One of the preserved Merchant navy’s (35011 General Steam Navigation) is planned to be restored in it’s original air smooth casing.

I think this is one of the best models I have seen, practically perfect in every way. Can't see any negatives about it at all.

I just love that flat dark blue It just look stunning mixed with black plating and white stripes

I really love how the Merchant Navy looks. It's kind of what I'd expect a bunch of 2021 engineers and industrial designers to come up with if you held them at gunpoint and told them to build a steam engine. It just looks sleek, simple and confident without all the exposed pipes and valves of most steam engines.

There will be an Unrebuilt Merchant Navy eventually. 35011 is currently being restored to as-built condition

I feel bad for Sam. He must toss and turn at night thinking of new adjectives to put in these titles.

I don't do model railways , although my father did hornby in the 1950's , but your comprehensive review on this locomotive is terrific . Anyone who is a model enthusiast will glean all they need from this feature.

Beautiful and awesome model Sam! Healthy amount preserved! Dont forget of the 5 yet to be restored, one of them is being restored to as built condition with the air smoothed casing!

All I got to say is wow. This is why you need proper fly wheels.

Pronounciation of "ASIATIC"= A-ZEE-AT-TIK 🙂 The driving wheel style is called "Boxpox". They were quite popular in America.

The valve gear on these was miniaturised Walschearts driven by chains in an oil bath, designed to be low maintenance... The oil baths cracked and the chains streched, but these were the least of the problems; the oil splashing around at high speeds got into the boiler lagging (insulation) and caught fire with sparks from the brakes on more than one occasion! The wheels are the "Boxpok" design - stronger and lighter than the traditional spoked design.

Well the chain valve gear was also in a 40 gallon oil bath which was very annoying to maintain and even dangerous at times since the locos had a chance to catch fire while on the move. Although this rarely happened.

Omg what an amazing mechanism. These are my favourite locos in real life and I'm so glad that they have made an excellent job of the model. Thank you Sam for another great review

Such a stunning model, golden age of steam engines.

Hi Sam, brilliant review, it's good to hear really positive comments about a Hornby locomotive. As yourself, my favourite livery for this loco is the BR blue. Glad to see that Hornby have designed the model to the correct dimensions and not simply used a West Country with new livery and name and number like all other have done before them as you quite rightly say, the light pacific is smaller in every respect. Did you know that Bullied initially designed this loco as a 2-8-2 (presumably from his association with Sir Nigel Gresley's P's) but was voted down by the Southern Railway Board in favour of a pacific. What a shame that was, imagine this model as a Mikado. Keep up the good work with your videos.

The Hornby Merchant Navy series was introduced in 2017. There are 4 different body styles on the same running gear. The two Dublo versions coming later in the year are metal bodies on the same chassis.

Holy cow, this might be the most impressed I've ever been by a loco you've reviewed- magnificent!

Ah shoot Sam! I just bought the older rebuilt Merchant Navy, and now I think it’ll need a companion in this loco! My wallet is starting to groan right about now...

So awesome! Would love to own at some point, it has blown my mind. Great review as always Sam! keep them coming.

Absolutely wonderful model, now if only my layout was big enough to justify getting one! I once again wanted to thank you for getting me back into model railways, just set up my DCC set today and got to run my West Country for the first time, and it made me feel like a kid again :D

Lovely work Sam, keep it up

It's the kind of model I look at and think "maybe i should get back to OO gauge". It does look amazing.

When I was a kid I saw an OO gauge Graham Farish blue Merchant Navy in their showroom in Westbourne (Bournemouth) and have hankered after one ever since. I couldn't wait for this version to appear from Hornby and bought one of the original batch of green Hornby ones with a view to repainting it. Now I won't have to do that! It is a fabulous model . . . .

Wooo! That model looks fantastic, thanks for bringing us a new video Sam!

Ive been waiting for mine in wartime black for almost two years now!!!

Such a stunning loco! The BR Blue really suits it. Great video as always! 😁

IM GETTING MINE NEXT WEEK!!! I’m very excited I’ve been waiting for this for 3 years!!

The cab detail is phenomenal. You can see the actual numbers on the gauges!

What a beautiful locomotive. Looks real good in that blue livery!

A merchant navy, absolutely love these things, may get one myself

Mine arrived on Friday and I had not had a chance to run it before this review came out. Saw this, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best! Thankfully it looks like I have a real gem... fantastic!

I could have watched that flywheel in action all day. A beautiful loco that I have definitely added to my birthday shortlist!

Hey Sam Can't wait for my Order to turn up. Hattons have totally sold out so I hope they will get a resupply from Hornby!... Those Pony flanges are mighty in keeping the Loco on track not to mention the all electrical pickups on Tender and Loco!! Thanks again for your "warts and all" reviews you are becoming world famous for. ;-)

Phew... I just got back from a heart wrenching finale of a show. This is just what I needed after what I just saw. Thanks Sam. You know what would’ve been cool? If a select few of these loco models be given a special mod for wheelslips lol

Amazing review. Keep up the good work!

A gorgeous model one of the ones i had circled as wanting to get this year and after this review will definatley be purchasing one and come on for the 100k subs you deserve every one!!!!!!!

Very impressed they are an unusual looking locomotive just something about them

Sam, you made me laugh - knocking off a full star on 'Detail for the 'plastic finish' and half a star on Quality for the exact same reason. - Am I being too harsh you ask? ;)

Mine has just arrived after a year of shopping around. I’m absolutely speechless on how good this model is. ❤

This is a beautiful loco. Thank you for persuading me to get mine. Couldn’t find a blue one, but the BR Green one looks just as beautiful!

Lucky to get one from Hattons! By all accounts it was another hattons cockup (yet again) with pre orders (most other model shops will price match hattons anyways and actually deliver on their promise)

Honestly Sam, I’ve been watching your videos for 2 years and you never fail to disappoint. I can’t believe you’ve not got 100k yet! Hopefully we will have it for next video!

Actually, there is a project going on to unrebuild a rebuilt Merchant Navy class. I don’t recall the exact locomotive, but it is one that was saved from Barry, and not a new build project (of course). It should be interesting!

Thanks for the review Sam, what loco! Hornby have used a similar quality of mechanism and motor used in their international ranges. I think the reason they don't have working lights is there is a general view amongst the UK manufacturers that the UK market is more price sensitive and there isn't much appetite for locos costing £250, unlike in the US or Europe where steam loco models with working lights are normal.

I see you live stream in your channel bro tomorrow for sunday of spring day

Absolute beaut! Not many southern locos can say that **coughs** Q1

Just bought this after watching your review, top notch loco cheers for the heads up 😀

Well that was a lot of fun, Sam in his element.... Your view on the paint finish is very interesting. I am starting to paint more and more models, and at least in N gauge, gloss finishes are not common. I have heard the term “colour scaling” mentioned often, I wonder then if more shiny finishes would “look” better in 0 gauge? To my eyes at least, the finish on this loco was fine, but is that because I am looking through a screen? Of course I respect your views, if we all thought the same life would be very dull! Best as always.

03:52 'Asiatic' = Aze-ee-att-ick 👍 (as in from or about Asia).

It’s so similar to the West Country Class I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from a distance.

YAY i was excited to see this!!!!

Love the BR blue on this locomotive. The detail is great on this model as well

If Hornby continued there Thomas line, I don’t think they would make a Rebecca out of this model.

Just revisiting this test as I've just purchased one from TMC - good price. Excellent report of an apparently excellent model - looking forward to receiving it. Al.

OK, you convinced me, mine is now on order. Let me know when they do a revised version of the West Country/Battle of Britain class and I’ll save room on the layout for one of those too.

Omg i have been waiting soooooo long for you to review one theseeeeee

Abousolutely stunning! Thanks for reviewing it. Now I know that it is actually worth it!

Very nice review! This definitely is one of the best, and the livery is stunning!

This very locomotive is a gorgeous piece of kit. Please note that the real thing still runs on some heritage trains, mostly on Southern Region. The trip it does most is a run to Southampton, sometimes on the Boat Train.

I think the paint application and especially the lining is near perfect. I agree the blue would look better with a slightly higher sheen. I've got the new Hornby Dublo diecast version on order. I expect that to have the sheen you are looking for. Hopefully, someone at Hornby will have seen your comment and take note for future batches

Really good detailed and informative review Sam. I have finally added one to my steam fleet. It is one of the recent releases in BR Brunswick Green with Early Crest and is named Holland America Line. All I can say is Wow what a stunner. Take care and stay safe. Best regards Gary.

i'm very late to this, but there is a fully restored unrebuilt Merchant Navy in Peterborough :) 34081 '92 Squadron'. always lovely to see the engine making some steam in a siding when i visit

That colour looks great on that locomotive, hope your keeping well Sam great video as always

Dang, I've always wanted one of these, I'll get one eventually.. Great video, stay safe and take care :)

I have to agree about the meachnism on this, I was amazed when I ran mine straight out the box. The only thing that was a let down about mine was that the whistle is missing. Didn't even know there was any detail down the chimney till this video, so I'm gunna have to revisit having a look over it. The tender's actually longer (though not by much) on this than the last two versions they did a couple years ago. They still look fantastic in the Southern green too.

I am very pleased with mine after such a long wait. another great review. Love the spam cans

Beautiful. My favourite livery, still not got owt in it. I'd be tempted by one if I didn't have no money. I've got 35020 Bibby Line and 35028 Clan Line as rebuilt, plus 34006 Bude in unrebuilt 1948 condition with stanier tender, so a rebuilt battle of britain/west country is on my list too. 35011 General Steam Navigation is actually being rebuilt into the original style atm, I don't know if they'll add in all the original features but probably they'll keep the rebuilt style valve gear for performance.

The rebuilt Merchant Navy was produced by Hornby first. The rebuilt Merchant was Hornby's change into quality produced locomotives but it was over 20 years ago. The more the detail there are connected, the more there is the probability of them becoming damaged.

What an absolutely stunning model - thanks for sharing. Takes the flywheel debate to the extreme - too much inertia and difficult to 'crawl', but really smooth. I'm like you and really love the Bulleid pacifics - 'mixed freight / passenger' of course .... !! I suppose it's one of those models which is so good, you want etched brass / lost wax / turned brass pipes and fittings, but it would probably add quite a bit to the price. I did like seeing those cursed brake rods already fitted, and that the baseplate comes off as one with the 'plunger contact' system used. My 'waiting list' is quite large, but has me thinking!! Al.

Great review Sam. A side by side size comparison with a West Country would have been interesting. 😉 🇦🇺

Looks like a wonderful locomotive! Cant wait to see the next sams trains experiments :)

Hi Sam. Many moons ago I had a large mainly Wrenn layout . Wrenn in those days were the bees knees, and living where I do the layout was B.R. Southern Region. This allowed me to aquire all their Bullied Pacific’s both un-rebuilt and re-built. Needless to say there was a blue one amongst them, which I have to admit became my favourite loco, so to see this one and all it’s attributes just amazes me. What a beauty . Sam, have you ever come across Trix Twin railways? It was these that I cut my teeth on in model railways. All the best. Mick.

Thanks again Sam, very informative, much appreciated, Stewart

Very nice Sam, looks like i will have to buy this one, its a beauty, your my go to man for recomendations on what to buy and what to stay away from, thanks for the effort you go to on your videos, much appreciated, cheers Alan.

Getting back into the world of trains in general has been quite fun for me, I always liked them as a kid but just like with planes I've forums myself liking them again for the engineering and design side and not just "ooooh cool metal box with wheels" anymore

Oliver Bullied was a pioneer of welding railway stock as far back as his LNER days when he persuaded Gresley to allow welding on carriages. British Rail devised standard liveries for Loco's and stock from 1948 but it seems anything 8P allowed variation. They also had early experimental liveries on some locomotives so that they could judge which was best before finalising the standard liveries.

Hi Sam! Love this loco! Great review as always😁hope I'll get this one soon. Cheers, Luca

I’m so happy I pre ordered this in black southern what an awesome model! Great review 👍👍

Yeah the Unrebuilt Merchant Navy was the last of Hornby Bullied Pacific’s , so it is relatively new . They had released Southern and BR green ones before , but many people have been waiting for the blue one . I think the delay is because the original factory the MN was made in closed as the the proprietor retired , so they had to find another factory to make it . So it’s at least 2 years late ! It is supposed to be the same BR blue as is on A4, A3, Duchess , Princess and King

Sam: I could count the number of locos that run better than this on my fingers. Me: *cries* Mine arrived and it is an absolutely beautiful model, but unfortunately, the motor is incredibly faulty. At slow speeds, it cogs by up to around 20 degrees which is ridiculous, especially considering the flywheel. After about a minute of running it would continuously slow down drastically until eventually it would slow to a stop, then start, then stop, then start etc on 50%. With the number of models I have, I was going to encounter such a motor at some point and am surprised it took this long. Have enquired about a replacement and can't wait for it to be sorted. Loved the video as always :)

Great review. Shows how important a quality mechanism is. Regards Paul.

Fantastic model, Sam! Also it's funny that you mentioned the Q1 class in the beginning, since I recently ordered one off of ebay(which was quite tricky because I'm in America), as well as a Terrier off of Amazon, meaning they will be my 2nd and 3rd locos! Once again, great review!

Thanks for reviewing this lovely looking loco, I’d definitely love one on my layout

Was pondering getting one of these - your review tipped the balance. Ordered!

I made the Playtrains print and stick container downloaded from Hornby's website and it actually doesn't look too bad.

Thanks for the review Sam. Not normally a fan of BR blue but it definitely suits this with the red nameplates. I like the simplified valve gear and imposing large character compared to the light pacific. Fantastic to see a large flywheel and quality mechanism. As you say the finish could be a little better, though I love the cab and the fact the glazing is painted with the frame - more [all] models need this. Interested to see if the finish improves on the Hornby Dublo range. The pricing on those is somewhat questionable to say the least at over £250 without sound. You can get accurascale DDC sound locos for similar. I assume you don't have one on order due to the price and that you've gone for this.

Hi Sam, It started off sounding good , And was glad it run as good as it Looks, Keep it up Hornby, All the Best Brian 🤗

Great review! I love this class of engine!

Beautiful model and a very enjoyable review, now I hope these will still be in stock by September for my birthday

Whilst the box says it was drawn in 2015, it's was only reliced for the first time around the time of the review, a stunning model, especially in the blue

Thats a beautiful runner, i think the benchmark has been set for performance, meet it or fail from now on

I do have to admit that separately fitted stuffs on this loco dose look impressive, i personally (as per usual) dislike its colour but the glossiness / mattness of it dose not bother me - i reckon it may be either different in person or just a personal preference. Glad to see fairly high quality levels of the model and performance, hopefully all releases and new series of older models will step up to this level to make everyone get good value.

Hi Sam, just purchased this after reading your review, And totally agree with your assessment, Hornby really has got this right this time, my only gripe is the name plate also, why spoil it on such a small detail! Will try and get a metal / cast one. Good review. Eddie

Very nice video, as always

I love your videos! I would love if someday you could branch into N guage, your reviews are so helpful!

It’s a shame that there were never any of the original streamlined Merchant Navy locomotives left in main line service after their rebuilds or in preservation, but to have it in model form looks incredibly special for many model railway enthusiasts, and it’s absolutely beautiful, and probably one of my favourite locomotives along with the other Bulleid Pacific’s.

On your recommendations I ordered one from Amazon for £153, coming in few days.... Can't wait !!!

One of these thundered past me when I was a boy. As far as I can remember, the blue livery on the model looks fine. In service, the livery faded, and got dusty, looking lighter in tone. Thanks for the video.

Thank you very much, Sam! As always, your video is very educative and entertaining! This model is awesome, my congrats! SR engines are my favorite ones

Hi Sam, it’s truly wonderful to see such great locomotive being reviewed in such a positive way. I love the colour of it too. I was surprised that you knocked the big flywheel when you opened the locomotive up, as you are always ready to criticise locomotives for not having flywheels. Surely this is an example of exactly how to do it? Well done you for giving it such a high score. I may have to get one. Keep up the good work! Stay safe! Very best wishes, Adrian