Hornby's New Stephenson's Rocket is Amazing! | Unboxing & Review

My review of the newly tooled Hornby Stephenson's Rocket train pack, complete with coaches and crew!
Become a Sam'sTrains engineer here: / @samstrains
Get your Sam'sTrains merch: teespring.com/stores/bullmane...
Thanks for watching!
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: / samstrainsofficial
Facebook: / samstrains
Twitter: / samstrains
Contents:
0:00 Intro
4:08 Unboxing
10:00 History
11:16 Loco Details
17:49 Coach Details
20:33 Performance
34:32 Ratings
38:37 Conclusion

[@theretrocrowe]

30:32 I see my favourite tank engine in the background! Love the LBSC E4, the only loco I know that could work in basically any livery! Edit: And at 34:06, I can see my favourite old-fashioned tender loco, the Dean Goods!

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh yes - I love that one too for sure! And the Dean Goods! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@theretrocrowe]

Those coaches look incredible! I have actually visited Rainhill, where this locomotive was chosen to run on the LMR!

[@SamsTrains]

I agree - I love the coaches! And wow that's pretty awesome! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@slaughterround643]

I live there! :)

[@Poliss95]

@@slaughterround643 I used to live in Whiston, right next to the piece of track Rocket ran on. Now I live close to the factory where Rocket was built. :-)

[@SheffieldNo14Productions]

TheRetroCrowe WOW! You’re lucky, I’d give almost anything to visit Rainhill.

[@SheffieldNo14Productions]

Slaughter Round You’re lucky too!

[@Grazzuk]

Mine arrived at the weekend from Rails of Sheffield and I love this train pack. I agree about the black foam packing. Running it in the whole train seemed so tiny as it was only slightly longer then a Class 52 western I was running in at the same time.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that! Blimey yeah - the size is amazing!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jenaplinsky3977]

Thanks for the review Sam, I am an Italian train enthusiast, particularly interested in this type of train, it is a beautiful model, we finally have a model with significant improvements compared to some previous models, Hornby did a great job !

[@SamsTrains]

It's a pleasure Jena - great to hear you liked it too - this was super impressive! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@theretrocrowe]

Sam: It looks like there are no NEM couplings Me: *INTENSE FLASHBACKS TO THE HOUR OF STRUGGLING TRYING TO COUPLE MY BACHMANN CLASS 158*

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! Was that a faff then?! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@datguymiller]

Oof

[@cadenthecadburyengine8198]

That is a nice model! I especially enjoy all the little details and how the set includes the LMR coaches!

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Yeah me too - very nice! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@arhassoc]

Thank you for this review, it takes me back 40odd years, when I was lucky enough to attend the 150year celebrations at Rainhill. The construction firm I worked for had some tickets to take clients, and being a weekend, no-one else wanted to go!! So not only did I get to the show, I got paid AND a free lunch! What more could you ask for!

[@SamsTrains]

It's a pleasure mate, oh wow that sounds fantastic - what sort of thing did they do?! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rogersea6529]

very lucky you! - Rainhill is so famous in Railway history

[@warriorstar2517]

I got my Smokey Joe model on Monday, and I’m pretty impressed by how much oo gauge has changed through the years.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that - yes it really has changed massively! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheNightmareRider]

"I've created a weird, parallel universe with multiple Rockets in it." Or, you could easily say that one is the original, and the other is a working replica, like the one you mentioned earlier in the video :P.

[@LowBudgetKiwi]

Stole one from York

[@GaryNumeroUno]

More rockets than a Scott Manley youtube video!

[@SamsTrains]

haha I hadn't thought of that, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@someguy2741]

The traction engine versions are neat to watch. The pistons compress the suspension each stroke since they are at an angle. It adds to the lumbering old tech look.

[@markhummerstone8692]

I think this is/was the promo vid from Hornby kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHOuqaypi7aod5o It's worth a quick look when you have the time.

[@bentonroadmodelrailway6103]

Hi sam, hope your ok. Mines just arrived with smokey joe and its such a stunning model. I love it. Great video and keep up the great work you do. Jack

[@SamsTrains]

Hope you are too mate - ooh amazing, glad you like it!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@SueBobChicVid]

That might be my favorite train set I've seen on your channel. Thanks for showing us that.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that - I agree, it's one of their best! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jeffreymcneal1920]

After wearing out my old Triang Rocket, I was delighted to get this one. I had to pay up for it, but it is a jewel and performs splendidly. I did go out and got the third class coaches, which are equally exquisite. However, the tiny loco won't pull more than three coaches, total. A treasured piece, this one I'm taking with me.

[@theretrocrowe]

38:05 Has confused me. Haven't you already reviewed the 08 and Derby Lightweight years ago? And these are different scores too, why would you re-review them?

[@SamsTrains]

Yes I've re-reviewed them - the way I rate models has changed a lot since then, and I don't like a lot of my older videos - so I'm slowly going through and updating them! I am limiting it to one re-review per month though, so the channel won't be swarming with repeats. The reviews for those will be coming soon! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LowBudgetKiwi]

It's actually REALLY nice to see some realistic couplings for a change. Ok yes I know it's not really practical on most things, but it makes a lovely change.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree - I really did enjoy using them too! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Wow, what a superb little model! Mine's waiting at home for me but I haven't had a chance to open it yet 😭 I'm even more excited now after seeing your video. Great job as always 👍

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Ooh amazing - hope you enjoy yours! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ChrizRockster]

Probably one of the best things i've seen in model locomotives from the classy vintage box to fully coupled and running. Amazing.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that Chris - they certainly did an amazing job! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Aaron.56_]

hi sam! I have seen that Hornby are releasing an open-air third class wagon for this set. and the RRP is £16.99! you should review it!

[@SamsTrains]

Yes they are - I am hoping to review one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@adamrivera3327]

Love the Union Pacific 119 at 30:22. When do you plan on a review of it?

[@SamsTrains]

Hopefully over the coming months mate - well spotted! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Derek_S]

My wife's father bought a Hornby Rocket set in the 1970's as an investment and it sat on the mantlepiece in their home until her mother died in 2009. It looked just like your one except much bigger. The engine and each carriage were bigger than your box and the set included a couple of goods wagons. It ran on butane gas capsules but was only ever run once just to test it. After my wife's mother died, we sold the set at auction and it fetched quite a few hundred pounds. I didn't realise until your video that Hornby had made them on different scales.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow yeah I've seen those - such an incredible design - at least you kept hold of it all those years - a good investment hopefully! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jimmyduncan7650]

Great stuff. A beautiful model. The other Rocket replica was in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. My Papa worked on the railway for 42 years, retiring in the BR days approx 1982. Anyway around 1980 my Papa took me to a train Expo in Scotland where they had set up a section of narrow gauge track and we're running Rocket, replica, back and forth. She was bizarre looking but mesmerizing as I hadn't seen anything like it.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for that Jimmy, I didn't know there was one in Chicago, very cool! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@drewdam8871]

Thank you, Sam. An interesting and informative review and I want one now that I have seen your appraisal. If they haven't yet given you a bundle of shares in the Company, perhaps they should :-)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Drew, haha I can't see that happening - I think they'd want all positive reviews before that, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Poliss95]

Have you ordered the 3rd Class coaches Sam? the drawing is a period one from the time.

[@SamsTrains]

Maybe!! And thanks for letting me know! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@extrapolator2000]

@@SamsTrains you'll need to be quick, they're selling out on pre-order. RailsOfSheffield already closed their per-order books.

[@MrNellie65]

I got mine from Hornby themselves after Rails stopped taking orders.

[@morphman32]

Thanks Sam for yet another well balanced review and also a great video to go with it. Stevenson's Rocket is definitely my ALL TIME favourite steam engine. I have the mainstream "yellow box" version and I simply cannot fault it. I have also pre-ordered the new 3rd class blue open passenger coach due to be released in September of this year. Can't wait for your next upload.

[@SamsTrains]

No problem mate - lovely to hear that, they did an amazing job for sure! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@spitfire4sergi]

Seriously Sam, THANK YOU for your amazing content. It’s really crazy over here in the States, and I’ve realized that hearing ‘... Welcome back to the railway!’ has given me such an escape from everything going on, even for only a few minutes.

[@SamsTrains]

It's my pleasure mate - that's so lovely to hear! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rochmel1409]

I'm not in the US but a year on from your comment I totally agree. Sam's videos provide a very welcome interval of calm in these 'interesting times'. I hope you're still doing ok and that Sam is enjoying his New Year break. 🙂

[@SammyBFilms]

The wheels were turning in time with the opening piano music! :-D I really is a beautiful little set. :-)

[@SamsTrains]

Oh yeah!! :O Thanks mate! :D

[@StephenPieri]

My Great, great, great great, great, great grandfather was George Stephenson (my Nana's Maiden name was Stephenson. Great review.

[@Flyingscotsman19_23]

God, i can’t believe it has been 5 months since this was uploaded

[@SamsTrains]

Me neither - the time has really flown! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

I find myself watching your videos in bed most nights, I don’t even have a model railway! I have a train set my dad put on a big heavy board, it never ran good after that 😩 but I do love seeing you and all the awesome trains and your set up 😀

[@SamsTrains]

That's really lovely to hear - thanks so much! Hope you can have a railway one day! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Chris9017]

WOW!!!! That is beautiful!!!! I Love the chained couplers, the paint work and details on both the engine and the coaches. However, I still can't help but love the personality and charm of the old Triang Rocket; there's something to be said about old model train sets. :) I couldn't help but notice your Bachmann Union Pacific 119, and Bachmann City Of Truro on the sidings. Both beautiful engines and hopefully we see a review of them too.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Chris - yeah me too, great couplings! Yes of course - I'll always have a huge soft spot for the old one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@joachimvanderborght]

24:02 i kan see a american 4-4-0 steam locomotive union pacific #119

[@terrier_productions]

joachim van der borght can

[@SamsTrains]

Very well spotted!! :D

[@vidiottheowl2825]

Scrooge is burying Little Timmy

[@pedalcarguy]

Lovely train pack! Thank you for the presentation. The light weight of the loco got me thinking of ways to increase it. Maybe you could fill the chimney with lead pellets if it is hollow? And the figures could be cast of tin. Also the barrel on the tender could be filled with something heavy. Just some ideas. I recently fitted my Bachmann Spectrum H0 0-6-0 saddle tank switcher with a DCC decoder. Very cramped and fiddly work indeed but I guess nothing compared to fitting DCC on this locomotive. Very nice video, keep 'em coming and keep safe!

[@SamsTrains]

Yes the chimney idea is a great one - though the tin figures wouldn't help; one sits over the non-driven wheels, and the other sits on the tender - so both would just eat up more of the pulling power! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@sockshandle]

Thing is adding weight to the tender would only increase dead weight (I.e weight not on the locomotive)

[@95tupolev]

@@SamsTrains The decoder socket is in the barrel. hence the split. I fitted a tiny decoder in my Rocket, and it performs very smoothly.

[@Old_Known29]

I absolutely love that model and thank you for putting the time stamps in the description

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! No problem - I think it works well! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@robsmodelrailway3612]

Great review Sam, my favourite I’ve seen on the new Rocket so far 👍👍👍

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Rob, that's very kind of you! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@CyclingDinosaur]

Thanks for the great review! The Rocket is very smooth, likely the 5 pole motor. And the detailing on the coaches matched with smooth rolling wheelsets makes it a beautiful historical train.

[@SamsTrains]

No problem mate - yeah me too, such a great runner! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@hectorramirez88]

I really like this loco so much, thanks for reviewing Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Glad to hear that mate, you're welcome! :D

[@TopHatTITAN]

I've just gotten into model trains and I recall watching your videos 2 years ago. Revisiting makes me feel old lol

[@SamsTrains]

haha I'm sure you're not old - Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rogersea6529]

me too ! especially when Sam said 1963 is nearly 60 years away - doesnt seem long ago to me atall !

[@bombituico]

The New Rocket looks so good and if i had it the steps would have probably broken off already :) Hope your having a good time in quarantine and have a good one Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - I'm having to be very careful of those! Hope you're doing well too! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@extrapolator2000]

Mine arrived this morning too. Then your review popped up. Its been a great day! Can't run mine yet, yet to lay any rails. So great to see yours running. It is stunning in the flesh though. very pleased. Thought it deserved higher on your ranking table really. Have now pre-ordered some opens to keep it company. Very nice. Hope Hornby considers some other ERA 1. A 'planet' would be great. And someone mentionned locomotion. That would be great, but very tricky to make. Lets hope for more victorian stock to come along.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic mate - really hope you enjoy running yours when you can! More Era 1 stuff would be epic!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@vijeolook]

Thanks for the great review. Looking forward to receiving my Rocket which is still in the post.

[@SamsTrains]

It's a pleasure mate - hope you enjoy yours! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@silvadic2207]

Just ordered the loco I mentioned a little while back! He should arrive about the 10th-17th of July! I can’t wait to test the little bugger on my own set (which I keep in the box as I don’t have a room to keep it out permanently). The Rocket shown in the video is fascinating as it was the first working steam locomotive! I noticed something of an illusion while watching it run. When you stare at one of the wheels as it runs, it looks as if it’s going to other direction, which can mess with your mind very quickly! If I find any other locos (gotta get more track such as 22 inch curves for the larger ones on my list I made) I’ll see about getting them! Great video as always!

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh amazing - really hope you enjoy that! haha yes that is a cool illusion isn't it?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@mattkirk2482]

The rocket looks amazing. As new to your channel, love it

[@iancoop76]

Hi s Sam. I bought a motor for a Triang to fit in an economically priced rail bus . A set of Nucro wheels and some very small e!astic bands were also purchased.. With a twig drilled down the middle then cut down the middle to allow the twig to be glued around the axle of one of the Nucro wheel sets small strips off brass were shaped and glued to form pick-ups for the motor. This rail bus was very fast and could speed around the Crawley Model Railway Society layout in 15 seconds as the layout was a scale mile long loop and was exhibited two years in succession at Westminster Hall iLondon in the early 60'. From Ian.

[@larryarcher4502]

Held my breath while you were taking it out every time it went under that pedestrian walk over I about went blue nice set glad it works well

[@SamsTrains]

I know - not a pleasant package to open really! Yes the first time under the bridge was pretty uncomfortable!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ArtBoy54Productions]

I got this as a gift today and I love it! I can’t wait to run it (which will be a while since our layout isn’t built yet) I’m ecstatic either way!

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - hope you enjoy it when the time comes! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@skyrocket0113]

Cheers for the vid Sam. What an impressive historic train pack mate. I definitely do want the Yellowdale Rocket mate!👍🚂🚃🚃🚃🚄🚅🚉🛸🍺🍻😁👍

[@SamsTrains]

No problem Jin, glad you liked this! Ooh for sure! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@sarabjeetsingh4992]

Simply incredible video Sir HATS OFF TO YOU 😊

[@mattbov14]

Hi sam. Great review. Was watching it with mine out aswell,. I agree the packaging is a bit compromising on the handling of in and out of the box, but if you use the thin plastic sleeve that comes in each coach and loco section place near the top centre and it slide in perfectly without damaging the little luggage rails that stick out abit Ion the top end. Hope this helps Sam. Take care. Matt

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks a lot Matt - yes couldn't believe the packaging, otherwise a great effort! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@christianmorley6203]

What a stunning model. Great review as ever Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much!! :D

[@LHoriginal]

5:44 I had a wierd look on my face until you said curiosity. Lol

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! ;D

[@livelaughlogan13]

Another amazing video as always Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much! :D

[@shona1578]

Fab review, Sam! I don't have any trains myself, but living in Darlington, and having seen from your video what Hornby are now capable of, I really hope they are planning a model of Locomotion No.1 for the 2025 bicentenary. That would be amazing! xxx

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much - I hope they are too, wow!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bentullett6068]

just as you released this video today Hornby have announced the third class open carriages, I have pre ordered 2 to go with the centenary rocket set I purchased. I had the exact same reaction you had when you opened the box due to its detail and size. also you are correct about the coaches having different names in the different sets

[@SamsTrains]

Fantastic Ben - those should look amazing!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@HarryC_640]

Hi Sam! This was probably the most anticipated review of all time! It’s great to see how excited you were to open it and you’ve certainly got me very excited too! My birthday is coming up but I’ve got no clue which loco I’m going to choose and this review has only worsened my problem! Do you know if Hornby will make another batch of this pack or if it’s just a one off? Also I believe Hornby have announced some L & MR open coaches which I think are pretty reasonably priced. That could potentially be an interesting review! Hope you’re staying well and thanks again for such an entertaining video! Harry

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Harry - ooh amazing, hope you enjoy your birthday, and that you love whatever you choose! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

I think the lousy barrel was a necessary compromise for DCC, although it's bad that it doesn't quite close all the way. I'd have done screws from underneath to pull it in tight.

[@SimplyTakuma]

Aaaaah....... The Rocket is so beautiful with this train pack set. Clearly the best art, how this marvelous piece of history to show for people and kids, how trains are back in time and revolutionary it was, and the Rocket was a very, very very important for many constructions for the next 200 years.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - they did such a great job!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@danteardenz2670]

The Rocket was imported to the USA , and was the Reading Railroads first engine in 1836 ; operating in Reading Pa ,through SE Pennsylvania to North East. Very important train. I'd love to have this.

[@SamsTrains]

Very interesting Dante - I didn't know this!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@danteardenz2670]

@@SamsTrains Love your channel. Model railroading is so educational, and interesting. It needs to be preserved, and grow. Love European trains.

[@thehistoryman1820]

The detail on the coaches are amazing Keep up the good work sam. :D

[@SamsTrains]

I agree it really was! Thanks so much! :D

[@Flyingscotsman19_23]

Ah yes, the details are sooooooo real

[@snowy7317]

hmm i may think about getting this in the near future and another great video sam!

[@SamsTrains]

Awesome Harrison - hope you can get one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@alanriley9754]

Enjoyed watching and your commentary. My old mate had the Triang made Stephensons Rocket. This was around 1969 or so.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much - yeah that's right, fantastic models for the time! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mgr_video_productions]

Great review! Didn't know Hornby made a model of this.

[@djpuglife2230]

Oh wow that set looks stunning😍😍 i remember building rocket when i was in year 8 and its still runs today hahaha honestly have no idea how 😂😂😂 great video once again sam im loving the channel

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you!! Ooh that's amazing - was it a kit then?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@djpuglife2230]

@@SamsTrains yea i had a hornby kit really fiddly my massive sausage fingers honestly dont help haha

[@arcticshark1808]

I actually like when the model starts to wobbly an shake it makes it look realalistic and experimental

[@slaughterround643]

realalistic

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah, it does perform very realistically! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ryanapparicio9925]

Takes me back to in time , Nice video Sam

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Ryan, appreciate it! :D

[@HolyKhaaaaan]

I would like to get a Rocket one day. Indeed some of my favourite model locomotives are the "early" ones. Bachmann made a series of American ones - The John Bull, The DeWitt Clinton, and the Prussia/Lafayette. I wanted the Lafayette. My father had gotten the DeWitt and the John Bull, though, and I loved them. Didn't take very good care of them, though, sadly, and so I no longer have them. Lovely locomotives though, if you love the older style locos.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate, I can recommend these actually! I too love these early models - John Bull looks superb too! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

I got mine from Hattons with the Triang 60's package. Took it out & the loco didn't work! So under 1 hour I had to send it back to Hattons. Their repair service is above reproach! They found that 2 of the wires between the loco & tender had come unsoldered, £189 and that, seriously Hornby??? QC?? Once it came back running (thanks Hattons, you are life savers!) the loco ran quite well, but certainly no crawl. Once I put a Hornby R7105 decoder in it, it became as good a loco as your version. Only grumble is, it doesn't run in reverse very well, lots of wheel slip. Glad yours is a good one

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey sorry to hear that - at least they fixed it for you - I've had hornby solder joints fail on me many times too - they're forced to use (rubbish) lead free solder these days! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice little set there!Good to see the old tri-ang Rocket running as well.l had one as a kid.May still have it somewhere. Nice job Sam😎👍!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate - ahh fantastic, they're worth a lot now, if you still have it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@melvyncox3361]

@@SamsTrains Hi Sam!l will have to have a look.Still have some old Hornby/Tri-ang locos,so it may be with them.Hopefully......

[@snowmandoplayz1435]

Cool I loved the Stevenson’s rocket when I was little

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that Charlie! :D

[@johngondol8940]

Hi Sam, from beautiful East Texas. The review was excellent. I am a big fan of Rocket and I think Hornby has done a superb job of bringing a beautiful model that really works well, to market at a cost that I think is fair for the detail you get. Assembly of those models must have been a nightmare. I purchased one of the Centenary Editions and I have on order the Train pack that you reviewed. A Great little model. Cheers.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much John - yes very impressed with Hornby over this one - just amazing!! Huge props to the factory that pulled these off - fantastic! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Calvertfilm]

Great review as per usual Sam. You cover so many points here. Although I am not buying one myself I did watch all of your video as it is a fascinating model Hornby have produced here. The amount of detail is mouth watering when you consider the size of this thing and your comparison with the older model was interesting. I'd like to see someone make a model of the trials themselves with this going along in a period diorama. Laurie.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much mate, that's very kind of you to say - and yes Hornby really did do an amazing job with these... let's hope it does give rise to some era 1 layouts! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TATICMOOR]

A great review as always Sam, and such a dainty little loco the Rocket is by Hornby. A nice little (sic) bit of engineering for this model. Any cons I seen in my yellow pack, you highlighted in this vlog. Price for the unit could have been cheaper by say £25, but then again it must have taken a lot more time to assemble all the fiddly parts together. Then again your paying for nostalgia that this model loco has behind it. Hornby's previous versions date further back than 1969 to 1963 with R651S/652 with smoke. Later releases were the R346 Smoke + 1 Coach, (1964-66), R346C Non Smoke + 3 Coach (1968-69), R769 with Nickel Tyres + 3 Coach (1982-84) NB also loco sold separately as R769 (1982-84), R771 with 3 Coach (1983-84) NB as a train pack to France via Hornby Acho. The price guide for these older models range from £45-£200 for the collector's of The Rocket models.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks John! I agree - wouldn't have complained if it were a bit cheaper, but overall not too bad at all! Really glad you liked it! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TATICMOOR]

@@SamsTrains It is good to start catching up on your video's Sam. Also that you enjoy my little bits of info for the other watchers and collectors to help them out with details on the models like these.

[@jasonjohnson892]

Excellent review. Spectacular model for a unique and historic loco. At 30:04, the clearence of Rocket's funnel under the footbridge is so 😬(if you know what I mean). Hope to see you review more of the other Hornby centennial edition models.😀

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much! haha I know - it was very close - the first lap was pretty tense, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Dontpanicjonesey]

Loving the videos Sam, very pleasing lockdown viewing! Any plans to get hold of/review the new Bachmann Pannier Tanks? Cheers

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jacob - that's lovely to hear! The Panniers do look good - I'll look into it! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Flyingscotsman19_23]

Flying scotsman

[@historyotaku]

Great review as always Sam and keep up the good work. Also is it just me or have you bought yourself another Bachmann City Class

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Tony - yes I may have done, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@turbulanceism]

I was tempted to get one and now you have sold it to me, even if they are not the best runners they look fantastic

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - hopefully you can find one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@SheffieldNo14Productions]

I'm glad to see they nailed Stephenson's Rocket because it is the acknowledged forerunner of all locos. (The true forerunner is the loco made by Richard Trevithick)And it's my favorite loco. Thanks Sam! Love the channel

[@SamsTrains]

Yes indeed - it would have been a shame if they'd cocked this one up - just fantastic! Yes I've seen the Trevithick loco - it's very entertaining!! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@railmediaproductions3677]

This really is a stunning model, I have now put in an order for one of these and I can’t wait to see it when it arrives.

[@SamsTrains]

Fantastic Rowan, hope you enjoy one!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Thunderblade008]

Have to admit I absolutely love mine. Completely agree about the box, when I first tried to get the locomotive and the coaches out I was absolutely terrified to put them back in. Hoping for more rolling stock to go with it after the announcement of the third class coaches which I hope comes with more rocket style couplings. After the announcement of the third class coach earlier today I’ve seen quite a few people now asking for Hornby to produce ‘Planet’ and ‘Lion’, fingers crossed 🤞

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that mate! Yes the packaging was ridiculous - I reckon someone at Hornby had a funny turn! Absolutely - wouldn't Planet or Lion be amazing?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@joelightrailway2362]

Super wow Sam, excellent review of Stephenson ‘Rocket’ train pack 👍👍 I’m glad they’re finally been released as I been planning to buy the new tool Rocket from Hornby. It’s amazing that this train pack set is the smallest that Hornby has released this year, I hope they will release more of 1820s & 1830s locomotives plus rolling stock like Locomotion in the near future. The only downside of the train pack was the packaging.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Joe - I'm glad too, about time, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@simonblackham4987]

It is interesting that the 'Puffing Billy' and 'Wylam Dilly' locomotives of approx 1812 lasted until after Rocket was no longer used. Their modification to bogie locomotives to save track damage was reversed later as rail improved and they ended up in a similar state to original.

[@johneshort]

Nice review Sam. My Rocket has just arrived and I think you had a Friday afternoon one as mine has a perfectly made barrel with no gap between the halves. Mind you that may change after I fit the dcc decoder.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks John - great to hear yours fits together properly - good luck with DCC! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@CrisisOnACanoe]

Hi Sam - The chains aren't a mistake as I have the same with mine. The shorter ones go between the tender and first coach as the gap otherwise looks a bit silly. Glad you were as happy with yours as I was with mine!

[@SamsTrains]

Duly noted! So they could explain where the figures go in the instructions (obvious), but not how the couplings work?! lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@zacstratton3478]

Really nice loco and surprising how something small fits on the normal layout perfect as always Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Zac - I thought this was amazing too! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@samuelinfante369]

It all looks amazing. Realism is 100% good. Definetly going to have to get this.

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Yes they did an amazing job! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Pirate-Scorcher-1998]

Hooray you finally got it :) congrats!!! Are you thinking of keeping the old rocket what you had

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks Connor - yes I'll keep it! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@checky_engie]

Love it been waiting fir another rocket vid

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you!! Hope you enjoy it! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@233kosta]

I'd have added an epicyclic reduction set in line with the worm gear, otherwise it looks unrealistically fast. That'd fix the crawl smoothness issues and probably make it by far the slowest crawler you can get. That might also allow the motor to be shortened enough to allow a bigger flywheel. But now we're in custom motor territory, so you're looking at maybe another 100 quid on top of the RRP

[@johnd8892]

Sam came across some tiny very high reduction gearbox motors in his minute marvel series for just a pound of two. Was my suggestion for Hornby to use for Rocket since it does not need to go over 30mph or so.

[@233kosta]

@@johnd8892 It'd be way easier if Hornby did it instead of us trying to cromulate a geared motorb where it's clearly not meant to go. I don't know what standards they have for their electrical bits, but I imagine the cost of validating a new motor/gearbox combination will turn that el-cheapo option into something that ups the unit cost of the model by 15-20 quid. If you ask me, it's 100% worth it for the improvement to the running of the model (not to mention speed accuracy), but then when the time came for me to splash the cash I decided I'm too cheap for the hobby altogether and bought Train Simulator instead, so y'know - bucket of salt and all ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@tommyciprandi8946]

The Rocket is beatiful (the real one and model too ;D) The video is awesome too, as always. Good job Sam!👏

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Tommy, appreciate it! :D Cheers, Sam :)

[@the00trainloft]

Damn you Sam making it look so easy coupling hahaha. Take me awhile to master it. Do love it though

[@SamsTrains]

haha I got lucky - it took me forever the next time I did it, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@the00trainloft]

One to request on a live stream then

[@dommorris]

I am eagerly awaiting the postman (unfortunately not today (Saturday) but there we are) to deliver this from my local model shop. I preordered and set up a payment account which makes the price far more bearable when you are simply paying £20 or £30 a month/couple of months (or of course whatever you can afford!) and then paying off the last £30 or so to clear the account and actually get it delivered to my door. I wasn't sure whether to watch your review or not (the entire "spoilers" principle!) but I am so glad I did. I have heard through various rumours that trying to fit a decoder to this, which I will be doing, is a bit of a nightmare with various people breaking the barrel trying to DCC it. I will report back! I managed it with my Queen Anne, so fingers crossed. Thank you as always, Dom

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic Dom - hope it proves to be good for you! Yes the staggered payments sound much less painful - enjoy! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnd8892]

A few hours ago I paid my highest ever price for Hornby locos.The R3819 die cast body Duchess Of Atholl (Dublo version) and this Hornby R3810 L&MR, Stephenson's Rocket Train Pack. Thought I would miss out on both of these, but my closest local hobby shop rang me and informed me that both had just been delivered as per my order from many months ago. The only shop I pre order from. I was thinking Australia would miss out on these, given all the UK sold out upheavals lately with both. Good service but of course both seemed to be at full RRP.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh blimey! You're very lucky to have gotten one - I really hope you enjoy it! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@DoncasterA1Music]

woooOW! that’s a great model of “the Rocket”! Hornby did good with this.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate! Yeah they did amazingly! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ivovanzon164]

200 pounds is a friendly price point compared to some continental stuff of the same era... The Piko Saxonia with 4 wagons comes at around 290 euro. Trix Adler comes at 500 euro for a DCC equipped example, and you might need another 40 euro for figures if it comes without

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I have to agree - granted, other manufacturers may be much less reasonable, but that doesn't make this any better! I wonder what the quality of those Piko and Trix engines is like?! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ivovanzon164]

@@SamsTrains Quality depends on which variant you get. The Piko one was designed in the DDR era, and a lot of the second hand sets are from that timeframe. These have quite noisy motors. Later ones have an upgraded drivetrain, and most people recommend buying the new motor and chassis to get rid of the noise, as the top of the wagon also fits on the new chassis. Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWW0hGCmZZ10eLs The Trix one went through a lot of iterations, with the earliest ones (from 1962) being hugely off scale. To make things even more complicated, both drivetrain and scale vary between the various editions, as does the scale of the Preiser figures set that was designed for it (and that one kept the same number). Sound wise it is like most Trix stuff with small sized motors: loud. Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an6Qg2dnfNiHb6s

[@BlaxlandRidge3]

Hornby did an outstanding job. The picture comparisons really show the improvements as well!

[@SamsTrains]

They really did - you're right! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheShadows-pk8fs]

SO HAPPY! My old Stephenson's rocket broke,completely bent the front axle. now i have a Stephenson's rocket that is sizable to my layout!

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sorry to hear that - you managed to get one of these then?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RobA500]

They are great little loco's, I got mine on Monday as well. You had a bit more luck than me as out of the box mine had a broken wire going to tender which I managed to fix only to find it didn't work when I put it on the track. I had to press down on it slightly to get it to move as the motor wasn't engaging with the gears properly. I was gutted at that point as you know we have had to wait half a year for them to get to us and getting a replacement seemed unlikely as they are all sold out. At closer inspection I noticed 2 black clips between the wheels which I prised out a bit and this pulled the motor in to the correct position. Some very sloppy build quality with these as a search on the net reveals a lot of people reporting the same problem. The good news is now I have done that the model runs beautifully to much relief as I don't have to send it back. I agree about the packaging, I was frightened of getting it out at first so probably probably won't be putting it back in. My figures are very poorly painted as well which lets the rest of the model down. I guess my model was made by someone new at the beginning of there two years of work before they move on to their next job.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sorry to hear that Rob - I'm having a lot of comments about the broken wires - it does seem to be a theme with Hornby sadly, no excuse for the gears though of course! Very well done for sorting it out though mate - phew!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jaredt1356]

This is a great review the stephonsons rocket is one of my favorite engines do you have a Amtrak p42? I also really like those and I got a new set! It was from hobby lobby in clearance and it was 25$! It’s 75 percent off and when I got home nothing was wrong with it! I don’t remember the name but it was one of those small starter sets with a f7 diesel I think with the red war bonnet Santa Fe

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Jared, great to hear that! I don't think I have one - sounds epic though! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@withinjapan2024]

glad they put figures into it, many trains where you can see the cab misses the little detail of people to make it look more real

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah me too - a lovely touch that! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@withinjapan2024]

@@SamsTrains I gotta say though slot of money for such fragile model. I got a collector's Hornby and it was too fragile to use as I found out with flimsy bits breaking.. Surely at a certain price point they can make a stronger model..

[@memahselfni]

I got this recommended to me right after buying tickets to ride in the cab of an actual steam engine with my friend! I'm so excited!

[@SamsTrains]

Wow!!! Sounds like you had a really good day, lol! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LIMowersAndMore]

What a gorgeous little set definitely worth it’s money!!!!

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Yes I agree it is! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@davidtucker8724]

Hi Sam mine came yesterday it's a lovely model but yes the packaging isn't the best. Also re the barrel split on the tender. I believe that is where the DCC chip goes.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks David - yes the packaging was a scary thing to unpack! Yes you're right - it's just a shame mine doesn't close properly :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)