Alternative title: Sam gets _bulleid_ by Bachmann’s new train set Edit: 42 likes, that'ss all I need thanks. The answer to life, the universe and everything.

I love when you do these train set reviews

20:39 The Bachmann diesel I got years ago for $40 (30 pounds) has a better mechanism than that, with TWO more flywheels. 9 years later, and it still runs pretty good (and it came from the days when DCC Ready wasn't a thing).

I always look forward to these reviews! Great job!

I'm afraid the seem down the boiler did it for me, you can't blame the chinese manufacturing, they have been pressured into making a product for very little money. A good honest review Sam as per usual, we respect that.

Another 'Nice from afar, but far from nice' engine, I see. Tut, tut, Bachman, Tut, tut.

Great honest, if harsh, review. Thanks for being so open.

You better not fix that engine before I can request it on stream with Dapol's amazing Egg Vans! It's stuff like this that made Botchmann the laughing stock of the market in the United States for some time.

When I watch This Video I Lookout For churches And A lot Of beautiful Details In Your Layout Amazing Keep Up The work Sam

Ha yes! I remember that last train set! The Thanet Flyer does look like a nice train set with that livery. It's disappointing tho with the running issues however and for a new starter in the hobby, it will cause even more disappointment. Not a good start for any newcomer. Sloppy paintwork and performance issues are non negotiable really. Such great potential but execution let it down. Great review and content as always. All the best, Clint

The last set made me loose sleep XD this is way better! Great job once again Sam!

Love vids including the reviews keep it up!!!

Great video sam'strains, the one thing creating these models is that they need to keep it simple, although the local motive steam engine looks amazing, I think they need to paint the cab inside to look the part as well, the best advice is to keep it simple but don't over complicated things. The model train looks amazing 😀

Finally! A (somewhat) professional review of this set. I remember when I first got into model railways I was close to buying this, but I never did

It's a treat for the eyes... 😂😀 Thank you for all your reviews, you save a lot of us from disappointment when unboxing new stuff. And still trying to pick out the best of the mess. 😷 Stay safe (and strong lol).

I love the way you review model train sets this made my day.

35:46 Do I spot an S15 stripped of its number and distinction of ownership?

A well considered and thoughtful review, thanks. Initially I was tempted as I have no Bullied coaches and the N was a great loco considering the the SE&CR was almost bankrupt when Mr Maunsel built it. Perhaps I can find better value but , like you, I did like the colour on the loco. In passing, you may already know that in 1937, knowing that Oliver was inspecting the Ryde Loco Works on IoW, Marjorie Bullied asked him to buy some green sewing thread for her. This was the colour he bought and Mrs B suggested that he should paint his engines in it. So that is why Henry Ivatt's daughter was responsible for Southern Malachite Green.(Wonder what would have happened if she had married Wm Stroudley)

Hi Sam 🙂 Just wanted to tell you I really enjoy your videos. Usually I listen while I play Railroads Online!, EEP, or 3D Train Studio. I have 2 HO sets, I just don't have room to set them up 😥 I love all the models you show, maybe one day I'll expand. Thankyou for all your vids, very much appreciated. All my best to you Sir 😎

I had a Bachmann N class a few years ago. Beautiful model, in BR lined black with late crest and I had the same derailment problem, it is a common fault with this model. It was to do with the profile of the wheels on the tender. I swapped the centre and leading axles around and it didn't derail after that. Was a beautiful model and ran very well after I 'repaired' it

28:28 "....expensive sh*t...." I know you wanted say that, i can feel you. 😂😂😂

Hi Sam. Another good and honest review. It appears that the gap between quality and value for money is widening in the case of Bachmann. They seem to be cutting corners and charging ridiculous prices just for the sake of profit. Keep up the good work. Cheers Chris.

Always great videos Sam. 👍👍👍

Just bought a boxed N class today, malachite green £42. Brilliant runner tbh, a good bargain!

Hopefully with the amount of subs you have you can raise these faults for train companies to improve

Sam love the vids. Yesterday I injured my foot really badly I also went to a local model railway shop and saw that train set and the underground Ernie it is scary in real life

Hi sam, lovely review, really enjoyed it. Its annoying it didnt perform as well as it could. I have just bought this set for £100 off ebay and intend to replace the tender coupling as it is a lovely video. Stay safe and keep up the great work. Jack

I say a train set like this is what I’m looking for. I’m not a beginner but an adult. I appreciate a good detailed locomotive as not ALL beginners are kids. Athearn here in North America made great starter sets with well detailed locos and rolling stock. Miss those and would like to buy a good British set! This is what I’d be looking for.

This is why I intend to avoid Bachmann products ludicrously expensive especially when the detail and performance isn’t great. I wonder if they test these🤔 I just stick to Hornby Trains sets yes maybe basic and some do have traction tires on the loco but the value for money is way better. I agree with the ratings nearly on par of the 1361 by Heljan. Anyways great video Sam🙂

I wonder if it’s something with the chassis that’s causing them to derail

I’ve had that issue with some of mine with the tender derailing I find loosening the screws on the draw bar makes them run fine

Love you man!!

0:35 oh god its back 😨

2:27 who bullied those coaches. Was someone saying nasty things to them or something 😂

Hi Sam, first of all. Thanks for another great review and for pointing out some truths about the quality of Bachmann and Hornby model trains. Infact its videos like this that concretes my frustration of poor tacky quality that Bachmann and Hornby think its acceptable to make us pay for crap. I am not prepared to keep paying for poorly made models and to be honest, this is the reason I am no longer getting any more model trains from Hornby or Bachmann for the foreseeable future. This is the reason why I moved over to European HO scale model trains because the quality is much better and the models I have bought so far have not fallen to bits or arrived with a broken chassis like the Bachmann Class 90's I recently bought. Those models are not cheap and this should not be happening. But they won't improve whilst we continue to put up with their poor quality. Most companies do not even care for the customer. So I take the same attitude with them.

Sam's got the most relaxing voice for model reviews

Talk of being in a bad mood, perhaps a story might make you laugh unless it scares you first. Sam was having a very bad day, due to his buying a train set that was way beyond his purchase budget. The Train Set in question was a Colliery & Quarry Goods set, complete with a small 0-6-0 Saddle Tank Engine of the Peckett B2 persuasion. The set had cost £289 to buy and he was almost in tears about it. Engine and 4 wagons out of the box, Sam had infuriating trouble getting the wagons to couple together, either by hand or backing the engine down on them. On top of this, the engine refused to crawl smoothly after being run in. Sam burst into tears, he was more upset than angry. "Why is this happening to me?!" he wailed loudly. "It's not what it should be!" Broome Manor and City of Truro, coupled up to a passenger train they were double-heading, chuffed up to Sam. They blew steam and soot up his nose, thus causing him to.... "Aatchoo!" ....sneeze. "Feel better?" chorused the Great Western Engines together. Sam looked down at them, feeling a cheerful grin spreading across his sad face. A laugh erupted from his throat. "I do," he giggled happily. "Thankyou for making me sneeze." Time went by. The 4 16-ton Mineral Wagons had a spooky effect about them, their colour was pale grey. The Peckett engine had been hurled down the ladder. 1361 the Ghost Saddle Tank Engine got the wagons and a grey Toad Van to behave. Sam's smile vanished as.... "AAH!" ....a girly scream of terror came out of his mouth. He'd uncannily put a Ghost Train together! He was whiter than a white sheet. Talk about scary.

I was reading a review from 2012 and the first thing mentioned was derailing tender

Well said Sam!..Bachmann are taking the Mick with this one!

Good review. I appreciate the honest appraisal. I have had some very poor running Bachmann hall locos, fortunately the retailers have exchanged them.

I've noticed I can now add an emoji to my comments if I want to. Is this the reason why it took me three days to comment on your previous video I wonder? I think the Thanet Flyer train set would have worked better on my railway. I have 2nd radius curves, which all my models get round perfectly well. My floor is completely flat, no inclines. Your train set left a sour taste in my mouth, and I'm so sorry it's let you down. Take my advice, hurl it down the ladder. Then it won't taste so sour. Also I don't have any points on my railway, so I've suffered fewer derailments than you and only one crash. Perhaps an emoji at the end will match your sour mood.

I recently discovered that the designer's name is pronounced "Mansell", even though it's spelled Maunsell.

I remember you doing a review on the Underground Ernie train set by Bachmann and it was quite a scary one to watch because of the train itself and also the figurine.

Very nice Sam, this would be a good one for me, living in Thanet, Kent...Simon

Sam, luv ur channel and you made me want my own model railway. It would be amazing if on the 16th (my birthday) if you could do an LBSC running session

I think you are right. If I were a beginner it would put me off continuing with model railways. It's good you speak your mind down and tell it as it is.

Great work Sam

I feel your frustration, Sam. I used to open and test all the locos before they went out of the shop just because there always seemed to be an adjustment that needed to be made. One time I remember a $300 loco made it half way round the oval when it stopped dead in its tracks! Heh heh. A long screw had been stripped when assembled and it fell out and jammed between the ties. Fortunately I was usually able to fix them myself and demo them in front of the customer so that we were all on the same page. I also remember a batch of turn-outs that wouldn't close properly and had to be slightly modded. There is really no excuse for that lack of quality control except that some bean counter determined that it is more cost effective to replace an item than to make sure they all work properly. This is true for a lot of products manufactured today.

Love the model

I have an SR black N class (the Modelzone special edition) and it runs beautifully, certainly better than my Railroad Schools which bounces very unrealistically - it's pretty much balanced on its driving wheels!

Ooh I might get this sorry I’m late my phone was playing up so I’m now on my old one loved the video -Ollie

Awesome video today Sam beautiful locomotive and I have reached 100 subscribers mate and I have found one of those classes on eBay for 74 pound

Good review Sam. I am pleased you are honest and don't suck up to the companies.

Hello Sam's train this is how box set other train hornby pretty good. I loved the thanet flyer box set XD

Hi Sam love the content building my own train a set Hope your doing good :)

There are plenty of close coupling mechanisms around that work perfectly well. Bachmann even have one themselves on their Midland Pullman. It's as if they never even tested this one on the track.

Nice review on the Thanet Flyer train set by Bachmann! Just by looking at the title of the video, I can already tell that this locomotive is going to get a low score and it did which I ain’t surprised about. It’s a shame that this locomotive didn’t meet the reason as to why it’s so expensive, I think it should have a better detail cab, a better mechanism, etc to reflect the expensive price tag. It also would’ve been nice if we got 3 coaches instead of 2. Looking at the performance, I can already tell it’s going to get a low score because performance like that from something that is so expensive is just unacceptable. So overall, I’ll give this Tranet Flyer train set either a “D-” or an “F”. Nice review as always! 👍

I was wondering if you're going to get the genesis coaches when they come out (seeing as the cad is finished) but great video as always

Quite a fair train set review, Sam; sadly, the quality from this has dashed my considerations of picking this set up, despite how lovely that malachite green is on both the coaches and locomotive. A few things I noticed about the locomotive and coaches, and I believe you mentioned this in your review, is that the moulding appears to be of older models; brilliant insight to see that Bachmann was still leading in the moulded detail department when those first emerged from the factory, but the lack of realizing how backwards compatibility would affect their current products may have been neglected. Seeing the basic, yet more predominant, moulded detailing would have helped lower my standards for the set, yet as you said, the cost should have reflected that. An asking price for over £120 for a "standard" train set featuring a locomotive, rolling stock, oval of track, throttle, and adapter should include more rolling stock, or some scenery pieces; this set, despite the lovely livery, is a rather unpleasant, yet I will play devil's advocate for Bachmann in this regard. The lower detail and lower quality of the motor make it a decent starter set for one wanting to begin modelling with Bachmann, featuring their high standard for level of detail-- livery application (which needs quality control), sprung buffers, ornate liveries, etc.-- yet making the motor something relatively easy to run at high speeds, should the set be gifted to a younger modeller. Overall, I find myself disappointed that this costly set has such a low level of standards; daresay that their Station Pilot train set-- with a horrifying retail cost of £249.95-- should be the kind of high quality train set that should command a fair price-- nowhere near the £200 mark-- while introducing a newcomer to Bachmann quality and model railroading.

992 views so far! Nearly 1K! I think the inclusion of second radius curves is to cater for smaller spaces. I think, even for a starter loco, the N class is very poor. Thanks for another great review, and I'm looking forward to the last live episode of Series 9!

For the record, never had an issue with mine. Runs beautifully

Shame about the OO N Class, the N Gauge version is one of my best runners and it seems to have much better detail given the size, even the cab is painted! Has tender pick ups and the price might be similar (I don't remember how much mine was when I got it). The way the glazing look on the OO version seems as if some glue has gotten on them. Am able to remake this set in N, though would be in BR Colours as while we have Malachite Bulleid coaches we don't have a Malachite N Class! Great Review Sam as always ~James

Excellent review of the Bachmann train set that was not so much scary this time, but just annoying that it isn’t perfect train set. What I mean by annoying is the fact the N Class which looks lovely with that Southern green livery, is the fact that this model has three pole motor as well that tender keeps coming of the rails because of the link between the loco & tender.

Great review Sam. I/We were looking at Bachmann range a Few weeks back. Because they 'Do Look Great.!' But Sadly looking great isn't enough. My Son would be Devo'd to spend his Pocket Money, to end up with a Poor Runner and Derailing equipment. Think we will be Sticking with Hornby in future. ( I was a Triang and Later Triang/ Hornby kid, so maybe Biased.) But In my experience, Hornby never seem to Fail. My Old Black Princess loco is still running, since 1962 purchase. ( Battered, but intact and Never Fails or Derails.) Thanks for a Great review, from me and my Boy..! Cheers kim in Oz.😎

Darn Bachmann and the tender coupling.

Sam I believe you have another coach to extend this!

Hey Sam. I live in America. When ever I first got in to model trains. I bought my first ever train set it was the Bachmann Thomas with dc sound it came with troublesome trucks one and two for $225

Your spot on sam , not harsh at all I'm tired of buying expensive crap at this stage, especially from hornby and Bachmann, great review 👍

Hi Sam, Static Model comes to mind, Quality control on holiday, or (the monkeys day off), Thank you for a good review, They buying up cheap bit and hope you don't notice, Keep hitting them ,All the Best Brian 🤗

I see what you mean, I love that green too.

Well,I suppose as an old saying goes,just because it cost a lot you don't always get a lot.😉I must say Sam that you were more than generous with your review on this one.Agreed,it looks good at a glance but not so much with closer inspection.It seems that in the model hobby world there are a series of compromises in quality(going on for some time).Even for RC flying models one can find some surprising goof ups that are frankly risky!I was viewing some videos on much higher end model trains($600-$1000 range USD) even those locos are occasionally plagued with problems with workmanship.At any rate,it's a pleasure watching your humorous and witty reviews!

Brilliant review Sam interesting how this has something to do with lemons! Also I fixed my standard 4 (which is the exact same as yours) though it has the friction problems exactly like yours, not sure if the BR black version has these issues or not -TheImperialDiamondSpinosaurus

You call it how it is and I respect that.

Good job Sam

Looks lovely interesting

Hello sam enjoyed the review can I ask (not sure if I have already) but did you buy the capt tom moore class 66 as hornby are shipping them out I think. Matthew

I have the same one and the train set is perfect! And i have no problem with the tener.

Great review Sam it’s not a bad train set but with the derailing it would become very annoying very quickly

I had the bachman Great smokey MTN set when I was a kid and at least one of the cars would derail especially the Log car because the logs would shift about on the curves or if I ran it fast lol. In the new version they seem to have taken away the log car and the hopper car too and left the boxcar and added a tanker same green USRA 0-6-0 though....

34:07 Sam: "it's a lemon!" Me: **Cars 3 memories**

Hello. Would you be able to provide more info on the draw bar mechanism modifications? I bought an N class with the same issue and was planning on modifying it, but I don't really want to go into it blind. I tend to find that the pony truck also has issues on tight curves. not sure if this is caused by the tender too but yeah, any info would be very helpful. Thankyou

I think you've aired on the generous side. I would have thought "not fit for purpose" would turn out to be 4.5/10, or possibly lower? 👍😎👍MDS (Dean)

Can you try it on it’s own track, does it derail on the curves supplied, and test with and without coaches....?

If I had paid the full RRP I would have boxed it all back up and sent it back for a refund. Those bargain basement train sets that you reviewed earlier were of far better quality both in terms of performance and painting for a fraction of the cos of this. Another good honest review, Sam

Awesome review. Hopefully some American train set reviews on future (not counting the cheap and nasty sets).

It's looks awesome for a derailing lemon

Sam if you are in the collector’s Club there is an exclusive terrier I suggest

Hi there glad I came across this video. Under our NZ lockdown I got back into model railway via my 1960s Triang childhood set which naturally wasn't a runner. Thanks to your channel and others I learnt to restore all sorts of models. Anyhoo along the way I bought a used analogue Bachman loco - the modified Soughton Hall. Loved the detail but boy it sucks re it's tender connection and derailed heaps. To be fair I'm using old super 4 track but even on code 100 it hasn't been great. I was at the stage of wanting to sell it off but now I'm wondering if I can do something about the draw bar? Any ideas would be very welcome. Cheers

Oops I remember suggesting this train set cause of the livery when you made the schools class review But at least it visually looks great!

I agree with you about the quality of this loco set-its not very good but don't get me wrong I would have sent it back or at the very lease contacted Bachmann about the tender/derail problems considering the price. I always appreciate your good and honest reviews so keep up the good work-but more diesels please.

I remember when people were crazy about the idea of you getting a big boy but i don't know if it would make it round your layout. Anyways keep up the great reviews and stay healthy.

That drawbar is a massive defect which has been on that model for nearly 15 years. My advice is to get rid of it and use a piece of multi core wire to connect the tender and the engine. It will make it more smoother.

Lovely antique green.

I had my eye on that set for a while, but ended up getting just the locomotive for £90 which had been split from it’s set having sat on the shelf for some time. It is a lovely looking thing but I agree with what you say about it’s flaws. I’m not overly impressed buy the draw bar either though I haven’t had a big derailing problem as yet but it can become dislodged from its slots when handled. The poorly fitted dome isn’t very nice either. It’s also fussy with DCC decoders, it barely ran with a Gaugemaster fitted so got a Bachmann/Lenz which runs well.

Brilliant

Hey Sam.... I’m a bit late to the party on this one.... But it’s quite interesting to see what British train sets are like.... As you know, I’m modeling Japan in N scale. I have 3 Kato Starter Sets, one each of these sets: JR East E4 MAX Shinkansen (bullet train), JR East EF81 hauled Hokutosei sleeper train & one JRF EF210 container train. All of the models in Japanese starter sets are identical to the main range, same design, details, mechanisms & decorations. Japanese trains, especially multiple units and dedicated train units like sleeper trains, are usually sold as base sets of 3 to 6 cars, with the extra cars in add-on sets to bring it up to the correct length. So if you want to extend the train, there will never be incompatibility issues as long as you buy the correct expansion pack(s). Basically what the manufacturers in Japan do for train sets is to package the base set of whatever train they’ve picked for that set with an oval of track & a power pack & controller. On a note about mechanisms, the “worst” mechanism I’ve got in my Japanese fleet is the Kato E4 MAX bullet train.... It’s a great mechanism, but in order to get a good mechanism into a double decker(!!) bullet train car and still have an interior with see-through windows on both decks, Kato has had to install the motor in one end of the car with only one flywheel.... So while it still runs well, it sounds like a mosquito buzzing down the line at high speed! If you couple two of them together, or couple it to a Mini-Shinkansen train (something JR East does in real life!), it does kind of smooth out the mosquito buzzing sound, though!

I tried looking for this set however intead i found bachmann's "pacific flyer" set. Have you reviewed this set yet?

On my Kato N scale Broadway Limited passenger set, two of the coaches are connected by a similar drawbar mechanism as the N class. In real life the the two particular units were drawbarred together. The drawbar mechanism works just fine- the coaches are close-coupled on the straights and separate without colliding in corners, with no derailments. It can be done, but Bachmann's inconsistency strikes again. There's good reason we Americans have nicknamed them Botchmann! Since you said you'd like to try a better train set, give Kato a look. I don't know what UK-specific products they make besides the N scale Eurostar, but Kato's mechanical quality is top-notch in any scale they make.

This engine hits all the right aesthetics for me

I think that you summed it up perfectly Sam, beginners should have something rugged and reliable and not be constantly re-railing a brand new item.Regards Terry.