Dapol's New LSWR Class B4 | Unboxing & Review

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A review of Dapol's latest release of the LSWR Class B4
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0:00 Intro
2:26 Unboxing
5:38 Prototype info
6:48 Detail
12:11 Mechanism
18:20 Performance
22:10 Haulage
28:24 Ratings
31:09 Final thoughts

[@thatairplaneguy]

I sure wish there was an American Sam’s trains. I know you do some American model reviews sometimes but I’d sure like to see more but don’t want to take away from what you like and your country’s viewers. You’re so fair and honest, nice and wonderful to listen to you’re in a class all your own IMHO

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

Hi Sam, I recently DCC sound fitted 2 of these locos. A good trick is: Remove the 4 screws from base keeper plate, remove base keeper, remove the body screws. Replace & secure base keeper plate with 2 of the 4 screws, then you can right the model without the axles/couplings etc. falling out I do agree, it is a rather daft way of doing things! Keep up the great work Boa

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

It’s funny to see such an open cab with no driver. Looks somewhat comical when running

[@SamsTrains]

haha that's true - this'd be a good candidate for fitted crew! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TIMMEH19991]

I do think its silly that they put firebox glow on something that is not visible most of the time when a real loco is running, but the crew who is always there when running are not included!

[@alancharles6789]

How queer! I’ve never before thought the absence of a crew was a spoiler, but with that beautiful light cab interior, it definitely needs a couple of denim-suited crew. Lovely looking engine though

[@gs425]

Just to say the main reason for compensation is to keep all 4 wheels on the track at all times to give as much pick up as possible. Note also the motor is skew wound, to further improve on cogging

[@hiryu6672]

It is always a joy when I see your videos in my recommendations. I do appreciate the stunning level of quality that you put into your videos 👌

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

I really like the cab design Sam, it's such a unique looking piece. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

I agree -never seen anything else like it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@dennisbailey6067]

The detailed reviews are what make you videos so good. Flywheels are a must on all locos,the slow speed tests show this.

[@lucysblade]

Thanks for a thorough review. I think I will put this under tempting at the right price.

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam such a beautiful locomotive

[@jeffheins6624]

Thank you for showing what is involved with servicing, I am thinking on chipping mine

[@thestocktonflyer4059]

Great video sam 👍 nice little loco

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Sam good review. I love my two and wanted to add another one but... anyway, sad to see a few errors creeping in, that front box looks bad. The compensated chassis is designed to keep all four wheels on the track if there are any humps thus pickup is maintained.

[@cirseltoo]

I find that the compensation means that the B4 is the ONLY 0-4-0 type in my collection still standing. All of my locos are sound-fitted and a stay-alive is essential if they are to actually run on the layout. The B4s are the only locos running on the layout without stay-alive, the compensation keeps them on the track properly. When running a layout for the public you do not want locos stalling randomly. The Dapol delivers superbly in this respect- my Hattons Barclays and Hornby Pecketts have now been sold on as too unreliable in service.

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains 😊

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Brian! :D

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam's trains

[@seich-of-lacan-getter514]

Oh my word, i love the design, its the kind of engine of love, like itd be apart of the main cast in Thomas, like in the station yard

[@applejuice5272]

0:14 😂 Perfect Sam!

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Agree with your comments about difficult body removal and chip fitting. I was unwary, turned it over and the axles, rods and springs all fell out, It was a real pig getting it all back together again.

[@lindaoffenbach]

Always relaxing these reviews after supper and with a coffee. Charming model but such a pity with all those quality issues. Even the pcb is wonky under stress, and why does Dapol not address the issue of their droopy couplings. Are their NEM pockets not according to the standard? You've been too generous with Value we think Sam. We would tend towards 3 stars tbh but that's because flawless quality for us is self-evident. All those issues would be a straight return from us but we can understand the charm of the model as well. Cheerio.

[@JustinFrazier_360]

That's so cool sam

[@Thomas_Kelly]

Another good review, it was kinda funny hearing the confusion in your voice when you couldn't remove the body... Also was very surprised by that huge flywheel on this loco.. I would expect that with a bigger tender loco. I would say this is better than what hornby are producing with those random beatles locomotives however.

[@hamstreetjohn9094]

Used to drive Normandie on the Bluebell, she would struggle with the number of wagons you hung on the back. The open cab was only on the ones which worked in Southampton docks and they soon got better cabs when they left there. Normandie was given the open cab after overhaul and on a winters day it was not fun working a train.

[@JRS06]

The B4 is just an adorable little loco. I saw No. 102 "Granville" at Bressingham last year and thought it was really nice. The one thing that offputs me is the somewhat unusual cab design, although apparently it's just to help the drivers see out of it better.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh that's awesome - don't think I've ever seen one in person! Yes it's very unusual - but only some versions of the model have it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mkaustralia7136]

The droopy coupling does not seem to be fixable by removing the loco’s hook (which seems to fall off on other Dapol items I have) On the coupling test, the failure to couple is because the hook hits the bottom on the coupling loop on the wagon. But from the video when it is coupled, the wagon’s coupling hook seems to be incapable of falling far enough to engage the loco’s coupling loop. Some serious blue tack work to lift that droop. (Please do not snigger!)

[@rogermew5578]

Hi all and of course Sam OK my vintage controllers, Meccano controller black 15v in with lever only has overload runs on 12-15Vdc probably 1938/9. Also an A3 controller transformer with O/P for other controller (15Vdc ) controlled (12 - 0 - -12v dc Forward and reverse) and 16V ac for "things"! The A3 is circa 1953. Both have o.load and the A3 resets by turning back to stop and will take 2 modern engines or 1 old 3 rail. My own home made PSU will take 7A (and charge motorcycle batteries) but with a short, the current "goes" no volts nothing. Remove fault and power back. Now something you are forgetting, with wall wart PSU is that they HAVE to have short circuit protection. However, my concern is that if you use a power supply that is separate, and supplied with controller, then it MUST be the one supplied. If say a car battery is used then you COULD have a fire when there is no fault current o/l. Former Elec eng for various organisations.

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I bought the LSWR when they first came out. Mine runs really well at low speed.

[@hughoconnor9172]

It would've been interesting to see how it coupled with the replacement option and I noticed the front coupling looked to be at the correct height.

[@gingeronrails]

There's been a stash of these rotting on rails for years. Always wondered if they were worth anything. This video answers that!

[@a2020vision_official]

Well I already bought one of these. I was looking for something relatively cheap and relatively modern (model is modern that is) in an SR livery and this did it. Then I dropped it, and for a while I thought I'd broken something - turns out it was just the weird axle compensation you mentioned.

[@OlivierGabin]

For the internal access for DCC chipping, I had been warned that it was awful. So, I bought the DCC on board version.

[@richardbarrow3109]

I reckon the stalling on the points when hauling the train is due to the loco lifting its front wheels under load

[@wobblinwheel]

I really like the look of this little loco! The colors are really nice...I would love to get one if I could find one in the US. Can't you "easily" unplug the NEM couplings and bend them up to align them? At least, that's what I would do...of course I would install knuckle couplers, as all of mine have been converted to Kadee type couplers. Look and function SO MUCH better than those weird things you Limeys like to use. Got any ideas where I could get one without shipping across the pond? The Trans-Atlantic shipping USED to be quite reasonable ten years ago, but probably not now...🤔

[@Tvrtko_I]

This is also the loco Lady (from TATMR) was based in

[@alan_mythicalgnome]

Visually, it is quite an attractive model. The droopy couplings have become a normal quirk with Dapol which nearly always come off and lost in the most inaccessible areas of the layout. It would be nice to own one as a light industrial loco, accepting the fact that it doesn't pull great loads of rolling stock.

[@user-tt4sx5ve1q]

I repaint the rods on mine with oily steel, looks so much better.

[@Bulliedpacific34105]

I got mine a few months ago the main reasons is that im an lswr fan and my one is no 99 'Dorset' my home county. :)

[@myrandomthings1]

You could add some weights inside of the saddle tanks

[@m10cachilles43]

I do wonder if you could fit a tire balancing weight in each side tank to assist the weight of the loco.

[@maltnz]

08:13 Did you mention the crooked box under the front brass piping?

[@Alpha-oo8]

Hmmm, that finish, it looks like it had two different levels. The boiler and smokebox has a nice sheen them, but the tanks look fairly matte to me. What do you think? Am I just seeing it at the wrong angle?

[@srgmiller340]

Hi Sam the pulling power does really need to be strong as in most dockyards the loco would most likely be only pulling three maybe four wagons Nice video love the old style Locos

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Is the fibre and dust bits on the loco body included ?

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

I'm wondering how old this review really is! I've had my model - same as this one - for nearly two years now. Its a lovely model; I'm very pleased with it and have so far had no problems. If there's any real criticism its that she's quite light in weight, and the coupling rods appear to be plastic - I'd prefer metal for durability. The important thing is that she does what I want her to, runs reliably and looks good.

[@timharrison2894]

Sam you should do a top 10 on the most awkward DCC fits. Those one should have a head start. I could nominate the Bachmann 4mt tank on the grounds that is has a Speedo cable, 5 screws (2 hidden under weeks) and very fragile pipework. Also a special award for least helpful documentation

[@OragamiTobichi-bi6lh]

Yeah so it looks good and beautiful. Small as ever. But my Spencer broke his side rods. Now i have to send him to bachman to get him fixed. I hate to see him go. Keep being awesome my friend

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Ahh that's a pity - hope they can fix him for you!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Taggart00]

This was one of my last purchases at Hattons.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah reckon this was one of my last ones too :(

[@MoonlightFox]

how easy would it be to add a capacitor to the circuit to prevent/reduce cutouts?

[@Jude-72]

I'm intrested to get one seeing as the bluebell one is coming back to steam.

[@grahamariss2111]

May be try it on some Dapol wagons with the classic Dapol drooping couplings. 😂

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Funny story Sam, I actually have one of these in the BR black and I absolutely love it, although I'm still try to find one in the LSWR green for a good price. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - the LSWR green one is lovely if you can find it :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@daniel14duck33]

Great Review Sam! By any chance can you try to review the Bachmann Paxton from the Thomas and friends range? For a Thomas model, I think you will like the look of the model Cheers!

[@andrewdking]

Like the Pecketts, its a nice looking thing. It will sell based on that alone.

[@DennisLora2001]

Hey Sam I don't mind the model but can you tell me about Dapol which is the company that made this model.

[@WhistleStopWonders.]

Hello, i was running in my b4 and the front wheel came loose and the rods have gone the wrong way round and plus the wheels have gone into a weird angle so it balances on 3 wheels. Any help?

[@froopty1854]

Was it hot in the room when you filmed this? I saw your thumb touch the side of the model and it left a bit of residue during the unboxing.

[@SolarPoweredHobbies]

is this not the same class of loco that hornby was measuring up to design a new starter set loco in the last series of their tv show?

[@star86703]

Nice looking engine I like the green on this loco😊😊

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Sam - I like the green too! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@reecemorrison88]

With my locos with nem couplings I bluetack the couplings into its proper place to stop them dropping down so the coupling is more successful

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds good - thanks for the tip Reece! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidstrains4910]

It’s a decent idea but one major downside is it creates a big mess, especially if you intend to replace the tension lock couplings at a later date, last year I bought a rake of hornby Mk3 coaches which had those hunt magnetic couplings fitted but because I don’t use them I had to remove them, they had been blu tacked in and while removing I also had to dig bits of blu tack out of the NEM pockets.

[@reecemorrison88]

@@davidstrains4910 some bits of blue tack do get stuck in the sockets of my locos so what I tend to do it get a fine screwdriver and gently pick them out as some of my locos have the body screw under the couplings

[@mrbluesky2050]

Kinematic plus NEM equals 'dear drooper...' height isn't too much of an issue with tension locks, but with anything else... different matter. a little bit of Q.C. at packing wouldn't go amiss as well,

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Why not reinstall the basekeeper after removing the body screws to prevent things from falling out?

[@fluffyboom6302]

I must say I am surprised by Dapol for having a "lower" quality product, I feel they tend to be one of the go to brands for good build quality, but a plastic base plate and poor fittings was a surprise. Hopefully they will improve on their smaller locos

[@michaelschultz5127]

Could you put some weight in those tanks for more traction?

[@lewiscarty5517]

The B4 is a very unusual shunting tank engine, but it's definitely one locomotive that looks interesting. I know there is one that is preserved at the Bluebell Railway called 'Normandy' but I am not sure if it's still there or not.

[@mattlander9119]

There is another at Bressingham. Normandy/No 96 is still at the Bluebell. Recently moved into Atlantic House for overhaul not Beachy Head has left.

[@skyrocket0113]

Hi Sam, this a lovely looking loco but shame it's so light in weight! All models definitely need diecast metal in them to give them pulling power & a decent motor! Cheers for the review Sam👍

[@wartrain_29]

Is this a new batch? I thought they already released ages ago?

[@johncottee8314]

A lovely looking loco but a bit surprised a small 0-4-0 with short wheel base has a recommended minimum 2nd radius!

[@paolomargini7904]

It's a pity that with such a precise look the couplings are so bad. Did you try those in the accessory bag? Just to see how they work.

[@ronjohnston8693]

hi Sam, loved the review think your score was a bit generous, in the times we are living in a plastic 'toy' regardless of detail should cost well under £100 rrp maybe I'm just behind the times?

[@applejuice5272]

31:27 "I'm being mooooved!"

[@ReggieArford]

Considering the size of train it is pulling, you might rate its pulling power as more than just 8 coaches.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Hi Sam I don't think there was a odd on out this time, but I did see a L&YR pug, 2 Hornby pecketts, and the Hattons Andrew Barclay, hopefully I got them all ;) Cheer Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Very well spotted on those!! :D

[@garethparkin9498]

There was a lot of oil underneath that base keeper plate

[@johncranston4051]

Hi Sam love the videos! Have some news if you don’t know In a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange, Hornby said: “Further to the announcement dated 23 February 2024 giving details of Frasers Group plc as a strategic shareholder, Mike Ashley has entered into a consultancy agreement with Hornby through Mash Holdings Ltd (a company wholly owned by Mike Ashley) This could change the way they bring new models in?

[@WojciechGamer]

do you ever plan on getting a Hornby First Great Western dynamic lines HST

[@SamsTrains]

That would be cool - I do need to try one of their HSTs! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@FrankensteinsMonster-1313]

Damn ya'll have the best lookin locomotives over there in Europe. I wish they sold them here in NC USA. I'm building an ho(oo ya'll call it) loop above my S scale American Flyer layout and would love some English equipment.

[@davidgapp1457]

The droopy coupling is completely unacceptable in a shunter. What were they thinking?

[@kimcason8764]

Nice looking 'Wee Beastie..!' But what is it, with Dapol & Their Couplings..?? I have 3 Dapol wagons and all 3 have Droopy Couplings. (1 is Real Bad.) And so are a Pain to include in a Rake..! Most other companies have Couplings Nailed. But not Dapol.!?🤔 Great Review Sam. Glad I won't be trying to Chip one of those. Because sadly, I won't be Buying one..! Cheers Kim in Oz. 😎 P.s. to be fair, I prob'ly won't be able to find one in Oz anyhoo..!😂

[@VFCproductions]

It shocked me to hear you saying it was light asnd couldn't pull much when mine is an absolute power house! I can have mine shunt 8 mark 1s with ease... Then I remembered I took mine apart and shoved the tanks full of lead...

[@ianjeffery6744]

A pretty little thing - a shame it wasn't quite up to scratch, so to speak! I did think of buying one, but maybe I'll wait until the next lot of Hattons P class appear...

[@Jimyjames73]

A nice Little Loco 😉🚂🚂🚂

[@glennwoods2462]

Possibly the besterest cab interior on a model loco I've seen..... It really does need more weight though.... Are you thinking of 3D printing any cab crew for it ?

[@TomPrickVixen]

Looks like there's room for some extra weight in there. So it might worth to tinker with it a little.

[@christopherwarren9439]

Sam this train LSWR Class B4 reminds me of the loco steam engine in the film north west frontier and that was in india go and have a look at the film and see if i am right love your vids

[@shreosisircarmondal4348]

Is itbonly me or the P4 is laggy or video footage is laggy. By the way nice video SAM :)

[@richardcolvin8629]

Wait hattons? I thought they closed?

[@Kiefer_raptor_shark]

Has yours not got firebox glow? the one i have dose, mine being the B4 0-4-0T LSWR Dark Green 82

[@user-mv6ve8pm7k]

If you look at about 22:23 you’ll see Sam showing the firebox glow.

[@Kiefer_raptor_shark]

@@user-mv6ve8pm7k ah bugger I see it now, I was a little distracted while watching, cheers, thought it would be odd if they only put it in some variants and not others

[@Alextrains502]

Love the b4

[@SamsTrains]

Me too! :D

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Sam. I'm a little confused by your several references to a purchase price of £99 while you paid £107+; are we talking about the original price, or variants available at the time of this release? Why can't manufacturers make (an almost) perfect model? According to your list of "defects" in design, many of these could be rectified without massively increasing the price.

[@Alextrains502]

Cool

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Alex! :D

[@bryantan863]

The B4 model from Dapol is pretty good but its design really sucks which can make people pretty annoyed. If it was designed properly, it would have been a very easy model to maintain properly. Overall, it is an okay model Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I think so too - some of Dapol's newer designs have been much better than this! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@KennyBacchus-yg3uv]

Depots New Lawr class B4 unboxing and review

[@OragamiTobichi-bi6lh]

Very beautiful and very small. And I have bad news. My Spencer broke his rods. I am sad. Now I'm going to have him shipped to Philadelphia to get repaired. I hate that I hate to have him go

[@SamsTrains]

Fingers crossed for your Spencer - hopefully he'll be fine! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Small, Light locos NEED a large flywheel !

[@richardc674]

What a shame - a shunting loco that cannot be used for shunting because the coupling wont couple (and because the hook is so low, wont uncouple either!). Seems a bit of a fundamental problem to me.

[@HighWigsell]

Mine has been terrible. Mechanism jams all the time, coupling rods fall off ditching their screws randomly, bits fall off, can barely pull itself, let alone a wagon, nor will mine get up a slope. Other than that I really like it.

[@dutydruidfilms11]

Tiny but worth it?

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

👍👍

[@Taggart00]

The Sandbox is what it next to the smokebox which is wonky.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh thanks for letting me know - yeah it is wonky!

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Front coupler looks more level ...

[@nigelericogden3200]

Droopy couplings … the mind boggles !!

[@joshuaW5621]

I’ve bad news Sam. My nana is dying in the hospital at the moment.