Steam Tractor LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
This project by Mr_Kleinstein takes us back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the technology of steam, specifically, steam tractors and their different uses and styles. Mr_Kleinstein's project is a 3in1 project with options to build Showman's Engine, Farm Engine, and Road Roller. For more information, you can visit the project page here.

Appeals of this Project
The Steam Tractor project depicts some wonderful details of steam tractors. I especially like the 3in1 design of this project and how with one set there are three different building possibilities. The Showman's Engine (more information about the use of a showman's tractor on the project page), pictured above, is a lovely dark red color with gold stripes that accent to the build nicely. This tractor is complete with everything from the fancy entertainer to the canopy with electric lights, and countless other details.

The Farm Engine is another wonderful alternative, featuring functional steering (as do all three builds), nicely designed steam piston using the barrel as the cylinder, and is shown in an attractive shade of green (along with the yellow wheels it kind of reminds me of a John Deere tractor, although John Deere never produced a steam tractor). Another nice feature with the Farm Engine is the array of possible trailers that can be attached to the rear in order to perform various jobs around the farm. Anything from a plow, harrow, tanker, wagon, threshing machine, or any number of other possibilities.

The last building option is the Road Roller. This steam tractor was used to pave roads before the more modern internal combustion engine road rollers were used. You will notice the heavy duty roller in place of the front wheels that the other two tractor designs have, allowing this build to make the roadways for other vehicles to drive on. This steam tractor is featured in a lovely shade of light blue (or medium azure to be technically correct) with gold trim and red wheels that provide nice contrast.

A couple of other nice features with this project include the option to integrate the tractors with the LEGO PowerFunction system so that it can drive automatically, and the fully functioning gear and drive systems incorporated in the model. Additional details included in each of the tractor builds are the steam release valves, piston, the color scheme and wonderful detailing.

Areas for Improvement
Overall, this is a wonderfully built project from the Showman's Engine, to the Farm Engine, to the Road Roller, and there is nothing that comes to mind in the way of improvements.

Conclusion
This Steam Tractor Project is a direction that The LEGO Group has not gone before in previous sets, and it would be refreshing to see a new and original idea like this become a LEGO set that is available on store shelves. I believe this project has every chance of being a fantastic set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. You can see more pictures and offer your support to help this project become a set by clicking here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.


Photos used and review completed with the permission of Mr_Kleinstein