

By Snail in Austria, 01 Aug 2023 21:35

that moc flair of kitsch architecture and over-detailing, and no quality control to tune it down and catch the essence of it ...
if this was my own moc I'd be proud. but buying it is/was not for me.

By Murdoch17 in United States, 01 Aug 2023 21:37

@FlagsNZ said:
" @Murdoch17: I dwelt on including the track separation as part of the review. The two tracks are closer together than usually found on LEGO train layouts. The tracks at real train stations usually are closer together, too."

Agreed on real stations, but LEGO trains have to follow a certain grid pattern to not stress the track... unless you're using 3rd party tracks of course, then anything goes.

By ozbrickcreator in Australia, 01 Aug 2023 21:50

Now THOSE are some impressive windows!

By LegoMike in United Kingdom, 01 Aug 2023 23:31

I’ve seen pictures of 10277 Crocodile Locomotive in the station alongside the included train. It looked like it fit, albeit with the pantograph lowered

By Norikins in United States, 02 Aug 2023 02:38

@MrJackson said:
" @Norikins said:
"I want to know how he obtained the quarter domes (or most likely recreated them) in trans clear!"

Thru LDD, or a similar virtual building program. Parts that don't exist, colors that don't exist, parts that don't exist in colors that don't exist, etc. I've said before, more than once, that submissions should need to be "built in the brick." Check out the disastrous 21337 Table Football set for Exhibits A thru Z as to why. "

In the photo in front of the station you can see he built a physical Studgate. Oh wait, I think I can see zooming in that the render was photoshopped in! We've been tricked, we've been backstabbed and we've been quite possibly, bamboozled.

By RoboticJesus in United States, 02 Aug 2023 02:57

@Stebai said:
" @Sipowicz said:
"In my opinion there is nothing to recommend about this station at all. A far better MOC was recently rejected in the Ideas scheme which I thought was far better than this."

A wise lady once told me: "if you don't have anything nice to say, best not say anything at all." Bit harsh wasn't it? Your MOC rejected?
"

Please, no criticism of this set, there are fragile people around!

By yellowcastle in United States, 02 Aug 2023 03:46

I was so excited to get this set and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it is arguably now one of my all time favorite sets, assuming we call BLDP sets sets. But whoa was it a test to find a good way to incorporate it into my layout.

By kzat82 in United States, 02 Aug 2023 19:21

I love this set, but I'm really bummed the track placement breaks regular track geometry (that is, not have 8 studs between the track segments). I have no idea how I would integrate this into my city without moving a LOT of track.

By yellowcastle in United States, 02 Aug 2023 20:12

@kzat82 said:
"I love this set, but I'm really bummed the track placement breaks regular track geometry (that is, not have 8 studs between the track segments). I have no idea how I would integrate this into my city without moving a LOT of track."
I basically tore up one of my streets and had to add a funky split coming out. Luckily, I had 2 inbound tracks that were able to be successfully integrated. If you have any longer engines, be sure to check them coming and going as I inevitably always fail to check one direction.

By JGW3000 in United States, 02 Aug 2023 22:10

To address the clearance problems, could raising the entire structure one stud from the base plate solve some of the issues with Emerald Night? Shouldn't have much of an impact on the looks, etc. (just asking for a friend).

By FlagsNZ in New Zealand, 02 Aug 2023 23:45

@JGW3000 said:
"To address the clearance problems, could raising the entire structure one stud from the base plate solve some of the issues with Emerald Night? Shouldn't have much of an impact on the looks, etc. (just asking for a friend)."

The Emerald Night very nearly clashes in two locations: the steam deflectors and the crankshafts and connecting rods.

The deflectors just get past the stairway arch. There is a better view of this construction on the 71044 Disney Train image - take a close look to the other (right) side of that image.

Raising the structure will not improve the clearance of the crankshafts and connecting rods next to the folded down platform edge. A redesign of the platform would sort this out, though.

By StyleCounselor in United States, 03 Aug 2023 14:35

@FlagsNZ said:
" @JGW3000 said:
"To address the clearance problems, could raising the entire structure one stud from the base plate solve some of the issues with Emerald Night? Shouldn't have much of an impact on the looks, etc. (just asking for a friend)."

The Emerald Night very nearly clashes in two locations: the steam deflectors and the crankshafts and connecting rods.

The deflectors just get past the stairway arch. There is a better view of this construction on the 71044 Disney Train image - take a close look to the other (right) side of that image.

Raising the structure will not improve the clearance of the crankshafts and connecting rods next to the folded down platform edge. A redesign of the platform would sort this out, though."

Thanks, as always, for your comprehensive reviews with interesting comparisons and observations about different set interactions. Finally, your commitment to comment interaction is amazing!

By SDlgo9 in United Kingdom, 05 Aug 2023 12:32

Sounds like it would be easier to sort out the track spacing using 12v (or 4.5v) track, by making one or both platforms wider and having the two tracks immediately adjacent to each other. Something about the idea of combining this elaborate model with blue rails and white sleepers appeals to me...

By CopperTablet in United States, 08 Aug 2023 19:25

The set just doesn't look right without the tan Door, Frame 2 x 8 x 12 with Hinges 2662. Lego has probably lost the mold to this obscure '90s element but I'd almost be tempted to paint some despite it being a huge illegal technique.

By MightyMoose in Australia, 09 Aug 2023 21:25

Nice review, have to agree with some of the others that the detailing is a bit much, even if impressive. Is one of the micro figures above the main entrance supposed to be facing backwards?

By FlagsNZ in New Zealand, 10 Aug 2023 01:11

@MightyMoose said:
[Is one of the micro figures above the main entrance supposed to be facing backwards?]

No. Thanks for picking that up.

By Martin_S in Denmark, 10 Aug 2023 14:24

is this really seeling at lego.com as implied in the beginning of the article?

By Straight_6 in Germany, 14 Aug 2023 13:51

@StyleCounselor said:
" @FlagsNZ said:
" @JGW3000 said:
"To address the clearance problems, could raising the entire structure one stud from the base plate solve some of the issues with Emerald Night? Shouldn't have much of an impact on the looks, etc. (just asking for a friend)."

The Emerald Night very nearly clashes in two locations: the steam deflectors and the crankshafts and connecting rods.

The deflectors just get past the stairway arch. There is a better view of this construction on the 71044 Disney Train image - take a close look to the other (right) side of that image.

Raising the structure will not improve the clearance of the crankshafts and connecting rods next to the folded down platform edge. A redesign of the platform would sort this out, though."

Thanks, as always, for your comprehensive reviews with interesting comparisons and observations about different set interactions. Finally, your commitment to comment interaction is amazing!"

I can only agree to this statement - thumbs up and a big Thank-You! for this review! :)