LEGO's Christmas Express features the first 3D-printed part ever — but is it any fun and worth your money?

The World's First 3D-Printed Part: Is the LEGO Christmas Express Train Worth It?

This year's Winter Village set marks a shift for LEGO, moving away from the usual architectural themes to focus on transportation. Even more notably, it introduces the first-ever, regularly available LEGO part made using 3D printing.

So, is the LEGO 10361 Christmas Express Train fun to build and play with? Is it worth adding to your collection? Let's take a closer look!

The set comes in the standard black ICONS box. With 956 pieces, it's designed for team building and has fewer parts than previous Winter Village sets. The real highlight, however, is the inclusion of a highly exclusive 3D-printed part. The box back shows the completed model's dimensions, play features, and simple instructions for adding a motor. It also features the typical tray-based box design.

Inside, you'll find six numbered paper bags. The 16 track pieces are securely held in place with special pin elements, so you might need a bit of force to separate them. The special 3D-printed part is safely tucked inside a blue Christmas gift box within the packaging to prevent any damage.

There are two instruction booklets—one for the station platform and one for the train—making team building a breeze. The manuals also include information about the 3D-printed element and how to motorize the train.

Once fully assembled, the train consists of four connected cars. Let's check out its details and play features!

Starting with the locomotive, its design is highly realistic. The combination of light and dark blue is visually pleasing, and both sides of the engine are decorated with festive accents. It features a printed "Christmas Express" plaque, and the rear includes the train's control cabin. Up top, a black chimney puffs out smoke and has a bell attached. The wheels are articulated for smooth travel, and when you push the train, the chimney moves up and down with a chugging motion—making it both fun and surprisingly lifelike.

The second car is the tender. It's adorned with wreaths on both sides and is mostly hollow inside. This is where you'd place the battery box if you choose to motorize the set. On top, there's a small gift box and three mini-vehicle gifts: a tiny sailboat, a mini helicopter, and a small excavator. The excavator even has a movable bucket—a clever touch!

Next is the flatbed car, carrying a large gift box and a polar bear. The 3D-printed mini train can be placed on top of the gift box, which sits within a small wintery scene. The gift box is removable and can be opened, offering a neat little storage space for small items. What would you hide inside?

Now, about that 3D-printed mini train: it has a seamless, one-piece look, but you can still attach other parts to it. Just like the main locomotive, it puffs smoke as it moves—a delightful surprise!

(I've made a separate demo video focusing on this 3D-printed train.)

Let’s look closer at the polar bear. It’s irresistibly cute and has its own play feature: when you turn its wheel, it rings the bell it's holding. Its arms move, and its head bobs up and down. Placing it on the train tracks as it moves along adds to the fun. How would you rate this design?

The last car is the caboose, designed to look like a red-and-white gift box. Its exterior features four lanterns and small festive decorations. The roof is removable, revealing a simple interior with two chairs and a table.

The set also includes a small station platform with a bench, a lamppost, and steps—a perfect match for the train. There are four minifigures included, each with unique outfits: three passengers and a train conductor (the two in the middle have dual-sided faces), all fitting the winter train theme.

The 16 track pieces can be assembled into a circle, and you can easily expand it into an oval layout if you like.

Finally, let's talk about a great display idea. Set up the circular track and place other Christmas-themed sets inside (or outside)—it creates a fantastic holiday scene. I paired it with this year's Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village set and a Christmas tree, and it looked absolutely charming. Of course, you can mix and match with other Winter Village sets—you have plenty of options!

In summary, the LEGO Christmas Express Train is straightforward to build, great for team building, and includes a highly exclusive 3D-printed train. It can be motorized and pairs beautifully with other holiday sets, making it a super fun and versatile addition. If you’re a fan, don’t miss out on this one