Author: bluephotographs800

LEGO and trains are as unbeatable as combinations come. For years and even decades LEGO has given model railroad enthusiasts plenty of brick-built locomotive goodness. Add Power Function options and the experience can get just as good as “traditional” model railroads. Themes like LEGO City have given collectors some pretty awesome train sets already. But there are more locomotive types and models out there. Some fans have gone on LEGO Ideas to propose these new builds. Already the current Second 2022 Review Stage has several product ideas in that vein. This new certified 10K-supported submission’s a bit different from them.

How so? It’s because this one’s alive, sort of. Ideas member KaijuBuildz gives us his super-accurate depiction of the world’s most famous tank engine with a face. Yep, Thomas from “Thomas and Friends” didn’t seem to have much problem earning its 10,000 supporters for review.

The dimensions of the plucky blue tank engine in LEGO-brick form are uncannily spot on. You’d think it was taken from the set of the original “model live-action” “Thomas and Friends” series.

He’s also minifigure-scale to fit a minifig of the Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt, in his cabin. Thomas comes with four facial-expression tiles and an alternative, realistic smokebox.

Whether one’s a fan of the original “Railway Series” books by Rev. Awdry, or the various TV series adaptations since, they’ll surely love this submission. KaijuBuildz’ Thomas the Tank Engine comes with a display stand, though he can also go on standard LEGO rails. He’s just too small for Power Functions, but a mechanism will allow the wheels to turn freely. This is a standout product idea for LEGO Ideas Second 2022 Review. As one who’s watched “Thomas”, this writer hopes the reviewers like it.

And from a confirmed upcoming official LEGO Ideas set, we go to a hopeful product idea ready for review. The Ideas platform’s long been an avenue for builders to propose new film-themed aspiring sets. Take this product idea courtesy of member CARLIERTI. It’s based on a modestly popular film franchise from then-20^th Century Fox: “Night at the Museum” starring Ben Stiller. The premise of a watchman at the NY Museum of Natural History encountering museum exhibits coming alive during nighttime was a hit with general audiences, warranting a film trilogy. And just as the franchise is gearing for an animated revival, we get this submission.

CARLIERTI’s “Night at the Museum: Re-Open the Doors” is a product idea well-deserving of his 10K Club cred. Just one look at the images will tell anyone why this LEGO Ideas submission just got 10,000 supporters. It recreates in brick form the main entryway to the Museum of Natural History, initially compact but spreading open.

The prominent exhibits are right where “Night” fans would remember them, from the globe to the T-Rex. Central to the setting, we have Larry the watchman, his boss McPhee the curator, and the humanoid mannequin displays. Teddy Roosevelt, Sacagawea, the Mummy of Pharaoh Ahkmenrah and many others populate this scene.

There were enough “Night at the Museum” fans on LEGO Ideas to push this submission for the Second 2022 Review. Now it’s in the Review team’s court to see if it becomes an official set among the many already-existing contenders. Still, Disney+ is premiering the animated film “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again” sometime this year. Maybe it’ll be enough to revitalize franchise awareness and make this set a worthwhile tie-in. We shall see.