Everything you need to know about the LEGO® Ideas River Steamboat

Some designs work almost like time machines. The moment you see them, you’re immediately transported back to the era that they are from.

There’s a good chance that when you look at a river steamboat, you’re taken back to the golden age of steam when these majestic boats floated along lazy rivers with dapper gents and well-dressed ladies on deck.

So it is with pleasure that we welcome the LEGO® Ideas River Steamboat to the many fantastic vehicles that we’ve produced over the years. To tell you everything you need to know, we caught up with the LEGO Ideas designer. Join us as we weigh anchor and take a trip on the river steamboat.

Researching the golden age of steam

LEGO Ideas designer Marina Stampoli studied architecture engineering and so was perfectly placed to work on this new set.

“I was very excited to work on this set, as I love boats, even though a paddle steamer is one of the few types of boats I’ve never been on!” she says. “I loved the architectural aspect of the boat, the intricate details, but also the engineering side of it.”

Marina spent the first part of her design process researching these stunning boats, as well as learning from the original submission from American fan designer Aaron Hall.

“We were amazed by Aaron’s beautiful display model, which was full of incredible details,” says Marina. “During the development, we had regular meetings, and Aaron, an architect himself, was always eager to suggest ideas, make comments or sketches. It was a pleasure to work with him.”

The design team also included one or two Easter eggs as a nod to Aaron and his life.

“The boat is named after his daughter Amelia,” says Marina. “The band that’s playing on the music stage is named after his son Breckin, and they are playing on his wedding anniversary! The red cardinal on the drums is a symbol of Aaron’s home state, and we also discovered it had a special meaning for his wife!”

There may even also be a reference to another LEGO Ideas set hidden in the model, but if you want to find out which, you’ll have to build the steamboat.

Welcome aboard!

While elegant on the outside, river steamboats could sometimes be luxurious and stylish on the inside. This model is not intended to be a replica of a specific boat, so Marina and the team were inspired by boats from around the world and blended 19th century details with contemporary uses for the interior.

“At the top, you can find the pilothouse, from where you can steer the boat,” says Marina. “On the following floor, typically called a Texas deck, there is a cabin for the crew and a toilet with a shower. The main deck has a luxury restaurant and a music stage, where the boat’s visitors can enjoy a fun evening while cruising. Then, the boiler deck houses the restaurant’s kitchen.”

During the design process, Marina and the team had an idea for a room that anyone fascinated by engineering history will love.

“While researching for the model, we decided to add a steam engine museum, to showcase the history of engines throughout the centuries. The museum also houses the actual boat’s steam engine, which is connected to the stern paddle, the most iconic element of steamboats. You can admire the mechanics at work, while pushing the boat around.”

Another idea that came during the design process was to include working steering.

“We wanted the set to have as many realistic functions as possible, and the steering was one of them,” she says. “This was a challenge, as the mechanism had to cross through different floors. Starting from the pilot house, at the very top, the steering wheel is connected to a series of cross axles that run vertically through all the floors and then, horizontally through the hull, reach the rudder at the boat’s stern. The vertical axles split into separate parts that can be removed easily when lifting the floors. This was made possible thanks to a new connector element we used, that only has friction on one side.”

Ready for the voyage

This set makes a beautiful display for your home or a perfect gift for lovers of vehicles or engineering.

We asked Marina why she believes that the design style of these steamboats has proven to be so enduring.

“I think it is a combination of the fine, ornamental details and a nostalgia for past eras that make the 19th-century steamboats’ design so iconic,” she says. “It makes you dream of serene cruises on calm river waters. Everyone wants to be on board!”

Now, with the LEGO® Ideas River Steamboat, they can.

Discover more behind the scenes with the fan designer’s story here.