Bachmann Percy | UK VERSION | Unboxing & Review

[@thebeardedwarrior2222]

Is the odd one out by chance James the splendid red tender engine

[@Jetthehawk1994]

I think Rosie may be the odd one out here. She originated from the TV series, whereas the others originated from the Railway Series.

[@xxiaosaurus]

Not to mention she's the only Sudrian character in the video that's not of a British design, but an American design.

[@marknicholson2281]

@@xxiaosaurus yes but USA tanks were used by Southern and later BR after the war, mainly around the docks for which they were intended. Ie Southampton.

[@xxiaosaurus]

@@marknicholson2281 True, but I was only speaking in terms of origins of design, not where they were used. Rosie is likely the odd one out since the other featured characters' basis were European in origin.

[@edward002gaming]

Shes an American engine but she speaks British

[@f.u.m.o.5669]

​@@edward002gaming Speaking the British Language?

[@valesbridge_yt]

Hi Sam, Fun Fact about the hornby percy. when they were first starting the hornby thomas line sometime in the 1980's, Percy was intended to be made out of a modified hornby smokey joe

[@funsyminn]

well the he still is, using the same chassis

[@erickaraujo5327]

Actually there were three engines that went on strike they were Gordon,Henry and James

[@Leonardo-cw1dd]

yes indeed the original three troublesome tender engines that caused trouble

[@brianartillery]

'Troublesome Engines'. I have a first edition copy of the book, that was my uncle's. Percy's face on the engine looks like it was taken from the original C. Reginald Dalby illustrations (I much prefer the illustrations of John T. Kenney, to be honest). Those moving eyes freak me out a bit, still.

[@danthemanwiththepants4048]

I think it's worth noting that the Bachman Thomas, Percy, and James all came out around 2002 and the prices have gotten higher every year with minimal improvements to the models. At the original price of around $40, I think it would be okay for 2002 standards. I don't understand why they haven't updated the main characters, when characters like Rosie are getting amazing models.

[@wumpus976]

I really hope Bachmann could get around to making updates for Thomas, Percy and James. Classic series style faces, proper TVS proportions, brand new motor designs. Maybe for the 40th anniversary of the classic series?

[@LaurenAbb]

In America it is affordable. In our country it is 1/10 of our sallary ☹️

[@TheOnlyHollywood1]

Jesus I wasn't even alive in 2002 they really need to upgrade them

[@Sodor156]

Nice to see Bachmann Percy in your collection. The next one that you should review (that is at least available at this time) is Diesel.

[@trainfan998]

To be honest, I don't mind that you have to unscrew the circit board. I'm amazed that it even comes DCC ready, I mean out of ALL engines.

[@asteroidrules]

It's actually a really good idea, if the socket were on the bottom of the board like Sam wanted then there's a chance that over time your decoder board will work its way loose and fall out, putting it on the top ensures that it will remain fitted.

[@iceeblueburst03]

It’s awesome that you finally have the Bachmann Percy! I like the proportions on this model although the things I don’t like are the face, lack of a front coupler, no hook at the rear, and that line on the top of his body. But other than that, he’s alright. It’s nice that you have all the Bachmann Thomas & Friends locomotives from engines 1-11 along with some other ones!

[@toadawesomeness3422]

Now, I’ve had 2 Bachmann Percy’s over 7 years, and I can say that I’ve never been the biggest fan, as servicing has always been hell because the body is held on by huge plastic clips, the pickups have never made good contact with the wheels because they’re plastic welded to the running board and hard to adjust, he’s never been able to pull more than 8 freight cars on my layout, and the original Bachmann Percy had that not-so-reliable 5 pole motors in them. But if I had to give them one compliment, they are durable, as my old one fell off of my table a couple times and still ran until the motor went out. Great review as always, Sam. Cheers!

[@exarkun42]

This was very nostalgic for me, as a Bachmann Percy & truck train set was my first ever introduction to the hobby as a kid. I can't speak for the crawl, but it ran well for years.

[@azuma892]

Ahh finally the Bachmann Percy, a glaring omission for your collection. :)

[@jasonjohnson892]

Hornby' Percy's face is prototypical to the first season of the tv series. While Bachmann Percy's face is prototypical to the 1999 promo art face that is seen on merchandise and is best seen on the Best of Percy dvd. Also the tv series models did have working lamps when there were night scenes. You should watch the show as a modeler, you'd love the sets and the models.

[@wumpus976]

The 1999 promo art was used a lot as references for Thomas, Percy and James, which I find really detrimental. The faces are all off, and Percy’s step ladders are inaccurate to the TVS because of how they looked in the art.

[@jasonjohnson892]

@@wumpus976 Totally agree!

[@JBWalkerStudios]

It really seems like the theme is tank engines! James is absolutely the odd one out! I really enjoyed this one Sam, id love to see you cover Ryan when he comes out! Cheers, - Bailey

[@baxter22071990]

Nice to see these models finally available over here 😲 Given how easy the cab roof came off I reckon the screw in circuit board is actually quite clever ,mainly for the added safety aspect with smaller children, (means they cant detach the chip and hurt themselves) As for the faces I'm not sure any of the Bachmann locos are particularly accurate, but they're good enough I spose, Smashing review as always Sam 😊👍

[@SuperJacob2006]

Nice Bachmann Percy. I have both a Trackmaster Percy and a Take N Play Percy which are both customized. I got Take N Play Percy for Christmas last year and I absolutely loved it.

[@SueBobChicVid]

I love that your 'history' segment was in character.

[@missmanxee]

Very nice review of the Bachmann Percy I have the Hornby Percy with the mail train set and a rare clockwork Percy and Thomas in my collection thanks again Sam for sharing this and really enjoy your videos 👍❤️🚂

[@kylegilas3401]

I have to agree with your point on the price, the price of these Thomas models is INSANE nowadays. I bought my Bachmann Thomas when I was a kid and paid $42 CAD for it brand new. Had it well over 10 years now, he's got a DCC chip in him now and he still runs great. The same model today costs close to $200 and if I didn't already have all the Thomas models from my childhood I probably wouldn't have bothered buying them for my layout. But since I had them they all got DCC chips and run alongside my other trains.

[@harrythegamingboi7974]

Nice to see another Bachmann Thomas engine on your railway!

[@PennsyPappas]

So I got really lucky a few years ago at a remodel train show/flea market. I bought Percy, Bill and Ben and some rolling stock at 5 bucks a piece. Which given how extremely light Percy is I wouldn not have wanted to pay a penny more and if mine ever burns out than that will be that as it's just not worth it. I also have the Hornby version I've owned since I was a little kid and man is that thing a pocket rocket. Pulls pretty decently but haven't run it in many years, guess I'll have to pull it out and run it sometime. Anyways great review as always and I'm glad to see Thomas stuff make a comeback on this channel.

[@lindaoffenbach]

Well, to be quite candid..., the first thing popping up in our mind was... bloody awful quality...; warped running plate, flash between the spokes of the wheels, terrible gaps everywhere, buffers at the back at different heights... My word, how dare they putting this out for the amount B expects... This seems to be a dreadful insult to the consumers they have in mind tbh, even if kiddies perhaps wouldn't notice all the issues... Sorry for this straightforward candid reaction Sam, but at ~£ 70 this should vanish straight into the bin...; the evil Scrapman to have it, lol.

[@josepharmstrong1788]

I've had my Percy for a little over 20 years and he's not bad. My main issue is the lack of front coupling and his face.

[@PinkEngineProductions]

I have that Percy along with Toby and the Troublesome Trucks for my 17th birthday!

[@TheNotLetterH]

The clip of percy running in the intro is adorable

[@SuperRobotStudios]

One difference between the UK and US versions of Bachmann Thomas models: the lamp irons and coupling hooks have been thickened due to toy safety regulations, as well as changed to show accurate black.

[@jjmank]

Great video Sam I want to say thank you for getting me and my dad in to British trains i really appreciate it 😊

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

Hi Sam, ref: DCC socket location. The Hattons Genises Generator coach you reviewed recently has excatly the same idea. You remove the roof then take out 4 very small screwd to release the pcb & then install the Next18 decoder.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh interesting! I guess it makes sense with the coach though, as otherwise the interior/lights would be compromised if the decoder was visible... but this cab is sealed! xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@joshuaW5621]

You finally have the Bachmann Percy. Now the Bachmann collection is almost complete. If I was to make the perfect Percy, I’d put the Hornby face on the Bachmann model.

[@trainfanofjames13]

I've been waiting for this review since 2018 and you finally did it

[@DavidScholz-bu1ix]

DON'T FORGET 'BOUT THE OFFICIAL WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT PERCY THE SMALL ENGINE'S OWN OFFICIALLY WELL-KNOWN FAVORITE JOB CERTAINLY HAPPENS TO BE PULLING THE MAIL TRAIN!!!

[@MaxwellTheTrainFan]

Wow I thought you would NEVER do this and it makes me happy cuz Percy is my favourite engine wow

[@Cleznez]

From what I’ve seen, it’s actually common for people to put the Hornby faces on the Bachmann Models, especially for Thomas

[@Damocles178]

I'm surprised the Bachmann Duck has a coupling on the front but this doesn't . As a rule of thumb front couplings should be an option on all models (or at the very least those intended for shunting). Sure it's rare an express steam loco is going to shunt but for the price Hornby or Bachmann charge for a lot of things it would be handy to have. It's a pretty good model but I'm now curious how much it differs from the U.S Percy. Hornby never really cared about Thomas to the same extent as Bachmann but it's still an awful pity some of their finer models are not available anymore. Hornby's Spencer and Murdoch were freakin' sweet but are quite rare.

[@robertknight4672]

I agree I have several prototypical American steam locomotives that have a fake knuckle coupler on the front. And it's particularly annoying if the locomotive is a switcher locomotive.

[@redsmokefzw3954]

Remember when you reviewed Rosie, just recently Bachmann made Rosie in her new red NWR livery from the episode "The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor."

[@eneaauriti]

yes Sam the lamps works on the show

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh okay - pity about that then! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@bantamjr]

ive had my percy model since they came out with it and even all the abuse its been through, it still runs like its new

[@AllensTrains]

As always with Bachmann, Beer Models at Champagne prices! Thanks for uploading.

[@andressanchez4517]

Haha... Like Rolls Royce dreams on a push bike income 💰😂

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Hey Sam I didn't see any odd one out today, but I did see Duck, Rosie, James, and Oliver Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh well spotted with those! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

I own a UK Edition Bachmann Thomas, and I have noticed something. Due to them usually running on HO track, not 00, the wheel flanges are wider, which makes thomas produce a slight wobble along the track as his wheels are thicker than the track. Still a great model too. Picked up the USA versions of Bachmann Annie and Clarabel for a very reasonable £9 a few years ago.

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

I spotted James, Oliver, Duck, Rosie and Bill and Ben. Talk of going up Gordon's Hill, Percy ran up that hill backwards in my first favourite Thomas story, Percy Runs Away. Here's how it happened. Percy waited and waited. The points were still against him so he couldn't move. Then he looked along the Main Line. "Peep! Peep!" He whistled in horror, for rushing straight towards him was Gordon with the Express! "Ooh!" groaned Gordon. "Get out of my way!" Percy opened his eyes. Gordon had stopped with Percy's buffers a few inches from his own, but Percy had begun to move. "I won't stay here, I'll run away!" he puffed. Percy went straight through Edward's Station, and was so frightened that he ran right up Gordon's Hill without stopping.

[@oudaios]

My son reliably tells me that James, as a tender engine, is the odd one out because all the other engines are tank engines. Great video as always - thanks.

[@the4tierbridge]

Very nice loco today Sam!

[@foxhillrailway2252]

james was the odd one out, he's a tender engine... great new Percy🚂👍🏻Neil

[@jeffreysmith156]

I am not in the market for one of these but I do not like the blacked out and solid cab interior. The lack of a coupling at the front is weird. The joint along the top is not done well. On yours I wonder if the running plate is a bit warped as well. Yes, it is shorter than the Hornby one and the coupling rods, etc are better. I assume that some of the price goes towards copyright royalties.

[@MaxxD86]

Bachmann need to do new faces for their Thomas, James and Percy.

[@SuperRobotStudios]

Thomas and Percy, I agree. James I think has a more accurate face than both of them; not entirely one to one with the show, but he looks good.

[@jeannedarcalterberserker8620]

I was about to yell when I saw the quality of the moulding combined with the price but when I saw the performance, much like the Beattie Well Tank, you finally see where the money went it runs quite nicely. As much as I like the look of the Bachmann, the Hornby one wins for me it's much nicer made and because it's partially built to be Percy except that it fits on the 0-4-0 standard chassis it's quite good in my opinion. I like the face of the Hornby one more I don't like the eye mechanism and it had metal safety valves which look good. Idk how much it costs nowadays but I would take the Hornby one even though it's slightly worse in performance. Great review, Sam 👍

[@MATT2productions]

Percy with a sound decoder. That's cool. I have Thomas but I wonder if US Thomas can have a sound decoder in here like in the US. I need a Percy to go with Thomas. Bachmann Percy has some errors which some modelers have issues with. But he is Decent. Percy arrived to help with the railway while the 3 big engines Gordon Henry and James went on strike so they can have repsect about Tender engines don't shut. U r lucky to have him.

[@rdhnl]

Great video Sam, I noticed that Percy whistle is messing in a few parts of the video.

[@fastoutnotforkids7192]

The reason why alot of Thomas fans customized any of these Thomas and freinds is simply because the eye movement mechanism. Its just to hard on the motor as its trying to run the eyes and move the train at the same time. So alot of people remove the eye movements gears and just have it run the wheels. Ideally if the gears are removed from the eye movements the motor 1. Last a heck of alot longer. (Again ideally) 2. If done correctly a dcc clips and wire lights can happen. Like the lamps or if you got something like thomas, Annie and clarabel or coaches lighting up as well.

[@TobyOliverHenryFan]

Also why was Oliver on a hidden siding next to the paper crane? I never even supposed that there was a siding there.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Yes percy

[@paulcarroll7767]

Nice to see a UK Bachmann Percy, Sam and here’s some suggestions you could always look into some other Bachmann Thomas models such as Donald and Douglas and Bill and Ben if you haven’t reviewed them before and you could also review some other Hornby Thomas models too maybe some rolling stock or coaches from the Hornby Thomas range and maybe you could review a Bachmann 611 locomotive if you wanted but these are just suggestions take care and cheers :)

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

hi sam, its abe likes boco and henry, just saying i havent stopped watching you! :p

[@MonopodMan]

After watching Simon Martin's take on the Bachmann Percy from 10+ years ago, it is nice to see your take on the Bachmann Percy. In my opinion, Hornby Percy's face is better. Also, you forgot to mention that there is no plastic coupling hook on Percy's rear bufferbeam.

[@samgarnett9174]

I sold a second duplicate brand new Bachmann Percy 2 months back on eBay. Just had a message from the buyer which read “been running it everyday for the last 2 months on full power and it’s suddenly stopped running”. Not sure what she was expecting me to do as the lady asked “anything you can do?”

[@pdgaming220]

Finally got him sam

[@kineuhansen8629]

man i would love to have some thomas engines i loved that show as a kid and it was got me into trains almost had the change to see thomas in real life 2 years ago but covid happend and evrything shot down sadly

[@meeeun7001]

You finally got Bachmann Percy! 😊

[@richardhiggins6471]

I don't know why Bachmann have left off the front coupling. Couplings at each end add to the play value of a toy loco because it can run around it's train and shunt wagons in both directions. The only locos I have that don't have front couplings are the big express trains that would never need to push a few wagons or coaches into a siding.

[@matthewhdz8192]

You have to do a review on Bachmann Diesel, Paxton, Original James, and Annie and Clarabel since those are the only Bachmann Thomas And Friends characters you haven't got yet (at least those that I know about unless there is any more you are missing).

[@SeanBodine]

To answer your question regarding the faces, I'd have to say Hornby, but that's only because it reminds me of a Wooden Railway model I have of Percy. The Bachmann one looks very good, but something about the Hornby version looks better.

[@thatrandomguy5198]

I know it’s not really your thing to look at but I think it be interesting to see your take and review on the Bachmann thomas narrow gauge line Like skarloey or rusty.

[@JustTomYTreckless]

Finally you got the green caterpillar with red stripes

[@Marvin-Crusader]

Since I grew up watching the Models and not the CGI I have to agree that the hornby Percy's face is more arcuate.

[@TheCreativeType]

Gordon was on strike too, all 3 of the big engines went on strike because Thomas was running his branch line instead of piloting at Knapford, and they thought tender engines weren’t fit for shunting (even though Edward did it all the time), so Topham got Percy to pilot in place of Thomas.

[@trainfan998]

Bachmann is right, chipping the model is a simple task. Keep in mind I just got a Heljan class 17.

[@ItsTrainFun]

I got the other version, I had to solder a DCC decoder in it. He runs so cute!

[@MrBnsftrain]

The odd one out is Bachmann James, being the only tender engine. Aside from the DCC socket, the only other major change to Percy for the UK release is the front coupling hook and lamp irons being thicker (and possibly the buffers and brake pipe. I don't own a Bachmann Percy so I don't know) 11:20 Bachmann did re-color Percy without a face for the UK market and named it Greg, but that version did have a front coupler. The Percy and James models clearly have room for front couplers but were never given them as Percy and James When this model was released in 2002, it cost around $30. Twenty years later, Bachmann is selling Percy for $115 on their website.

[@FerroequinologistofColorado]

From what I remember from watching Tomas when I was little the lamps on the engines were operational. At least the front ones as far as I remember.

[@cdyvids22]

Finally, after years of waiting, it's finally paid off. We got percy! Also the hornby face is better

[@ieuanbriers]

I would say the old one out is James as all the other models appear to be tank engines: Thomas, Percy, Rosie, Oliver and Duck.

[@2182jenny]

Hi sam I was wondering if you could please make a video of the bachmann black james and Paxton

[@mgr_video_productions]

Great review Sam! I didn't know that Bachmann had one of their Thomas & Friends characters be DCC ready. Most of theme are DC only here in the USA version but I think lately Bachmann has been starting to add sound and/or DCC equipped versions of Thomas and maybe Percy in recent years.

[@markorollo.]

i hope you won't mind me saying this, it is meant as a compliment, but ive thought it before, might have even said it before, and this video just made me think it again, you really should try and go down the presenting/narration on kids tv road, i think you would be great at it, i dont know if it exists today or if there is any plans for it but doing something on a Thomas tv series would be the perfect match!. and now im a nearly 48 year old that wants a thomas the tank engine train set.

[@DuckTheGWREngine8]

13:24 I'm gonna see this in my dreams tonight

[@WTT_321]

I don't know if you noticed his iron lamps and coupling hooks, but they're made thicker due to them being advertised for younger kids of 3+, pretty much to comply with the UK safety standards compared to their US counterparts, but one of the Thomas model's I got from a set actually has the thicker coupling hooks and iron lamps, which meant they now carried this change over to the US versions. As for the face, Hornby's is better since it's very accurate, to the point I remember at one point, someone replaced the Bachmann version w/ Hornby's face... It's also frustrating that by this point in time (at the time of typing this comment), it's 2 decades old, meaning I wish Bachmann can actually update not only their faces, but whatever cheap details like their lamps that made these models look so off when they made these models in 2002...

[@yoniazrad429]

Well you finally got the Bachman Percy

[@azuma892]

I was so excited to see you starting to review the Bachmann Thomas range back in 2017, the first one to be reviewed was Emily if I remember correctly, such good memories... 🥲

[@SamsTrains]

Awesome!! Yes I think it probably was Emily! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@pjs_trains_n_things]

i have wanted to get a Bachmann Percy for the longest of time, i find him really cute. only issue is, i operate dcc. now that the UK has the DCC ready model i decided to get one while watching this. so now im importing a Percy to the US.

[@2DIttyBitty]

Sam you need to look at the 009 narrow gauge engine skarloey

[@TheCreativeType]

I can agree with your opinions on the looks, Bachmann gets the proportions and overall looks on these engines better than Hornby, but they can often struggle with the face, namely Thomas & Percy having odd ones.

[@matthewgersch1901]

Nice Unboxing And Review SamTrains

[@davidhall5868]

I think Percy might need two mail vans to deliver the mail to toywreck station on your layout

[@SwordlordRoy]

As someone who grew up watching the model series, I agree with you that the Hornby Percy face is indeed more...Percy...than the Bachmann one...if anything the Bachmann one, combined with the slow and calm eye movement, make me wonder who he's plotting to off by the next video.

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

It seems they've improved the motor, then, because my Percy's a bit gutless. Shame about the plasti whistle, though, my older one has a turned metal whistle. I fully agree on the body removal, having to split the saddle tank is a pain in the ass. Similar for the lack of front coupling, just why. I may find a way to add one, although I'd rather just get a decent shunting loco and let my Percy go back to being mostly a collectable, but I'm generally too broke for that right now.

[@ajvids1869]

Cool percy sam and you forgot that gordon with on strike with james and henry too

[@Leonardo-cw1dd]

rosie, james(my bet is the odd one out being a tender engine not a tank engine), duck, oliver are the engines i found (for the UK percy the coupling and the pipes are actually more accurate than the original US ones which are grey which is not correct at all there supposed to be black, there are no rear couplings and/or pipes)

[@Leonardo-cw1dd]

@John Thomas nah its cool. i grew up with the classic thomas and friends episodes. not the new fangled nonsense kids have these days

[@tonypetts6663]

1:55 Sam gets Percy out 🤭 25:34 Sam covered Percy 😋 No, just me? Okay, I'll get me coat...

[@owendinostudios1200]

Just thought of an interesting idea, could I send you a Hornby Bill (Thomas & Friends) for Salvage or Scrap?

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome my dear friend

[@Slammedyams]

Hi Sam any chance of a video on your controller and how you run multiple trains at once? P.s I bought one of the pumpkin mobiles I got number 31 and i really like it👍

[@joeleboeuf]

6:38 Actually, all of the big engines were on strike, Gordon, James, and Henry.

[@Dododiddkeododo]

Finally you have Percy now you've unboxed and reviewed you can put in your shelf, you'll have to let him pull the mail,great video keep it up,could you review a Murphy models,I keepmon saying this but no pressure

[@SamsTrains]

Finally!! Now they're pretty much complete! I have done a Murphy already :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Mildcat743]

The face is one of the biggest gripes US modellers have had with Thomas, Percy, and James, as they still use the original faces from when they were first made, which were more based on promotional artwork than the actual show models. Later models like Gordon and Henry have much better and more accurate to the show faces. The front coupling hook issue is also uniquely shared with the initial 3 models.

[@KingKuron_]

I never really liked that the early Bachmann models-Thomas, James, and Percy-have no front coupling hooks, mostly from the perspective that it just *eliminates* one way of functionality in terms of use.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Yeah the Hornby Percy is actually more to scale than the Bachmann Percy. The Bachmann Percy seems to be more toy-like in all except for face. The Hornby Percy seems to be more aimed at serious collectors. You could counter the moulded effect by sanding down the seams. Adding a dcc decoder and flipping the PCB board could help improve the running quality. A proper running speed would be 10 percent speed at most.

[@MrNoUsername]

FINALLY!!!!!!! BACHMANN PERCY!!!!

[@Percy5581]

I'm finally out of the recovery room so I'm gonna finish this vide

[@joncrawford3485]

GWR Tank engine @ 21:55. That may be green but it's sure not a Percy :)

[@DangerAngelous]

Ohhh I’m waiting for you to get to the horrific bearing situation, assuming it’s the same as 15 years ago Edit this is so much better than it was 15 years ago thank goodness, you’d have had a heart attack if you saw what Bachmann Percy’s old chassis looked like!