Great Quality From Heljan! | New ES1 Electric | Unboxing & Review

[@kevmc291]

The "steam whistle" is actually air powered, similar to those used on the Underground. The filler caps are for sand. Doubtless, the sanders got a lot of use on the steep gradients

[@davidballoid2118]

Thank you for helping Sam out today, I try to as much as I can about little details like Sand Wells and Air Compressor apposed to steam power components. I just hope he realizes that we are trying to help and not badger him.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Kevin - yeah that makes a lot more sense, really appreciate the info!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@pokeprime94]

Really wish we could get another dark running session with headlamps, always so nice to watch

[@andrewpalm2103]

This type of electric loco was known as a "steeple cab" in the US. They were used in the first half of the 20th century primarily on electric interurbans (somewhat beefed up tram lines that ran between cities). Most of them were fitted with trolley poles on the cab roof. They were used as freight locomotives on those systems which typically did not have a heavy freight business. As a former electric traction modeller I would snap up an HO undecorated US prototype version of this loco in a New York minute and would add overhead wire to my current layout just to run it. Thanks so much for this review, Sam, and cheers from Wisconsin!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Andrew, yeah I've heard them called steeple cab too - a sensible nickname! Really appreciate all the extra info, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@paulcaswell2813]

Not unlike the German/Swiss 'Crocodiles'.

[@josephbrandtner7713]

Filler caps are for sand. Sand is for tractions assist on slippery rail.

[@railsofontario3029]

Looks like Heljan is finally getting better at making models! The thing looks great as well! Nice review Sam:)

[@SamsTrains]

It's definitely a step up for sure - still room for improvement, but overall decent quality! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@formidable38]

I note that they have used the same split axle and pick-up and bearing system as Athearn Genesis and Kato locomotives (not Athearn blue box or RTR, as they are different again). In my experience of those, they tend to run very well but sometimes the wheel spigots can slip in the axle gear causing gauging issues. All in all though, its a far better mechanism than the usual Heljan we know. The advantage of this system is that they don't suffer from dirty pickups like the usual wipers can.

[@gilbertporter4992]

What about the 07? Is Heljans class 07 good quality?

[@railsofontario3029]

@@gilbertporter4992 I’ve heard good things about the 07. But I’m talking about certain models not the 07. Like the 1361 or Tango.

[@dtb2654]

how can you say that when they hide body screws behind the bogies? having clear access to the loco for servicing and DCC fitting, even DC is an essential part of model railways and it's design is clearly unacceptable that even a poor third rate manufacturer could overlook this.

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Omg. High quality Heljan. Never thought that would happen!

[@SamsTrains]

Yep!! Not quite at the standard as others in my opinion, but it's the best I've had from Heljan! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Over here in the usa, we call them is box cabs. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Very cool - thanks for the fun fact! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidstrains4910]

Saw two of these in a display case at the York national railway museum the other day and from what I saw they looked really good, from my experience heljan has always been a great quality manufacturer making great models of the one off locomotives.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks David - yes this is a particularly great loco! Glad you've had good experiences with Heljan ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@elizabethmorgan9470]

Locomotive at exactly 30 minutes

[@azuma892]

Aww this thing is so cute kudos to Heljan for doing a decent job on this beautiful prototype. :)

[@roberthuron9160]

Those NER/BR engines were the basic Alco/GE or BLW/WESTINGHOUSE 50 ton Steeple cabs! The only other ones operated in Britain were the Metropolitan Railway, and the Central Railway tube line! The Metropolitan engines were rebuilt into the model that you've got! Operators in the US,were the NYCTA(former BRT),Chicago Rapid Transit[former CRT],and the Boston Elevated Railway[later MBTA/MTA],as they were rigged with overhead and third rail pickup! Also add the CNS&M,and CA&E,as operators! Over here, those engines were very common,and still are in service in Iowa! Thank you,Sam, a most interesting commentary! P.S. spotted that Brill trolley,and the GG-1! Thank you 😇!

[@alanwatson5929]

Info on the ES1. The covers on the bonnet were for sand, the tunnels were notoriously greasy and sand was needed for the climb. The wobbly pantograph is also accurate as drivers had a been known to enter the third rail fitted tunnels with the pantograph up knocking these off the cab roof.... not a problem when fitted with the original bow collectors.

[@GothicPrairie2319]

Every time I see that cow it brings a smile to my face, keep up the great reviews and hope to see more exotic locos like this one in the near future

[@SamsTrains]

haha I'm glad to hear that!! I hope to see more too :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@PorcyMane]

Those screws are a doddle to remove once you've popped off the collector shoes. Heljan designed them that way. The bogie sideframes can stay as Heljan intended.

[@MrBnsftrain]

The odd one out is at 29:56. It's a diesel railcar, but it is a Heljian. Two electric locomotives in a row? Nice! Locomotives similar to this were once a common sight on American interurban lines, but are quite hard to find in model form 13:48 I assume those caps are for sand filling. The whistle is air-powered, which other electric trains have.

[@nigelcole1936]

I have see the full size prototype at NRM Shildon and its a very interesting locomotive. I may order one but my past experience of Locomotion Models service has not been great. Great video as always thanks Sam.

[@andrewdking]

My experience with Locomotion has been excellent. First occasion the staff ran around looking for a City of Truro which they thought they had all sold out but found one deep at the back of a cupboard. Therefore probably the last one sold at that time anyway. Then last year my V2 Green Arrow was as dead as a Dodo. They sent a man in a van to pick it up free of posting charges and sent me another one 🙂

[@nigelcole1936]

@@andrewdking I my case the City of Truro never arrived and it took 6 months of awful, poor communication with them not replying to emails and phone calls to get the problem sorted out and never even an apology from them. Guess you were lucky.

[@SamsTrains]

It really is an interesting locomotive! Sorry to hear you've had a bad experience.. poor communication is definitely inexcusable. My experience of Locomotion has been like Andrew's though - I've not ordered much from them, but when I have it's always arrived and quickly! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@azuma892]

Sam it's so nice to see a steeplecab on your channel, they are one of my favourite types of locos actually. You should do a Japanese steeplecab one day, the Tenshodo Toshiba 40T is pretty good. 😊

[@SamsTrains]

It is nice - I believe this is the first one!! I should totally do that :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@little_britain]

On the issue of price - I would point out that as a very unusual prototype, run only in an extremely limited area (only a single short line), this may not get a lot of sales among modellers. That would mean the high development costs of such a detailed and accurate model would have to be born by fewer customers than say - a very popular model with widespread distribution or long mainline careers such as a Class 37, Peak, Deltic or 9F.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that’s a fair point - but the manufacturers decided to go ahead with it, and passed the costs onto their customers at £220 each. Regardless of the reasons, expectations have to be high for a small loco at that price, and as a reviewer I tried to decide whether it’s worth the money for potential customers, Cheers, Sam

[@umbreon0017]

Hey Sam, the odd one out is the class 73 parked near the GG1. Cheers from Pearse

[@gohan21ir]

Enjoyed seeing the GG1 tucked off to the side, I believe that is the same one is Altoona, PA. I have seen number 4800 at Strasburg, PA, beautiful locomotive.

[@r.a.monigold9789]

But just look at the front of it. No, that's the back. I thought the back was up there. I really like this. Great gift !! Thanks for sharing, Sam.

[@JustinFrazier_360]

Amazing review video sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Justin! :D

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Hi Sam I don't know if you read this but I found some more information on your GER 0-6-0 (GER Nr. 552 was the first of ten 0-6-0s built by Kitson in 1882 (K 2430-39). Initially used on the coal traffic, in later years they hauled ballast trains. All ten locomotives were withdrawn in 1904-06). I hope this helps you Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Fascinating - thanks so much for the extra info! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@cesarsaladx]

Wha-, How- WHAT?! Quality from HELJIAN?!?!? I never thought I'd see the day.. Ever. But I really love that green livery! #BringBackTheTartClass Heljian probably tried their best to make a Top-Tier locomotive because it were to be sold in museums, and high class markets.

[@cooltrainsinmontreal4883]

The hatches on the low slope hoods are for sand, which is used to give the wheels more traction effort on grades

[@Lighting_Desk]

Something fairly similar used to run from south shields along to tyne dock. For a while running alongside the Tyne and Wear Metro. Bei g from my neck of the woods this makes it especially of interest to me.

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Steeple top locos have such an interesting look

[@scunicycler]

Love the GG1 (spotted in the background). I live in Pennsylvania and I'm building an N-Scale layout focusing on American Electrics. Wish there were more options available for N-Scale though.

[@jake__sggr9732]

underrated locomotive that never got the attention it deserved in my opinion good work, Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

Definitely! It's great to finally see it in OO scale :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian! :D

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome my dear friend

[@Madonsteamrailways]

For Heljan, I’m impressed!! A friend of mine at the club has one.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree - very decent bit of kit! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@KibuFox]

The design of the locomotive is actually based off of a design that General Electric (US builder) had previously pioneered in the late 1800's. This specific locomotive design is a near exact copy (with some modifications) of a set of steeplecabs which GE built for interurban service here in the US, as well as exporting off to France and Italy.

[@tudu_ab]

One of my favorite locomotives !

[@SamsTrains]

Awesome! I can see why :D

[@chrisjackson9978]

Water filler caps? I would assume sand for use on the rails, as the prototype worked a steeply graded line, sanding to help get traction on greasy rails, especially within the tunnels.

[@geoffpope5076]

I remember seeing on scuttling around gosforth sheds 1960s. It was black.

[@alanwagstaff16]

To get the screws out to take body off you have to pop the collection shoes off either side of the boggies. See the review Jenny Krik did. But yeah it's a nice model.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Blimey, what a wonderful nightmare situation Christmas present choosing for you must be for your relatives! A lovely problem to have and full marks to them for getting it bang on and without spoiling your surprise by suspicious questions in the run up. Lucky chap!

[@davidmolin8944]

Everytime I see a review on such a odd loco I get interested in modeling it and sometimes I do, great video par usual

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - I hope you do!!

[@JohnNack]

29:25 I found the odd one out! An American Pennsylvania Railroad GG1!

[@srgmiller340]

I wonder if you could do some test of DCC on those locomotives that have it to see how they crawl as it may make some difference

[@soheiltrains]

Great video Sam. Epic model, I love the North Eastern Railway. Will you be doing a review of the Rapido 16inch 0-6-0 Hunslets? I've worked on Brookes No. 1 on the Middleton Railway in Leeds and whilst this is the 14inch variation of the Hunslet 0-6-0s, it is basically identical to the 16inch 0-6-0s.

[@robertsparks3685]

Great review. The loco is really great to look at. Great in 4K. The detail looks wonderful. I noticed that the light lenses are made true to era. Superb. I am very fond of this niche. I have 2 of the old Triang steeple cab pantograph locos. Does the pantograph accept power on this model? What a great Christmas present.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Robert - I've been very happy with how these models are looking at 4K - well worth it I think! Ahh yes the Tri-ang ones, such classics! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@JPoulAndersson]

Good review Sam, a very distinctive looking loco!

[@SamsTrains]

Very much so!! Glad you liked it, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@2theslasher]

Nice model Sam .glad to see that crane has stopped swinging about lol

[@ShikiKiryu]

I love early Electric Locos, really want one of these, nice to see it isnt terrible.

[@SamsTrains]

I do too - maybe wait and see if they reduce the price in the future? Their last few exclusives have remained in stock for an extended time, so hopefully that means they'll have to reduce the prices to sell them! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@thepoltroon992]

Looks very nice for a early electric loco, well done Sam excellent review as always :D

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you so much - yeah it's a super cool loco! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Sam. When you exposed the drive gears I didn't notice and lubrication.

[@aberfordwest4003]

The parcels bubble car is the exception:)

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Odd one out is the tram?

[@europacifictradersltd3717]

hi sam. a nice loco. i always associated that particular shape with swiss/german/belguim/swede and italian railways so they never drawn my attention to them even when knowing a few of them did run in the UK

[@MichaelJohnson-td1me]

Those lids on the ends of this loco are for sand which is used for traction

[@fairywolf7515]

just baought an atlas baldwin H660. box said 8 pin dcc ready so i was going to buy an 8 pin decoder at the ssame time but my hobby dealer wasnt sure wqhat it looked like so we popped it open and low and behold it had a 21 pin socket

[@dockerthom1775]

Thanks for the ES1 review, Sam. I love mine (from Locomotion), and of that pantograph I would only add that, once under the catenary, I think it sits more properly. A common issue to all three of your reviews that I have just seen is the design of pickups, ie wiper - split chassis - axle-point pickups as here. Although I accept all your comments, can it not be that both split chassis and axle-point pickups would benefit the more load is hauled? We all agree that the vertical force provided by loco weight improves adhesion and pickup reliability, but can it not also be that the horizontal forces on the bearings exerted on the bearings by pulling a heavy train have the same effect? I have noticed on e.g. my Bachmann split chassis locos there is a more consistent performance with a heavy train in tow. I think you might have noticed it with your Hunslet 16". Cheers! Thom, Bath

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Very tasty - a most interesting loco - looking forward to your review Sam 😀😀😀

[@scrailwaylines8535]

Hope I find some good loot at the train show this weekend

[@philkeller4170]

I suspect the filler caps are for sand - not water! (to improve adhesion when climbing the gradients). The whistle would most likely be compressed air powered - not steam.

[@cessnaace]

I've done some online research and was pleased to discover that Heljan also offers HO, N and O scales. Unlike Hornby and Bachmann however Heljan doesn't appear to have a U.S. retail presence, so if I wanted any of their products I'd have the added cost of import. And while the track, buildings, and rolling stock would be U.S. compatible I'm not sure about the locomotives. Will a European model locomotive (made for that market) run off of a U.S. power supply?

[@robertlucido3686]

Hey Sam, about I mentioned that I write, I made one of my characters (who's a volunteer steam locomotive fireman) where he's into British OO electric trains just like you

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow that's awesome - I'd love to see some of this stuff! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@iceeblueburst03]

Interesting looking shape for this locomotive. Kinda reminds me of Gator from Tale of the Brave.

[@harrytodhunter5078]

I always love seeing the real life thing when I go to NRM Shildon, its such a unique loco.

[@SamsTrains]

I'd love to go and visit it - the photos look amazing!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@odenviking]

nice eloco shunter and the livery is spot on. this es1 reminds me of a sj design. at last a die cast body and frame nice one. keep up the good work sam. 👍👍🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🙂🙂🙂👍👍

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for the comment - yep overall a great quality loco this one :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@soerenwizard]

A surprising headline. Greetings from Denmark.

[@paulisnotonfire]

On the price, I'd guess because it's an exclusive model (thus a limited run) and it's a prototype of two. Heljan would have had to re-coup their investment in it somehow. Personally, I'd really like to get one (as the line it would have ran on) is local to me. Price is really off putting and I don't know if I can justify it, but I may just get one. Cheers

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that always puts the price up doesn't it... though I do feel it wouldn't have cost them any more to be more thoughtful in their design and more generous in the features offered for £220. Yeah the price is hugely off-putting, but it's also a good model of an interesting prototype... a lot to weigh up! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@EsotericArctos]

It looks like the instructions for this loco are for an earlier version of it. It would be interesting to get Heljan's response to the incorrectly printed instructions.

[@hawnyfox3411]

Sam, I've GOTTA ask you an important question, for me, as regards to your "Lighting", please. I also have a Nikon DSLR with the "Expeed.4" like yours (750), but I was also wondering deeply.... How DO you get that SUPERB "White Light Background" seen at 09:33 onwards ???? Do you use a light diffuser (?), or a "Lightbox" when filming those sequences ?? What IS the lighting & power source, it looks SO good, I'd love to know.... I've numerous diecast model aircraft & I'd love to use a technique like yours ("if" only I knew how !) Thanks in advance, "Hawny"

[@adamwilliams192]

Interesting loco, glad Rails / Locomotion got some decent quality out of Heljan. Odd one out: Spotted a Class 128 (Diesel) at the bottom of Gordon’s Hill?

[@robertgates7686]

Nice review. A similar locomotive to this but to 3 foot 6 inch gauge is on display in the Australian National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide South Australia. The last remaining one of eight. Four built in the Uk and the remaining four in Australia to the same design.

[@Sebi1963]

The next ncim loco should be the prototype hst

[@Anamelessbrit5938]

I think the Heljan class 128 aka the railcar might be the odd one out I’m not too sure though

[@tomdg13]

Sounds right to me. Though ... for a moment I thought I spotted a Leader in the siding by the crane, which would be a very odd one out

[@railfilm]

From pantograph two connection rods are missing.😢😢

[@GinoACosta]

Sam, could I get Rails of Sheffield to install DCC and sound into one for me there? I really don't want to have to do it myself. Also, is there a way to clean and service the parts that need servicing without taking things apart?

[@mb2000]

Probably a stupid question, but you said a steam train would produce choking fumes in the tunnels, so they used these electric ones. Then they replaced them with diesel engines? Did diesel engines not emit their own fumes back then or am I missing something?

[@stratman9449]

apart from the "high"price and "cheap" gears, it's an interesting prototype with "character", and very similar in design to a bavarian loco of the berchtedgaden railway, where ther was just 3 llocos of this design....i like it.

[@jeffreysmith156]

I understand that one has to very carefully take off the plastic, push-fit, dummy collector bars on the outside of the bogies in order to get to the body retention screws. The instructions do seem to be rather lacking on this one. Better that than the instruction being better than the model though.

[@CustomiZe_]

Either, the instructions were written before the model was fully designed and built, I.e the instructions instruct on the model that heljan originally desired but couldn't produce or heljan doesn't count the speaker already fitted as a sugar cube speaker. So if you wanted to fit a sugar cube speaker they recommend you replace the current speaker in the housing rather than soldering in another speaker and place it somewhere else inside the loco, but that's all I can think of. 🤗

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I think it's the former - must have been written before the design was finalised... I'd say that speaker is a sugarcube, pretty sure it is?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@zironthegamer]

What’s that red and white trolley in the background

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Sam, Nice ,it does look good , good runner, (I could do with one,) All the best Brian 😃

[@corinheathcote9868]

There was a lot of 9f, class 20. Heljan have gone out the way to make rare locos, and that cost, you know all this Sam, value is 3.5 star at least. I can't afford it, but it's worth every penny.

[@jeffreysmith156]

I think there were some last minute changes to the specification that mean the instructions became out of date. I also wonder if this model costs more than you would hope because of the uniqueness of the tooling. A great review as always and I am pleased your present was not a critical disaster.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I think that's a likely explanation! Yes that's probably a reason why it's so expensive, but a model should always be worth the money in my opinion - we see plenty of obscure locos produced these days, and not all of them are this expensive! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

Odd man out is the DPU at 30:18.

[@scottdyke7853]

Sam, Another great video! Can I share some experience with you, I was lucky enough to work for a high profile Japanese electronics manufacturer back in the 1980s. The service manuals at the time were pretty good, although we did have to overlook the nuances of translation such as the 'frat braded screw driver' in earlier manuals, by the end of the eighties these manuals were tiptop without any ''lost in translation' issues. In the UK there used to be a position of technical writer, a person not associated with the design team that had to write the operation and service manuals. It was a bugger of a job, you had to work out the design philosophy for yourself with little help from the engineers, who by this time were feed up with the project and moved on to their next task. Long and short the workshop of the world is no longer Birmingham or Margate. Give them time, 5 years , they'll read the feedback and master the technical writing. Maybe there's a job opportunity for a bright young man to write English service and ops manuals. Keep up the good work.

[@andrewdking]

Upon being made redundant a few years ago as a mechanical engineer draughtsman / designer/ standards and specs writer, I considered doing just that. Taking the rubbish instructions found in product boxes and offering my expertise to rewrite them in a form the customer would understand. However, as I'd been at the company 42 years, the excellent pension automatically kicked in (irrelevant of being made redundant), so I found I didn't need to work any more 😃. I now do model making or fishing as the mood takes me.

[@SamsTrains]

That's a really interesting idea! I'd assume that Heljan do their own instructions in-house though... can't see them outsourcing that sort of work, though I could be wrong!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@scottdyke7853]

@@andrewdking I guess maybe there's a vicious circle attitude. The instructions don't make sense, the customers don't read them, the manufacturer doesn't invest in coherent instructions because the customer throws the instructions away with the packing. 😞

[@andrewdking]

@@scottdyke7853 With nearly every new bit of rolling stock, especially locos being now a collector's item, I certainly never throw any of the manufacturer's packaging away, only the shipping packaging. And then only after I've tested it and run the loco in. Not wise to throw instructions away when they all now contain the DCC functions and settings.

[@trongamer9412]

Odd one out is the engine coupled to the pullmans?

[@VFCproductions]

More cab lights that are on when running? That's fine if the driver doesn't want to be able to see the track...

[@Alpha-oo8]

I’m excited, there’s a few new locos arriving around about now. There’s dapols new class 59 (although the fact that we haven’t seen a review for it yet makes me wonder if you had to send it back and wait for replacement?) and rapido have just released their hunslet loco’s… couple that with accurascales new 92’s, and we eating well for new models! (Are you planning to review rapido’s hunslet?)

[@SamsTrains]

Absolutely - quite a lot of new models arriving now! The 59 review is on the way soon, as is the Hunslet one!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Alpha-oo8]

@@SamsTrains Looking forward to it, my good man!

[@EvexiansVideoworks]

Now that‘s a Damn Unique Loco!

[@Pennsy6755m1b]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay I'm so excited 😊

[@SamsTrains]

Me too!! :D

[@axelrajr]

usually with those musem exclusives, i believe the higher cost is going to the museum. hopefully that's what is happening and you are benefiting that particular museum directly. that paint thickness is really notable due to the price, quality control should have caught that. that one really hurt it i think.

[@attuslebeard5133]

I wanted one when it was announced but not at that price. I will add an ES1 to my North East collection but it will have to be a scratch built one.

[@bobbybill6784]

Sam, what if you did a challenge with two of your other friends to see the best used train of a specific type you can find for the cheapest and best? I think id be cool

[@SamsTrains]

That would be cool - thanks a lot for the awesome idea!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@andrewdking]

Those four body screws. You need to ask, how did Heljan assemble them in the first place ?

[@alantoms3263]

Very interesting locomotive, but as you say EXPENSIVE! Any chance of a look at the new Dapol 59 - generally very impressed with mine. Another fascinating locomotive I've just received is the Rapido Hunslet - I got Holly Bank #3 - absolute stunner, and super smooth .... if there's a but, it's long-term as it uses a split chassis. Al.

[@carolinarailfanning]

Quite oddly reminiscent of the famed Krokodil, just very.. smol. Electric steeplecabs I find quite unique. Also I believe the oddity today is the class 73 with the pullman consist, rather than pure electric, it's a bi-mode 3rd rail electric / diesel electric.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes very crocodile like... especially in the green! Good guess, not quite though!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@LawrenceTimme]

Best heljan ever I'd say

[@mrbluesky2050]

Is your oddball the Pennsy GG 1? ( or the MLV. not technically a locomotive?)

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam beautiful locomotive will you be getting the rapido Hunslet to do a review of it

[@paulhorn2665]

What a beautiful locomotive :-)

[@kayleighwhitehurst6274]

You always make my teeth curl by running on carpet, lol. But the model is great!

[@adammac.1342]

Why?

[@kayleighwhitehurst6274]

@@adammac.1342 Carpet fibres regularly get caught up in the gears and motor and cause damage to it.

[@Igstormchaser]

Is the odd one out the American GG1?

[@lapiswake6583]

As soon as one of these was announced, I knew I needed one (I just accept that this is the price I have to pay for obscurities). I learned about them during my researching locos back before I finished school, and I hope they release number 2 (later 26501) at some point as well. I've also seen the prototype at Locomotion several times. Mine was dispatched 5 days before I headed north for christmas, but it was held up at my local UPS depot so I didn't get to open her up until I headed back south again. I ran her in on a loop on my bed, then tested her with 8 bachmann mk1 suburbans and 4 bachmann mk2s, which she managed easily when all wheels were on the track (when one axle derailed, she slipped a bit but still managed them). I was really surprised about the weight and the bogie chains (on both outer and inner ends of the bogies), however the pantograph being unstable without any wires over them is a realistic but disappointing fact. The headlights are awesome, but a bit bright. Not noticed any quality issues on mine, the Museum edition of NER green. Now to hope someone produces the 10 EF1s and EE1 at some point. Very cool that your loco rankings of 2023 is made up entirely of electrics. Next up, a bachmann 90 or a hornby 87 or a heljan 86?

[@aberfordwest4003]

I reckon he goes for a Rapido Hunslet

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing Lapis - yeah the weight surprised me too - amazing what a bit of metalwork in the body can do! Ooh I agree, that'd be cool! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@jamesdawson9154]

Yes I got the NRM version as being from York it was always a favourite of mine. I understand that the price is due to it being a niche model. I find Heljan do many interesting models (eg 1922 Metropolitan Bo-Bo) so rate them highly but this one is an improvement in terms of performance. Also liked that Sam's 2023 reviews are so far have reviewed my last 2 models the Accurascale 92 and Heljan ES1 😁

[@jamesdawson9154]

@@aberfordwest4003 yes I would like to know what that is like. Considering the NCB one from the old Primrose Hill colliery at Swillington, Leeds

[@mikeking2539]

The odd one out would be the San Francisco cabled car tram thingy.

[@mikeking2539]

The printing on the North Eastern Railway crest is not very sharp, which is a shame, but oddly the BR one looks perfect! Sadly for me it is far too expensive! So sadly I can't have an example in my collection