A Hornby LBSC 0-4-0 with DCC, Sound, Bluetooth & Stay-alive | Unboxing & Review

[@legoisthebest001SCR]

when you maxed out your starter weapon

[@thepacerman]

haha

[@lukeslocomotives]

Underrated comment

[@SamsTrains]

hahahaha!!

[@traingameiacs]

This slingshot has night vision, laser sights a long scope and a represser!

[@MetroStudios]

Lol!

[@rvlougdon9500]

I thought there was going to be a joke about polishing something small and brown, but that was genuinely interesting

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

ahhh the good old thomas clockwork and thomas 0-4-0 electric loco body. late 90s to early 2000s made tooling

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah! I'd love to get hold of one of those clockwork ones!

[@The-Thomas-and-Sonic-Guy]

100 dollars **COUGH** **COUGH**​@@SamsTrains

[@2428matt]

@@The-Thomas-and-Sonic-GuyI see them for like 20-45 quid

[@QualityCandor]

It really blows my mind that they've hung onto this particular tooling as a designated "toy train" model. It makes sense practically speaking, but it's just the novelty of tooling that old still in production. Really feels like the only thing older than it is Smokey Joe lol.

[@thejohnler8358]

It was released in 1995

[@bbej2016]

The loco is based on a thomas model "my first thomas"quite rare apparently one for sale on ebay for £50.

[@SamsTrains]

So I hear - quite surprised that it's that... never put the two together! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@leokimvideo]

When Thomas is a Percy Engine, may be inspired by Mattle's love of depicting Thomas with 4 wheels. I'm not sure why Hornby set such high prices. And your price is much cheaper Vs the selling price in Oz. Looking at Hornby's share price it looks like a Bull Trap playing out, the underlying trend is still a collapsing share price. It needs to break above 100 GBX to break the trend. It's sitting at 34 BGX which is a long way from a trend reversal. RIP Hornby, sad watching it tripping over itself with every release and curious ot look back in time with this. Very surprised how slow you made this one go.

[@armosinz1944]

Leokimvideo?!

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

That particular model is based on the LBSCR E2, it was designed as part of the Thomas & Friends range in the 1990s and is one of the less common parts of the range, and as Hornby does with old toolings, they resell it today with every livery under the sun

[@EdwardsDayOutAlt]

yea i noticed this as i do own one myself, always cheaping out as usual

[@SamsTrains]

So interesting! I'm familiar with the 0-4-0 Thomas but never thought that was this... amazing what a change of paintwork can do! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@leonkernan]

@@SamsTrains It's all in the face (or lack of)

[@joshuasampson6343]

@@SamsTrains you should do video with Thomas and this engine working together

[@stevejh6630]

Now here's a thing. Only yesterday I had my first stab (not great at soldering) at hard wiring a decoder. Loco I chose for the experiment was a "sacrificial" Hornby 0-4-0 (out of a HR freight train set £25). Didn't think there was room for sound etc, so fitted a basic Hornby 4pin (relatively cheap). Also painted up some of the cab detail. Anyway, it worked well, runs much better (speed, crawl etc) on DCC than ever did on DC. So happy. Seeing your effort makes me want to be more adventurous next time. Would like to have seen how you wired it though, maybe another video??? Thanks Sam :)

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - hopefully that's given you confidence to do others - well done!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Get the Hornby 1 pin decoder. REALLY Small !

[@joeleboeuf]

That engine looks like if a railway works took Thomas' footplate and framework, and gave it Percy's wheel configuration.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah it's super odd isn't it?! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Sudriantank743]

​@SamsTrains build a model of thomas, but as an outside cylinder mogul

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Yes !

[@Louie-WanKenobi-og4rk]

Therapist: 0-4-0 Thomas isn't real; he can't hurt you. 0-4-0 Thomas:

[@carolinarailfanning]

Yep this is definitely a Thomas body with one axle omitted, it's not an E2, it is show-accurate Thomas with a missing axle, the cab, coal bunker and tanks are screaming it.

[@brianartillery]

My way of making that more interesting, Sam, would be to put some bangers in the cab, with their fuses sticking out of the windows. Light them, and set it off round the track, preferably pulling some Dapol egg vans. The resulting explosion 💥 should be loud, and possibly look almost entirely unlike a burst boiler. You then bag up the bits, and go for a roadtrip to Margate (you'll need a loudhailer for the next bit); when you get to the Hornby factory, hurl the remnants of the engine at the nearest window as you drive past (not your car window, obviously - the drive home will be a tad draughty.), and shout through the loudhailer something like: "FIFTY QUID FOR THIS BIT OF ANCIENT PIPDRIBBLE? FIFTY QUID? ARE YOU SERIOUS?" etc. That's them told. Now get some chips, and drive home. Tidy.

[@SamsTrains]

haha - a literal pocket rocket if you will? hahaha!

[@David-g1p-v8k]

'bangers in the can', reminds me one Guy Fawkes Night when my bro and a friend lashed some Roman Candles to two clockwork four wheelers on a circle of track, in the garden of course, Great fun but not so good for the paintwork!

[@Richy59]

This is why Hornby needs to get that 8 pin DCC ready basic 0-4-0 onto market in train sets. It would really help to modernise their catalogue for a new generation, and showed it was in progress in on of their TV programs.

[@thunder-foxx3463]

Hi sam, I actually enjoyed this video a lot, "home wrenching" and modifying ready to run models is always enjoyable to see, no matter how cheap and nasty the base model might be, I'd love to see more content like this! maybe some home grown weathering or detailing? I've seen some people modify Hornby's cheap 040s with weathering and smaller details like couplings, seperately fitted lamps and other details, I'd love to see you do something of the sort with a model of your choice! either way a great video! :)

[@IainDavies-z2l]

That loco is 629 of the Linlithgow Brick and Shale Company, located in the private sidings at Linlithgow on the Main Line between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company closed in February 1968.

[@xinlu2806]

As part of an appropriatly priced trainset, this would actually be quite nice. The livery looks better than most I've seen on the locomotive, it would not look too out of place on more serious layouts even.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

... appropriately priced ? no such thing !

[@cec_oregon]

Anythings better than the beatles or coke livery

[@paulantoine1696]

The DCC installation with stayalive really transforms the performance. The crawl for an already over-geared drive train is actually pretty impressive to my way of thinking. As you say, you made this a far more engaging model!

[@OnionPacificCaboose]

from a reused clockwork range mold, to a premium model, i love it! also Hornby's railroad range has some pretty neat engines, specially considering some of the reused tooling, giving a new generation of railfans the change to have a very old model on their hands

[@peterm7548]

I did something similar to an old LBSCR Hornby E2 adding DCC though not with sound and its a pleasing addition to my fleet.

[@cbrooks122000]

Thank you Sam you have answered a question that that the so called experts on the Hornby forum have been trying to fob people off with, the Powerbank isn't so special. I took a Hornby Powerbank apart and to me it looked the same circuit as the LaisDCC one, which it appears from you testing is correct. I did the same fix with a Zimo decoder and a LaisDCC "stay alive" to my Hornby Smokey Joe and Caledonian 0-4-0 loco, I got the same effect as you did, they both became really usable locos. I have since fitted the same to all my 0-6-0 small wheelbase locos, it completely transforms them. Really good video as always and thank you for clearing up the fact that the Hornby Powerbank is nothing special. LaisDCC are probably one of the best "stay alives" around. Surprising as they are also reasonably cheap.

[@rodsmith3911]

Definitely a rehash of the Thomas as an 0-4-0T which was introduced well before Y2k came around. Would have looked nice if it had an 0-6-0 chassis to match the E2 body shape.

[@GreatGlynndon]

6:09 to answer your question (I think anyways) the LBSCR was merged into the Southern Railway

[@17puttab]

Wow, Hornby are really dropping the ball this year. Great video as always!

[@SamsTrains]

On the latest price? Crazy isn't it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@gregmacdonald927]

I think that’s a great video Sam. Really enjoyed that. Amazing the difference to our enjoyment levels if we just KNOW the loco will run smoothly and reliably. Well done chap!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Greg - it is amazing what a difference it made... I was quite surprised! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@primaveranz]

The performance with DCC is stellar! Has made me seriously consider getting into DCC, so glad you did this wee experiment ! Cost of the upgrade notwithstanding, that model has so much more play value and interest for a kid I would have said. Imagine if a basic train set had sound and stay alives 😎

[@sleepyren_]

Derailments with Stay-Alive locos must be so much fun...

[@michaelallen2063]

As others have probably said by now, the mould is from an old starter Thomas set. It's an approximation of the Thomas E2 body on the generic (cheaper) 0-4-0 chassis instead of the slightly more expensive generic 0-6-0 chassis that underpinned the Jinty, 2721 pannier and others during the 80s and 90s.

[@robinbrowne5419]

Good job. That DCC made all the difference in the world. The speed has gone from frantic at 50% (see 12:17) to controllable and stately (see 20:43). The sound is pretty good and fits the model reasonably well. The keep alive really helps the performance and realism on points. One very poor loco has been turned into a pretty awesome one 👍

[@TrentonLightninghammer]

So many people trash these railroad 0-4-0's but honestly, out of my collection, they end being my favourites. Such underrated and simple models. Just wish they didn't get so damn expensive for what they are

[@thomo_the]

The closest thing I’ve found to an actual loco with the number 629 was “Lambeth” of the LBSCR D1 Class , being an 0-4-2

[@leonardosanchez3155]

There is in fact an LB&SCR engine with that running number . Stroudley D1 0-4-2T ‘ Lambeth ‘ built as No.29 in 1876 later renumbered to 629 in 1909 . She lasted until January 1936 when she was withdrawn by the SR baring the number 2629 .

[@CZ350tuner]

It uses the body shell from the 1990's Thomas & Bertie the Bus rutted track set. Also, the body shell was used on the 1990's Thomas clockwork loco, which used the 1960's John Hefford designed clockwork mechanism.

[@exarkun42]

For those interested, these decoders will work on a select few analog controlers. I've been running an HM7000 fitted loco on my Railpower 1370 for almost a year now with no issues

[@KeeganLynch-sn2qu]

I think that shell was for a 0-4-0 Thomas train set from Hornby, look at the similarities with the splashers/wheel arches and look at the bunker that has the back lamp and the bunker it self! Look at the short stumpy funnel and short stumpy dome, along with the painted black steps to the cab! This is pretty much a old 0-4-0 Thomas mold for the shell they used

[@johnspencer2914]

It is the clockwork Thomas body from the 80s given an LBSC livery and a railroad 0-4-0 chassis. They could probably make these in England and sell them for £20 these ! (like Dapol made in Wales wagons).

[@stephenmarshall9574]

You can get a stay alive that is compatible with the Hornby decoders from DCC Concepts. They are also available from KMS Railtec.

[@sfm_ferguson5033]

Your customer models or even future customers made models DESERVE THIS TREATMENAT

[@ShortCycle.]

Dcc teamed with a stay-alive capacitor can transform a poor runner. I've not tried sound fitting yet, but an old lima pannier tank and my hornby14xx (and you know how bad they run!) have been given a reprieve from scrap since being tweeked, reliability and slow speed running are way better now. More stuff like this please Sam.

[@DJ_K666]

These 'pocket rockets' as they used to be are a lot of fun. Hornby were flogging off a load of 'Tri-ang remembered ' ones for £10 at Milton Keynes last year.

[@RichardBrooklyn]

Would love to see a video of the wiring from the stayalive to the hm7000. Even a short video or something. The offical Hornby part is out of stock and also quite large, so alternatives like what you've done would be very interesting

[@MrBnsftrain]

This is just a Thomas body which was used in a rare variant of the My First Hornby set from the 90s and early 2000s. The My First Hornby set used a battery-powered controller that was also a station, and a lid that could double as a tunnel. The base of that station and the tunnel lid were big enough so that it could store the whole set, which was an R1 oval. The normal version was R1031 and included a loco like the one at 2:48. That entire set had an MSRP of 30 quid in 2002!

[@adrianolsen-woodhamwoodtur4980]

Great Video, Sam…..many thanks. I’m also pleased that you’ve had another go with hm7000 decoders. With a little perseverance, you won’t be disappointed with them, imo. Enjoy PS: while there are no 0-4-0 sound profiles as yet, maybe the 4F, 2P or 2MT might suffice for the time being (they’re what I’ve been using for 0-4-0s and 0-6-0s)

[@pacificcy3182]

I own this particular 0-4-0, since around 2017 kind of times. Was my first (and only at the moment) OO loco.

[@elizabetharas5748]

For some of the lower end locos like these (such as the Hornby GWR 101s and the Pugs) normally I take some paint pens to add some cab paint and maybe improve the paint on the handrails to make them look better, makes them slightly nicer! Not sure you would want to do that, though.. Especially on a model like that, which.. has no moulded handrails or cab interior.

[@tankmicr00man]

Handrails are relatively easy to make and fit....

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds great! Sadly this doesn't even have a backhead though, unlike the Holden and Pugs which do! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@elizabetharas5748]

@@tankmicr00man I know, but I normally don't go into depth to that extent for models I rarely use. I just had a bunch of these laying around from Christmas and a few other events over the years, so I just tried to spruce them up without taking up too much of my time.

[@elizabetharas5748]

@@SamsTrains Yeah, that is true.. I suppose you would be able to do it to the front handrail above the smokebox door and maybe the smokebox dart and hinges with a silver sharpie, though. Or you could try and improve the back lamp slightly with this method, but I've never tried it on lamps.

[@MuhammadIbrahim-jl8ng]

Very interesting video - if you can it would be nice to see how you converted this loco!

[@grockers1893]

Hi Sam, i have quite a few HM7000 decoders installed into various locos, all have the Hornby stay alive and they do last for about 40 seconds to a minute once power is cut which is very impressive. Cheers Carl

[@Damien.D]

Chip the cheap! (well, not so cheap, but, you get the point). Runs so smooth with the upgrade. It's day and night.

[@Noodlewerfer]

This is so cool! Honestly now I'm starting to want Hornby to actually make something like this, for a reasonable price. Even if there's not much of a point to it, it would be nice to see a very entry-level model with access to these features so people can have a more affordable way to have a locomotive with them.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Well... They sort of did do that. I hesitate to say even despite themselves ... but I jumped in on their S&DJR (introduction to) DCC set and it wasn't too expensive and had just enough bells and whistles to force me to rejoin the digital world ~ being the proud owner of a Zero - 1 controller gathering dust in its box.

[@BillPuk]

Nice to see you enjoying an experiment again 👍

[@alanhaynes4576]

Sam, great work. Now all you need is to add some of those great 3rd party detail parts like Whistle, Lamps Buffer beam details and you will have a real fine model. Loved your video and what a difference to the performance did the DCC decoder make. Thank you.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

YES ! Great Video ! Crawls beautifully ! I priced it all out and the TOTAL = ! ! $$$$. no tanks . . .

[@Sohave]

Pimp my model train! That could be a new concept, where cheap or lacking model trains gets fitted with the latest decoders and accessory!

[@CobbettWilliam]

The locomotive for LBSC numbered 629 (renumbered B629 then 2629) was an 0-6-0 loco.

[@emmcommentary1900]

i use those decoders on my lego trains with lipos. Brilliant product from hornby

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains 😊

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian! :D

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam's trains

[@asteroidrules]

That keep-alive ran for about 22 seconds without the motor and 4 seconds with the motor, quite good for its size. If Hornby had included your additions by default this would be worth their asking price to be sure, adding DCC and sound to more beginner locos would help to actually get beginners into the hobby.

[@ChrisJNeale]

There was a LB&SCR D1 0-4-2T loco, built in the later part of the 1800's, and looking a little like a larger 'Terrier', numbered 629. Of course it looks nothing like the Hornby one you reviewed!!

[@stormbowman7148]

Great upgrade. I did the same to one of my LMS 0-4-0's (same chassis). I highly recommend it.

[@ianjeffery6744]

Nice one, Sam! The little Hornby 040s, especially those based on actual prototypes, are quite neat models - and there are a fair few of them on a certain online auction site for around £20-£25 - much better than the latest ridiculous RRP!

[@lukesinclare7925]

Excellent video Sam! This is exactly the type of video I've been hoping you'd make - take a basic model and make some improvements to it. I'd love to see you take it even further: paint the rear lamp, potentially replace the couplers (I know that may not be possible), make the coal load look a little better, add crew and glazing to the cab, etc. Also, adding crew would block the cab interior which would distract from the lack of cab detail and block some of the wires and motor. I'd love to see more videos like this and the Davy Crockett from last year. It's fantastic to see your skill and creativity.

[@CZ350tuner]

The Class D 0-4-0T wasn't the only loco based on a real life counterpart. The 1960's R.355 "Polly" / "Nellie" / "Connie" 0-4-0T locos were based on the LSWR C14 loco.

[@roberthocking9138]

I would have very much liked to see the actual process of installing the chip, speaker and stay alive. From a person who is looking at this new technology, the actual process is very daunting. Cheers

[@Thomas_Kelly]

Another good review Sam👍... The loco Is decent for a beginner but I do agree the price is a bit steep... It's also cool to see how easy it is to put a dcc decoder into those locos as I've got several of these styles of motors and have been wanting to know how to fit a decoder.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Thomas- yeah it was pretty easy - and space no real problem with this one either! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@leonkernan]

I've put a couple of HM7000 chips in my Australian locos and love the Bluetooth control. Hadn't been able to get the stay-alives yet but knowing any should work if you solder them in is giving me ideas.

[@Sparky-Tim]

Brilliant job Sam. Now it really is a cute litte starter loco. If Hornby could do this for £60-£70 they'd have a winner on their hands. 👍

[@nr120]

Now you need to detail it up!! Reminds me of my old Connie!

[@stephendavies6949]

What a cute little loco! I think your technical upgrade has transformed it. Really enjoyed the video. I think HM7000 is a game changer. If only Hornby could market it more positively and make all its constituent parts ex-stock...

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Stephen - yeah HM7000 is good - I do hope they keep developing it on the software side though... it could be a real industry-changer Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@naeemahmed6494]

"while i am mentally a child" hahaha. don't worry Sam, join the club, i am too. love your videos, love being part of your community.

[@technoandrew]

I'd be really interested if you could tweak some of the CVs Sam, to see if you can get the sound to better sync up with the wheels.

[@davidmolin8944]

That was a really epic upgrade you did, if only hornby would do this as well lol

[@SamsTrains]

I really think they should - they could probably pull it off for less than £100 and it'd be amazing! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@eisenbau]

Nice. Just shows how DCC can enhance any loco, even the most basic. As for sound profiles, just be grateful it's not a Blunami at nearly double the price!

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

DCC Concepts has a stay alive that is fitted with the plug for the HM7000

[@sergeantgtagrinder9710]

That's wicked Sam I wonder if it would help a lot of people if you showed step by step how you wired it up etc. like Salvage or Scrap.

[@Richy59]

Great video, but I would love to see (or read) an in depth ‘how to’ videos for doing this. I have a few 0-4-0s I’d like to modernise in this way but I’m unsure of the wiring.

[@Sparky129]

Did you choose the A1/A3 sound profile? The whistle at 20:31 sounds like when LaZeRJET used the whistle on the Flying Scotsman a few years ago

[@SamsTrains]

You know I can't remember now - I listened to a few before sticking with this one - it may well have been! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Deuce_and_a_half]

What you've done to it makes it a lot closer in the value to what Hornby are asking for the new ones.

[@huskycrusader463]

From what I googled the number belonged to LBSC d1 class 0-4-2 tank engine called Lambeth.

[@mrnorthernspitfire3067]

I’ve got to admit if I had received this as a kid I would have been over the moon, I don’t know if it’s a combination of it resembling Thomas or the livery but in my opinion it does have a certain charm about it.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - it's very Thomas esque in this livery isn't it?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@project-x1748]

It’s funny how they just use the old hornby 0-4-0 Thomas and painted it into the lbsc umber brown. I know some people don’t like it when hornby used the old tootling but I like it.

[@marcdempsey5850]

Wow Sam, you have successfully taken that small 040 to another level. Ah will Hornby take note and will you be reviewing a model spec the same as this one? Such a big change a stay a live makes with certain wheel spacing. Incredible well done. All best; Marc from Leighton Buzzard

[@rogerking7258]

Welcome to the world of DCC. All my locos either have stay-alives or so many wheels picking up that one isn't needed and they run completely reliably. _Just out of interest, why don't you remove the stay-alive and see how it goes?_ My experience is that 0-4-0s are hopeless without a stay alive and will constantly cut out and restart, even on track without points. The reason for this is that even the tiniest interruption to the power causes the decoder to shut down and then spend a second or two rebooting. An analogue loco won't shut down with a tiny power cut and it's inertia will usually allow it continue uninterrupted - except over significant dead spots such as dead-frog points.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Roger - I'm pretty sure it would be utterly hopeless... that's why I wanted stayalive in the first place. Can't even run over the points reliably on analogue, so would've been a dead loss with the bluetooth chip! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Charmaster04]

Watching you install the decoder reminded me of my aspirations of adding decorders to my Bachmann Bill and Ben (since sadly the American modes weren’t DCC ready (equipped?) like the British ones) so I could program the decoders to make them run at the same speed (mine, like yours, do not run at the same speed because of those “dodgy Bachmann motors”). I don’t suppose you’d be interested in doing that yourself? I’m going to need to research how to disassemble Bill and Ben without ruining the eye mechanism and even whether or not there is any room.

[@JonatanGronoset]

Sam, I've added glazing to windows of starter models by taking some thin clear plastic and carefully fitting pieces of it behind the windows, and on this model it looks relatively straight-forward to do. It makes a remarkable improvement on a basic loco, try it some time! And please if you can, do adjust the chuff rate to match the wheels a bit better.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

No Sync. Need to detect the driver revolutions.

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam really shocked that worked you should do some more videos like this

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks James - it's quite surprising how well it worked isn't it? I was impressed too! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@AllanT-nu4rw]

Malachite Green and Burnt Umber, the two best colours ever to be put on British locomotives.

[@flyingvillager1472]

I'd like to see you do this to more models. It's really interesting seeing what you can sort just slap together into a dc model that doesn't have a socket. I wonder if you could fit one into that old Lima 0-6-0?

[@YsanneOshea]

Very interesting Sam! I've been pondering these cheap locos for a while now. Although basic, they are fundamentally sound. I may attempt to take two identical ones (stupid cheap on evil bay) and remodel them into a vague facsimile of a Fairlie locomotive as used on the F&WHR. Very limited cornering ability and aesthetically the stuff of nightmares but an interesting project to achieve nonetheless! Perhaps a project for you as well?

[@samanderson997]

Fun Fact, the tooling for this loco comes from an old Hornby railways Thomas sold in the 1990s

[@samuelbell2321]

Im tempted to do this to my main Triang 0-4-0 industrial so long as the stay alive capaciter doesnt need DCC.

[@DaveAtLittleton]

I have a version of this model which came with vacuum pipes and crew... but there's no hole to fit the pipes and the cab has no floor for the crew to stand on, made me chuckle!

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha oh dear... shocking but not surprising xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@fredburley9512]

Made it ten times more enjoyable. What a trainsformation👌 Good job, Sam. 👍

[@Will-dm1kt]

Visited Hornby WonderWorks in Margate on Saturday, looked around the shop, how can Hornby justify their prices, to start a layout today looks beyond the financial scope of the average person, I'd love to have a layout in the loft but I simply can't justify the expense, it's now a rich person's thing. Good luck attracting young people to the hobby.

[@naeemahmed6494]

this loco fully kitted out is just like a class 03 shunter with a deltic napier engine in it.

[@ricktownend9144]

Wow - you got a whistle out of a loco that doesn't even have a whistle! Also, it has no safety valve - which must be completely illegal ... but this just follows the glorious tradition of the old Hornby tinplate 0-gauge 0-4-0 locos!

[@Elvinley]

Nice vid Sam! That sounds great at slow speeds. The chuffs are way too few on the Hornby decoders at faster speeds. The stay alives from Lais are ridiculous. I have one fitted in the cab of a Farish sound fitted 08 after seeing the video by 'This Way works'. There is a vid on my channel of my attempt but his shows how it is done properly, and he even fitted lights. A sound fitted, light fitted N gauge 08 with stay alive is something to behold.

[@TrevorChatwood]

Absolutely amazing difference!

[@williamsquires3070]

Sam, this model really benefits from a DCC decoder + KeepAlive capacitor, as you saw. The same would go for other tender-less, short wheelbase locomotives, such as 0-6-0s or 0-8-0s, as they have a tendency to stall on large # turnouts (#8, #10); what you call “express” points. Maybe you should paint a face on the front of the smoke box door and make a new Thomas the Tank Engine character! 😅 I’m surprised it ran as well as it did, given that it looks like it had an older 3-pole (cheapo) motor and no flywheel. Now I could see paying 50£ for this if it came with the decoder and capacitor, even without sound, but cab window glazing is a must. 😊 A few etched-metal lamp brackets on the front would have been nice too, but it just doesn’t look right without the vacuum hose fitted. 😢

[@NextEevolution]

17:56- Please add a link for that stay alive capacitor! That was a solid 20-22 seconds!

[@SamsTrains]

Here it is - bloody excellent: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202854819729

[@robertgallion9845]

Now I have to wonder Sam, what else could you do to this Hornby 0-4-0 to improve it? Would you consider adding more detail with paint, including the molded lamp on the back of the coal bunker? Try to upgrade the detailing with 3D Printed components like cab steps, pipework, even nameplates, and lamps? Add a more realistic coal load? At this point, see how far you can take it!

[@lapiswake6583]

I believe this model was first released in 1984 with the release of the TV series, as a clockwork loco in a basic set, with them releasing Percy at some point too. It would've then been modified to take the standard pocket rocket chassis (or maybe even designed with it in mind) as a standard electric loco, although they only released this Thomas tooling in the most basic of sets, instead opting to modify the E2 tooling for the usual releases. Its repurposing in 2009 (as you state) wouldve been just to introduce another cheap loco for beginners, like the more recent re-release of the more standard Percy and Thomas toolings. If anything, these expensive beginner models only spur on the 2nd hand market. For £50, you can get a lima loco and coach, or a 20 year old bachmann loco like an 08 (if you look hard enough). I have a Smokey Joe from about 2005 that I converted to DCC a while ago using a plain hornby chip (I think), and even that has helped with the low speed. I don't have any of the newer pocket rockets that are slower speed, but I might get another caledonian 264 to convert to a LNER Y9. If only you could adjust the chuff rate, so you could get closer to 4 chuffs per wheel rotation, instead of over 1 rotation per chuff.

[@kevinwest312]

The number 629 is listed for stroudley N1 0-4-2. very similar looking to the stroudley terrier

[@markweightman3805]

Hi Sam...maybe the 2P or the 4F profile..both 2 x inside cylinder locos....as were industrial tanks...

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that sounds good - will have a play with some different profiles! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Eject01]

I can see this being geared towards someone who just want to run trains, or wants to make a custom loco without risking a more serious model. I think Budget Model Railways also has one of these locos in their roster as well. Also, I seen what you did there by coupling that loco with those coaches at the end.