A Modern Day Autocoach!? | New EFE Rail PCV | Unboxing & Review

[@mrbluesky2050]

just a reminder to people, the PCV's were only used to control reversing movements within depots and yards, and were not used to drive the train out on the main line, that's what the DVT's were for, MK 2,3 &4 varieties...

[@davidstrains4910]

There wasn’t ever a mk2 DVT, instead with the Mk2s some were converted to what’s called a DBSO which stands for Driving Brake Standard Open, when it comes to DVTs there is only the Mk3 and Mk4, the Mk4 version being used mainly with the class 91 Intercity 225 sets.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Does the sound chip include the sounds of parcels and letters going into the "Dead Letters" bin ?

[@grahamariss2111]

Hi, interesting that. Because the initial intention must have been to use them outside the depot as they were given the ability to stow parcels. Also surprising they went to lengths to repaint them in PO colours.

[@brianfearn4246]

It sounds like the PCVs were used on the main line to carry parcels etc but only as a trailer vehicle and only used as a driving vehicle to reverse the train at the depot 😊

[@trevecchi1766]

Superb paint job

[@a2020vision_official]

Very interesting prototype and model. Amtrak made their own version of these - when they started retiring the iconic F40PH, they removed most of the equipment from some of them but left the control stand and put doors on the side to make cab/baggage control cars, called "cabbages" by some. Rapido did a run of them in HO recently, though theirs were apparently powered. Commuter railroads like the Chicago Metra also often have cab cars - passenger cars set up specifically for that. Kato have one modeled in HO, and I'm eagerly awaiting models of the newer ones from Atlas and Rapido.

[@Dan-Athema]

They are a very common concept in the UK. We don't have much coaching stock anymore but we usually had a driving van trailer at one end of a passenger train with a loco on the other end. The latest ones were the MK5 coaches with accompanying DVT.

[@Taggart00]

Doesn't Bachmann now wait till the model is being shipped to announce it? So they don't have years of people asking when it will be ready? Look at KR model of Bellerophon, its had its release date pushed back multiple times. Although that's a bad example due to it only bein made due to expressions of interest to see if it was viable.

[@MoleculeMind7]

KR models are a bunch of maniacs

[@RobertPurcell-h5d]

With the withdrawal of the Royal mail trains from the main line, one of the big manufacturers needs to come up with a complete set with several coaches. If it is done with Royal mail colours, it will look very impressive.

[@rprodgers1]

Kernow, I was thinking it was originally produced by Replica Railways.

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

I did not know these poly chloride vinyl, lol, cars existed but it stands to reason it would and I think it was a great idea. Mail trains would have been shorter and not needed the HP of two locomotives. We do need some other cars in the same livery without the control cab or at least one if they existed. Great review and video, Jersey Bill

[@davidstrains4910]

A good review here Sam, looks like a very nice model from EFE, I will admit I have thought about one but the only issue is right now I don’t have any locomotives or other items of rolling stock in the liveries that these models have been done in, overall it’s not really a coach and as such it shouldn’t be labelled as an autocoach, it’s a wagon but the difference is that there is a cab at one end which means that a locomotive does not need to run around the train and couple up just to take it away.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much David - yeah I have the same problem too haha! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@azuma892]

Aww Sam you could've run the Hornby Sodor utility van and Percy's mail coach with this. Oh well...

[@jamtart606]

A fair rating for as you said a niche bit of rolling stock. Got one myself and I quite like it, will definitely have to get me some RES coaches now (as I don't own any at the moment!)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

It's a very interesting piece of rolling stock Sam, I'm probably not going to get on for my layout, but great review. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! It's pretty interesting isn't it? Thanks for looking anyway, Cheers - Sam :)

[@jackstrains4468]

Great video Sam - a nice looking model, could've been more detailed e.g. more separate handrails, but considering it's EFE and its not the bloater vans ( nice models as you said ) the fact it works is a miracle! Great stuff as always Sam :)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jack - yeah I think it's really good overall! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

A lot of small commuter railways are equipped with Cab Cars. Essentially powered coaches, they're at the head end when trains are going towards big cities like Boston, and the locomotive is at the trail end so the smoke doesn't blow towards the station.

[@northernblue1093]

Cab cars are unpowered.

[@PaulNicoll-b8c]

These were built because of a mistake. One of the main mail centres was built the wrong way round so all trains were expected to reverse in. Therefore these control trailers were built

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - hadn't heard this, thanks for that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@DHodgson]

Hi Sam,I bought the replica version not that long ago, after years of trying and now efe surprised us with this beauty.

[@Wonlongpong]

These may be from Replica Railways old tooling produced a number of years ago.

[@GrahamMuz]

Except it's not as it's all new tooling

[@Wonlongpong]

​@GrahamMuz You sound very knowledgeable. Thank you.

[@SamsTrains]

Graham's a bit more than knowledgeable about these products ;) Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@peterkneissl3358]

Question from the USA. What would these run with?

[@paulrb894]

Good video, nice model. Can we have a long series of salvage or scrap soon please cheers

[@keitheglon]

Now that the Royal Mail Trains have now been discontinued with no word what's going to happen with the coaches and if anyone will purchased them or could all be scrapped having one in model form something to value.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - that's the great thing about models, they're safe for as long as you look after them! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@SomeGuynamedOtto]

Holy moly this is very nice

[@logangarrett2681]

hey sam i preordered 2 of these coaches and i just got them and they are great the only problem i had was a tight coupling mekinism on one of the coaches

[@robertlucido3686]

If the towns on your OO gauge layout don't have names, what would you think of Samsville as a name for one of your towns

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha that sounds excellent! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@azuma892]

The name of the town is Toytown. Go watch the Christmas stories Sam used to make. 🙂

[@paolomargini7904]

"Are you going to Samsborough Fair..."

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

I'm sticking to the Chocolate & Cream Auto Coaches, which are ready to sandwich Annabel the GWR Auto Tank Engine between them. Who needs a modern Auto Coach, when the original preserved ones can be used as a Steam DMU?

[@paulcarroll7767]

Intresting Sam :)

[@DDRailways]

I never knew it was an auto coach,I just thought it was a DVT, like the MK3/MK4 DVT. Though I guess you could argue those are also auto coaches.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah it's not an Autocoach - it's just got similarities! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RSG003]

It would still be cool to see a tamper model or a Stoneblower

[@SamsTrains]

Sure! Did Bachmann do a tamping machine? Can't remember now, but that'd be great to see! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RSG003]

@@SamsTrains I work alongside tampers on the rail impressive machines makes our life easier

[@azuma892]

Viessmann makes HO tampers with DCC operated moving parts.

[@RG-Models86]

​@SamsTrains I believe Bachmann Europe did make a rail tamper years ago

[@azuma892]

Sam, will there be a Halloween or Christmas story this year? You can create a story related to the 3D printed wagon you'll be selling. Just an idea.

[@SamsTrains]

No no stories sadly - I just don't have the time to make one right now sadly :( Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@JustinFrazier_360]

So cool video

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Justin!

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

Sam, LazerJet has invited you for a collab please consider it 😊

[@SamsTrains]

That does sound good - always open to ideas!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@ElaineJones-w5e]

Are you going to review rapido s new 4-4-0s 2P

[@SamsTrains]

Yes!!

[@ElaineJones-w5e]

@@SamsTrains they do look good I’ve got the old mainline one

[@forrestrobin2712]

Nice, technology wise it must be pretty much the same as a DVT? But… £70? For a bloody coach? "Readily affordable"? Not for the likes of me, and I’ll bet a lot of other people. Yikes 😮

[@azuma892]

Sam, did you see LaZeR JET's latest video inviting you to collab?

[@SamsTrains]

No I didn't but that sounds good! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Basilikum42069]

Is the concept of the cabcar foreign for the British???

[@SamsTrains]

I don't think so?? This is effectively that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@johnbeck3270]

Commuter rail services here in the US use “cab cars” on the rear of their trains. Look for photos of Chicago Metro trains and others. These appear to be normal coaches until you look at the end, there will be head and ditch lights as well as warning devices, air horns etc. They also have a very noticeable cab area from the side.

[@GaryNumeroUno]

The cable (pipework) running from the bogie to the frame at the cab end is the speedo cable mukka. I remember these well. When I was with EWS I used to see them every night at the Royal Mail Centre at the now named Princess Royal Distribution Centre in Wembley. Shane they did not see much service. Nice memory. Cheers from Oz. Gaz 😊

[@adamwilliams192]

I agree with the scoring but suggest this isn’t as niche as you might think. Yes, using the PCV as designed to enable a safe reverse of a full train isn’t something many layouts would need. However, the PCV would be at the end of many mail and parcel trains during the period. So just having a mail train on your layout “passing through” means you could have one of these. If they did one in N, I certainly would have one as they were used at Bristol depots, even though I don’t have one on my layout! Best

[@grahamariss2111]

What surprised me is that they are not doing the rest of the Post Office train to go with these, does anyone else do the coaches that the Post Office / EWS used?

[@damonzofortese]

Yeah, bachmann do!

[@grahamariss2111]

​@@damonzoforteseThanks for that.

[@freebrickproductions]

When you first described these, I thought they were like the cab cars over here in the US. However, it sounds more a "cabbage" that Amtrak has.

[@alexflemming5982]

Do you not have any degree adverbs other than "really really"? May I suggest acutely, awfully, exceedingly, exceptionally, excessively, extraordinarily, highly, hugely, immensely, inordinately, intensely, overly, quite, remarkably, severely, strikingly, terribly, terrifically, too, totally, uncommonly, unduly, unusually, utterly, very

[@lindaoffenbach]

63,70... Really...? Wow. That would translate to 76,46 Euro... B usually delivers a flawless manufacturing RTR model, and this one is no exception despite the ridiculous low price from German land perspective. Fabulous. We're almost temped to switch from H0 to OO, hahah. Cheerio.

[@ashraaqwahab2817]

Very interesting to know why there's a fairly beefy relay inside...wonder if they intended it to act as a DCC stay-alive, with a battery pack easily hidden inside the body, and the relay performing switching duties...of course this is just a thought of mine...

[@supstersmodelrailways3202]

Hi. Didn’t really realise what the fuss was when you stated a while ago you were now recording in 4K. Omg. What a shock when I put it on a 55 tv. Your channel was fab compared to others. I’ve only watched on a phone screen before, so didn’t really get it. I like it, well worth the upgrade!

[@vickielawless]

PCVs are probably closer in concept to a DBSO: a remote driving vehicle. They were actually limited to 40mph when being propelled, apparently for safety reasons. Slower than they had been, full of passengers, in their original guise as EMU driving coaches..

[@toucan221]

there is also PSV = Public Serve Vehicle meaning public transport E,I Buses

[@johngrendowicz7188]

Why worry about spring buffers as in double 00 the buffers never touch each other prices have went through the roof the price should be £19.99 only

[@chrissharp6845]

This model has two features not mentioned in the review. The DIP switches on the bottom enable the control of the headlights and marker lights. These can be set for daytime or nighttime headlight configurations. The difference being which side of the cab the headlight lamp comes on. This feature is also controlled via DCC functions, as is the cab light. This means it needs a 4 function Next18 decoder.

[@briancooper562]

Its replacement class325 was taken out of service only this past weekend due to loss of contract.

[@simonlewis8728]

I think this is the first time I've got a model before Sam reviews it! Great review but not a niche model for anyone modelling mainline at the turn of the century. These where certainly on the rear of every mail train I saw on the Western mainline, behind GUVs, super GUVs and BGs pulled by EWS Class 67's. I went to see the last one come through my local station, great memories.

[@ThomasMcIlroy-h1h]

The model looks amazing also the PVCs were used with Tpos also the best loco to use is a ews class 67 ews as they were hired by Royal mail.

[@Laticity]

Not my era. Not my thing. Was delighted to see this released as it's something new and innovative and I wish EFE/Kernow success with it. Sam in Dark Spidey mode giving it a C. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Yeah fair enough reasons, but the boo is still justified! Good vid fella.

[@Rasher-og2up]

You should review the Bachmann/Kernow 4TC, absolutely top notch model. Same family as the PCV.

[@davetedd3633]

Hopefully they'll do the two EWS red/gold versions in the future. The Replica ones are quite rare.

[@pepwaverley2185]

If the PM can call hostages "sausages", i'm sure we can forgive Sam the odd abbreviational malapropism.

[@johnbeck3270]

When you mentioned the MSRP on this model, my jaw dropped, that’s almost as much as a locomotive! I did find it interesting that the model had mu sockets and a speed recorder cable, very interesting. This would be a grate model to place on the rear of a computer train, since it was operated by the mail service. Interesting review.

[@_pjb-vw6cy]

Sam E86016 EFE Rail PCV 94344 Rail Express Systems (Royal Mail) has a little more decoration on the side

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Sam. I think you were overgenerous with your Value rating. For what you get it is too expensive. Using a Next18 decoder just for lighting is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I suppose it's possible it's easier and cheaper for the manufacturer to go the Next18 route, but I'd like to hear other people's take on this.

[@arthurmatthews9321]

Technically the pcv was not a DVT it did not operate the locomotive by remote control. It was used to provide instructions to the driver in the locomotive at the rear. A box was fitted to the locomotive cab with red and yellow lights on it , these would instruct the driver to apply power up to a maximum speed of 40 mph. The driver in the pcv would then control braking. It allows trains to be reversed into Royal Mail depots without trapping the locomotive at the wrong end.

[@joelightrailway2362]

The PCV looks impressive, I’m might consider thinking of buying one maybe as I don’t mind running the vehicle on its own with a Class 47.

[@roberthuron9160]

In US parlance,this would be considered a Box Motor,trailer[control]! For parcels/newspapers/baggage/mail service(either sorting or storage)! In use,a very versatile car,and found practically everywhere! Thank you,Sam,for a definitely different vehicle,and unique to British Railways! Thank you 😇 😊!

[@cooltrainsinmontreal4883]

Wondering why you open the boxes on the floor and not on a table

[@BristolSpotterHD]

Replica railways did d PCV coach. Wonder how it compares. Might be one on eBay

[@lukenoble3319]

Think a score of B would have been a bit fairer overall. This shows how good an upgraded bachmann inspection saloon could be!

[@lukejackson8741]

The PCV has been a long requested model by those that have mail trains so I was happily surprised to see it announced and assume Kernow so a totally uncatered for niche… will say you’ve gone for the least exciting one… no weathering or logos etc… I do think the nxt18 is an odd choice, only really needs to do 2 functions I’m sure this isn’t beyond the capabilities of a cheaper decoder

[@Iliketrains-z6s]

Hey Sam I was wondering if you could do running session With your Thomas & Friends Hornby engines Thank you

[@WWIIREBEL]

Ah, a cab coach ,Nice!. Various rapid transit/regional rail services In the U.S. , use cab coaches quite often these days.

[@Foxy_Lightning]

Are things like this really that uncommon in England? I never knew. Over here in germany they are super common, especially on our InterCity and InterRegio trains, since many of them are push-pull services. They are called "Steuerwagen" in german, which basically translates to "control coach".

[@davidhinks8384]

Hi Sam, When I saw this come out I was fascinated by it. Not in my era of modelling but I can see it filling a gap as you stated. I'm waiting for the new GWR Autocoach from Dapol, which at about the same price seems almost cheap given the complexity. Nonetheless, this is an interesting model and presented very well. Cheers.

[@PeterEdin]

I really wish you hadn't mentioned the bogies, I have a cold at the moment 🤧

[@cmdrflake]

The drawback of passenger cab cars is the risk of collisions at grade crossings. Just about every passenger train operators use coaches of this general concept.

[@kennethmaney914]

What a rip off. You should not promote these at that price. No wonder these manufacturers get away with these prices. They come from china at about a third of these prices.

[@johnbeck3270]

After reading some of the reviews, what did the locomotive look like?

[@johncottee8314]

I have two of the old Replica Railways ones which are quite rare now and I had to pay over £80 each for them and there is no lighting on them so this one seems a bargain to me.

[@dillonyeardley6270]

Lazer jet wants to collab whih you and Francis borgois for a video

[@MichaelWhite-i3b]

Very nice but it's a shame that it doesn't say post office or something on the side to make it less plain.

[@Alpha-oo8]

Bachmans announcement plan is that most of the items they announce each quarter are due to arrive within the next three months. So if it’s in an announcement video, expect it soon. For instance, the newly announced T9, expect it within three months from bachmans next quarterly announcement video

[@PhilBender612]

What a neat model Sam. It's very similar to a control cab car we have here in the U.S. NJ transit does push/pull passenger operations near me

[@davidmolin8944]

In the US these are known as cab cars and are really common on commuter lines on both electric and diesel powered. Haven’t seen a freight variation for a long time but this is pretty neat to see

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I bought two of these but haven't got them out of the box yet. I've been busy with my batch 2 Genesis Coaches.

[@FrancisMcKenrick-nh7mu]

I cam see that with percy and his mail train.

[@ShikiKiryu]

Quite interested in this when saw it in the news video the other week, deffo want one. Glad you took a look at it.

[@pierreinuk]

The "pipe" looks like a speedometer cable to me

[@loltangera]

Looks great, would love one of these in N!

[@Alpha-oo8]

The kernow/EFE redemption arc continues!

[@MrSparkies]

It is a shame that the wipers don't work

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam really amazing modle

[@MrSteseDav]

argh... the hair! (@17:32)

[@trainman86trainstramsandmore]

Just need some royal mail coaches to go with it now

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

You get automatic thumbs up

[@Jimyjames73]

Bit of a Strange Carriage??? 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@a41wilde57]

When I saw the thumbnail I thought the UK had a powered post coach like the Netherlands. Dutch it is called: Motor Post / class MP3000

[@davidstrains4910]

@@a41wilde57 We used to have some single car units that carried parcels, the most well known one is the Class 128 DPU, if you want one in model form Heljan used to do one, it should be relatively easy to still get one on second hand sites, another single unit we used to have was the class 129, there were only 3 of these though compared to the 128 where there were 10, as I say we used to have them, both the 128 and 129s are gone and none survive in preservation, these are the only 2 I know of that were single car ones, we had a few more units for parcels but they were not single car ones.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Great video on channel thanks lee

[@stefanegger]

It lights up the wrong lights??? Left is the round one, and on the right side it is the smaller edgy outer one LOL. Probably should be the second round light, makes no sense if it can only travel in one direction anyway it would not need different shaped lights.

[@davidstrains4910]

@@stefaneggerNo these lights are correct, the smaller ones at the edges are the marker lights then the round ones are the bright headlights, depending on the time of day there is only one bright headlight on and whether it’s night or day time that determines which one is illuminated, Sam currently has his one set up for daytime operation with the bright headlight being the one on the right hand side, the model allows the user to switch between night and daytime headlights, for night time headlights the round headlight on the drivers side would illuminate and one of the markers at the other end would also illuminate, all trains in the UK have a daytime and nighttime headlight setting.

[@MayoHosko]

never seen this royal mail livery before. to the untrained eye, pun intended, it looks like something from virgin trains

[@davidstrains4910]

@@MayoHosko this isn’t actually a Royal Mail, it’s RES which stands for Rail Express Systems, in terms of Sam’s model here it’s the RES but unbranded, RES founded in 1982 was a sector of British Rail responsible for the transport of both mail and parcels which does include the former Travelling Post office but also they also took over charter operations from Intercity and also haulage of the Royal Train, the company has been defunct since 1996 with it being integrated into the English, Welsh and Scottish (EWS).

[@davidballoid2118]

Sam, that's the most unusual looking DPU I've ever seen. No windows on the side, must be for light freight or something. What's the crawl speed on this unit and how many coaches can it pull? Look's sharp though!

[@davidstrains4910]

@@davidballoid2118 This isn’t a DPU, a DPU has an engine and can move under its own power, these coaches have no engine and no means of moving on their own, they have to be part of a train, they will be placed at the rear so when a train comes into a terminus all the driver has to do to take the train out again is control it from the cab that these coaches have, basically it stole the driver from having to uncouple the locomotive, run around the whole train then have to recoup,e the locomotive to pull the train out of the terminus, the controls in this coach will control the locomotive at the other end.

[@davidballoid2118]

@@davidstrains4910 We have something like it here except, they use every square inch of the coach for passengers and not freight or mail. Thanks for clearing that up! It would be nice to see a modern twist of an older idea of Interurban service that handled freight and passengers both for connecting multiple small townships together, equivalent in size to a modern DPU.

[@StarWarsJay]

Is it related to the Mk2F DBSO driving brake?

[@davidstrains4910]

@@StarWarsJay These are similar to the DBSO being that it’s a unit that can be used to drive a train form the opposite end but that’s where their similarities end, the DBSO is made from mk2F brake standard open coaches, these parcel coaches are the end cars of a class 307 EMU which when they had finished with BR they were taken and converted to these parcel coaches.

[@StarWarsJay]

@@davidstrains4910 thanks man. I have a Bachmann DBSO brake and the cab end looks very similar. I thought maybe one was built from the other, but you’ve put me right. Cheers.

[@Simon-Davis]

Redacted given reliable information.

[@GrahamMuz]

Except it's totally all new tooling.

[@Simon-Davis]

​@@GrahamMuz In that case, I'll quote Andy York when diplomatically describing the Heljan class 47. 'Its a pity its not better'. I have yet to decide whether to return the one I took delivery of on Monday. I was hoping to retire my old heavily tweaked Replica PCV, which runs with my lowered to closer to the correct ride height Bachmann stock. But this one is off in exactly the same way. Given your well known Kernow links, I'll redact my thoughts that this is the Replica model retooled and instead pose this question - What went wrong to make the same mistakes?

[@hara23scorp]

Its harsh rating indeed, you have everything for a very nominal price. Its perfect.