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LEGO Creator Taj Mahal coming back!

As a surprise move, LEGO just announced that they are resurrecting the #10189 LEGO Creator Taj Mahal that was originally released back in 2008. The official set number and name for the new Taj is #10256 LEGO Creator Expert Taj Mahal, and it is basically the same set as the previous one, with only one extra piece (likely just a brick separator). Below are the details and a fun intro video. 🙂

Here is the official description of the new set: Discover the architectural wonder of the Taj Mahal! Build and discover the Taj Mahal! The huge ivory-white marble mausoleum, renowned as one of the world’s architectural wonders, was commissioned in 1631 by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the Empress Mumtaz Mahal. This re-launched 2008 LEGO Creator Expert interpretation features the structure’s 4 facades with sweeping arches, balconies and arched windows. The central dome, subsidiary domed chambers and surrounding minarets are topped with decorative finials, and the raised platform is lined with recessed arches. The model is finished with ornate detailing throughout and intricate tilework around the base. With more than 5,900 pieces, this set is designed to deliver a rewarding building experience and makes a great display piece for the home or office.

  • LEGO interpretation of the real-world architectural wonder, the Taj Mahal.
    Relaunched 2008 model, featuring 4 facades with arches and arched windows; central dome, 4 subsidiary domed chambers and 4 minarets, all topped with decorative finials; raised platform lined with recessed arches; ornate detailing throughout; and intricate tilework around the base.
  • Divides into 7 modular sections for easier transportation.
  • Put your LEGO building skills to the test with one of the largest LEGO models ever created.
  • Special elements include 6 blue 16×32 baseplates, white 1x5x4 bricks with bow, lots of transparent elements, ‘Erling’ bricks and ‘jumper’ plates.
  • Measures over 16” (43cm) high, 20” (51cm) wide and 20” (51cm) deep.
  • Recommended for Ages 16+.
  • Contains 5,923 pieces.

In the video below, LEGO designer Jamie Berard, sneaks into LEGO’s super secret vault to steal the original version of the Taj. It’s pretty funny.

The #10256 LEGO Creator Expert Taj Mahal is going to be available on November 29th (Black Friday). The prices are as follows: US $369.99 – CA $449.99 – DE 329.99€ – UK £299.99 – DK 2699.00 DKK. The set will be available at official LEGO stores and under the LEGO Creator Expert section of the Online LEGO Shop.

It seems like LEGO decided to re-release some of the largest and most popular collectors’ sets for the past, which is an interesting move. Even more interesting is that while the re-release of the LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon is a complete redesign with updated pieces and building techniques, the Taj appears to be exactly the same as the set released a decade ago, with the same pieces, piece-count and techniques (the only difference is the box). I wonder what other retired sets LEGO is planning to bring back. This new and surprising direction is definitely making resellers very nervous…

What do you think about all of this? Are you excited for the re-release of the LEGO Creator Taj Mahal? What other retired sets would you like LEGO to bring back? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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LEGO holiday train ideas & more!

The latest set in the LEGO Winter Village series is the #10259 LEGO Creator Winter Village Station, which is a great add-on to last year’s #10254 LEGO Creator Winter Village Holiday Train (see: LEGO Winter Village Train Station Coming!). To celebrate the new set, and to inspire and challenge teen and adult LEGO fans, LEGO is currently running a contest to build additional trains that would go well with the train station. The contest is ending in just a couple of days, and so far it got close to two hundred entries. While it was not a requirement to make the trains holiday-themed, being the holiday season, many of the contestants decided to make festive holiday trains. Today, I thought to show you some of my favorite holiday-themed entries from the contest, as they can give you some ideas for your own LEGO Winter Village and holiday train setup. 🙂

LEGO GINGERBREAD TRAIN 1: According to LEGO fan swandutchman, the creator of this sweet and lovely train, it is made of cookie colored bricks, tooth-aching icing and crispy candy. The locomotive contains a small oven to bake pies, and the tender is loaded with candy. The first carriage carries a big cake that rotates while riding, and a pie-shaped container filled with pies, croissants and pretzels. The second carriage carries a small version of swandutchman’s gingerbread house that received 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas last year.

LEGO GINGERBREAD TRAIN 2: This little train was build by LEGO fan ALegoLass, and was inspired by gingerbread houses. It is covered with gifts and candy, and even fueled by candy! So sweet!

LEGO RUDOLPH EXPRESS: Rudolp the Reindeer has been turned into an old style steam engine! It was built by LEGO fan fz39ks.

LEGO INTERCITY X-MAS TRAIN: LEGO fan fz39ks built a number of other trains for the contest, some holiday-themed, some not. It’s worth checking out all of them, and I thought to add one more in this list. Inspired by European double-decker intercity trains, this big and modern train carries minifigs in a festive holiday style. It is also fully motorized.

LEGO SANTA’S TRAIN SLEIGH: This sleigh and train combination is pulled by eight reindeer, and is also motorized to be able to carry all those presents! It is the work of LEGO fan DaniAFOL01. Very cute!

LEGO CHRISTMAS TRAIN 1: The engine of this train by kelvinwin is built with a theme of chocolate and gingerbread, the second cart is used for carrying the battery box, then there is Santa’s sleigh and a fancy clear Christmas globe with lots of gifts inside!

LEGO CHRISTMAS TRAIN 2: This train is sort of a mix between a Western-style train and a holiday train. It was built by fnatti.

LEGO CHRISTMAS TRAIN 3: This little candy cane colored engine by MarcusF3009 doesn’t come with any train cars, but it is ready to pull whatever is needed for the holidays!

LEGO CHRISTMAS TRAIN 4: Instead of being pulled by reindeer, this train by Founder3000 has the Santa’s reindeer riding on top. There are also little penguins helping Santa to deliver presents. Very fun.

THE LEGO TRAIN OF CHRISTMAS WISHES: This train by Susimi, crosses the long winter nights around the world, to collect the secret letters of kids to Santa Claus. The magical train contains three wagons; the Santa’s sled post office, the red saloon car, and last, but not least the buffet car with the finest hot chocolate from Santa. The train can appear anywhere in the world in the evening hours before Christmas.

LEGO WINTER VILLAGE TRAIN: I found it interesting that this train takes the color-scheme of the #10259 LEGO Creator Winter Village Station to turn it into a very unique looking train. According to its creator, TheBrickBang, this train takes visitors on scenic trips across the local countryside, and as the holiday season approaches, the passenger car is replaced to haul a huge holiday tree to serve as the centerpiece for the Winter Village. I really like the design of the tree too!

LEGO AUTUMN VILLAGE TRAIN: Graupensuppe shares that after seeing all the winter-themed entries to the contest, he decided he wanted to make a train dedicated to his favorite season; autumn. The train is decorated with all the beautiful golden colors of fall.

LEGO HOLIDAY TRAIN: I can’t really make out if this train is reddish-brown or dark-red, but in either case, it is beautiful. It was built by LEGO fan shayd_phd, and is also fully motorized.

LEGO HALLOWEEN TRAIN: Monsters and goblins need a train too! This dark and scary train by Super Snuggie, will give any daring minifig a scary and bumpy ride!

LEGO ROYAL TRAIN: This train, also by Super Snuggie, is not exactly holiday themed, but it is definitely fancy, so I thought to add it to the list. It comes with a jail cell, a winged carriage, and a train cart – all in royal white and gold!

Great trains, aren’t they? And there are a lot more! You can check out the entries at the Rebrick contest entry page. And I hope you find some great inspiration from these trains for your own LEGO Winter Village setup. You can also check out the currently available LEGO Winter Village sets, including the #10259 LEGO Creator Winter Village Station, and #10254 LEGO Creator Winter Village Holiday Train, at the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like these LEGO holiday trains? Which one is your favorite? Did you enter the contest? Are you planning to set up a LEGO train for Christmas this year? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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