Amazingly Detailed Rapido GER J70 Tram Pack | Unboxing & Review

A full review of Rapido's new Wisbech and Upwell tramway pack, featuring their excellent J70 locomotive and two new tooled tramway coaches!
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0:00 Intro
2:35 Unboxing
10:21 Prototype info
11:44 J70 detail
16:57 Coach detail
23:40 Mechanism
27:51 Performance
31:04 Haulage
37:20 Ratings
42:29 Final thoughts

[@tomogotchi9140]

I will never unsee Toby when I see the J70, but I must say the colourscheme here is remarkable!

[@Circa88]

As soon as I saw this video, Toby's theme started playing in my head. I will never NOT see Toby when I see a J70.

[@adeerdoes]

Oh Sam, whatever you do, do not buy the second J70 Train Pack in pre 1919 livery.. Don't let the fact that the loco in said pack is No. 127.. non other than the real life Toby The Tram engine.. or the fact the GER Livery in the dark oxford blue, Red lining, and glossy Stratford brown on both the loco an coaches is a treat to the eyes.. ORR the fact that when the GER Buckjumpers come out from Accurascale in the same livery.. they will be an absolutely perfect pair.. don't be tempted Sam.. don't be tempted.... (No it's absolutely worth it, I have no regrets with my own temptation! Great Review Sam, you were very fair and objective, giving credit too when it was absolutely due. I hope I was successfully able to dissuade you.. ) Edit: I might have brought up that we don't get etched number plates or cowcatchers without the gaps for the couplings, but I understand you can get the latter from Rapido directly.. Haven't tried myself, I've just seen it brought up elsewhere

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha much appreciated - thank you for your dissuadings! Thanks a lot for your kind words, Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RichardKuivila1947]

OK, I WON'T BUY IT ! Sam.

[@anthonybarber3220]

Rapido Trains is definitely treating us Thomas and Friends fans greatly.

[@SamsTrains]

haha they sure are!!

[@SDD3204]

And Titfield & Thunderbolt fans too...?

[@joeleboeuf]

​@@SDD3204 Well, I don't see them making any steamroller models, anytime soon.

[@petermolyneux3825]

I am neither a train or a model enthusiast yet I do find your content most entertaining , many thanks 😊

[@SimplyTakuma]

Even in the J70, you see they painted the gages, mindblowing. And great to see the N7 again ❤

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - amazing level of detail for sure!!

[@marky.prosonicgamer9999]

Toby, with the way this guy's running, that's Tobias

[@Vespuchian]

What a remarkable kit! As an all-in-one set I think this might be the ideal way to get into the hobby, assuming you can afford it!

[@azuma892]

Yes this is Toby, but not his exact number, Thomas fans you can stop commenting this is him. 😅 Interestingly Rapido's other pack consists of 127, Toby's number before coming to Sodor.

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

Too late, I didn’t see your comment.

[@azuma892]

It's ok lol.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's right - it's okay - Thomas fans will love this pack! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@lightningwingdragon973]

ITS TOBY!

[@kenjimaurerfromdisneyland2001]

@@SamsTrains Great! Mr. paper guy says that I can ride on a J70, or maybe a train to New York City.

[@jackstrains4468]

Incredible pack! Great video as always sam, great to see a new train pack as well!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jack - yeah been a while since we saw a new train pack! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@schuylerschultz804]

Sheesh, that loco by itself is basically a 9.5 out of 10 at the absolute MINIMUM. Absolutely incredible based on this review.

[@W4lmartbag]

"Is it electric" "no its a steam tram" "electric indead electric indeed said toby" Amazing model :D👍

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha love it! Sure is - they did an amazing job! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@zacsteamlocomotive1800]

@@SamsTrains toby is better than you think sam in how good he behaves

[@SamsTrains]

hahahaha!!

[@lindaoffenbach]

Fair review Sam. We have little to add other than that we would have marked both quality and value down half a star more because there are two coaches with all of those issues you've mentioned, and yes, lights are simply expected for that very high price as well as flawless quality (!) Other than that, we can only add as well that simulating wood on plastic is virtually impossible. Only Märklin have come close with a Swedish loco model (using real wooden parts). We could argue that the outer body of this tram loco just looks a tad plasticy perhaps but good luck making plastic look like wood. Well, this set has its niggles and therefore is a bit very stiff on price but it is an intriguing model.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Linda - yeah that's fair, thanks a lot for sharing! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Agamemnon2]

A lovely little consist in a box. With a choice of crew I think it'd look lovely in either a period or modern heritage context

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - a crew would be a very worthwhile addition... plus passengers at that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@1987TimeLord]

Excellent set. I have this exact one and damn its lovely to run and watch. Top review and usual, Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - it really is damn lovely isn't it!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@lachd2261]

Absolutely amazing train pack, what a stunner. Love those pre-grouping liveries

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

I really love the J70 class Sam, I'll be get one of the packs for sure. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Sounds awesome! Hope you like it if you do :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidmolin8944]

What a fantastic set, I remember building one of these a few years back and it was really cool to see you review it again

[@SamsTrains]

I agree David - ahh fantastic - you built one of these?!? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidhinks8384]

Thoroughly impressed Sam. Great value. As a pack it's worth it. Cheers

[@traintimeboy]

Great video as always!

[@LoLeLo_Tech]

Love your Videos keep up the good work❤

[@ciaranburke3243]

Very much enjoyed sam that little loco is amazing the coaches are lovely watching them running around you can forgive there shortcomings 👍

[@mjdh53]

Thank you. Great review. Beautiful models/train pack. I hope you give in to temptation and purchase the other train pack.

[@missmanxee]

Great review of the real life J70 tram and my favorite Thomas and friends character Toby the model and the coaches are really amazing and beautifully detailed too thanks Sam for sharing this 👍❤️🚂

[@theblackleafninja3858]

Nice review Sam I swear those trams are marvelous little things😃👍🏿

[@r.a.monigold9789]

As I imagine riding this in real life - so many years ago - iy brings real delight. Thanks to all involved in this set and the very robust review.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh lovely to hear that - I agree, wonderful set! Glad you liked the video, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@leifvejby8023]

GER had some very interesting materiel! Thanks Rapido and thanks Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

Very much so! Would love to see more! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@OliverWalker_official]

This is looks absolutely outstanding. Will definitely get one of these. Hope you and Chloe are well. Kind regards Oliver

[@SamsTrains]

I'd highly recommend it - they're awesome! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@darreno9874]

Love this train pack, great review. God bless

[@bryantan863]

This train pack from Rapido is a top notch pack Sam. I absolutely love the look of the 2 tram cars which they look accurate to their real life counterparts and the J70 tram is pretty damn good but I will have to agree with you about the pick-ups being quite complicated. I would prefer the plunger pick-ups which the GWR 1600 Pannier tank engine has. Overall, it is a pretty good train pack and I would love to get this train pack for myself 1 day Sam.

[@bartolomeo.07]

Very unusual livery, it really stands out! Lovely loco, you can really see the quality and work put into it!

[@SamsTrains]

For sure! Only loco I've ever seen for sale in this livery - and for sure, such effort put into this one! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mccoy79productions66]

Awesome I enjoyed!

[@Jimmylad]

Looks lovely!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@SamsTrains]

It sure does! :D

[@John-yf8qh]

I genuinely don’t have anything to do with model railwaying, or modelling of any sort. I just find your videos really interesting. Saying that though, despite having nowhere to run it (nowhere to put it really) and no interest in acquiring such things, I’m very tempted by this train pack just as a lovely representation of the J70. It truly is a piece of brilliant engineering to get so much detail into such a small space. Anyway, cheers Sam, keep up the excellent work old bean.

[@tenfootvoyager]

Nice review Sam. I've got a bar and a barrel of beer in my Titfield Bar Car. If you're brave and careful the roof comes off for passengers. Also had same problem with roof gas pipe and the brake rigging interfered with one bogie causing derailments but both easily sorted.

[@zacsteamlocomotive1800]

good work sam 😉

[@timbervalleyproductions]

This is an amazing pack, and I really love that livery! If I had a few more quid I'd be tempted 😂 Also Hattons have some new 00 bits appeared today, Accura MDOs amongst them - apparently they are awesome wagons!

[@SamsTrains]

It's incredible isn't it? Ahh interesting - wonder why they're taking on new stock?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@petersmith4455]

hi sam. great to see a Toby the tram engine and Henrietta coaches again, look great.

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian!

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam's trains

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Rapido are making some very interesting & unique locomotive Sam. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@FENCYCLIST]

I am going to get that pack, used to see the Wisbech and Upwell trains running although it was just freight by then, and used to see the trains pulling wagons of fruit when we used to go through Wisbech on the way to Hunstanton in the early '60s although it was Drewry diesel Shunter not J70s but been a fan of the J70s since I found out about them.

[@Chris9017]

AMAZING!!! This is the first time I've seen you review and not once complain or gripe a single thing on the locomotive, however I will say, that the locomotive is an incredible work of art. The coaches are also beautiful. The coaches may not be perfect but overall as a train pack, this is probably one of the best out there. :) Also 8.89 is bad because that will be a VERY TOUGH score to beat much like how well your N7 did many years ago, which you also ran in this video. LOL!!!!

[@ianjeffery6744]

Well, I did order the pack in early GER livery, and received it TODAY! Thanks to Rails of Sheffield (first-class service, if ever there was), and the models are Expensive, but Exquisite. Rapido are rapidly becoming the Rolls Royce of 00 scale...I'm looking forward to their little Y7 040T.

[@OlivierGabin]

That's what I like with British trains : this kind of kinky and original vehicles ! I have bought the J70 at its first issue, and I had bought the matching cars recently. I've put her and the coaches on my to test list for R1 curves. Some fun ahead incoming !

[@ultimateventus712]

Easily one of the top 5 models in my hoarde. I got the LNER wartime version in October 2021, and it hasn't disappointed me yet. Truly one of the greats

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - yeah the LNER liveries look stunning too don't they! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@DavidScholz-bu1ix]

INCREDIBLY INCREDIBLE!!!!!

[@TATICMOOR]

Sam, I have this set too as well as the Titfield Thunderbolt set. There is a extra separate buffet tramcar for the Titfield that you can buy. It is expensive and of a different livery, yet I think it looks well with the W&U set. It has basically the same exterior, but the inner details of the dining area and seating and I think it's marvellous and on par with the W&U #7 & #8 tramcars. I do recommend it as a worthy addition to investigate and adding to this rolling stock.

[@rottenroads1982]

Nice model Sam. I will continue to wait for when OO9 scale stuff comes in. As well as that HO scale BR class 28.

[@Mason58654]

What a beautiful Tram Engine. ❤️ Its brother Made by the Rev Awdry would be flattered by it. 😊

[@sargentrowell81]

Well what I can say about the other pack is it actually IS Toby. They used Toby's actual running number from the Railway Series. I'm sure this is something many many people have already told you, and I'm not sure that helps in resisting the temptation to buy the second pack or not but there's some more info for you. lol

[@stratman9449]

lovely model train set of unusual prototype.....ver nice...not "cheap" but i reckon "reasonable" as high detail and quality.....good one.

[@adamwilliams192]

One of your best reviews I think, you could tell how hard you were trying to be impartial despite loving the product! As for getting another one….. You mustn’t. If would be unrealistic as there were only ever two cars… Even if you don’t have to run both sets at once…. It’s a lot of money… Ok not that much money for what you get. And the quality is great. Erm Why arnt’ you getting another one again?!

[@adriannash2705]

Holy cow Henrietta is huge XD These look cool and I’ll have to try picking one up

[@MarceloBenoit-trenes]

Both packs are beautiful, so go for the other!

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

Rapido UK have been on a roll it seems. My Titfield Thunderbolt pack has been nothing short of great and I can’t wait til I’m able to get some more of their products. I’d love to get a J70 soon as well.

[@kingkeshi1140]

Toby has arrived, and he's just here for the laughs, to impart wisdom from time to time, and to just to chuckle as the world burns.

[@Jimyjames73]

very nice Tram Pack Sam 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@robinbrowne5419]

A very unusual looking loco with those skirts covering up the wheels. It reminds me of two things. The schürzen that the Germans used to put on their panzers to protect the wheels and the tracks. Or something my Dad would make out of plywood in the garage. Cheers :-)

[@joeleboeuf]

"Toby is a Steam Tram, who lives on the Island of Sodor. He has his own branch line, and two faithful coaches, Henrietta and Hannah."

[@MurdockFox1987]

The loco in the siding would be a SECR P class in war time grey from Hatton. Great video 👍

[@atruebluefriend]

I can already see people converting these J70 packs into a Railway Series model of Toby and Henrietta as well as Hannah for the second tramway coach if they particularly like the CGI Era of the original Thomas television series.

[@DangerAngelous]

I did get one of the two BR brown tramcars, the pipe on the roof wasn't an issue and I didn't think to check until you mentioned it with yours. There's nothing else wrong with my one and it's perfect for my J70 Tracey! In price I feel similarly to the dynamometer car it's a little pricey, but given at any period there were only at most two and it's far from basic

[@stoveapple]

You got the new pack, I have the pack and I'm planning on putting dcc sound with Toby's series one theme

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sounds fantastic - great idea!! :D

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam beautiful train pack you should do the j70 vs Toby

[@Steven_20031]

Wonderful loco and train pack, definitely want a couple tram cars in br to match my J70, gonna say the odd loco out on the sidings is the sentinel as it's a verticle boiler loco and chain drive

[@warspanner81]

Just been to a model train show here in Geelong Australia, saw this pack on sale for $695aud. Extremely expensive, the dcc equipped was close to $800aud. But you are right it's a very good livery on it.

[@jeannedarcalterberserker8620]

Hey Sam. Great review of this beautiful train pack. I have the Titfield Buffet Car and it's my favourite coach. It looks very cool in the light blue color. I have also checked mine for any imperfections you showed and on mine, the railing on the roof as well as on the side sit perfectly without any sign of poor fitting. So I'd say you were a bit unlucky. Nevertheless, my coach looks just at home behind a custom painted Airfix 14xx to 1401, the Buffet Car, a GWR cattle van and a toad brake. I never knew the J70 was split chassis. The perfect example that locos with this design can run well (unlike the EFE Rail products). A wonderful review of these coaches and the locomotive. For me, Midland Railway Crimson is still my favourite, but this one gets very close. One last thing. Rapido mentioned you can open the roof of these coaches to see the detail by using a plastic spudger tool and try and lever the roof off in the middle. I haven't done it on mine because it's so fragile. I wish they used magnets like on their toad brake van. It would make it a lot easier. Price wise, almost 70£ for a coach of this size without lights is a bit questionable, but then again, you only need two at the most to make the full train. Still, for the price, some lights would have sweetened the deal.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh excellent - I bet that's just amazing... such a cool livery too! Glad to hear the wires sit well on yours - that's very good news! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@johnthewlis8524]

Railings and roof wires fine for me too. Pity not perfect on yours, Sam.

[@clivewilkinson6076]

I have spent a day travelling on the preserved tramcar, and the model is really an excellent reproduction of the real thing.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wonderful! What an experience that must have been - glad to hear it's accurate! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@star86703]

Very nice looking train pack👍😊🤩😁😎

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Sam, I love it too! :D

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

You should do a review on the Fleischmann BR 70 Sam. I just bought my online and I absolutely love it, it's such a great runner. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@KnifeyKnifeyBrothers]

Never before thought about having one of these but now I’m almost sold on it, for $440 AUD it’s not a bad price either.

[@pkmntrainerdennis90]

29:06 Sounded quite poetic: "coreless motor, torque to spare, doesn't care I put an obstruction there." hehe! XD

[@SamsTrains]

hahahaha this loco is indeed poetry! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@paulprice3656]

Yes Sam order the other pack

[@geode16backup]

Love the new liveried j70

[@SamsTrains]

I do too!! :D

[@pietjebell]

Nice Set 👍👍👍👍👍🚂

[@a-Tom-ic]

Rapido and Accurascale are really the kings of detail when it comes to the models. In fact, both of them do well with the mechanisms too, tbh I wouldn’t mind paying these prices if I know they’re as good as these. If somethings done right in the model world, we will probably buy it even if it is expensive 😂

[@Jakey_N_Bakey]

American DC modeler here, I am just starting out and only have a triang jinty, and a hornby smokey Joe, and I don't mind ordering off ebay or over seas when it comes to controllers, but I am looking for a good controller to run this beautiful loco. If anyone could point me to a good controller for this that won't blow the poor little thing up, I would really appreciate some good recommendations! Thank you for your time and all the energy put into your content and from this community in general, best wishes and keep up the incredible reviews!

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

I love Toby. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Alextrains502]

Good looking train

[@SamsTrains]

It sure is! :D

[@Madonsteamrailways]

This should be a beautiful train pack!! I would certainly love to have this model but it’s just not right for my Dad’s Army layout.

[@user-jc5ml8fh6b]

So glad i ordered thus pack months ago, amazed with it when it arrived. Yes coaches expensive but i think much better than the bachmann birdcage i have and if i count the loco at £120, thet work out cheaper than the £55 birdcage. Bit unfair to compare to the genesis coaches as hattons can sell those cheaper as manufacturer and retailer. Fantastic train pack.

[@paulsngaugechannel]

I would give the pack a 9.5 rating, but not having one up close and personal, I would agree with you. A whole hearted seal of approval. Fantastic model. Price is good, but could be a little more cheaper. Around the £190 mark would be better. Great video and great review. 😊

[@crazybattlegoose8872]

I got the pre-1919 dcc pack and had similar issues unfortunately. Removing the chassis was near impossible because the fit was so tight. It crawls incredibly slow but also suffers from intermittent connectivity so I'm installing a stay-alive. This pack didn't come with the etched metal plates or full cow catchers if you wanted to remove the couplings like the original run did. I hear if you email rapido though they are sending out the cow catchers at least. Your roof wire was way better than mine! Both of mine are curved outward to almost the edge it's that bad. But it is still a beautiful pack I'm happy to have

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's right - quite unfortunate about that, needs looking into probably! Ahh I didn't notice that - but very good point, it didn't come with them. Yeah the roof wires are an issue - I'd return them to Rapido for replacements or repairs if they're bad! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@VincentBrigance]

That entire pack looks absolutely lovely Odd one out is the Sentinel right?

[@davidsheriff8989]

Classy looking....the carriages would look well for The Railway Children perhaps?

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

I just remembered in the Japanese animated film castle in the sky There actually is a tram engine that looks very similar to a J70 Minus the cow catches and sideplates

[@MrBnsftrain]

The odd loco out is Y1 Sentinel at 36:02, being introduced in 1925. These packs were so tempting ever since Rapido announced them! I didn't get one because of how expensive they are. I am surprised that Rapido who is known for having magnetic lighting in their passenger cars didn't include them in these tram coaches.

[@peterheath9002]

great review. what is in the other W/U train pack?

[@m10cachilles43]

Do it..... Do it!

[@traintimeboy]

Do you plan on reviewing kr models big Bertha and the bullied leader when they come out? I’m trying to pick between them which one to preorder

[@TheNewStoryteller]

I saw one in ebay only looking beside the word control system, the word beside it is Analog considdering this box had DC silent.

[@thesudricmerman3318]

it amazing pack hoping one day they will do a 4 wheel version off the coach and luggage van

[@DieselD182]

Oldies But Goldies

[@triple_play_games]

I can already see this quite high possibly top 5 in 2024 video. Great model tho anyways

[@JustinFrazier_360]

The tram looks surprisingly like toby

[@SamsTrains]

It sure does!!

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

Probably because that’s Toby’s basis

[@TheNewStoryteller]

There's been a lot of films of a Commodore Vanderbilt including one I made called A USA Steam Train Passes mainly it's when it has a semi set up of DCC & DC, I recomend youself to try it as it's got live steam but read a warning label on the box it said that a chemicle can give you side effects. Do you have a window in the attic or a mask?

[@Blur4strike]

Rapido seems to be on a roll lately, here's hoping that they keep it up.

[@user-uv3of2bm8s]

It's pretty obvious that the J70 would be in the top 5 again, it's a fantastic model

[@DennisLora2001]

That is a good looking tram engine

[@roberthocking9138]

A nice pack, it would have been great if the side skirts on the engine were hinged, and fastened with those chains, so you could run it with the wheels and valve gear exposed

[@ryancampbell4119]

I do believe there is plans to build a new j70 possibly as well as rebuild the coach that was accidentally scrapped. Also yes that is a spark catcher where they would run through towns and farms the last thing you would want is to catch someone house on fire