As someone who is pathologically terrified of unscrewing a loco, I an so glad of these videos. If any of my locos get problems, they just go beck in the box forever!

Probably not relevant for your needs(?), but by coincidence I've just seen 'Sam's Trains' review of the new Dapol Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0 Tank Engine. This too is a split chassis design, but has received high praise from Sam, not only for the quality of the model itself, but for it's exemplary performance, putting some recent larger offerings to shame.

Hi Julian. Locos running better in reverse: This is a phenomenon I have seen in more than one video from Sam's Trains (I think) but with no explanation of the cause. I don't think it is related to a particular manufacturer. Decoders: I believe some decoders just work better in some applications than others. I'm not convinced that setting CVs to the manufacturer's defaults necessarily gives the best performance. I think it's always a good idea to tweak the values until (hopefully) you get the performance you want. I do realise that this could end up being a lengthy process.

All my Trains are from the 70's, I am going to get as many as i can running again. Would love new ones but budget says no. lol , Love your videos and reviews on modern builds, I hope once my layout is complete I will buy a few new ones and your helping me stay away from bad investments. I wish you were over here in Brisbane. Take care and I look forward to your next build update video.

Hi Julian, I still haven’t run my 15xx. I’m always apprehensive about running new locomotives, (they often cost so much these days), and my apprehension has only increased as I’ve watched various KZfaqr’s assessment of the 15xx. Thank for your informative videos.

I believe that factories in China have specific design preferences as regards the number of geared axles, split chassis or power pickup preferences. It would depend on how much of the loco design was done inhouse or left to the manufacturer in China.

SOME REASON ? - Forward on incline is UPHILL. Reverse is DOWNHILL ... Gravity assisted ! . . How does F/R compare on flat and level ?

Hi Julian, Glad you like the Rapido Hunslett. I'm not sure why you think you need a stay-alive. Surely it's only relevant when running across points or perhaps wide track gaps that you didn't test on the video?

It is a shame about the handrail problem. Could it be stuck back in the hole with a tiny amount of super glue? You were not wrong about Bachmann split chassis locomotives. I have 5 of them under repair at this time. Most are plastic axle failures, but a couple have more problems. I missed the 15XX rant, but I will look at it later. Martin. (Thailand)

Wondering to what extent you adjusted any CVs on that first decoder? It could simply be that the defaults aren’t appropriate for this loco.

Hi Julian, I am pleased to see you give your Hunslet a go. I have that very same model S119, but mine has sound..............It is a super runner, although did take a little bit more than 30 mins in each direction for everything to bed in nicely. I think the new model manufacturers coming along today, although you have had some issues with the 15xx, should be applauded for trying to do something different and try new ideas. Your Bachmann USA tank is lovely, but the mechanism hasn't really changed any in the last 10 years or so. It is simple and easy to make, which is why Bachmann stick with it, who can blame them. I think those wipers can still get damaged and then you have issues with pick ups again. I was interested in the change in running quality just changing the DCC decoder, I don't have anything Dapol, but I found that interesting. All the best Dave.

Very nice review Julian!!! Many thanks for sharing! Cheers Onno.

Sorry to be picky (no pun intended) but at 23:59 you say the Bachmann loco has pickups on all six wheels. Surely it's only four?

Hmmm, yes, I had heard that the 15xx’s quality control issues were quite poor. The hunslet in general seem more solid. Rapido are an interesting company, they clearly have multiple designers with different philosophies. Some go split shassis, some go for more traditional pickups, some go for spring loaded plunger pickups. They do seem to cram a lot of stuff into these little engines. I gather rapido have had issues with their factory, some models had to be recalled due to something wrong with the dcc chips, others had to be held back for testing, their dynamometer cars had to be recalled to fix something with the lighting… that was after they fell off the delivery truck. I like rapido, they seem nice enough chaps, but their record of issues is concerning

Good review, I will always say in design if the model isn't mechanically designed well, from motor, gears, pickups ect... If its a small model, flywheel, small compact. Split chassis does ring alarm bells, Dapols Hawthorn Leslie has one as well, but Fly wheel on the motor so that's a plus. I don't know why manufacturers have to insist on reinventing things, keep it simple.

Have a look at Zimo decoders and KA’s. Latest vid from ‘That Model Railway Guy’ shows a decoder, speaker and KA install in an 040 Sentinel! The quality of split chassis spacer material has probably improved over older models.

Hello from the UK 🇬🇧

Julian, you noted the loco seemed to run better in reverse than forward. Could it be as simple as when running forward it was going uphill? Did you try flipping the loco around and re-running the tests?

Hi Julian, I have stuck to the two main suppliers Bachmann and Hornby for my trains and not tried any of the 'others' yet believing that in the new world cost of manufacturing is the first priority and cost 'cutting' appears to be prevelent. Of course B and H will do the same but most if not all my trains are designs/updates of older tooling and in my experience have been reasonable engineered. Yes it does mean some of the finer detailing is not as good as the 'new' suppliers but that is my compromise at the moment.

Another great video 👍

Glad this loco worked a lot better but do wonder if Rapido as doing things differently for the sake of it? I have a couple of faithful old Mainline locos which are great runners but the split chassis design makes working on them “interesting ” so why on earth have Rapido chosen such a potentially awkward design? I have a Rapido Metropolitan E Class tank on pre-order so am wondering what is going to arrive?

smoothe operator

Must be the only guy that is disappointed his loco works fine! Don’t see you ripping into the chip manufacturers.

DCC Concepts are awful decoders. Esu lockpilot try as it has a cv that when set it adjust the motor to the decoder automatically.

Bit disappointing for a new locomotive Julian. Cheers Peter.