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NederlandsLEGO fans, prepare your golden tickets! A new The Polar Express project has reached the coveted 10,000 supporters milestone on LEGO Ideas, marking its spot in the third 2024 review round. Created by NarrowGaugeNut, this submission is the third attempt to bring the iconic holiday train to life, coinciding with the film’s 20th anniversary next year.
While it missed the chance to coincide with the anniversary celebrations, this detailed model is a strong contender for becoming an official LEGO set. Here's a closer look at what makes this project stand out.
A Classic Train with a Magical Story
For those unfamiliar, The Polar Express is a beloved 2004 animated film based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. It tells the heartwarming story of a young boy’s magical train journey to the North Pole, rediscovering the spirit of Christmas along the way. The train itself, a 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive, has become an icon of holiday nostalgia.
NarrowGaugeNut’s project faithfully recreates this memorable locomotive, complete with a tender, passenger car, and observation car. The build also includes six minifigures representing key characters: Hero Boy with the silver bell, Hero Girl with her ticket, Know-it-All with a hot chocolate mug, Billy with his present, the Conductor with a lantern, and the mysterious Hobo with his coffee.
LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas The Polar Express Images
What Sets This Model Apart
This model balances displayability and playability. Designed at an 8-stud width, it’s detailed enough for adult fans while remaining accessible to younger builders. It even includes Powered Up components housed in the tender, with functioning lights strung to the locomotive’s front.
Notable features include:
- A display stand with a descriptive plaque for collectors.
- Interchangeable roof panels on the observation car to recreate the disappearing Hobo scene.
- Functional compatibility with standard LEGO track, making it perfect for play or display.
While the train’s length has been kept modest with just two cars, this choice ensures affordability without compromising the essence of the set.
Challenges Ahead
With similarities to the recently released LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train, The Polar Express faces a tough challenge in the review process. Both feature iconic locomotives, custom display stands, and a focus on nostalgia. LEGO may hesitate to approve another train so soon, but the unique holiday theme and enduring popularity of the source material could sway the decision.
Looking Forward
The project joins a competitive lineup of 33 submissions in the third 2024 review round, which begins in January 2025. The LEGO Review Board will evaluate the build’s playability, brand alignment, and market potential before making a decision. If approved, it could still take months to refine the design and prepare it for production.
Final Thoughts
NarrowGaugeNut’s The Polar Express submission is a charming homage to a classic holiday tale, skillfully blending nostalgia and LEGO craftsmanship. As the train pulls into the LEGO Ideas station once more, fans of the movie and train enthusiasts alike will be eager to see if it reaches its destination as an official LEGO set.
Are you excited about the possibility of The Polar Express becoming a LEGO set? What are your favorite features of this project, and what would you like to see in a final version? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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