LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train gives a nod to a classic set

The locomotive included in LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train includes a subtle reference to a classic LEGO set of yesteryear.

The LEGO Group today revealed 21344 The Orient Express Train, the 52nd LEGO Ideas set to go from fan submission to finished model. The officially-licensed build chuffs into the station with 2,540 pieces, comes with eight minifigures and is released on December 1 priced at £259.99 / $299.99 / €299.99.

21344 The Orient Express Train is based on a pitch by Thomas Lajon (aka LEt.sGO), although the look of the model has undergone quite a transformation compared to the original design. That version boasted a primarily dark green and black colour scheme with red accents, most of which have been changed to blue, gold and black in the final LEGO Ideas model.

However, the name of the locomotive included with 21344 The Orient Express Train does offer a subtle nod to a classic LEGO Train set of the past, one that also bears a striking resemblance to Lajon’s LEGO Ideas submission.

On the sides of the engine can be seen the name Sapphire Star, which is confirmed to be a reference to 10194 Emerald Night, a 1,072-piece set that was released back in 2009. That 54cm long model featured a primarily dark green and black colour scheme too and it's one that appears to have been echoed in Lajon’s The Orient Express, a Legendary Train design.

With a piece count twice that size, 21344 The Orient Express Train is undoubtedly a much more detailed build, one that measures over 116cm in length. However, fans of 10195 Emerald Night will probably still appreciate the reference to the classic train set and the two would certainly make for impressive display models when placed side-by-side.

21344 The Orient Express Train will be arriving online and in-stores on December 1 for £259.99 / $299.99 / €299.99 and you can find out much more about the upcoming LEGO Ideas set in our visual tour and gallery here.

Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO sets using our affiliate links and stay across all the best LEGO deals with our dedicated page throughout Black Friday. Thanks!