Review: LEGO Icons Holiday Express Train

LEGO Icons Holiday Express Train 10361 New Release Review Brick Banter - 2025

Is it an Express Train to Christmas Cheer?

LEGO Icons Holiday Express Train is LEGO’s second Christmas themed train that they’ve ever done. The last one was 9-years ago in 2016 and included less parts. With LEGO’s gradual increase in quality but increase in price, how does the new set hold up? Read on!

Locomotive

The locomotive of the LEGO Icons Holiday Express Train is a fun, creative and colourful take on a steam engine. My first initial thoughts were that the train was remarkably similar to the LEGO Ideas Orient Express set from a few years back. It’s a simpler design, but the dark blues and gold certainly evoke a level of prestige, only to be drawn back by the light-royal-blue.

The model gives us a small bit of technic functionality, a moving chimney that goes up and down as the train proceeds. Otherwise, the model is a tight fit amongst small curvatures and bright pops of holly throughout. Though amongst LEGO train fans, there is the inevitability of someone making this powered. LEGO have even included instructions on how to do this at the back of the instructions. Motor sold separately of course.

Coal Tender

Much alike the LEGO Ideas Orient Express set, the Coal tender is completely empty, a clear sign from the designers as to where to put a battery. Besides a simple design rounding out a train staple, there isn’t much more to say I’m afraid.

Flat Wagon

Our Polar Bear wagon piece is a quick little build for our train to hold all the presents.

I was surprised to find out that this part of the model actually moves too! The bear arms are attached to the wheels of the carriage, which moves with each rotation. Unexpected but undeniably welcome addition.

As far as presents go, we get a small diorama of a train on a track passing a station, with recolours of the carrot element in dark green. One big thing with this set is the undeniable inclusion of the 3D printed element. Filled with intricate small movements, this element isn’t injection moulded due to the complicated nature of the piece. It isn’t the first time LEGO have done something similar, but its the first in a LEGO Retail set.

As much as it’s an interesting new step for the company moving forward, it gives me a strange sense of unease. What can we expect of other elements going forward? Are these less durable than traditional moulded elements? At what point does it lose the LEGO feel to it? I’m not sure. Only time will tell.

End Carriage

The final carriage of the train is a cute little dining car, all wrapped up in a bow!

Although there is not much space besides placing two figures inside, the aesthetic of the carriage is really nice. It lands as a very thematic and coherent finish to the model, and I like it a lot.

Station and toys

As expected with any train set, we have a station! Love the use of an old-timey lamp, but the station is as basic as they come. Our micro toys are neat too, with colour palettes that match some previous LEGO sets.

Minifigures

As far as our figures go, there isn’t anything here that I see that particularly stands out, besides the conductor outfit.

Each of the figures feel right at home, but it does feel off that there isn’t at least one child in the set anywhere.

And look! It’s Chris McVeigh (the LEGO designer)!

Verdict

The LEGO Icons Holiday Train Express set is a fun mix of Christmas spirit and a LEGO Train set. I would almost say it is on par with the previous 2016 model. Simple design for the time, low parts and still a train, coal cart and two carriages.

The model isn’t powered, sure, but for a $199 AUD set, there is still a bit to like. As much as there is a simplified design to the model, we still get a train and two carriages, with plenty space to add more. Not to mention the track pieces that come with the set that inevitably bulks out the price a bit.

This is a set that is more aimed towards younger or inexperienced builders and when you look at the price tag against other sets, this is a good bit of value amongst other things. Other examples in this price range are the Lord of the Rings Book Nook, Santa’s Post Office and the Medieval Horse Knight Castle.

You get a lot more brick for your floor space. Sure, it isn’t perfect, but adding on a battery box or giving the model an extra carriage wouldn’t of added much more to the end result. Keeping the price lower and capping it here was the right call.

I recommend it for less experienced builders, or a family build. Christmas is about spending time together anyways.

It will be available from the 1st of October at LEGO.com.