Still one of the best looking steam engine designs to my eyes. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

From Wikipedia... 'On at least one occasion a single V2 hauled 26 coaches from Peterborough to London.' That means that Bachmann have given this model realistic pulling power! 😎

The V2 is one of my favorite British steam locos. That model is a looker for sure.

The fact that this loco irl is just a slightly shorter version of the A3 yet just as powerful and versatile despite the problems it encountered is also very interesting.

One thing you missed on the tender coupling is that has a mechanism to keep the gap to a minimum. Works well. The firebox on dcc, though not overbright, looks realistic to me. Fantastic loco.

You could make a real life Gordon from this using a A1 chassis and the V2 tender (I've been watching the UnluckyTugs videos on his homemade Gordon( he used a Bachmann B1 tender instead of the canonic Fowler as it was too small)

Great review Sam. Some more info incase anyones interested. The V2s were more closely related to the P2s than the A3s. Infact the original plans were for a fully streamlined design ala P2/2, butfor once the LNER board managed to talk 'Saint' Nigel out of the idea, these were mixed traffic locos after all, not express passenger jobs. However the legacy of the abandoned streamlining can be seen in the wedge shaped cab and recessed steam pipes. Being derived from the P2s they did inherit some of their problems. The lead pony truck was of gresely own double pivot design, and like so many of his other 'two up front' designs tended to bounce around at speed, damaging track work and in some cases leading to derailments. (It was Edward Thompson who fixed the issue in the end) They also had issues with leaky regulators and Gresleys three cylinders in one casting concept meant that maintaience was a long, complex task because even a basic repair involved a complete rebuild of the front end. However, Thompson and Peppercorn in turn solved these issues and they did indeed become some very handy and useful locos. Keep up the good work

Almost an hour long?! My evening is sorted. Edit: Wow great review Sam as always! Love that you go into such detail that may not even be thought of by other people to properly review a model. Great video looking forward to what’s next!

52 MINUTES?! These reviews are getting close to the 1 hour mark since the W1 video. BUT, I am all here for it!!

Another comprehensive, informed and fair review, thanks Sam. Much more informative than a mag. review I read. One of these locos has been in the mail to me for several days (I'm in Oz). I'm feeling a bit disappointed that, at today's prices, the major manufacturers still can't seem to get everything right (no metal running-plate, no flywheel). But perhaps I shouldn't pre-judge until it hits my track.

The reason why the rear trailing axles are being made flangless and static (wt least i think) is to represent the Cartazzi axle. It was quite common with LNER locos and it involved an axle that shifted side to side in its static axleboxes instead of a moving bogie

For a prairie type locomotive the design of this engine is quite a work of art and beautiful too

Great review Sam from what I have seen this is one of bachmanns best new tooled locomotives, if I ever have the funding available I would definitely consider getting hold of one. I have just got hold of one of the rails of Sheffield 18000 gas turbine locomotives.

I like the V2s and I'm glad you made a video of one of them. Lionel have managed to develop a wireless loco-to-tender connector with infrared technology, but that's in O scale.

I just love these videos, keep up the fantastic work Sam!

I like it a lot. Beautiful loco overall I think. Great detailed review as always!

Another fabulous review, thank you Sam👍

The LNER V2 is one of my favourite locomotives. Great review. It would have been interesting to have compared it to a model LNER Thompson A2/1 as that locomotive was a 'pacific' conversion of Gresley's V2. Unfortunately such a model doesn't appear to be produced.

Amazing I love the V2 in the iconic Doncaster green ,I'd love to get one, thank you for giving me a face for it.I recently noticed that the fact that you have got quite a few orders from rails of Sheffield recently

A great looking locomotive by all accounts. The only thing is that people have expected certain features like diecast parts these number of years and the extra detailing. That once a company cuts back on it to develop a new coupling system. The cost for that must be made up from where they can cut back without a diecast footplate to do it in plastic. A way to offset the cost against other features to make it cost effective. Though with all the price increases since the start of the V2 development. The higher cost per model now seems to make it over price. Then again with the pandemic a lot of people got back into modelling or started for the first time. This helped the manufacturers to shift more units and have their profits rise. That now they think they can squeeze more out of a person's pocket and blame it on the rise of resource prices etc.

superb video sam, the v2s are really beatiful in my opinion. and i call them baby a3s. and also derails models are superb its just what im looking for ,thanks.

After seeing Green Arrow as a kid I absolutely love the look of a V2 the 2-6-2 wheel arrangement just seems so right for them and their lines are glorious. And going up to 101mph and regularly 93mph

Wow such a cool model. Keep making the great videos!

love your in depth reviews! saved myself some money on bad models!

I need to stop watching this channel, It's costing me a fortune :-) My V2 arrives tomorrow (Actually Today) It's now the next day and I can say the Loco is really nice

Hi Sam, Phil here watching your videos from New Zealand, and always look forward to your latest ones, I am jumping in on the back end of this particular one because I have just landed a copy of this beautiful model fromTMC for a bargain price of 127 British pounds (NZ$267) delivered here to NZ. even with its minor setbacks/faults in design, its a dam fine model and am pleased to be adding it to our collection, the same model bought locally can be in excess of $580-685 NZ$ though the model retailers, its always good to get real bargain, Cheers Phil

I agree about the screws- from when I first saw them, I could not unsee them.

Nice review Sam, it seems a tricky one to review actually. I liked the Doncaster version but not quite sure now. Enjoying all the reviews this year very much!

What a gorgeous locomotive!! If I were buying new locos this would be one I would seriously consider! But repainting and decalling is my internet at moment so buying older 70s and 80s locos at roughly $20 to $30 dollars. Diesels though not steam. Thanks for the review!!

A superb locomotive,it ticks all the boxes, except the price. A great review, thanks.

Another banger Sam, shame that the coupling rods are shared with previous versions but I can't wait to get mine!

Great video! The wheel configuration makes me think it could be a great idea for one of your collection videos to try and fill your siding with as many models of different wheel arrangements! Pacific might be a tough choice, but I would accept tank and tender being different, i.e. 060 :)

Enjoyed your latest video. Thanks for sharing.

Quality content Sam keep it up

Great video Sam this might have to be my next purchase. Was considering it but definitely after seeing your review. Need to choose a livery though, either BR black... but this apple green looks SO good!

I was hoping you would review this loco. It certainly is a good looker. Thank you.

My favourite class of steam locomotive and a fine-looking model.

Awesome video today Sam beautiful locomotive I would love to get one

Sam, one day you'll have to do a video, picking all the best features of your locos and put them together to say what you would expect to have in the perfect engine. Would be fascinating as you are so honest about what you buy and see.

Excellent review

You keep out doing yourself with these reviews, Sam!

I like the brand spanking new LNER V2 loco. Nice livery as it always is when it comes Bachmann and nice build quality. I have found a german webshop that has both Bachmann and Hornby. Keep the videos coming. 👍👍👍👍

Good review there Sam! I have King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry currently on the way. Looks to be a nice loco can't wait for it! Cheers Joachim

Man I just got into this hobby and I love it I inherited my great grandfathers n scale locomotives and Lionel locomotives (yes I knew my great grandfather he pasted away December 2020 at age 97)

I never knew a Bachmann V2 existed,Great review as always!;)

About the loco-to-tender connection: I just bought a Bachmann Class 117, and it has the same kind of connector between the three cars. On there, it serves a useful purpose (makes it possible to have one DCC decoder for the entire unit, rather than one in each carriage), but it seems a bit weird for a loco-to-tender connection (which I usually expect to be permanent...)

Nice to seee a good running Bachmann, let's hope this is a new trend.

It surprises me the number of different models available, and sold in your part of the world versus what we have available here in the states. The cost of locos here are far and away more money than the typical prices for trains there. I'm not an expert by any means in familiarity with all of these types of trains that are available, but it's always interesting to watch you do these videos. We need you here in the U.S....lol

Impressive. Love the V2

Looks a good model. Some people claim the shade of LNER apple green used by Darlington Loco Works (a former NER facility) was never exactly the same as that used at Doncaster Works (formerly GNR). Darlington's was slightly darker apparently.

Great vid, wondering if you are going to review the soon to be released, new tool, Bachmann L&YR Class 5. The L&YR lined black is beautiful.

love the detail i am tempted to get this model. i would love if one day ireland gets some models made we had some lovely engines in ireland and id buy them up. be cool to see murphy models or irm models make one. also accurascale are making steam train models they are diecast i think they look real good

Hey Sam. Love the critique and fairly level reviews that you are creating..... when you display an overall rating score , could you show it against prior years top scores please? Rather than at the beginning of the year only have two or three scores in the league table!? Many thanks.

A mate of mine has got 1 his was sound fitted works great and run well . The fire box glow was ok much better on dcc.

I've just received my Green Arrow version from the NRM. It has DCC sound. Looks absolutely stunning as you agree. Running it in though on DC is abysmal. So much so that the first example had to be returned to the NRM because it was as dead as a Dodo. To their credit, they did arrange its pickup. Its replacement wouldn't move until 80% power applied and then could only cover its own length per 1 second. That's slow. I have just bought a DCC controller (2nd hand, as no new ones available), so will test it on the same rolling road you bought Sam (they're good aren't they) and hopefully there will be a significant improvement in performance.

Another excellent and fair review Sam. Thanks. It really is another gorgeous looking model from Bachmann. As you say they're excellent when it comes to the finish on their models. In particular I'd compare this to the LNER Apple green livery on Hornby's Thompson A2 which didn't look quite right from all the pictures/vidoes I've seen and for some strange reason is a different shade to all Hornby's other Apple green livery locos, which was poor. The apple green version of the Hush Hush does look back to their normal shade though. There's lots to like about this loco: livery finish, detail, the rear axel and if the motor is 5 pole then that's a step up from many Bachmann models, but as you said it's a shame the running plate isn't diecast and it could be better designed for maintenance. I also wonder how robust the tender connection will prove over time? It may well be fine, but personally I think I'll let others be the guinea pigs and watch how they get on and see whether they have any issues with it. I get the distinct impression that Bachmann models are aimed first and foremost at the cabinet collector where looks and detail are paramount with layout performance being slightly secondary. Not terrible, but not as good as some others. There are encouraging signs that they are at least listening to the feedback and trying to improve that.

I told this before and to many other people but the LNER V2 is my favorite LNER loco just because this is the locomotive that Gordon in All Engines Go was based on, and I’m very interested in its history.

Another good review, thanks Sam. As a matter of interest, have you given any thought to reviewing N Gauge models?

I was excited when you said that it had a new tender-loco connection. Then I saw you try and take it apart... All they really needed to do was have a tighter connection between the pin and tab on the old connection and it is mostly sorted... either that or have the same connection with a more sturdy wire connection so that it doesn’t feel like it will rip apart under any load... They’ve taken the problem, and made an over complicated solution to it...

good vid sam thanks

Excellent indepth review sam, its a beautiful loco for obvious reasons I would personally steer clear, why not try a diesel or electric next time heljan and accuscale have some nice offerings at the moment far better priced than hornby 🙂

Wow, that livery is so excellent it would make the men at Darlington & Doncaster works really proud. I often wonder if an Airfix MRRC 1001 12V 5 pole motor would improve the performance of these locos? I recall the transformation of Hornby BR Mogul (the original) when the 3 pole sticky motor was replaced it was quite a transformation. If 'one could be fitted' into modern loco it maybe another tranformation!

i love you'rs videos !!!

Wow, great review! Do you have plans on reviewing the updated Bachmann Class 47? Cheers!

I got the Bachmann V2 when it was first introduced in 1991. I liked Bachmann better than Hornby at the time. Notwithstanding the split chassis and 3 pole motor the loco ran quite well. I am tempted by the new model though I wish it had a metal running plate.

Hi Sam. Another excellent review, thanks. Considering this loco is designed for DCC, with smoke box glow and speaker, I wonder if you have considered such reviews should include DCC features and DCC running performance? Would that affect the rating the price (having DCC sound, etc)? If not, maybe there is scope for a "DCC review" follow-up video, with a revisit to the score for such locos that comes with DCC sound, etc? Just a thought. Love the detail you give in the reviews, anyway.

I'd really enjoy some train simulator videos again! Awesome video Sam.

Another well done review Sam. From a personal standpoint I think that the binding you could be having might be linked to the gears. There might not be enough space between the frame and the very bottom gear on the driving wheel. You could try to very carefully push that gear over a bit or just wait till the plastic has worn down from rubbing on the metal frame. Still, good locomotive for a hobbyist to enjoy. 👍

Saw the Green Arrow a few years ago. Beautiful looking steam engine...

The livery on this is stunning, I hope other manufacturers take note of it when making their own models.

I'm a big fan of the loco and this model. hopefully some day I can get one second hand

It's a very handsome locomotive. I like locos that have both front and rear bissells.

It does look good . I wasn’t thinking about one but you’ve got me thinking . The tender attachment I think is an improvement on the Precedent and Caley which is far too flimsy . I think in this case I’d leave the tender permanently coupled . The thing that spoils this is that big black stripe between boiler and cab which is way too wide and is very visible . To me it just spoils what is otherwise a very well finished locomotive .

Can't Help but Wonder..! "How BIG in 'Real Life' would the Phillips Head (Cross Head) Screwdriver have to be for the Mechanic to 'Un Do' that Screw..!?" I know 'Ridiculous Thought' but my Brain had it..!! Great review Sam. That Tender Joint/Coupling would be a Positive Nightmare. For a 65 yr old with an Unsteady hand..!! As Always Great Work Sam. Keep it up young man. Your Complaints may Reach Bachmann Eventually..! Cheers kim 😎 in Downunder Land. 👍

I like the V2 engines and Bachmann seem to do a good job with their model. I'm not too keen about the price though. I've seen a few of your reviews and I would like to mention about the leading & trailing bogies of the tender engines. Don't know if you already know. The leading bogies are called "pony" trucks and the trailing bogies are called "cartazzi" trucks. Named after a design engineer called "Cartazzi" I think (not sure). Anyway I have seen a lot of your reviews and find them very helpful as I have been a Railway Modeller/Collector for a lot of years and look forward to seeing more reviews/videos in the future. My wife usually says " Sams Trains again" lol.

Hi Sam, do you always pick your favourite colour or do you try to get something different to an older version you already have? For example, going for the LNER Green because the old version you have is BR Black?

I would be very interested to know how you calculate your final score or is that a trade secret? I have used the formula add up the five lines and divide by two. Which comes out at 9.5!

Hi Bill I've read your comments re MRRC motor as a possible replacement in modern locos.Many years ago I acquired a Bachman A1 Pacific (Aberdonian 60158) at a swapmeet. After 5 mins or so of running it slowed up to a stand and the firebox top was very hot.i removed the body and noticed a very small Flatt can motor which was extremely hot.i believe this was one of a faulty batch of motors.re article in BRM by Tony Wright. As loco was pre- owned repair was down to me as unable obtain new motor. I was very impressed with the chassis in general and wondered if a MRRC/1001 (a motor I have mutch experience of)could be made to fit

Just got hold of a V2 myself but the older Bachmann model. Sam have you got a video on lubricating one of these. Mine sounds dry. This looks lovely but i got mine for £40. Enjoy your vids. thanks

Wow such a cool model

I have the Locomotion models exclusive Green Arrow version. I’ve had it running and it runs like a dream.

Do you think you will review the model rail/rapido 16XX in the future?

Love your Channel Sam, would be so cool if you happened into some N scale stuff at some point! Those of us who model in N would be so appreciative.

Your comment about not doing a direct comparison between the new model and the older version made me think, that could be a cool concept for an episode. Find a few different examples where the same manufacturer has done a completely retooled model of a locomotive they have offered before, and show us what's new in terms of mechanism, detailing, livery, price (adjusted for inflation, of course), and whatever other points of comparison you can think of. Obviously we would expect to see the new model being significantly better than the old one, I doubt there will be any surprises as far as that goes, but it might be interesting to see how different manufacturers have approached the retooling process, if you picked several examples from different manufacturers. That is to say, not the same model done by different manufacturers (you have already done a few comparisons of those), but several examples of models from different manufacturers where both the old and new versions of that model were done by the same manufacturer, so Bachmann V2, Hornby A3, etc..

My BR green V2 just arrived today! I think my biggest gripe will be the plastic running plate

Where can I get this locomotive? I live in the USA and can't seem to find them anywhere. Wonderful review.

Sam, did you find out where the squeak was coming from, my Green arrow did the same as well as my 812 after running in. I suspected it was the tenders on both as well but wondered if you had investigated?

Hi Sam, great review. Can I make a polite suggestion? If doing the really close up shots of a models details, it might be an idea to give the models a dust with a soft brush, or puffer brush. It's just a keep noticing hairs and dust that of coarse look huge when zoomed in. Keep up the good work. Neil.

That's so cool sam

It does look like a very impressive model especially if it has that bachmann finish

Hi Sam, What a nice review, very nice engine would like one myself, ( it's a bit like the mother in law, looks good at a distance , ) bit of a naff connection, (who looks at the finished product to see if it's all good??) All the Best Brian 🤗😎

Hey Sam great review for the bachmann v2. The first bachmann steam loco that is working great On a sidenote you should do a review on the bachmann collett goods loco Cheers Jasper & Willow :)

If you like the Bachmann LNER green finish, I highly recommend their A1 and A2 (they are 3-4 years old and can be had cheap 2nd hand or NOS). They have full metal everything, and are DCC ready. The only trouble is, they are over-engineered, making sound fitting extremely difficult. I have seen some people drill the firebox to get the speaker wires through to the tender, but I daren’t take a drill to such chunky metal. Might fit a sugarcube in the boiler instead.

so beautiful !

Hi Sam, Great in-depth review as always. Note that the coupling is a 'close coupling' so this keeps the gap to a minimum but allows separation to handle curves. It's quite an improvement but maybe not perfect. And regarding the Dapol coupling there are problems ! Running plate plastic doesn't change the overall look of this beautiful and fine finished model. And as mentioned in some comments this loco runs excellent on DCC and probably the majority of model railroaders do run on DCC. It could be interesting to do a poll on this. Quite expensive but value for money according the general new sales politics and worrying manipulated inflation. This truly is a superb loco I have put on my wish list. Bachmann did a good job on this one. Praise where due ! Thanks for sharing.

Kia ora Sam, another detailed review. You've certainly been busy :). Perhaps a question to you or those here in the comments please. I'm a fan of the more realistic stopping a fly wheel delivers but seems the manufacturers are moving away from this (my layout is mainly DC). Is the move away from flywheels because DCC allows a digital solution? Love your work especially your 3D printing videos. Nga mihi nui James

A stunning looking loco with lovely decoration, however a bit disappointed that the running plate is plastic which feels a bit of a retrograde step and not too keen on that coupling mechanism even if it is an improvement on their previous method. Thanks for the review Sam.

Beautiful engine, I find big steam engines so beautiful, and also, I tested negative for Covid yesterdays Sincerely me

I think if I were to ever make a Thomas & Friends character for myself, the Blue B12, the Ivatt 2MT Mogul, or this engine would be excellent candidates for me simple because of looks, and that fact I love British tender engines

Oh my Dear, the Tender coupling is a good one. In Germany it its used by Lilipt with diffrent pins but same System and how you use these Coupling is the stupit way i did ever see. :D Take the Loco in you hand if shes coupled and a small Screwdrifer between the Hook little push down on the Hook and you get bouth uncoupling... easy going. Coupling is also easy Loco and Tender in one hand an then fist just hook down and let the tender slide in the Pins and finished. I Like these Coupling type more than Honbys metal Couple with screws thats sucks most. By the Way these coupling Idear is from the RC Modellbuilding and realy long time in use by these. The Dapol Coupling is nice and easy to handel but if you couple and uncoupling the Loco too much i thing the little dot gets damaged and dont hold these bouth good enough togehter. To the End one Thing... What does have the Train for a Weight if it does bends these Coupling of the V2 so much? 20 and more Coaches? comon thats not Serious enough what you showing there. ;)