Building models out of plastic bricks is an entertaining and even relaxing hobby shared not only by children but adults as well. In fact, it has become more popular recently with adults. The new Western Train Station Bookends by JMBricklayer is a new model that is fun to build as well display.
The Western Train Station Bookends building set comes with 1,379 plastic building pieces that can be assembled into two bookends featuring a steam locomotive and a passenger car. When displayed on a bookshelf, it looks like the train is moving through a tunnel in the books. The set is suggested for builders ages 14 years and up. It is currently available directly from JMBricklayer as well as the JMBricklayer store on Amazon. The set normally sells for $60.99, but the company has provided a special coupon code for GeekDad and GeekMom readers. Use code VIPMIC15 on Amazon for one month for 15% off the non-discounted price of the Train Station Bookends. That drops the price to only $52! You can also use code VIPGEEK15 to save 15% on all non-discounted items at the JMBricklayer site for one year.
The pieces for the Western Train Station Bookends building set are organized into several numbered bags, which makes assembly easier. The full-color instruction manual for the models is divided into sections so you only need to open the bags with the numbers matching that section, making it easier to find the pieces you need. The instruction manual is easy to follow. Each step lists the parts needed for that step and then shows where those new pieces go with the pieces for the step in full color and the existing build from previous steps faded so you can differentiate between the previous pieces and the new ones for that step. This helps builders focus on where to attach the new pieces. The manual also features some additional illustrations that shows parts at the actual size. This prevents having to take apart the build later because you did not see the minor difference and used the wrong piece.
The model is built in easy to follow steps where you build the locomotive, the passenger car, and then each of the two bookends independently. Then you add all of the small details. While the locomotive and passenger car are each placed on the tracks for the separate bookends, they can also be displayed together and connect with a magnetic coupling. You can also change their placement on the tracks to the locomotive is on the right bookend and the passenger car on the left so you can see both sides of the vehicles at different times for your display.
I have enjoyed building many models by JMBricklayer over the years and display them both at home as well as in my high school classroom. I always get compliments and when I brought the Western Train Station Bookends and displayed them in my classroom, both students and staff enjoyed looking at the models. I really like all of the details that really give this set a steampunk type feel. There are gear and wheels as well as signage and pipes. Each side of the bookends has wheels you can turn that make other feature move. While you can display the set on a bookcase with books in-between, this model looks great just by itself with the two bookends positioned back to back. Some of the JMBricklayer models I have built in the past have had some tough steps because some parts did not stay together well. That was not the case with the Western Train Station Bookends. All of the pieces stay together and I found the building process enjoyable and even relaxing at the end of a day.
For more information on the Western Train Station Bookend set, visit the JMBricklayer website or their Amazon store. Be sure to watch for monthly sales at both sites to save even more. Don’t forget to use their exclusive code for GeekDad and GeekMom readers, VIPGEEK15, to save 15% on all non-discounted items at their store. The company is constantly releasing new sets in all different themes and styles. I continue to be impressed with each one I have built.
Here is a video of the Western Train Station Bookend set.
Disclosure: GeekDad received a sample of this item for review purposes.
