What's Steampunk And The Best Steampunk Ideas?

Building sets famously come in all different shapes and styles for various niche interests. Those who are into steampunk ideas, or looking for steampunk gifts, will be pleased to learn that there are building sets based on this aesthetic too. But what is steampunk, and what are some of the best building sets that you can get?

What Is Steampunk?

If you are already a big fan of the steampunk vibe, you can skip ahead and learn more about the steampunk toy sets we're recommending below. If not, here's a quick explanation so you know what to expect from the themes and aesthetics.

Steampunk is an aesthetic that many people gravitate towards because it blends a sense of fantasy and nostalgia into one theme. The steam aspect of the name is vital because there is a strong focus on steam-powered and mechanical worlds free from electronics and computers. This is why you see a lot of cogs and old-fashioned mechanisms in steampunk gadgets and designs.

There are also many nods to Victorian fashion in Britain and sometimes France, with hats, coats, dresses, and corsets from the era. Enthusiasts compile outfits and create art with a punk mentality to catch the eye and celebrate their subculture.

Steampunk Vs Cyberpunk

Another term you may be familiar with is cyberpunk. There are similarities in that you see a lot of cosplayers challenging conventions and playing with new fashion styles within an alternative universe. However, cyberpunk takes a more sci-fi dystopian twist on the theme. Instead of old-fashioned cogs and steam-powered mechanisms, there are futuristic takes on cybernetics and bionics. There are also different color palettes, with more neon elements and a love of blue and pink combinations. Many also tie their love of cyberpunk to Japanese culture and Neo-Tokyo aesthetics.

Best Steampunk Ideas And Steampunk Toys You Should Never Miss Out

There are some brilliant steampunk gifts out there that understand the aesthetic perfectly. It is all about being able to craft something that relies on steam power or has an exaggerated design that brings steam and industrial elements to something relatively ordinary.

Steampunk Train Stations Offer A Twist On A Classic Building Set

A steampunk train station is perfect because it takes a pretty common theme and adds a new twist. There are countless toys and building projects available that allow for cute and nostalgic stations, often with influences from movies or the holiday season.

A steampunk station will be a little rougher around the edges, but more functional and familiar for it. It isn't going to be a perfect replica of a British Victorian station. But, it might be an idealized version we wish we could time-travel to.

Funwhole Steampunk Train Station building set fits in with the steampunk aesthetic perfectly, both in its design and muted color scheme. The station is entirely steam-powered, and this is clear from all the pipes, wheels, and cogs surrounding the large boiler and other steampunk gadgets. You get the sense that this would be a grimy and sooty place to work or travel from.

Builders can have a lot of fun here carefully assembling every piece so that passengers can enjoy a reliable train service and use the elevator. The faux smoke element for the chimney is a nice touch, as are other decorative features, such as the clock, signs, and seating on the platform.

You also get the choice of two configurations. You can either have one long platform with the track running alongside, or take the smaller section with the boiler and put that opposite the main entrance. The first option perhaps makes more of a feature of the train and carriage, while the latter is more condensed and realistic.

Build The Perfect Illuminated Steam Punk Train Set

FunWhole appreciates what builders and steampunk enthusiasts are looking for from a kit. They have two impressive models that work together brilliantly for a dramatic train station display. The first is an 1843-piece brick set of the station itself, complete with a boiler room and platforms. The second is their 1056-piece classic vintage model steam train. Both sets are also compatible with LED light sets to bring them to life at night.

The FunWhole Steampunk Train

This station wouldn't be complete without an era-appropriate train that also fits in with the steampunk vibe. This secondary set does just that, with a similar use of colors with brown, tan, black, and metallic elements. This steam locomotive looks great with the exposed mechanisms on the side, similar to those around the boiler. It also comes with a carriage at the back carrying a cargo of beautiful translucent ore. What that is for is entirely up to your imagination.

Switch From Day To Night With Compatible Lights

The beauty of this steampunk set truly comes to life when you take advantage of the light-up features. You can easily install our compatible light set to transform the station and highlight some of the best mechanical features. There is a warm light that travels up the clock tower, but there are also smaller colored lights for the signals, and other indicators for the boiler system. This gives even greater interest to collectors and visitors when they see the station and train at night.

There are also plenty of light-up elements for the train. These include the headlight, oil lamps, and the light inside the carriage. That translucent ore begins to shimmer at night, giving it a magical quality.

Create A Steampunk Toy To Be Proud Of

These complimentary building sets are the sort of design the people will either love or hate - which means the designers understood the assignment. The industrial feels and colors of the bricks aren't to all tastes, but there is certainly a celebration of the steampunk ideas and aesthetic. The attention to detail in the design of the platforms and locomotive elevates this further. When you bring in the additional lights from the LED kit, it is hard not to fall for this model. You definitely won't find many other brick-build train-themed sets like it.