Check Out This Awesome Panama Canal LEGO Set That Actually Works

Updated: November 20, 2016 (Originally published November 16, 2016)

LEGO is known for releasing awesome nautical themed toy sets – including the amazing LEGO Maersk Triple-E Containership – but today they announced a first. LEGO has released a functional Panama Canal lock set commemorating this year’s opening of the expanded Panama Canal. 

The set is made up of 1184-pieces and actually shows how the water levels are raised and lowered within the lock chambers, which allows ships to navigate the different water levels when transiting from one ocean to the next. 

The set is part of the LEGO Education line and was produced with help Panama STEM Education and the Panama Canal Authority.  

According to the website Brickset.com, the model will be available to the public in the first week of December and is priced at about $250.

But if you’re looking to get your hands on one, good luck! LEGO is only making approximately 40,000 units and they will only be available in Panama. 

The Panama Canal’s new Neopanamax locks opened in June and so for more than 350 ships have made the transit.

Here’s a stop motion video showing how it works: 

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