I overall prefer this one to the streamlined P2. It just looks better for me with the unstreamlined front end. I can’t wait to see the smoke working on one of these.

One of the most beautiful locos you've ever reviewed, Sam! Never would have guessed that Hornby would be able to do it after so many years of complacency.

In all my years of knowing about model railroading i have never heard of a model being completed before the prototype

'Classic OG P2' - probably the first time those words have ever been used together and I'm here for it

Great video thanks. I have the Hornby Railways P" and have the steam version of Prince of Wales on order, I also sponsor the team building the new P2 2007 Prince of Wales, so it will be great to own the model - thanks for the 'preview' of what I may receive.

This version of the P2 Mikado from Hornby is slightly better than the streamlined version because it has a bit more detail and it has a die cast running board which makes it a bit heavier. Even if this version of the P2s' valve gear assembly and the whistle are made out of plastic along with the detail part on the right-side of the model using the same part in the front but they are just small nitpicks. Overall, it is a very nice looking model. I would definitely buy both the original and streamlined versions of the Hornby P2 Mikados Sam.

This is a very interesting and useful review. Great stuff 🎉

I used the extra connections on the drawbar to wire the firebox glow to the decoder. I also fitted lamps to the front. Quite easy to do if a little bit fiddly due to the small size of the solder tabs. It’s also a lot neater than using visible wires.

These are lovely models, but at over £200 way out of my price range. I’m so happy with my latest eBay purchases - Hornby Dublo Bristol Castle, Duchess of Atholl, 2-6-4T, N2 0-6-2T. At 70 years old Bristol Castle still holds its own, and as for weight, Bristol Castle and tender weigh in at 614g, and Duchess of Atholl and tender are 625g. Even though the detail is crude by modern standards, they capture the feel of the real locomotives and after nearly 70yrs they still run beautifully with a little maintenance. Will the Hornby P2 still be running in the 2090’s? I doubt it, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if 7013 and 6233 are still going strong… and they cost under £40 each !

Amazing video today Sam what a beautiful modle I might try and get the one with smoke

An overall good video here Sam, thinking of getting 2002 myself as well as maybe getting 2003, these new P2s from hornby are excellent looking models, it wil be very interesting and exciting when 2007 is finally finished and running in real life.

Another forensic and entertaining review, Sam. I think I'd have squeezed it into the ""A" category though! Both versions are a big step up over my current Railways model. Let's hope Hornby can maintain this standard for their future releases. This hobby needs high quality models from Hornby.

Awesome video Sam's trains

Hi Sam I just got the railroad p2 love your videos

I received my P2, Earl Marischal, yesterday, and my god it is near perfect. Being a Walscherts geared loco instead of rotory cams, it doesn't have those odd cylinders on the running board, so that's a negative remark remived. It runs and looks amazing, and the only problem I had with it was fitting the front screw link coupling 😂 I'm so happy I pre-ordered it, and for *£190 from Hattons*, it was an absolute bargain. Still not a fan of the plastic whistle, but from a distance it's not noticeable.

I really love this model Sam, I'll probably get one of these for sure. Cheers Jasper & Willow

I believe the A1 trust announced recently in their new workshop opening ceremony that it's looking more like 2026 until its finished now.

Lovely loco and great to see Hornby hopefully back on form. Crazy price though and I will definitely be sticking to my well-loved Railroad P2.

Great review Sam! The non-streamlined P2 is one of my favourite steam engines along with the A4. Also, would you ever consider reviewing a Hornby Dublo model?

I love this one a lot more than the streamlined P2. It has the unique front smoke box and wind deflectors, which look amazing. The only shame is the plastic valve gear and the small bits of glue here and there, but aside from that, I would say it's all I could have hoped for. Near perfect performance, finally a die-cast running plate and the stunning finish. I'm not sure if I will go for this or the sound/steam version of it. I got my old Railways P2 and not only does it have very simple detail for a railways model, it runs very poorly after all these years the crappy 3-pole motor and lack of bearings really make it struggle on third radius with four coaches on a flat layout. I didn't think you would buy another P2 so shorty after the streamlined one, but man, does this one look good. I think performance could be 4.5, but I think it's forgivable as the crawl is literally perfect for the size of the loco. Great review, Sam 👍👍

Hi, great honest review, i hope the new 21pin Hush Hush W1 in dark grey comes out as good as this, looking forward to it hitting the retailers, thanks for sharing.

Lovely engine, and another fantastic review. I can’t wait to see the prototype in person.

I love the macro shots!

Such a cool model, when hornby does get it right they get it right, hopefully we see more of this for future models

Another excellent review Sam. I picked up one of the old full detail versions of Cock O' The North just this month. Just for the record the weight is identical at 487g. This is definitely an upgrade though. In particular: 1) The satin finish. 2) The fantastic mechanism. Hornby mechanisms tend to be pretty good in my experience, but this one looks exceptional. 3) A closer and more realistic loco to tender connection. 4) Vastly improved cab detail. 5) Better detail overall All that said my older P2 only cost me £84 inc P&P on Ebay. If I see one of the new ones going for a sensible price on the secondhand market in the future then I'll get it, but not at the current price.

I enjoyed seeing Bullman in the closing shot!

Great review. The odd one out is the thompson a2

Fabulous loco Sam and well done review again. The P2 are absolutely glorious. Well, as avid Märklinists we are used to high pricing and we think that H have nailed it with both versions of the P2; your earlier review of the streamlined one and this example. Hopefully H have finally found a route to up to the mark quality of their products and consistency in all areas concerned. We'd have her on a layout but of course that would be wishful since it can't run on 3-rails. However, we can admire their splendor here from a distance. She's breathtaking 💓 Cheerio.

I can’t wait to order this one on Friday.

Being from the US. That is probably my favorite British locomotive

Awesome vid Sam, I'd choose the full fat one tbh! Also the first of my two Manors arrived yesterday, delighted with it. However performance around corners and crawl a little lackluster, but I think you'll love it, I'd say it definitely is better than dapols!!

I have the sir Nigel gresely high gloss version of the p2 and love it, due to youre reviews I’ve ordered a streamlined p2… interestingly the hornby collectors club version is £50 off… be interesting to compare to your review when it arrives

The only thing I do notice is that when you start loco from one direction to the other, the geared wheels will move before the other wheels until the play is taken up. For me, small detail, maybe...maybe not worth noting. Great channel Sam. Well done. Best wishes to Chloe.

Ah, I think I've heard of this one. We've got a similar project here Stateside where a group of enthusiasts are trying to build a brand-new Pennsylvania Railroad Class T1, one of their heaviest locomotives and with a rather unique design even by streamliner standards. I believe they're shooting for a finish date some time during the latter half of this decade.

Finally a p2 was sprung buffers!!

Yes, the Accurascale Class 37 did traverse the corner better, and yes it is heavier, but that's probably because the ability to traverse sight curves has absolutely nothing to do with weight and everything to do with wheelbase!

I want a P2 myself too! But I think I am gonna have to purchase a railroad range one as I am on a budget, so… yeah. Awesome review Sam. You know, you keep buying so many cool and awesome steam locomotives, that I just can’t seem to have the patience to save my money for these lovely machines!!!

I am getting the Earl Marischal on Friday and she'll be my second P2 loco but i intend to get the others in the future

Being built in my hometown, and now in a brand new building by the museum!

Should have gone for 2002 'Earl Marischal', semi-streamlined front end but walschearts gear and a lovely curve to the running plate! Love mine to bits! Shame they didn't offer 2002 with the 'double deflectors'. Also: was the Thompson rebuild (A2/2) the odd one out? Or was it the W1 for not being a P2 derivitive?

Well done Sam very good camera work as usual as always what is your next loco going to be. Take care. Best wishes Philip xx

The "etched" plates are just painted flat brass that just shows through the lettering. The weight difference will be due to the Prince of Wales model having a cutout in the chassis in the smoke box area to allow for the smoke generator fitted models. It would be nigh on impossible to get accurate working rotary valve gear with all the proper joints.

The odd one out is the Thompson A2/2 Cock o the North As per usual, great video Sam!

I was put off straight away by the excessive play in the valve gear, two of the four wheels moved before the others. I like the P2 and I would like one for my layout, but I think it would be the Streamlined version. Another great video as usual. Martin. (Thailand)

Hi Sam I'm new to the channel, mainly for the great videos you do. I've no models, no track, no real knowledge of locos, apart from that which I picked up in the late 70s to mid 80s, when I did quite a bit of photography on various station platforms, mainly Leeds. I mainly got into deisal electrics, such as class 31s class 37s and Deltics, oh and 03 shunters. I did have a really good train set when I was 8 or 9 years old, which my mum bought second hand way back in the 60s at great expense. You've fired my interest again, though I've no room for a lay out. May just become a collector, not the same I know. Regards Rob.

Ì purchased new the railroad version of the Cock of the North when it first came out. Pleased with the engine, not so with the Design Clever 3 pole motor. I installed the Hornby X9018 5 pole motor. Very pleased. If you were to convert one of your 3 pole engines, it would be interesting to compare its performance with the new offerings. I do enjoy your reviews. Grant Miles

seriously can't wait for the new release with the steam effects.

The LNER P2, greasley's plaything

Thinking out loud… having the old p2 in the high gloss… would the old body fit on the new chassis?

Sam, nice review of an interesting locomotive. Regarding the operation of both P2 locomotives on second radius curves, it sounds like the same issues that the real ones had running in Scotland on their curves. Also, regarding weighing the models, I think that it would be interesting and useful to weigh the models with and without the tenders (weighing the tenders separately as well). The difference in weight between the Railway and Railroad versions may be affected by the weight of the tenders. They may end up weighing closer together, or perhaps further apart.

I found the odd one out is the Thompson A2/2 cock of the north and love the new p2 loco model Sam’s trains

Now that I think of it, I don't recall seeing Sam doing an unboxing of a train on a table.

Well Sam, it looks like the glue monster left the factory. Lol Cheers Jasper & Willow

Hi Sam. I have the TT sound version cock-o- the north and is fully lined and is much nicer than the railroad model and I am very happy with it as well. I have since bought the the lord President loco after seeing your review and that wonderful too. great video thanks sam.

What G scale starter said, would you recommend from Bachmann?

In my view, as you mentioned, a good compromise is the original R3207 "Railways" version, which has better detailing and decoration compared to its sister Railroad version of the same 2014 era. Having said that, this new version clearly has better slow speed running.

I'm pretty sure the original Hornby Dublo did bring a model out before the real prototype one was completed. It was the Deltic diesel.

The frictional loss from the long wheelbase drivetrain on R2 must be up three with the 9F. Anyone done any calculations?

The cab seats on the railroad P2 are correct, they are the older type fitted to the first two locomotives from new. The streamlined engines were fitted with bucket seats, which also necessitated reducing the depth of the cab cutout, and 2001/2 were later brought into line

I think the loss of speed on tight curves is because of the very long driving wheelbase of these locomotives as well as having flanges on all the drivers as the front drivers are trying to climb over the outer rail. I believe that this was a problem with the prototypes and this was one of the reasons why they were rebuilt.

I believe unrebuilt P2s had Caprotti valve gear, which although I'm not certain you can't see move. The plastic kind of makes sense, as it was a black mechanism, and black plastic would be easier to produce over painted metal.

I'd love to see you do a review of a Trix locomotive

Hey Sam, will Hornby sell the smoke generator needed for the P2 so you can install it yourself?

Hi Sam, I need your help. I am planning to buy two hm7000 sound decoders for my dublo flying sctosman and p2 locos. Which pin do you recommend is the best for these?

Always amazing to be early to a sams trains video, will you ever review a broadway limited loco? They’re pricey but amazing

How many more times will Hornby reissue this model.? Why not manufacture a loco that hasnt been done before, such as a 'Claughton' ?

Hornby also did a full decoration example of the original railroad model, (same tooling mind).

I was hoping that you compare this to the previous P2 but not the Railroad version.

Odd one is the w1

The other year I had a go at Simon Kohler that I hoped he would get this particular model fully detailed and appropriately painted. This was because the streamlined Hush Hush was more Railroad in its paint application, and I had to give it many hours of work to get it to look fabulous. I told him I wanted to see wood and brass rimed cab windows where appropriate as Bachmann had done to their new V2. It doesn't look like they have 😢 Also, why is that plastic valve gear black and not a steel metal colour ? We'll have to wait for the real 2007 to be completed, so to see which detail is what colour.

Reviews are great but, how about doing a review on layout design software. Ease of use, available track and other icons, cost or free. Part of railway modelling is having a layout so this might be a very interesting sojourn. Cheers Ashley

Are you getting the one with a steam generator?

I really love locos with 8 driving wheels

Sam I've been trying to find a Battlespace G10 Q car. It's a oo scale train wagon that opens up a fires a rocket. No one has one . Do you know who would have the plans for one so I can get it 3D printed. Many thanks Darran

Unless i'm mistaken the black, plastic rods dont seem to be present on the Earl Marischal version. This being the case i'd prefer that version.

Is the odd one out the Thompson A1

Looks and runs well....

That looks an awesome model. The paint looks so much better than the A2/3! Little disaponted that they could not do a metal rotary shaft for the valve gear. esp for the price. Not sure Im going to be buying though for that price. I really stopped buying when list went over 150, Alreay have the gloss Gresley special edition which while not as good detail wise looks awesome!. Question - can you retrofit that motor in the old version?

I've always been intrigued by Hornby having a "Railroad" range. That's a U.S. term for "railway" (as used in the English-speaking world :P ).

The odd one out is the A2/2, it is a Thompson rebuild

i would guess that prototype models tend to exist before real thing. but in this case shall i assume there is a real life locomotive being built as replica of some olden dessign that never gotten into production?

very nice looking model....love it...always wanted one...but probably won't now......to many locos already......

I am surprised it took Hornby so long to put a smoke generator in their steam locomotives. Most new HO scale steam locomotives in America (even some diesels) do come with a smoke unit pre-fitted which can be turned on and off. I personally think smoke units in model locomotives look best on O scale or larger.

Is the projected smoke the distilled water version or the old oil type.

nice

Even though the railroad one is slightly dated I still am pleased with my railroad p2. Too bad it soon be replaced by prince of wales

I thought they already made a new P2?

Can you confirm that the firebox glow, on dcc, only comes on when the motor is powered up? My A1, Knight of the Thistle glows only when the motor receives power from the decoder, but my Hornby Princess stays on all the time.

Sam, would it be practical to rename, and re-number this model as P2 Cock o' the North, as to all intents and purposes it is identical, or maybe Hornby could save us the trouble by issuing it as such?

29:10 the odd one out is a Spoilers: A2/2 or A2/3 in BR green i think

Iiiis the Odd one out the Hush Hush?... idk for sure, heh

Bit odd that the plates say 2023 on the new one (even if that’s accurate that’s not it’s completion year) I think I’ll stick with the railroad one for now I want to paint one in Br Blue and I think I could make one for less than £250!

The odd one out is the A2/2. Easy spot for a guy that is reading up on Thompson at the moment. I really don't think marking it down on performance is fair, that is largely down to the gigantic wheelbase. I have a few American engines with a similarly sized wheelbase, and those struggle on 2nd radius too, despite passing every other test. I do agree on marking it down on detail for the plastic, immobile valve gear. Disappointing for such an expensive model in that regard. I will be picking this up as soon as I can afford it. Now they need to redo Duke of Gloucester. Give us the Duke with a metal running plate and valve gear bits, decorated/glowing cab, and sprung buffers!

Damn-it, I watch the wrong Review first these Green LNER locos look the same Sam. It's nice that they come with an all metal wheel set that can be changed out for the rubber tired/tyred wheel set.

Ugh my phone was packed up so I missed the Sam'sTrains new video alarm, yes I actually set alarms for your uploads, that's how I always comment that fast. 😆

That's amazing review sam

A Very Lovely looking Model Sam 🙂🚂🚂🚂

What a bizarre choice to have half the linkage be static plastic, i wonder why that is

What about the railway version? I was looking forward to seeing it in the comparison as well as I have a sound fitted version which I'm considering upgrading. The railroad version isn't a worthy comparison in my mind as they're different markets. Still enjoyed the review though.

The detail is ok, but I just wish Hornby used an accurate apple green and had decent crossheads and coupling/connecting rods. The drab, dark colour and unrealistic lining(I’ll forgive them for the 3/16” white lines which would be 0.0625 mm in 00 scale) just spoils the look of what would be an otherwise fine looking model. Thanks for reviewing both versions though!