LEGO Ideas Orient Express Train 21344 independent review

Independent, #NotSponsored, unscripted fan review of the LEGO Ideas Orient Express Train set 21344 available via LEGO US: tinyurl.com/bdhxs22a | LEGO Canada: tinyurl.com/legoCAjang1 If you use my affiliate links I may get a tiny commission to help keep the channels going!
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The opinions I express are mine and mine alone and not for sale for any price. Ads, when shown, are selected & placed by KZbin itself.

[@JANGsLEGOreviews]

Apologies for the delay on this one (mostly explained in the video). Also I had a ton of interruptions throughout recording and as a result I know this isn't up to my desired standard of narrative flow, so apologies for that as well. After months of delay, it was time to say, "This is it, this is what I've got," and publish it.

[@beeblebrox42069]

Don't worry about any minor deviations from any arbitrarily high standard you've set for yourself - your reviews, this one included, are a beacon of objectivity in a sea of sell-outs and that's what matters!

[@mastterby]

I think the story of replacing parts made this video quite unique, really comprehensive as always

[@ALEXD4WN]

No problem hang, longer videos are always appreciated, at least by me👍

[@arablelands]

Perfectionists curse… no totally understandable your consistent quality is why I always watch!

[@petergoodmann9034]

Excellent vid as always, Jang.

[@megatronacepticon]

As a model and not a toy you definitely want it to have the display track, so I also disagree with the idea that LEGO added it just to have more parts and up the price for more profit.

[@lbricks7631]

I was under the impression that TLG prices products at the ideation stage, and the model is built to fit the price. The track was included to make the set have a better value, if you want to complain about the price, then blame corporate Lego, not the designers.

[@masonbubash524]

16:45 that's funny you mention that, I had a similar experience in 2019. The helmet on the First Order Jet Trooper in the Pasaana Speeder Chase had a really misprinted helmet, and the replacement never arrived, so I reached out and then received two different packages with the replacement helmet within two weeks

[@72Saeth]

That crystal decanter build is so nice. The bar area may be my favorite. The interior details are my favorite part of a set like this. And wow, the bathroom floor!

[@idonjohnson6999]

I likeJang. He is not sponsored and keeps it real and honest.

[@benhunter4041]

I was so excited to pre order this set but can’t get over the “Thomas the orient express” look… I wish they had just made this a beautiful display piece.

[@Smiley1701]

Really appreciate the deep dive into the design/motorization aspect and also the sticker issue (which could be very easy for some to overlook since we aren't used to questioning sticker sheets)

[@troodon1096]

Glad they corrected the spelling of the train stops as that would annoyed me to no end lol.

[@Lewa-tk4gq]

Glad to see the return of more of the Adventures crew with Pippin Reed here and Dr Kilroy in the museum

[@scribeyesteak8758]

I have another theory regarding rhe lack of power functions beyond simply the practical fact of not enough power - the Orient Express Company didn’t allow it as an official function, as I imagine it would conflict with any sort of official model train set they may have. It seems possible given how much else was factored in with working with the OE company, like using the modern logo.

[@Arcade_Cat_]

I love how despite this set having so many issues, it's still the best train Lego has ever done

[@troodon1096]

I mean, yeah, maybe they could have done a little better, but it's not bad. I think the detail in the cars especially is excellent; I don't think any train they've ever done before has anywhere close to that level of interior detail.

[@CJ-ts1ys]

Can always count on Jang to play devils advocate and give us a fair, honest, and well thought out opinion

[@calvinbawesome7715]

This is up there with the Horizon Express as the best train lego has ever done imo.

[@legomattie3295]

Great review. The loc also my biggest issue. I admit I got mad Lego claimed it cannot hold a powerbox, while it soon was proven it could, but the use of batteries never came up in my mind. So you made a good point.

[@Sergeant.hendrix]

Missed opportunity for Lego to include a hercule poirot minifigure

[@AminalCreacher]

I'm glad to see that you share my feelings about this set. Fantastic, modular building quality coaches, dragged down by a locomotive that feels bland and directionless. I know it would be a big project, but I'd love to see what your take on a better locomotive for these coaches would look like. I'm doing so myself, as a fun building challenge.

[@SO-ym3zs]

Great review as usual from Jang: thoughtful, knowledgeable, fair, and not sponsored by Lego.

[@skythewolfgon5843]

I like how the cars have classy interiors

[@beeblebrox42069]

Maybe the misprints will gain value in time, similar to misprinted postage stamps?😂😂

[@Arcade_Cat_]

I know for the original Cuusoo Back To The Future set, the old Flux Capacitor piece is similar in price to the corrected counterpart

[@bertbergers9171]

As a first run owner i think i would still make the effort to at least get the conversion parts from Lego. (i don't own nor going to buy this set due to priorities) Apart from that, yes i guess the collecting world is that weird to put value in scarcity though it being wrong scarcity.

[@flaggerify]

That only matters if it's rare.

[@RollMeAFat1]

At least you have a massive amount of the nice chrome backed stickers now! Maybe good for a custom train

[@JorisKoolen]

Yayy thanks for the review, I'm a happy owner and seeing you go over the whole set (good and bad) just gets me to enjoy the train all over again

[@BenChurchill76]

I recently watched a documentary about the real Orient Express (in its current form) and they did a good job recreating the artwork in the cars, and particularly the bar; it looks as close to the real one as possible on this scale and with LEGO. I did see other videos where there were some clear quality control issues with the pieces, which is unfortunate.

[@MEKKANNOID]

A single 9v motor replacing the frontmost coach bogie will pull it no problem. You can dress it up to look similar enough to the brickbuilt bogies, although it will be slightly longer

[@For891]

I’m always amazed how well thought out and how well you execute your delivery in these reviews. Do you make them off the cuff so to speak? They seem very well put together.

[@allonewordcaps]

Great video 😊 the stickers thing was so bad. I wish that they were able to fix the power thing. I would have been cool to see it running even if I could see it running on KZbin. Great video as I always say. I love your informative and unbiased reviews. I looking forward to them.

[@WonkoTheSane99]

Looks like this set... Went off the rails 😎

[@tomogotchi9140]

As a train fanatic I wasn't too upset with the design of the locomotive, if anything I love the colour scheme and the new connecting rod pieces to bring it to life which I want for my custom locomotive which uses the thicker technic piece. I DID however get disappointed at the fact that it couldn't be powered and the price range is above what I'm comfortable. This video at least let me in on a few things as to why Lego did what they did and the decisions they made, I'm not mad at Lego themselves and by the sounds of it seems like a good thing I didn't try to power it as it would have caused problems, so thanks for the video it was very informative and helped alot, maybe I'll buy it in future and if I do I know to approach it as a model rather than a standard train. And as a Lego Adventurers fan, the inclusion of Pipin Read as an update is very much appreciated, I'll at least buy her figure somehow.

[@ravewulf]

Instead of a journalist, maybe a novelist? Perhaps Agatha Christie?

[@ThePrecipice66]

I really like this set. So many ideas for expanding it.

[@BxWcreations]

Jang you are an awesome person and hope you have a great day 🤙

[@gegbag2666]

the journalist figure and the old man with glasses are supposed to be pippin reed and dr kilroy from orient expedition

[@joseramalho3297]

Thank you Jang. I will definitely save on this one. I may regret it, but LEGO gives us very hard choices to make.

[@VincentLaiAW]

I use the new online system and got the stickers correctly. I didn't find the the chrome sheet either and so I marked "Not shown here" and input a note specifying the exact stick sheet number. TLG did send me the right one really quickly. Hope that helps the others.

[@maxthrust976]

I like this set well enough, even though the locomotive could be fancier, but that price though. It's hard not to compare it to the motorized lighthouse, which is nearly the same price, admittedly has fewer pieces, but is actually motorized. I might eventually pick one of these up, but hopefully I can just get one that has the right stickers and tiles in the box at some future date.

[@McAlexton]

I think the level of detail on the locomotive is fine, but what isn't fine is the locomotive itself. Lego fans voted for a unique Pacific PLM 231 which we've never gotten before, and instead got a 4-6-0 locomotive which we have already seen multiple times in recent years. I think the problem isn't the detail, but the locomotive not being a 4-6-0 PLM

[@UKnightedGames1234]

Great review Jang

[@TheBrickTwins2024]

Great build!! Thanks for sharing this review.

[@fassifern]

Thank you, I needed this which it would've been my another frivolous spent.

[@stuchly1]

To be fair this does look much bigger on your table than I thought it was going to be.

[@lego4virgo]

I think I'd still try to motorize it, and just have it pull the coal tender and a carriage, or just the two carriages, if need be. Guess this is why I invested in rechargeable batteries. 😉

[@devinpaul9026]

Locomotive should also staff a fireman for that shovel, realistically.

[@PistachioDean]

I'm guessing there was a lot of red tape with the whole Orient Express Brand/Accor Group that ultimately made it so different from the original idea and upped the price. I still actually really enjoy this set, I think the colour and the design of the coaches is nice. I'm not really fussed on the locomotive or the minifigs though.

[@warrennewman5325]

Thats ok doing amazing job train is fantastic awesome review jang 👍

[@kenrickbaughman992]

Ah man. THIS. I been waiting for this set forever! I love train sets

[@aaronbrinkerhoff3787]

Kind of a let down. Shouldn't be powered up. You are right. They should have gone one path or the other. In my opinion all toy trains should have motors or the possibility to be motorized. If that was out of the window then they should have made a longer more ornate engine indeed. Well it saved me money at least. Always a silver lining haha.

[@UNIVERSE_X_STUDIOS]

I understand the power and low detail issues, but I don’t really care about it personally. I think it looks beautiful and I can’t wait to get mine! 😊

[@jadesutton9488]

I love, love, love, LOVED hearing Jang speak the truth about the very rough original submission. Wonderful.

[@WizardOfOss]

Very much agree on this one. I fully understand that the Orient Express is all about the cars, not the locomotive, but that doesn't change the fact I'd want to display it well with an appropriate locomotive. Dare I say this would have been better as an unlicensed "Luxury Train", purely for display but with a much better locomotive? It's not just the lack of detail that bothers me, but this looks like a light freight or at best mixed use locomotive. Which would only be used for the OE during shunting. And if they really had to keep it this size, they should have designed it more in like a 1880s style, both the locomotive and the cars. I was really hyped for this set when the Ideas submission got approved, but too much of this is lacking to warrant that €300 price tag. Unless I see it at some insane discount, I won't be buying it. I might rather look at a Mould King set that looks much closer to the original submission, can run (not that I really car), and even has a smoke generator! All for less than €200....

[@JANGsLEGOreviews]

Be sure to look at non-sponsored customer reviews of the Mould King before purchasing it. It sounds fairly abysmal and looks it too.

[@MayoHosko]

If the locomotive had the same shape, proportion and detail of model train versions of the Orient Express people would have been happier with this set

[@FlymanMS]

It’s a shame they didn’t include Poirot minifigure.

[@JANGsLEGOreviews]

Yeah it's just not an Agatha Christie licensed product, though, it's an Orient Express Company licensed product, so the focus is on the core real-life service and its legacy, not the fiction that uses it as a literal vehicle.

[@conflictbrooks]

I was today years old when I learned the Orient Express was in fact an actual passenger train service that existed and not something made up for _Murder on the Orient Express._ I now feel pretty stupid.

[@FlymanMS]

@@JANGsLEGOreviewsI know and I’m joking. Still a very cozy train that instantly reminds me of the classic movie

[@Winchester1979]

After looking at some photos, I'm going to content myself with imagining that the "journalist" figure is Agatha Christie herself, writing the novel. Dunno if she ever rode the Orient Express in real life, but she certainly went there in her imagination and that's enough for me. :) (Edit: I looked it up and she did ride the Orient Express, more than once, with the first time being in 1928 and her experiences there was part of the inspiration for the novel).

[@khululyp]

@@JANGsLEGOreviews Granted it is Lego you can easily add a Hercule Poirot

[@undead.rising]

My complaint is simple: it's 2024 now - they have been doing rather detailed leg printing for over 15 years now. By this stage in the company's evolution, EVERY minifigure should have printed legs, at the bare minimum.

[@DZstudios.]

My correct stickers have still not arrived 😢

[@AHYL88]

Great review as always, well reasoned, unbiased and understanding. This set left a good first impression, but man when the dust settles and you take your time scrutinising this more closely, that first impression really did shatter badly. Obviously the price is already a major issue, and even though this a lot less costly and less fillery than the much more expensive (albeit much larger) UCS styled Hogwarts Express and its filler platform, the amount of flaws this set has just really hurts this a lot. The quality control issues and mistakes with the names certainly worsen things too. I don't mind this not being motorised as Lego would've added a lot to the price of this, but the train portion definitely needed to be significantly improved. It's clear more focus was on the two cars and less on the train itself, which is so small by comparison to the cars. And really, people who expected this to look exactly like the fan design really have to wise up, since it's been known for many many years now, that no fan design based set has ever remained exactly as is on final release. It should look nice for sure, but I knew it was not going to look like what was submitted as it was not built under the same standards the Lego designers have to adhere to. Regardless, it's such a shame this set is not as great as it should be; it still looks nice, it's certainly not a bad set but it is a disappointment.

[@FrootNoobzSC]

I would always pay more if they were to add a 4th or even 3rd cart because what am I going to do with two engines. With the city trains you can at least purchase a 2nd and make it one of those high speed trains but here you can't really have two similar engines so its mainly just extra pieces in that case

[@wardbjerregaard5155]

Love you Jang. I was going to by it but there were no point to by it when is looks ok in are way.❤❤

[@SO-ym3zs]

Lego seems to have forgotten or missed the point that for most train buffs/model railroaders, the locomotive usually ends up taking primacy. That's the ultimate center of interest, so it's sad that they lavished so much more attention on the cars (admittedly a key part of the Orient Express experience/brand) instead of the engine. And the quality control issues aren't acceptable for a $300 toy.

[@MrAgamble]

Loved the review, I think you nailed the balance of explaining the bad experience people would have had if this had run on powered up, while also criticising the almost cartoony looking locomotive.

[@21sandwich21]

My only complaint about this set is that it’s $300… it should’ve been like $150

[@jimm244]

You nailed it, Jang. I’m a big Train fan, but will be passing on this one.

[@GodmanchesterGoblin]

Thanks for the great review. Nice model - but a real shame about the too many QC failures. Those banana track pieces really spoil the look, and the print errors (spelling and gold bands not being straight) are also an issue for me. Like you, I think Lego rushed this out and should have given more time to identify and address the various issues as well as giving more consideration to the motorisation. I am sure the fact this model uses the new style train wheels with plastic pins rather than the previous type with metal axles adds significant rolling resistance to the carriages. I think I'd change the bogie design to use the old type if I was building it.

[@thecopperowl8386]

I would have gladly paid $300 for it if it came with a cargo car and figures that reference the various movies/shows that take place on the Orient express. "Horror Express" Dr. Who, The Mummy on the Orient Express," and "Murder on the Orient Express"

[@cowerdnerddespacito9518]

I feel like the use of plastic wheel sets instead of the metal ones also doesn’t help the train move under power, the couplers also don’t seem to work the best going around curves, I wish those old magnets they had in the 90s were still in production, the ones that was just the coupler and the magnet that didn’t need to be connected to buffers. I know magnets and metal wheels are expensive but dang they would have been nice in this set

[@Angrist17]

As a train fan I really wanted to like this set. But for that price I just can't do it. Not with the engine looking like that. Haven't seen a good moc fix to make it look more like a display piece yet either, just lots of dubious motorization. Maybe eventually.

[@johnnations5932]

LOVE the 3-stud-wide windows, here in gold and set on their sides! They were purple in the Knight Bus set and I was so pleased when they arrived. The gold adds a touch of class. Too bad this train was not specifically designed for powered movement, but hey, at least its trucks are so mobile that one can manually drive it around a tight loop! The writer and cameraman are cool figures and the cars look really good. I also like the locomotive, maybe because I don't have Jang's level of expertise on those and like its smooth sleekness. Now I hope someone installs lights throughout and puts that video online! 🚂

[@khululyp]

6:54 you could say the mirror is an ART DECOration

[@Pixel22-fs3tt]

I thought this set was based on the famous novel turned movie "murder on the Orient Express" and not the actual company. Very cool

[@GeneralHomsar]

I received this set as a gift, and despite the issues I am incredibly pleased with the set.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

Looks spectacular

[@oodsigma]

I love this set and I love it even more after getting the corrected stickers and tiles from Lego lol.

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

I wonder whether it would be less strain with motor if you took out all of the fancy interior. If the train moves on its own, you do not see it anyway.

[@joeparksman]

The camera man’s torso looks like Frodo’s torso

[@TheSplashingSwampert]

I'm pleasently surprised that you know the german word "Umlaut" and even it's pronounciation 😂

[@For891]

I’m always amazed by not just his knowledge of lego but his extensive vocabulary. Jang is truly the most concise lego channel. I always enjoy his reviews no matter what language he uses or when it comes out.

[@ilikemandalorians9861]

I think that word is also part of the English vocabulary (what else would one call the two dot thingies?) 😅

[@eccentricorbiter1390]

Umlaut is also an english word

[@Whitewastaken]

It’s one of my favorite Lego trains to be honest

[@brokenshadow9607]

I don’t really understand the hate on the locomotive. It looks beautiful, and I really don’t care that it cant be motorized. Its a beautiful set piece.

[@wile.e.coyote7666]

It looks so toyish, looks like a 100$ Potter set. Cars are wonderful, but the rest...even the rails are bent...no motor included, very poor quality control for a 300$ set. TLG messed this one up IMHO. But I understand your statement.

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

Not Orient Express related, but I do have a question. I noticed it in this video as well as the Ornithopter review you posted yesterday, is the UCS Venator drooping already? It make be just a trick if the camera and the perspective but it looks like the front and back are drooping in two different directions. I was planning on getting it at some point but I don’t know if I will if it does that.

[@kingkramer]

I'm so starved of Lego steam locomotives that I might still get this

[@MaxRawhide]

I'm still on the 12 volt system and those engines are strong. If the current battery powered engines can't really pull it, then I suspect 12v should be able to. Actually, the 12v engines often struggle with being too strong and too fast for the Lego curves. But thanks for the review. You've made me consider a set I didn't want to get because of it's size. (Do you already have plans for the extra stickers?)

[@AG7-MTM]

LEGO should have taken a page out of Emerald Night - that steam train seemed to handle power functions just fine...

[@CarlosLopez-oc9nh]

Are you going to keep it or remod it to make it lighter to add an engine for your display city ?

[@StArFuRyZz]

This was on my "must have" list - until it came out and I saw the engine. The cars - very nice. But the locomotive is just lacking. I'd have expected something nicer.

[@JonatanGronoset]

Cool to see the set in other angles than the pictures. The design and parts use is impressive but I will not be buying this set for reasons of price vs expectation... There's some neat and clever bit of design here and there worth copying, though. LEGO either designs way worse components nowadays or air far too much on the side of caution (for liability reasons obviously). The MOCs I build have cars that outweight this set and two of the PF system train motors have hauled it reliably for many years both inside and outside without any failure. I think that with the right gearing the medium motor would be capable of managing it surely, but the weakness is the battery system. The locomotive is a decent effort, it could definitely be better but as far as LEGO steam locomotives go it's one of the better ones since Emerald Night. I know the inspiration for it and it's the Swiss A3/5 601 and 705; some features like the upside-down built front, the way the smokebox flairs out to meet the cylinders and rounded cab corners (nice) is a dead giveaway. Could be better (as always), but could also be much worse; it could've been a recolored Hogwarts Express.

[@Suit_and_tie_reptile_guy]

It looks smooth 👌

[@Benjamin0119]

The two coaches and figures are great. The engine is kind of basic, but man, what's worse is LEGO made a dreaded shelf queen! $300 for an un-powered train. No thanks. And I don't blame you for not modifying the train, if it can't handle it long term. Thanks for the info and review.

[@stijnd5268]

Another big problem with the weight is that lego's train wheels just aren't that good when they're used for something else than CITY trains, you can easily pull more weight when you use ball bearing wheels but with those 2 combined (and legos curves just being rediculous) it just doesnt work. Another bummer is that LEGO prioritizing the carriages just doesn't work when it comes to trains, a locomotive is just as important (if not more) as its carriages, and the other way around. The emerald night was a beautiful locomotive with a cheaped out carriage, now the sapphire star is a cheaped out locomotive with beautiful carriages.

[@ACLProps]

Really can't decide whether to get this set next or Snow White's cottage

[@njacksonkc]

Unfortunately some people may apply those stickers before realizing the color is wrong. But maybe the error is more obvious in person? Thanks for the review!

[@gearandalthefirst7027]

Thankfully stickers are removable, unlike prints. Which is why I find everyone's obsession with printed parts annoying. Anything that can't be reasonably re-used for something else should be a sticker not a print imo.

[@flaggerify]

More passengers would be nice or an added tie-in with Agatha Christie.

[@Omerrhon]

Looked at the original Orient Express Loco. That thimg is massive and looks serious. Lego version looks like Thomas the Train.

[@sangregato7831]

I was legit wondering if a Poirot minifig was included too XD

[@nightelfuser]

I like the overall look, and the interiors are beautiful. What I don't like is the price, $300 for a medium sized train that can't even fit in a motor? I don't think so.

[@Playitcool_1963]

Realising this counts as a Lego mission impossible set now

[@armoredplacoderm]

As a casual train guy, the locomotive looks fine to me. Though, as a casual train guy, $300 makes this a pass.

[@wikbriks5753]

definitely a problem with proportions with the locomotive, needs to be bigger, call this release a fiasco

[@undead.rising]

The bartender looks like Keira Knightley to me, which might be done as an in-joke that she always appears in period pieces.

[@Qoonutz]

I am waiting for this set to go on a 25% off sale.

[@CrazyChemistPL]

With all due respect, LEGO already made a purely display train set that couldn't go on tracks - the Collector's Hogwarts Express. Why couldn't the Orient Express be like that? With larger, more detailed locomotive and just a single car, just like in the proposal. I don't think most people calling this set inferior to the Ideas proposal (and I agree it is inferior, tbh) wanted the locomotive to be retained exactly as in the concept, simply they expected larger scale, more detailed model.

[@gasonfeist7238]

Everything in the back half looks good... shame about the front.

[@0l3gb4l]

🪩🙂🪩 Great Review,My Friend @theJang 🙂🪩👍

[@cyanimation1605]

idk. I'm not a train nerd but it looks beautiful to me.