Catch a glimpse of (and take a selfie with) the world's first full-size, track-bound LEGO tram at downtown Deák Ferenc tér. Designed by Balázs Dóczy and built by a team of 90 over two months (yep, 6,800 hours!), this masterpiece is made of a whopping 1.8 million LEGO bricks.
After crafting the LEGO version of the Chain Bridge lions, the team has now tackled another Budapest icon: the tram. We got a front-row look at this life-sized LEGO vehicle at the Ferencváros depot, where it rolled out in all its brick-built glory to Deák Ferenc tér.
'The tram is truly unique because nothing this big, made entirely of LEGO bricks, has ever been built before – let alone one that moves,' explained Balázs Dóczy. 'Most life-sized LEGO vehicles we know of use flexible LEGO Technic pieces. But this tram? It's built entirely from classic LEGO bricks, which made movement a real challenge.' Dóczy, who also created LEGO replicas of the Chain Bridge lions, Heroes' Square, St Stephen's Basilica, and the Academy of Music, clearly knows his way around a brick!
In late November 1887, Budapest's tram system was born, and to celebrate this anniversary, the 'LEGO Vili' (LEGO tram) was unveiled in the 120-year-old Ferencváros depot, making it Budapest's first LEGO vehicle. The tram made its grand journey to Deák Ferenc tér, towed by two Muki trams, where it'll be on display until December 20th. While you can't hop aboard, you can definitely get up close and even add your own LEGO brick to its baseplates. This city transport masterpiece was brought to life thanks to the Budapest Transport Privately Held Corporation (BKV), Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK), Budapest Brand, and LEGO teams. Perfect for tram lovers, LEGO fans, or anyone curious about this one-of-a-kind creation!
