The recent rumours have turned out to be true thanks to Promobricks.de as the next LEGO Harry Potter D2C will be a collectors edition of the Hogwarts Express. 74205 Hogwarts Express will be available from 1st September 2022 with 5129 pieces retailing for $499.99. This makes it the most expensive LEGO Harry Potter set yet and the third biggest in terms of piece count.
The set itself obviously consists of the beautiful red Hogwarts Express, a built track section, and platform 9 3/4. The built track is similar to the track from 10277 Crocodile Locomotive but is built with a base of black bricks. This track section is between 90 and 100 cm long with the platform right next to it about eight studs high to allow passengers to board the train.
On the platform is a full arch and two half arches to the right and left in the typical architecture of Kings Cross Station. On the central arch is a tile with the quote from Albus Severus Potter: "Dad, what if I am put in Slytherin?". A small data plate with the most important information about the train can then be attached to the base of the platform.
The Hogwarts Express itself is just a few studs shorter than the platform The train consists of the well known red steam engine with a coal car and only one passenger car. This has a total of four red train doors and three compartments which shows various scenes from all eight films.
One compartment is the iconic scene where the trio first met in the film. Another quote is attached to a tile from Hermione: "Has anyone seen a toad"?. In the second compartment is the dementor attack from the third film with a matching quote from Ron: "I think...someone's coming aboard!". Meanwhile, the third compartment will be based on the sixth film.
However, the set is finished there as a whopping 20 Minifigures are included. These include Draco Malfoy in his black suit from Half-Blood Prince, Luna Lovegood who finds Harry stunned, Harry (Philosopher's Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban, Half-Blood Prince), Ron (Philosopher's Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban), Hermione (Philosopher's Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban), Remus Lupine, a dementor, the trolley witch, a conductor, a Ravenclaw student and a Hufflepuff Student.
Meanwhile, the following five Minifigures will most likely remain exclusive to the set for some time: An adult Harry Potter with beard stubble, an adult Ginny and their children James Sirius, Albus Severus and Lily Luna. No Power Up functions are included but with the Hogwarts Express being so big these can be easily added if needed.
Set Information
Set Name - Hogwarts Express D2C
Set Number - 76405
Ages - 18+
Piece Count - 5129
Price - $499.99
Release Date - 1st September 2022
For $500, I want a powered train, with at least 3 passenger cars. Both stations, and enough track for a big circle. This mess sounds like a Star Wars Diorama. Even with 20 figs and grown up Harry and his kids there is little value for more than $200