Awful Bachmann Christmas Train Set | Unboxing & Review

[@trainfan998]

You guys in the UK say that Hornby train sets are outdated and old. That's because you haven't experienced a Bachmann train set in the U.S. This Train set isn't just a one-off, apart from a few exceptions they are all like this with almost the same quality.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - this is just as bad as some of Hornby's if not worse! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@railway187]

I wouldn't even buy it if it were only £50. It's a lot of cheap plastic, nothing much to like about it. Good review!

[@Charmaster04]

At least the Bachmann Thomas stuff has metal wheels. And the Airfix (medium-sized) hook-and-loop couplers won't miss each other. That's a couple of quality points considered.

[@gamerfan8445]

That mostly because bachmann is trying to keep the cost down.

[@frostedbutts4340]

@@gamerfan8445 Keep profits high you mean.

[@leewaymodels]

The EZ track are easy when you put them on a solid surface and slide them. There is 2 versions of the EZ tracks. One in steel and one in nickel silver. The nickel silver have a grey roadbed.

[@Honeydwarf85]

EZ track is still rubbish. There's a reason Unitrack is so prevelent in N scale. There's no competition. The only beating Unitrack is maybe the Tomix system.

[@Charmaster04]

​@@Honeydwarf85 Hey, rubbish tier is reserved for Lifelok track. I have a bin of Bachmann EZ track at home, and I lay it down on the floor to run my trains fairly frequently. The trains kept derailing on the switches the most recent time (need to diagnose the problem at some point), but I'm able to use the curves and straights without problem. I'd assume Kate would produce the best roadbed track system, but save "rubbish" for the system where even simple ovals are unfailingly derailment-prone.

[@Trainsaregreat365]

Leeway models wow

[@juliansadler6263]

Hornby track and Peco for sidings. Track with a precast base doesn't allow ballast. Rather like the old Hornby three rail track.

[@Charmaster04]

@@juliansadler6263 Well, the advantage of track with a precast base is that you can lay it directly down on the floor temporarily. The track stays together more firmly, lays more flat without nails, and keeps the carpet from poking through. Not to mention it provides some semblance of ballast for your temporary floor layouts. Technically you can ballast track with a precast base, you just end up with a four-foot shoulder along your entire line.

[@gs425]

Just remember, Bachmann isn't a British company. It's not an American company. It's simply a trading name, bought by Kader in China to sell their products.

[@johnbeck3270]

Sounds like AHM/AHC of yearscago

[@BAKU2K2]

American name, Chinese-owned. The original Bachmann Bros. company based out of Pennsylvania hasn't existed since the 80's.

[@WhirligigGirl]

The engine actually *is* a USRA 0-6-0. American 0-6-0 switchers just genuinely have a lot of overhang, to fit their large boilers on a short wheelbase. Bachmann does make fantasy Prairie (2-6-2) versions of their 0-6-0s in both HO and N scale, taking advantage of the overhang, but the loco is in fact based on a genuine six-coupled switcher, not a Mogul or Prairie.

[@samuelslocos]

The comedy factor when roasting the Christmas steel track knock off train set in this is so clever.

[@6yjjk]

A donation towards hiring a wood chipper, so we can watch you slowly reverse this abomination into it.

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha thank you so much - I'll start saving for one immediately! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Die_Apeschrauber]

@@SamsTrains i do respect the craft that is needet to build stuff, but in case of this set, i really would love to see you make it non existent anymore. wood chipper, fire or just as you already planned a wheel adjustment with your hammer, would love to see that especially because i know you 're normaly not the kind of person who would do this to model trains but in some cases it's the only way to save future generations from this crap. the best thing this "pastic arengement" did was making a hilarious review stuff for you sam! Bachmann should be thankful for that, were probably the only people who had fun with this thanks to you sam.

[@HighballMachineWorks]

@@6yjjk nah, feed it to the scrap man and hope he doesn’t become the next Santa

[@airworks7809]

This reminds me of the conrail gun guy creatively destroying a similar set

[@hussarzwei6223]

If you want a US Bachmann set that isn't a complete lemon, I recommend the 24013 N Scale Santa Fe Thunder Valley Diesel Starter Freight Train Set. It has nickel sliver track and metal wheels. It has the two options for couplers being US "Kadee" and European "Arnold/Rapido" style the latter being the same as used by British N scale. It cost around 101.58 GBP pound sterling.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Disturbing flashbacks to the Queen Elizabeth ‘Tribute’ train. Oh the horror!

[@vaclavmacgregor2464]

I bet the Dairy is milking the poor saps who paid full RRP!

[@David_Mattox]

9:01 if this is supposed to be a USRA 0-6-0, it’s an insult to the class. As far as Christmas trains go, I’ll stick with the green/red Y7 and see about building my own Christmas-themed rake. I expect I’ll get more enjoyment that way. 18:15 I’ve got enough steel track for a small circuit, but I mostly use it for test track. Once I get to building a layout, I will be upgrading to Hornby track. Informative review, Sam. Cheers.

[@jamesm6638]

They've been making this engine forever. The tooling is originally from rivarossi who made these in the 70's. Not every product that's vaguely shaped like a train is targeted at serious modelers. Some are just toys.

[@tygarystyger771]

Sam, you are correct about the possible missing wheels on the loco. Bachmann likes to take their 2-6-2 prairie locos, remove the leading/trailing wheels and sell them as 0-6-0s. I have a few of both in N scale. If you look at both, they are exactly the same, one is just missing some wheels.

[@SeanBodine]

I thought it was the other way around. It looks like they grabbed an 0-6-0, and put the pilot, and trailing wheels on. They did the same thing with a 2-6-0.

[@JPRMT]

@@SeanBodineyou are correct. This is sort of based on an 0-6-0 of USRA design. Bachmann added leading and trailing axles to produce “different” models without actually having to make different models…

[@PetesPrettyGoodTrains]

The 3rd dome is the tell that this was the switcher, and later Bachmann added the leading and trailing truck to make a 2-6-2. The third dome is another sand dome.

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

Campaign for Sam to try t gauge ( like this comment )

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh good shout that'd be fun! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@marktegrotenhuis]

​@@SamsTrains If you do, please don't judge it the same way as OO models when it comes to how well it runs. Because T-Gauge is controlled by pulses (frequency) instead of voltage it's near impossible to do a crawl, so don't expect it to be able to.

[@EvexiansVideoworks]

That is T I N Y how do those even work??

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

@@EvexiansVideoworks I think they have a motor

[@EvexiansVideoworks]

@Gatherleymodeller. Yeah, i can imagine. But how SMALL are the components in there! Theese trains are the size of cigarettes!

[@stevedoggart2805]

Its an ornament for running around a tree. Probably made a shed load of these 20 years ago. An roll em out every year to cash in on the festivities . No serious modeler would buy this thinking it would be a mighty fine addition to their collection. It is what it is , a very expensive novelty.

[@thhseeking]

ABout the "moustaches" on the tender...I'm getting Charles Tyson Yerkes vibes 🤣Jago! Come have a look!!! 🤣

[@SKY7AR]

I should stop watching your videos when I eat, cause I nearly choked like 5 times from laughter 😂😂 Superb video and the humor was on point as always!

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha sorry about that - thanks so much! :D

[@michaelramsey82]

As someone intimately familiar with this particular Bachmann 0-6-0/2-6-2 (the prototype is an 0-6-0 but Bachmann sells a version with leading and trailing wheels tacked on as well), it cracks me up that the instruction manual still shows the exploded diagram for the old split-axle version. That drawing dates back to the '80s, and is no longer anywhere close to how the frame fits together. It's almost as bad as the incandescent bulb. At least we can be thankful that the split axles are gone - it's now at least a fairly solid and reliable runner, if not a particularly refined one. By the way, the curved track that comes with the set is 18 inch radius. I have no idea what that translates to in Hornby curves.

[@Yamashiro_Kai]

One thing to remember about Bachmann’s price in their website is it’s extremely marked up on purpose. They do this in an attempt to support retailers, I generally recommend not buying off Bachmann’s website unless it’s either something you somehow can’t find anywhere else or one of their warehouse finds.

[@jacobharrison2204]

Sam: :what at the north pole is producing milk the reindeer, mrs claus? That link killed me lol😂😂

[@SodorTrain1225]

11:01 Tamed reindeer (or caribou) can actually produce milk, so that's not too big of a stretch, to be honest.

[@SamsTrains]

Fascinating! I'm just relieved they're not milking Mrs Claus.... Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@SodorTrain1225]

@SamsTrains Agreed.

[@GMLfghgjhff5633]

@@SamsTrainsha ha.. what

[@6yjjk]

@@SamsTrains Both things can be true...

[@michaelkolano8686]

It could also be that they're importing into the north pole, for the other 364 days of the year Santa isn't eating people's food

[@MrBnsftrain]

This set goes for $319 MSRP in America and can be found for $180 at retailers and Amazon sellers. I'm surprised it's been localized by Bachmann Europe, complete with UK power supply! Bachmann USA has yet to localize any of their European models, but makes new European models for the American market. 2:34 that's normal for electric product warning labels in America. They made the French illegible but not the English. Only five Bachmann sets come with nickel silver track, the rest are just steel track. 8:06 the wheels were loose like that when I got my first train set. It was kinda like this one except it wasn't Christmas colors, only had a circle track, and only had a boxcar, gondola, and caboose for freight cars. It was the Pacific Flyer which Bachmann still make. All the flimsy parts definitely made this feel like a model train and not just a cheap toy. Only the chimney on the caboose and the pilot of the locomotive have broken off mine over time. The loco fell off a table to sustain that damage, but it did not impact how it runs! 12:10 Bachmann actually make a knockoff Polar Express called the North Pole Express pulled by a locomotive of the same type as in this set. The plastic axles are fine for a starter set as when I first got a model train car with metal axles (also a Bachmann product), I was surprised that it ended up moving on its own when I placed it on the track without coupling anything to it.

[@TamarackFilmCo]

I managed to find the gingerbread boxcar, but with metal wheels, as a separate car a few years ago, and run it under the tree, but with my own assembled Christmas consist.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh nice - I bet the metal wheels make a big difference! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@notmuch_23]

I think a series that seeks to improve bad model railroad/railway rolling stock would be a good watch, without the time pressure of Salvage or Scrap.

[@nicholashefner3241]

I run this train on a Layout for our town's train museum, and this is the experience I have every year. Kids love it, but I have to fix it every 10 - 15 minutes because it randomly jumps a switch or the cars keep coming loose. I'm glad I only have to deal with it for a month.

[@Steamer96]

To think I wanted a Bachmann USRA switcher when I was a kid. Glad that Mantua shifter came my way instead.

[@cameronfunk6832]

That USRA locomotive is ANCIENT. They use it for every starter set. Dirt cheap and the design is a million years old. That prairie you reviewed a while ago is the exact same locomotive. The NEW DCC USRA 0-6-0 is astoundingly good. I thought it would be absolute garbage but the price and another review I saw convinced me otherwise. It was well worth the $200 usd. Had bearings, sound, better couplers (no fake stand ins), plastic window glazing with painted on frames, tender lights, more realistic body work, and some extra details. It’s a master class budget steam locomotive. I’m praying those features start to migrate to the starter set 0-6-0’s. The cars aren’t much different than their normal freight cars with the metal wheels replaced with plastic ones and worse couplers. Sold separately they’re not bad. Not much any more expensive than upgrading old Tyco cars. I’ve used them to get a cheap fleet of cars to run. Great for smaller layouts. Honestly the better set is the Thunderchief and I think the echo valley ones are great but I don’t own one yet. You get a very bare bones DCC controller, silver track, and a budget sound equipped locomotive. Sadly you still get the budget rolling stock but if you can get it for a little over $200 then it’s actually worth the money. Finding DCC for anything under $300 is hard. Here you can at least get going and use the features.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - I've seen plenty of suspiciously similar locos over the years!! I might have to look at the new DCC one - I've heard lots of good things about that one! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RichardKuivila1947]

I guess She likes it . . ?

[@martinhonor3483]

North Pole. It's in west London on the mainline out of Paddington, and is the depot for GWR's AT300 units. There may be a dairy there, but we should let Bachman dream a little.

[@GaryLorenz-t7c]

That's a very lovely & very interesting Bachmann's Christmas Train Set that you got there & watching your Christmas Train going around in circles which quite very entertaining for my liking to keep me entertained with excitement of course.

[@OhTheIndignity]

The Hideous Blood Red Engine Hurts My Eyes 😍😍😍

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - painfully bright isn't it haha!

[@RichardKuivila1947]

It's Christmas! . . It's NOT Real !

[@PetesPrettyGoodTrains]

2:37 That's labelling required by US federal law. The size varies based on how large the package is. The other one is the same label, but appears to be in French for the Canadian market.

[@Jam-Jar1]

Having seen a lot of cheap Christmas train sets in shops as a kid, it's great to see someone ruthlessly review one.

[@SamsTrains]

haha thank you - it does feel good!

[@Charmaster04]

Depending on when you were a kid, this could mean anything from Tyco and its contemporaries to the generic brand "train sets" that only run on the circle of fiddly plastic track in the box. This set is more like a Tyco set decades out of season, and ranges of this quality were pretty commonplace when Tyco was still in business. You can buy better models for the same cost (considering inflation) today than you could back then, but those HO scale toys still have their fans (though admittedly the fans will just buy them for toy-level prices from train show vendors). As for the "generic brand" sets, [THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN REDACTED FOR REFERENCING THE CANCELLED SAM'STRAINS ALTER-EGO EL CHEAPO. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE WHY THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN STRUCK, READ CANCEL CULTURE'S COMMUNITY GUIDELINES HERE.]

[@falcondragonslayer]

This set would be miles better than the garbage sold in ordinary stores.

[@therailfanman2078]

Fun thing is, EVERYTHING in this set is sold separately with actual paint schemes. Granted, bachmann recently remade the 0-6-0, and the newer one is actually pretty good. But they still offer the old one.

[@lukejackson8741]

I think next year you should try and find a good Christmas train set… there must be one

[@a2020vision_official]

The locomotive is based on the same platform as your cheap Prairie with an updated mechanism (and no valve gear). I've had both as well. The original would have been based on the USRA standard 0-6-0 switcher, but to pad out their range they pushed the pilot forward a little so they could put in a leading axle and sell it as a Mogul or Prairie. Interestingly they have recently put out a fully updated USRA 0-6-0 which I'd like to check out, but not enough to buy it at the prices I've seen online.

[@JustYourPariah]

Bro I swear to god, it’s always the god damn caboose that doesn’t couple right. Every single time I use my Bachmann rolling stock, the caboose ALWAYS uncouples every few laps.

[@CSXBoys]

completely unrelated but I love your pfp! and yeah, frankly i ended up getting fed up with model railroading specifically because of bachmann. every single piece of rolling stock I've gotten from them has had issues. I'm gonna try to get back into it with Kato. Little bit more expensive, but the quality is great from what I've heard

[@forzafan9733]

12:12 if you think that’s trying to rip off the Polar Express, you should look up Bachmann’s North Pole Express. They gave it the PolEx’s coaches but the same crummy engine from this set

[@SamsTrains]

Oh blimey - I will look that one up, thanks! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@michaelramsey82]

I used to work at a shop in Canada that sold those because we couldn't get any licensed PolEx sets. Nobody liked them, and the only one I remember actually selling got returned the same day. One of the issues was that, because the coaches were full scale-length heavyweights, it had 22 inch radius track instead of 18 inch radius, which made the loop of track too big to fit under most Christmas trees. Bachmann USA does make multiple options for shorter coaches, but chose not to use them for some reason. We sold a lot more of the hideous red Jingle Bell Express sets, and people seemed to like those better.

[@FortunaFortesJuvat]

@@michaelramsey82 The R22 curves would also screw up the progression of Canadian HO scale railroading- it starts with a train set running in a loop around the tree. Then, when Christmas is over, you get a 4'x8' sheet of plywood, and some Ikea table legs or saw horses, add the straights from the box, and there's the starter layout. 18" are the largest that comfortably fit on that. The next step is a 2nd sheet, or a "train room", and then come the R24 curves, 6-axle diesels, and full scale passenger cars.

[@JBofBrisbane]

The black base gives away the steel-railled Bachmann E-Z Trak. The nickel-silver-railled version has a light grey base.

[@Ianshandle999]

Red text warning is also in French to enable sales in Canada 🇨🇦

[@BAKU2K2]

That is despite being a set dedicated for export outside North America, considering it has been rated for 50Hz 220v.

[@RedShedNick]

Well i was still watching because i haven't laughed so much for a long long time Sam and an now crying with laughter, JBE that did it for me, i had to run to the bathroom! Ever nead chearing up well watch Sams Trains! Confirmed you are a legend, keep it up! Cheers Nick.

[@caw25sha]

I was in W H Smiths earlier and noticed a magazine about colkectables. There was a photo of the Beatles loco on the front cover saying "is this the greatest collectable ever?" 😂

[@alex_the_balding_fat_man]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SamsTrains]

And I can exclusively reveal that the answer is.... no, no it isn't! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TKS60163]

I sort-of understand why Bachmann puts those 0-6-0s in damn near every starter/Christmas set they make, because, to be completely fair, in my experience, those little engines are really reliable. I’ve had 3 of them and the only reason two of them didn’t make it, is because I kit-bashed them. I still have my first one and I haven’t really maintained it since I got it in the late 2000’s. Haven’t really run it full time in a while but when I do bring it out, it still runs like an absolute champ. All that being said, sets like these are the reason I made a custom Christmas train that runs on NICKEL PLATED TRACK.

[@limehuzki]

1:43 sorry sam but I believe this is what they mean by the hobby dying. My basic Walters diesel cost me $200US without shipping To elaborate the hobby is dying in America right now, given it costs 500 dollars for a good set. 7:46 as a retail worker I can confirm most American shoppers are thieves in fact I had someone steal my glasses

[@gamerfan8445]

What you talking about, Walther prices are actually good for what you getting. You can buy a GP15 under $80.

[@limehuzki]

@gamerfan8445 the hell are you getting your Models? Amazon is charging $120 for that model now(I bought at a bas time I guess). And there aren't any retailers nearby anymore (quite literally 15 hobby shops and retailers in my area just went out of business permanently

[@gamerfan8445]

@limehuzki where I am it under $100

[@limehuzki]

@gamerfan8445 you must be right next to a warehouse or something, because the price is Ludacris here.

[@gamerfan8445]

@limehuzki Even then, it is still cheaper at trainworld.

[@jasonanderson6583]

I know you don’t like the Bachmann 0-6-0s but they did retool them a bit and gave them DCC and sound. As well as proper front couplers.

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

I write this before you give the stats, and I did not know Bachmann still made steel track good for a month unless you have a high humidity content home. I truly thought it was one of those locomotives you needed D batteries for due to the looks. Now it is after the ratings, and I think an F- was warranted. I guess Santa will have no milk with his cookies this year, SC (Slight Chuckle). Anyway, great review and video and Ho! Ho! Ho!

[@johnbeck3270]

Bachmann still includes steel rail in their HO sets. N scale comes with nickel silver rail.

[@jamestheredenginefan5268]

10:54 Killed me 😂

[@williamnichols467]

So, as an American, I have a few points to share about this set: Firstly, the set does use the older tooling for the 0-6-0. Secondly, the engine is designed as an 0-6-0, but Bachmann has modified the tooling to allow for it to be a 2-6-2. Thirdly, the quality of the set isn’t too terrible compared to the majority of similar sets from around the time (this is an older set that Bachmann continues to resell for whatever reason)

[@johnbeck3270]

Bachmann includes steel “easy track” in all its HO sets. The radius is 18” the straights are 9”. Keeping with the “Atlas” beginner track. Bachmann produces 22” radius curves in the steel rail. There is also turnouts (points, as you in the UK call them) that are 18” radius with a 1/3 18” radius curve permanently cast into the black roadbed. The grey plastic roadbed “easy Track” is nickel silver and available in Avery wide array of curves, turn outs and straight sections. The locomotive is available in 3 variations 0-6-0, 2-6-0, and 2-6-2 all using the same chassis and boiler casting, if you look at the chassis casting, you’ll see a hole at the rear of it for mounting a trailing truck, I noticed that while you disassembled the loco. I often wondered if you could modify this into an 0-6-0 into a mogul or prairie. The caboose is a loose rendition of a Pensy “cabin car”, not sure what designation it carried. The couplers on the cars appear to be “Easy Mate” generation 1, the generation 2’s have actual knuckle springs whereas the gen1’s have a pair of “fingers” cast into the two parts that make up the coupler, if you look closely at the coupler, you will see what I mean. These couplers absolutely suck, and the gen2’s aren’t much better. Bachmann just can’t seem to make a decent coupler, period. When I worked at Caboose Hobbies here in Denver years ago, I always tried to convince customers to avoid the “Christmas themed set” because they were quite often over priced and didn’t lend themselves to further ventures into model railroading, a standard set will work just fine and if you want, they can be a place to start your rail empire.

[@MysticMindAnalysis]

The fact that this is sold as a serious model trainset at all rather than a cheap toy is beyond ridiculous.

[@Jimyjames73]

Arrr Sam @ 18:06 - I'm still here - watching!!! 🙂 One of the funniest reviews I've seen for ages 😄🚂🚂🚂

[@historyotaku]

Okay, so there is one thing you got wrong about the local. It is meant to be an 0-6-0, specifically the USRA 0-6-0 which do have large overhangs like on the model(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USRA_0-6-0), it's actually quite common for American steam switchers like the USRA 0-8-0(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USRA_0-8-0). You are correct though that Bachmann did design the engine to be able to take a front and even a rear trailing truck so they could turn it into a 2-6-0, a 2-6-2, and on one occasion at least a 4-6-0. It is really cursed, it has a tender that's far bigger than the engine itself. I will say I do have a soft spot for these though, 2 of them were very first locos and served me well ever since, one of them even took a dive off a table and damaged its valve gear but it still runs to this day. As for the overall set yeah I can't say I'm surprised, it is a Christmas train set but the quality of the loco and cars is pretty much the same as in all of Bachmann's regular train sets for better or for worse.

[@michaelramsey82]

Agree with all of this 100%. I've had 5 or 6 of those 0-6-0s (lost count at this point), from various eras in Bachmann's history. They've come a long way, but some of the old quirks still remain. The large tender is borrowed from a Reading 2-8-0 that Bachmann made back in the '80s. I never knew about the 4-6-0 version - that sounds profoundly cursed and I'm going to look it up immediately.

[@The-Signal-Man]

13:42 The engine that the model is based on was indeed a 0-6-0, and in real life it did have hoverhangs both under the smokebox and the cab, hence why they were only used in yards and didn't do long distance work. However, Bachmann have released this model (which I believe originates from the 1970s!) as 2-6-2s and 2-6-0s before, and I can only assume they were too lazy to make a model of an actual 2-6-2 as opposed to an 0-6-0 with some extra wheels added. Edit: Just checked, the overhand isn't that large on the real engine

[@michaelramsey82]

You're correct about them being too lazy to make a separate 2-6-2 model. This is a holdover from the '80s, when Bachmann did this a lot across their American product line, result in some truly horrendous creations (such as a 2-8-0 based on a very distinctive looking prototype that was also sold as a "2-8-2" with a tiny trailing truck that there really wasn't room for). However, the USRA 0-6-0 that the model is based on actually does have pretty extreme overhangs, and the proportions of the model match it quite well. It's lacking a lot of detail, but what's there is in the right places.

[@tyhik9338]

Man that train looks good, it reminds me of the train said that my aunt got me for Christmas when I was in 5th grade.

[@SueBobChicVid]

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

[@Taggart00]

It will be Polar Bear Milk

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

Sam, you NEED to try t gauge!! Please, please please… It’s incredible 😊A loco in t gauge is less than 2cm long 😂

[@SamsTrains]

I'd definitely be interested to try it! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@yuyan5683]

EVERYTHING here in the US comes plastic wrapped.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I can tell!!

[@datguymiller]

even books about not using plastic

[@MaxwellTheTrainFan]

well that’s waistfull I mean a hornby train set . Say the summer time Coca Cola train set for a decent example . It’s a card box and foam inside or the egg box looking interior with the trains up top and tracks down the bottom . Then track Matt and instructions and info paper sheets on the back end . that’s how a proper model train set from hornby is presented . And personally ! Better than bachmans . Tho it’s just my thoughts .

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Even my Baby Brother.

[@JBofBrisbane]

Even Laura Palmer.

[@oriontaylor]

Perhaps something to put on your list of projects is to 3D print your own Christmas train set!

[@gamepad3173]

I think the plastic wheels can be swapped out for diecast ones, that's what I did on my New Bright and Eztec pieces of rolling stock, when I upgraded them to be compatible with the Bachmann night before Christmas set.

[@rimizoem]

Good work all year, Merry Christmas!

[@dansmodelrailways7886]

The running number is Christmas day. 1225. American way to do the date, December (12) 25th.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Bachmann often puts returned "rerailed" rolling stock in t their sets, in fact they sell some 90's rolling stock in the 90's packaging they have a backlog of as "rerailed".

[@TrevortheTrainFan]

Merry Christmas, Sam; and good review! 👍🎄

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you so much - Merry Christmas to you too! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@azuma892]

I thought the Thomas N scale review is coming before this video as Jess said in the stream, I'm not complaining! Dated Bachmann USA tat is way more interesting! 😂

[@SamsTrains]

I've had to shuffle things around to make way for new releases! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@perfectharvestmlpstudios9152]

After watching your video on the best 2024 train sets, I decided to get Hornby’s Santa Express train set. Yes, the loco and rolling stock are toy grade models, but they do serve a purpose, are relatively well-decorated and definitely look the part. The resin presents load that goes in the open wagon is also very nice wuality. In short, you know what to expect straight off, and it’s going to feature in an upcoming stop-motion animation that was inspired by one of your Christmas animations. However, with this one, yeah, definitely gives me vibes of the Queen’s Royal Tatmobile from Bradford Exchange … especially that tender with the plastic wheels! All we need now is a’resin commemoratives statue’ of Santa’s face badly moulded onto an unintelligible coin!

[@RocktCityTim]

I have that set running around my tree right now - except for the engine. The engineer side driving rod ate itself after 4 hours of running. If you're keeping it, be sure to oil it and tighten all of the screws. I've replaced it with a 43 year old Athearn Atlantic Coast Line F7 A/B pair. Since I have a box full of Kadee couplers, I replaced the static Bachmann couplers. Oh yes - I got mine on clearance for $74 six years ago. As for the steel track, Bachmann also dropped Steel track 20 years ago - that's how old these sets really are. I replaced that stuff with a loop of Kato UniTrack.

[@garethparkin9498]

Mr Snooze goes through nickel plating steel track as his layout is Triang/Dublo Super 4 and he's completely renovated his track and it really looks good.

[@dakshanbalaramesh]

Seriously Bachmann?! This looked like the toy train I got as a birthday gift once, only that one was LOADS cheaper

[@OriginalBongoliath]

This tooling has been around since the 1980s.

[@joshslater2426]

I’m assuming the loco’s resemblance to Pere Marquette 1225 was intentional. It looks like the Polar Express’ bizarre freight-hauling cousin, complete with a prototypical livery.

[@therailfanman2078]

No, it doesn't loom anything like the polar express or Pere Marquette 1225

[@joshslater2426]

The tender and cab have an uncanny resemblance though, and of course the running number is the same, but they have altered it a bit.

[@jamesc5136]

@@joshslater2426the running number is only the same because 1225 is December (12) 25th (25), hence the running number

[@Nicey1-ep6gs]

Sam, thought it was the 1st April for this review !!! I am new to railway modelling glad I started with a TT120 train set

[@jasonlitz2907]

That 0-6-0 engine is almost as old as me at this point. My Dad and I had one in an original starter set.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - I hear they've been around for millennia! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@trainfan998]

I actually got this train set when I was in middle school. I'm about to finish college now and it hasn't changed a bit😂.

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey! Didn't realise this exact set had been around so long!

[@OriginalBongoliath]

@@SamsTrains It has been around since the 80s.

[@irtbmtind89]

@@OriginalBongoliath Under many brand names, Model Power, Tyco, probably AHM as well. Made for Walmart, not a real hobby shop.

[@andrewroe5586]

Hi Sam. Look on the bright side you've now got more American rolling stock ( you've complaimed before about not having a lot ) and by changing the wheels to metal ones they will run better. Has for the engine surly it can be used as a base for a new 3d printed loco of your own design.

[@SteamSuperHEater]

Bachmann seems to really like their USRA 0-6-0, as it's in just about every steam set they produce in both HO and N. Despite this, I think they actually have been using the exact same tooling for it since the '80s. I'd say this set is about the same quality as a similar Bachmann set I remember getting about 10 years ago, but I paid closer to US$80. To charge upwards of GBP200 for this is insane. Speaking of which, I heard Lionel made an HO Christmas set a while back which is also expensive but crappy, I'd love to see you review it if you could get your hands on one.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I suspect it's extremely cheap to make and that's why - definitely been around for longer than I have! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

I'd purchase it. I love it, it's so full of Christmas Cheer. Yes, it's plastic-y, but I'm overlooking that and the price factor. It's the most festive train set you've ever reviewed so far. You're making me want it, but I don't have room for it. Merry Christmas, Sam. May your wonderful Christmas train set give you hours of festive fun.🎅🎄🎁🎀

[@kclassproductions]

It never gets old watching Sam rip up the paper for Bachmann's catalogues!

[@Nowheres_Channel]

I had the same model (diffirent livery, tender and consist but still same engine) and was infuriated with pretty much everything about it. The couplings broke, the front dummy coupler broke, it kept hopping it's front wheel off the track and derailing... Yeah suffice to say, your roasting of this set on an open fire was very much warranted.

[@1earedwolf]

Steel track? Well that's Bachmann on the naughty list this year.

[@SamsTrains]

haha absolutely!!

[@benjamintan2733]

Yep, 130 pound still considered expensive. I don't think I'll buy it even if they drop the price to 89.99. Nicely done, by the way.

[@ironknobsteelworks4063]

I absolutely love that yellow tower crane but can only see it available in red. The search continues...

[@punkypink83]

spit my drink out at "what's producing milk at the north pole? mrs claus?"

[@TomPrickVixen]

Bachmann recently released a new USRA 0-6-0 loco, so they clearly wanted to squeeze some money one more time of the old one, witch clearly the one this set has, with some downgrades compared to the last bunch of the old series of the loco (and yes the chassis was used in a 2-6-0 loco too). At least you got matching wheels on the wagons unlike me that one time got 2 style of plastic wheels on the same boxcar in a starter- set ( maybe that was used too...?). But look at the "silver lining" , steel track goes well with the old Tri-ang locos! I would still say it's worse than my Mechano "Space-train" set (semitransparent blue plastic with glitter and space themed prints on all the rolling stock), and if u managed to get another loco of the same class it could be upgraded to an all wheel drive + all wheel pickup loco, do it was a center motorized diesel, but with 1 shaft drive only as stock; + I added some LEDs for the extra space effect and a 5 pole motor with weights, to get the best it could be made out of it. Why I wasted so much work and money on a cheap set u ask? Because its so ridiculous that it's a novelty, and I wanted to run it without issues.

[@zippy5131]

The best review this year, had me in stitches. Especialy the double entendre surrounding the 'MILK' tanker.......... Leave that one there.

[@alexanderpoirier3350]

You should take a loot at their knockoff Polar Express set powered by a 2-6-2 ‘Prairie’, tender and two coaches. Would like to see you review that. Also, Bachmann made several add-on cars for the Christmas train set.

[@goupigoupi6953]

The bulb allows you to date the loco quite accurately. Now you know what we're dealing with here in America. On the other hand, most of them run, which cannot be said about some Rapido and Oxford Rail locos. Win some, lose some, I guess.

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian!

[@briandesens144]

@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam

[@duncanward1718]

Don't hold back Sam. Say what you really think. God I thought Hornby's Santa Express was iffy. Now I see it's a premium product.

[@sweetroll1723]

The bridge between Model railway community and human beings 😂

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

2:30. It's French for the Canadian market. Same warning as the English text. They're required to have both.

[@tge_iii]

Honestly Sam this is best as a donor loco. Yeah it’s split-chassis, but the chassis performs well enough to use as base for an engine with a better body.

[@sargentrowell81]

This kind of set is EXACTLY why people in the US just despise Bachmann.

[@gamerfan8445]

Not really, bachmann make alot of good models, like their NYC Husdon

[@Tankproduction2022]

​@@gamerfan8445 about 60% of my locomotive fleet is Bachmann there all good no issues with them at all

[@therailfanman2078]

When bachmann first remade the 4-4-0 American, they released a set about the Transcontinental railroad. It came with 3 or 4 cars, and TWO DCC sound 4-4-0's. The jupiter and the UP 119. That was the last interesting set bachmann made.

[@WinterroSP]

You should try one of those German Pacifics one day. Maybe the locomotives don’t have the best livery, however, there’s just something about these that looks so mesmerizing

[@lpclassic60]

Bachmann sells train sets here in the US with either steel track (as identified by the black roadbed) or nickel silver (gray roadbed). To this day, I still don’t know how they decide which sets get which track. And if you think it was a pain putting it together, I challenge you to remove the fishplates without completely destroying them. As far as I know, it can’t be done.

[@strike9716]

All eztrack with a black roadbed is steel. And yes the bachman 0-6-0 can also be found as a 2-6-2 with extra axles.

[@Curtiz2008]

The silver load is to be processed into the silver bells. Ding dong, ding dong.😊😊 Have a Merry Christmas.

[@rickandcrystalshow]

Hello Sam,great video,you are a huge help,because of you I’m giving Hornby a try,and I’m excited to get the layout going.could you comment on Marklin trains? I don’t know a lot however they are from Germany,I don’t know,great job!

[@Deezul653]

Thoroughly enjoyed the utter contempt of xmas loco sets in this review 😂 Can you imagine Sams review if Heljan made one with one of their steam locos lol

[@yankee62521]

This just looks like one of their USRA locos in a bright colour. I've got 2 of these, both for less than £60 each, they're some of my favourite locos I have.

[@Zebrails]

32:56 Sounded like you said this cheap set came with third radius curves? It is basic 18" inch radius curves and 36" circle, the cheapest you can find in a "set"... There is 15" radius but sold only by Atlas as a bare minimum radius "snap track", while anything sharper would be with flex track. A more broad radius would be 22" radius snap track... Could you do a comparison video of "HO" to "OO" radius track? The type sold where you can buy individual pieces, and compare the curvature, sharpest to broad. On a basic set or beginner layout, HO would have 18" radius "snap track"... and a locomotive no longer than about 12 inches. John

[@Scybren]

A Bachmann G gauge starter set used to be cheaper than this back in the day by almost 50%

[@davidgapp1457]

If I had bought this for 12 quid in a second-hand charity shop, I would feel ripped off. The most horrid thing I've seen and does Bachmann's reputation no end of harm.