40138: Christmas Train review

It’s the 1st of December and to kick off the count down we will be covering some of the festive sets with the opener being the first holiday exclusive of 2015. Over the last couple of years, LEGO have produced seasonal sets timed to be released with double VIP promotion points and the run up to Christmas. For 2015, we see this continue with the addition of the Shop@Home exclusive Christmas Train set.

Cue the set being mooted as a ‘must have’ and prices on auction sites hitting silly figures. Is this a ‘must-have’ for your collection?

Promotion Details

As this set had no official description, we will instead explain you how you could have gotten this exclusive.

lego

LEGO® Christmas Train (40138) is valid for orders online at LEGO.com/shop, in LEGO Stores and LEGO Catalogue telephone orders from 22 October until 20 November, or while stocks last. Qualifying purchase must be equal to or greater than £50 in merchandise only. One LEGO Christmas Train (40138) per household. Cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with any other discount, offer or free gift. It cannot be exchanged or substituted for any other item or cash value. It is not available for purchase. Offer is not valid at LEGOLAND®Parks or LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers. The LEGO Group reserves the right to cancel or modify this promotion at any time without prior advance notice.

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The Review

The build is very straightforward. I attempted to build from sight as I did last year, but only managed a 70% completion rather than look at the map for guidance. Bit gutted really, but you could see that there are some non-obvious methods to create the train and carriages, not evident from the box pictures.

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Parts wise, we have quite a few colourful elements, 1×1 plates in juicy shades ensuring that there is a real sweet element to the construction of the ‘candy’ elements that fill one of the carriages. Lots of red and dark green add the Christmassy feel about the set.

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I am dead chuffed to see the infamous wheel arches that were a staple within LEGOLAND sets make an entrance and form part of train. Add to that the wee tree, something that we rarely see in town sets these days.

But somehow, I am finding it is a little hard to get all excited about this one. Yes – it is an exclusive, yes – it has some unique elements, but somehow I feel that is a nice set, not a great set.

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What I don’t get is people clamouring all over the interweb to pay anything between £15-30 for this set. The question I ask myself is “Why?”.

Look, it is a nice little Christmas addition, and a fairly easy build. If you spent over £50 on LEGO via the promotion via Shop@Home, then you have a good little freebie.

But I am staggered at the scalpers creating a frenzy and sucking people in to buy this set at a very inflated price. I would certainly not be chasing down and seeking this as an essential to have – like the 2014 edition, it is good, but nothing spectacular to get all excited about.

If you have a mass of Christmas sets that form part of your collection, then champion. However, do ask yourself if this didn’t come via S@H, is this set worth paying a premium when I am sure with a little invention and different parts, a MOC could be made from a glance at the instructions.

Author Profile

Keith
My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits.

I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again.

I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox.

There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

Keith

My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits. I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again. I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox. There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

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