I know you thought that the "elephant turd" was a crappy accessory, but honestly if I had that as a kid I would have been really excited to do it up with paint and flock. It's a nice introduction into making model scenery if you use your imagination

This is fantastic, an actual affordable train set! I miss when these used to be more common, these are the sets that bring people into the hobby and as a result I think they're very important. Most of these starter sets today are all battery powered, I can't tell you how happy I am to see an actual electric one. Maybe I'm overly excited but this seems really good and I think I might get one my self.

Hey Folks - the loco in the video isn't a SD40-2, it's an Alco C-628 (or something similar!), and Soo Line is a real company! Thanks to everyone for letting me know!

This was my first train set, I got it long time ago for Christmas and I have so many fond memories of it. The play value, as you said, is great, but what I found far more important is the fact that this set offers gateway to railway modelling. Even though I was too young to really help with modelling, my father created nice and simple little model (I think it was mostly grass), turned that elephant turd into a hill with a tunnel and a little stream in that so called valley, bought additional tracks and switch tracks, fixed everything on a piece of plywood and I had an almost portable model railway. Thank you for reminding me of it, I think this set offers far more than it shows. Cheers from Slovenia!

Sam: Doesn't know something about this set Americans: Now this looks like a job for me

When my brother was young, mum bought him the cheapest farmyard set you could ever imagine. There was a shepherd figure - grossly out of scale to the hut that came with him - with some horses and sheep, all of which were out of scale to each other etc. The number of hours he spent playing with it all is indescribable. So much so that when mum found, by chance, one of the farm figures decades later, mum had tears in her eyes at the happy memories. Including having to make things like you have to, in the same way. I can see this set being similar - amazing play value.

The wagon load is actually underground pipe cut to size, and SOO line is an American railroad that ran in the midwest (Iowa, Illinois, etc that is now bankrupt) We still see SOO Line freight cars to this day that haven't been repainted yet. Many of they are from the 1970's old stock but still rolling.

“Cargo Train”, most creative name ever.

My uncle who worked his entire life for the Frisco Railroad used to say, "You can't spell stupid without UP when referring to the Union Pacific Railroad...

It’s an ALCo C-628, one of the most beautiful diesel locomotives ever made in my opinion

To get a child for Christmas it's perfect. if they really like the hobby you can get something more expensive at a later date and if not you haven't spent a lot of money.

"I didn't include the big poo" ... "if you want to mess around with it you can" *Yes review the steam!*

KZfaq: I think you would want to see this me: you must be kidding? me, half an hour later: guess youtube was right...

From photos I've seen, the Soo Line Quad Hoppers were usually white with red lettering. Soo Line mainline locomotives were painted red or white with red nose.

Mehano used to be Mehanotehnika, the main Yugoslavia's train model factory. It became in 1991. Mehano and worked until 2008 in Slovenia. They moved the production in 2010 in China. And this is a Chinese made set. I can't over that, as a I kid, I destroyed a Mehanotehnika set. Which was second hand, but... But... Haunts me today! They used to made some fine trains!

Thank you so much for posting this. As a teenager I had a train layout but then life happens. Yesterday I looked into starting again but there is this thingy called budget...I saw Mehano on a certain selling site but never heard of it. Your review helped me very much, I'm buying one.

As someone interested in models but also a student, I really appreciate you reviewing cheap/budget stuff in addition to the more 'standard' locos and sets, even if some of it is elephant dung!

I've never heard of them "Mehano" but it was brilliant to watch. I'm 67 and just getting into model trains. Only been a few months into model trains but it's so addictive and so much money, I'm having a blast. Fulfilling my childhood dreams

Sorry Sam but when I was still at school I bought an Airfix railbus kit and acting on a suggestion of a reviewer in a magazine by utilising a rocket motor I motorised it by fitting a stick around the axle of metals wheels that I fitted to the kit. I glued the motor onto the floor and applied some glue to the shaft of the motor. I had to buy a box of small elastic band to go around the motor and the axle with the twig . A couple of bits of single core wire was used for pick ups. Now it is very fast at 12 volts and will do 240 mph/15 seconds scale speed around a circuit of 1 scale mile. That layout was exhibited 2 years running at the MRC exhibition in London. The layout was.constructed by the Crawley Model Railway Society. I was a member and the layout was put up in the club room were I used to run my rail bus. That was about 63 years ago when I was mates with Rodney Stenning and Gordon Gravit. Can I challenge you at 12 volts.Bye from Ian Cooper?

Nice set to practice your painting and weathering skills on!

I really like that! With a repaint, the wagons could look really smart, and a bit of weathering would make that loco rather convincing. The little set is fantastic value for money :)

Hope you enjoy creating your new pieces of scenery. Can now wait to see more videos like this about the different railway items available. Love hearing the history of the class.

This is a self-contained set aimed I would say at (approx) 6-9 yr olds, and as described by Sam it completely fills the bill. No need to quibble about lack of detail, steel track, elephant turd etc., it's not supposed to be an accurate scale model, but it offers enormous play value and learning skills to its intended market, and equally important, appears to be functional and pretty well built for its purpose. If I can get hold of it, my 6yr old grandson will be getting one for Christmas - just the job! I often take him to Chesterfield (Derbys) station to watch the trains, this set doesn't look like anything he's seen there, he's not old enough (like Sam) to have heard of Soo Line, but he won't care!

Someone needs to send him a nice E or F unit, I’d love to see him react to some more American locos

That western set looks interesting (although you didn't link to that one). This is what hornby should be doing to get children into the hobby at £50 you get more value than the nearest priced hornby set, where as Hornby release a bundle at £200 for the lockdown.

An amazing videos Sam thank you for showing every one the different locomotive packs on offer from different place. Hope you enjoy your new locomotive and rolling stock. Take care

I love your enthusiasm Sam, it's inspiring. Super respectful and honest, much like the legend that is James May. This set is rather lovely, it almost makes me feel like a child again. I'd have no hesitation in purchasing this for my son's as a starter set. Thanks for the review Sam. Stay safe.

It’s a beautiful locomotive!!! Great video Sam! Have a awesome day 😁 -Nick

That particular locomotive is an Alco Century 628 or Alco C-628. Just doing a little research will go a long way.

Thanks for a great review! I had Mehano trains as a kid since 1980.s. At that time still in former Yugoslavia ,Mehano was called Mehanotehnika (existing since 1950 s) .They made a very nice affordable train sets and also export them a lot in the USA or UK too...Today in Slovenia ,EU, Mehano produce starter sets like this one but also more expensive and more high detailed digital locos too.😊

Its once again one of those recommended videos at 3 AM, i was never into railways as a whole, but i can say that i enjoyed this review, even though i aint going to buy it or anything. It reminded me of my train set when i was i child, and i still cant believe how much fun i had with one locomotive and few cargo vagons! Thank you for this well structured content. I regard people doing this, playing a mastermind behind a small world. I cant imagine doing it my self, but watching it is very, very satisfying.

I used to watch your content religiously a few years back. I returned today, and I am pleased to see the charm hasn’t left!

Yay at last a review I thought you’d given up on making reviews

Ok, that is NOT an SD40. Looks to be a U-Boat of some kind, or some alco locomotive from the 60s. Now, on the opposite end of the spectrum, get a scaletrains rivet counter locomotive. Insane amount of detail on one of those.

I had one of those as a kid , almost the same , 2m track steel ,4 wagons , santa fe on main loko . 1 motor with driven shafts to each wheels with full gear box inside. Control box was ran by 2x4,5vlots and that was bad. I even than changed it to run on wall adaptor . Watching your channel and smt mainline bring s bac memories and now i want to go and get new loco ...

I have a Mehano train set from 1994 that was made for President's Choice it's a 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive and I got it used at a flea market and it's really nice for who it was made for and still works great today

Man this looks very nice👍 I really like the locomotive and the waggons. The value is so good, much better than the Hornby Juniors train. Maybe adding some weights to the loco will make the power even better. I''m definitely looking forward of buying one. The AWD is amazing and my favourite feature. Great review, Sam

The gondola has a brakewheel! Huzzah! Edit: Oh wait all the freight cars have brakewheels. Even better!

My first train set (Christmas 1978) was an HO Model Power Canadian National freight set (made by Mehanotechnika in Yugoslavia for Model Power, with the exception of the caboose, which was made by Roco) featuring an Alco RS-11. I still have the loco and it still runs.

Looks like the trains my local toy store and hobby store used to sell back when they were still in business! My first “modern”-inspired toy train was an EMD Geep, three or four freight cars, and a caboose all in brightly painted metal. Took me back a ways. Thanks for showing us!

Hi Sam..a brilliant review..I'm really tempted to get one of these...the Elephant turd LOL..you could incorporate in your own layout and maybe paint it or add some scatter and bushes...or maybe not, having looked at again, lol

I'd really love to see you review the Steam version of this set. Looking at it online, it looks pretty interesting and I'm thinking about getting it. However, I live in the US, and I don't know how I'm going to deal with the power situation, since we have a different input/output and different voltage.

Mehano was sort of a "every ones got one" here in the states. Although pretty much no one realize it. Because of the company eastern European heritage, remember, this was still the tail end of the cold war, It decided to market its products to established train manufactures that sold their products in the US. Everyone for AHM to Bachman to Model especially, repackaged and sold some or all of their models. They were great pullers despite the little 3 pole motor's, as they had all wheel drive by this point. I had a gp18 when I was a kid that was sold via Bachmann, I did not know it was a Mehano at that time. I always like it because it was about to pull huge trains. When I started installing DCC decoders, About 12 years ago, I used some of these models, from the likes of AHM as my early attempts. I was highly impressed by how well they put together for what they were.

Favorite budget controllers in order of preference - Mehano (I just love how the dial glides, and the lil' click when you change direction) - Bachmann - Hornby with the original large red dial - Airfix - Hornby with the newer red dial - Lima - Hornby black and silver

Well Sam, you have managed to clear amazon uk’s stocks with this review. the only one showing this evening is from Poland at £161.00!

That is an amazing price. Even in CAD it's a heck of a good deal. Now I have been to Maheno's webstore now and then and writing up my shopping list. Their webstore is a bit clunky as they do not seem to list DC/DCC powered stuff separate from the AC powered stuff.

im just about to get started with model trains and this looks nice i havent watched the full vid yet but it looks good

Sam, love your videos. Yeah this is not an SD-40 dash 2. . Its either an Alco Century C-630 or a General Electric U33-C. The U-33 series are what we chaps in the states nickname "U-Boats" dont know why, but its what we call them. Also generally the -2 or Dash Two means it was upgraded to better electronics / motors etc. Similar to a Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 is an early version and a Mk4 is a later more improved version. GP in front of a diesel stands for "General Purpose" Whilst SD designates "Special Duty" i.e. 3 axles or what you call Co-Co ... keep up the terrific work. Love the vids...

13:33 continuity error, Sam. Tut tut.

I thought it said "sod line" XD

Never in my years, have I ever been disappointed by a Mehano locomotive (need to procure their TGV & ICE high speed sets, sometime!). Owning one of these ALCO C628 locos, I am most grateful to see you're pleased. God's Speed to you, and keep Uncle Pete's ALCOs rolling!

I've had 4 Mehano train sets as a kid. I didn't know for better than Mehano because in Croatia it's all we had, mostly sold as kids toys in various stores. Cheap and plastic but I gotta say pretty reliable for the price. Mehano is an old company from ex. Yugoslavia and now it's in Slovenia today. I still kind of miss having a train set to play with. I donated my last train set to my high school where I was in a team to make a small model railway layout. It was an Burlington Northern Alco C628 with a crane and boom tender, hopper car and a caboose. Yup and I'm a train engineer today! :) Trains were always my passion.

Great video Sam the train set is a good deal but it is not available in The USA I wish it was . Thank You for keeping us entertained during this times of not being able to go out.

Awesome, tho honestly looks like something from when my dad was a kid

This is a fascinating review, because you are assessing it against other model railways when most of those purchasing it will probably be looking for a toy. And it does rather well. The level of detail, printing on the wagons, controller and general contents of the box are astounding for fifty quid. Imagine how delighted a youngster would be getting this as a present that's the price of a video game. Imagine how delighted a model railway enthusiast would be!!! Something to keep everyone having fun in this lockdown. Great vid.

Brilliant video as usual Sam ! First US one in a while.

Great video Sam it is an ok price just wish it had some British stock in it instead if American

How about throwing that 5 pole motor from the other day in it :)

A great review. I could see someone on that design team pleading for that plastic mountain with a tunnel. “It’s a first train set, you have GOT TO see the train come out of a tunnel. I don’t care how big it makes the box! I WANT MY TUNNEL!”

Thanks Sam! I am repainting a much older version of the Mehano C-628 from UP, like the one on your set, to Minnesota Commercial. Thanks!

Ah U Boats, very nice locomotives

Looks like a alco c430

Just seen this video today Sam, this is a great value and great starter set for any youngsters wanting to start in model railways.

HOLY MOLY!! That's an older UP diesel engine, this is why I check Amazon for deals like this

President’s Choice, a grocery store chain here in Canada, featured almost a dozen train sets released around Christmas time over several years. The engines were decorated in Canadian liveries while the freight cars were either painted in authentic Canadian markings or had PC products featured on the sides of the freight cars. Two of the sets were diesel while the rest were steam powered. Mehano and later IHC (International Hobby Corporation) produced the train sets. The same transformer in your set was included in the sets as well. I would highly recommend you take a look at these interesting sets and even the buildings that were produced to go with them.

Amazing value! Yes, as others say, that loco and wagons would look much less like plastic toys with some good weathering - perhaps add a caboose to the consist? The 'elephant poo' could look really good after painting and grasses, bushes and trees etc. are added

My first and only train set is a Union Pacific freight train which I got for Christmas when I was eight. Such fond memories.

Nice video.. reminds me of my first HO scale train set (my first train set!) Looks similar to what i remember.. a loco, cars, caboose (not in this one), track, controller, some scenic accessories(signs, people etc).. memory is hazey but yes..very cool :-)

great to see you doing other than the usual items at the moment Sam, the loco in the steam set looks a bit iffy but yes would love to a review for that set as well. Cheers for another entertaining review.

It's worth noting that the controller is AC and the supplied power supply is also AC (obviously!). I have a few of these and I really like the way they work particularly on my N gauge layout.

Looks like a great set! Thanks for sharing.

My very first train set in the early to mid 90's was one of these mehano layouts in a box. including the brown plastic mountain! think it had a lot of the same rolling stock and a similar logo with a different livery. mad to see they are still being made.

Menaho also produces a starter set with G1206 locomotive, and the locomotive has a freaking speaker! And a DCC socket! And a metal chassis! And lots of not-molded details like metal railings and horns. And some wagons in that starter set even have metal wheels. It costs around $100, but still cheap. I have one and am absolutely amazed by the quality of the loco. But the rails are still steel.

Beautiful set, runs very smooth, ....thanks for sharing

Man, I wish we had these in america! Most cheap train sets are battery powered, as SMT mentioned, and have plastic track that can't be expanded, as they usually come in circles. And the next level up is a 100 dollar set by bachman, and all you get is just the EZ track, and a train, and of course the transformer. I think this would do wonders for anyone wanting to try out the model railroad hobby, as all you need is a basic train and a sense of imagination.

The perfect start to get young children into this great hobby. Exceptional value for money. Cheers Greg

Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.

Mehano put out sets for a Canadian Grocery store. I have 2 of them they were about $99.00 cad in the early 2000s. One of mine is that bullet nosed 6060 that you reviewed, and the original tender was very like the one in the set. One of the locomotives also came with smoke liquid. The track looks identical. Another great video Sam. Thanks

On my 10th birthday, after years and years of asking my parents for a train set I got a Mehano train set which is pretty basic, it's the loco (a GP18 in an SNFC livery) +3 cars (and the tracks and controller of course) so the box was much smaller as it got no buildings nor mountains and such. After it, I went with other brands like Athearn, Atlas, etc as Mehano is quite strange in Mexico, but anyway, it's a great starter kit for someone with a low budget and the quality is really good for the price (still got everything after 15 years except for a car). Also, it is ideal for someone who wants to experiment with detailing and weathering. Nice video, I subscribe!.

This reminds me a lot of my first electric train set which is similar but of an Australian diesel and wagons that I still have. Mine's all wheel drive(just bo-bo) and pickup, if my memory is correct the controller went 100% forwards to stop to 100% reverse just in the dial motion, it had a front light and until I eventually got into modern model trains was by far the best puller I had. Sadly though I'm stuck in the difficult process of attempting to find a replacement motor for it, but eventually it'll run again :D

Awesome review. The locomotive looks to be a former AHM tooling. The set reminds of the Tyco and Life Like electric HO scale train sets seen here in the states.

29:20 Back at it again with Bullman's magical powers where he comes out of no where! xD

Excellent little set, bargain and if I was a kid and received that I would love it.. Good videos

Yes, the Mehano controller is surprisingly good. We used them a lot on how club layout years ago before converting to DCC. Very intuitive.

Mehano company was one of the best toy factory in Yugoslavia, but back them it was called Mehanotehnika. I have a lot of Mehanotehnika H0 trains. Some of locomotives are old around 50 years and they stil work like new. They were producing model trains for a lot of Amreican companies like AHM, IHC, TYCO...

I actually bought the locomotive itself from Amazon for $28 (yes, I’m American) back in 2020. It was, for a good amount of time, my largest operable diesel locomotive. It was that way until earlier this year when I purchased a Bachmann SD40-2 With dcc and sounds from the real NS 3430 for an astounding $178. It replaced the mehano c630 as my largest diesel. I later sold it off after I converted to DCC.

Here in Canada, Mehano train sets were marketed under the President's Choice brand and were sold in supermarkets around Christmas for around $70. They had a steam locomotive and around 5 freight cars and a large oval of track, though the loco was the only decent part of it. Sadly, they haven't been made for years but they can be found for sale online for much higher prices.

Sam, I bought a set called the "western" for 30€... the mehano controler is ace... great stuff...thanks Mate

I told you about the mehano controllers a long time ago. I've had one since I was 6. Knocks hornby budget controllers in the dirt.

Although this is more ‘plasticky’ remember this is a kids train set. We used to be a dealer for Mehano and I found their stuff amazing - again, they don’t pay attention to detail in terms of liveries for various railroads but a more experienced modeller can fix them up nicely in a project. The locos motors are strong and quiet. We sometimes had problems with the controllers but I think that happens with any manufacturer.

Hey Sam great review ! I had Mehano sets all time when i was younger , still have a +15year old diesel loco ( still runs ) and a new set in whcih the main loco is really detailed and heavy , did cost 50€ , and mehano has some more pricy sets, regarding the quality i was never bothered by that as it looked nice and was working well , the track really like to rust if they get exposed to moisture , ( to the more hardcore collectors the medium quality will be a turn down ) , and yes please rewiew more mehano sets . cheers from Slovenia !

That locomotive is actually an ALCO C628. Back in the day each builder had their own unique styling, the big giveaway that it's ALCO are the clipped corners where the number boards go, and the Century series all had the stubby short hood on the front (its where they keep tools and spares as well as the toilet). They were built from 1963 up until shortly before ALCO went out of business in 1969 but fortunately some of them are still in service today.

I love that your doing more American locos/sets

Hey Sam. Great vid. I would with out a doubt buy one of their train sets.

Hi Sam..enjoyed the video. Thank you! The Locomotive is an Alco Century C628(The trucks/bogies give it away). Yes..a matter of fact,I have operated a Mehano made Locomotive (Life-Like Brand). Bought it in 1992,from the local Toys R Us store( back when the store stocked good stuff) It was a good runner.. equipped with a 'Can Motor' ..ran good. Having no traction tyres/tires...I added a little lead weight on the chassis...and it could pull a really long train.. putting other much heavier, traction tyred Locomotives to shame. I had loads of fun with it.

I searched on Google for the Alco C-628 locomotive in the Union Pacific livery along with its running number "3222". I compared the pics to your shot in the white backdrop and they're a perfect match. All of the shapes and printing on the locomotive looks exactly like the model that's in this train set.

10:37 quite accurate (though basic) hopper wagons and Soo Line is an actual company.

Soo line used to run through my town. Further out near the highway there is a big grain building or something for trains with "SOO LINE" painted in huge letters. Now it is mostly union pacific and bnsf

I bought a Mehano French outline train set for a small nephew a few years ago. Funnily enough it contained an SNCF B-B 67000 diesel just like your Lima 0 gauge one. I remember being pretty impressed given the price. The loco was quite good as I recall and I improved the rolling stock by adding some extra weight. This lot would be quite nice with some extra weight and some very serious weathering... The loco will probably be better once it's well run in.

Wow! As a kid, I've started with a MEHANO starter set like this. This was about 15-18 years ago. Good to see, that they are still making theese cheap sets. I know they are more like toys, than serious models, but that's it's benefit. If gets broken by the kid or something, you won't bother.