Hornby Toby vs Bachmann Toby Review: Thomas & Friends Range UK vs USA!!!

"Hornby Toby VS Bachmann Toby"
A product review which looks at the top two models of Toby the Tram Engine, sold in the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and made by the companies Hornby & Bachmann respectively.
The two models are put through their paces, with style, speed and sheer POWER tested to the limit!
The review finishes with a startling conclusion: which will come out on top?
Parents will find buying the Thomas & Friends engine of choice easier with Hornby VS Bachmann....!
Visit the Hero of the Scales Blog for behind the scenes, sneak previews, and many more!
thomasmodelrevi...
Simon's preferred supplier for the Bachmann Thomas & Friends Range is:
www.thedieselwo...
Recommended Retail Prices are correct as of 23/04/2011.
Hornby & Bachmann's Websites:
www.hornby.com/...
www.bachmanntra...
en.wikipedia.or...
en.wikipedia.or...
Special thanks to Leokimvideo for his great help and advice in making this video.
The contents of these videos, including all text and photos (except where credited otherwise) are ©Simon A.C. Martin

[@leokimvideo]

good night all, have a great Easter..!

[@user-yo2lt8ch7v]

I prefer the Bachmann models of both Toby and Edward because they're slower, smaller and weaker than the engines their tooling is based on, making it more realistic to the show and books (except for that RWS/magazine story where Toby is able to pull 40 trucks)

[@mariobest93]

Here is a gauge 1 model of Toby from the show, *and here's Toby.*

[@sudriansignalman9387]

here is a g scale big boy and here is toby.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

No such model exists. There is a Gauge 1 Big Boy, but a G scale standard gauge locomotive is impossible.

[@sudriansignalman9387]

okay

[@almostkentish3042]

here is an ACTUAL big boy. and here is Toby.

[@XleeHS]

+AlmostKentish (Jack Rand/RCLR) haha

[@Antluvstrains]

+RockyRailroad Animation That's not true. Look at the Thomas & Friends range of G scale models.

[@harold_in_the_distance8847]

Here is big boy in real life, A N D H E R E I S T O B Y

[@Antluvstrains]

Here is a Hornby LNER 0-6-2 N2 And here is Toby.

[@leokimvideo]

@Henryfan3 very interesting point, I wonder if simierski could uncouple the eyes to see the difference in power / speed, i know he looks through the comments with a fine tooth comb

[@Bunbiichuffn]

I got a kick out of the part "Here is a ____ ... and here's Toby." Hilarious, sad because he's so huge, but hilarious. Review was very enjoyable, worth the wait. Liked all the little quirks in there, made for an.. interesting viewing experience. Almost didn't get the bit at the end with the garden sheds, those Thomas's are sneaky ones aren't they? I hope a big, blue engine will be around for the next review to teach Thomas a lesson again..!

[@leokimvideo]

@123emilymason this is not the first time you have asked this, pretty sure simierski has told you the state of Lady on James v James your query is replied to in full I see!

[@leokimvideo]

The way this is going TOBY will overtake the other reviews in a few days, now who would have thought this character is so popular I will even say TOBY is far more popular than Gordon, but what's interesting very few will say out in public they love TOBY, but we are seeing clearly this character has a huge pull on the fans.

[@leokimvideo]

@TMRReturns opps thanks so it's 65 years, mind you some will argue this!

[@leokimvideo]

@SodorGr i agree, these are the premiere Thomas V Thomas videos, it's something which was badly needed

[@sonic2733]

These videos bring me such a nostalgia

[@leokimvideo]

@RailwaySeriesKB is it like Backman and Robin?

[@tempertantrum6464]

Its abasolutely insane how much the prices for Bachmann's models have skyrocketed, Toby now retails for 119$, which is crazy, since as a simple and fairly old model, the prices should be going down, not exponentially higher!

[@SteamKing2160]

Here is a Bachmann On30 4-6-0 Baldwin engine And here is Toby

[@Reading3412Studios]

SteamKing2160 here I a real life big boy *and here’s Toby*

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski i believe I have some of that clockwork stuff at my place, mine is as big as HO stuff BUT has toy wheels, definitely has Hornby under it. i actually have heaps of Thomas stuff, it lands on me all the time

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Results music: Rock over London by Kevin MacLEod Tug of War theme: Stoneworld Battle by Kevin MacLeod

[@Trainboy17]

Thank You Man!

[@SuperLNES]

pssst, hey you should do a Hornby vs Bachmann Henry or Gordon

[@leokimvideo]

This video is out performing all the others It's the magical power of the mighty Toby

[@no1reallycaresabout2]

0:12 Is Henry wearing one of Gordon's faces?

[@DrKFC69]

Yeah, he is lol

[@Euronym0s]

Omg it’s Gordon green #gordonwithhenryface

[@leokimvideo]

This is amazing, Toby is out performing Thomas, Percy and James Definitely the grey man in Thomas gang!

[@traintimeboy]

Hi leo

[@TheNotLetterH]

And here is toby.

[@RailRaider1]

A definite fave here, chap - not just for the usual comical/in-depth review but for the plentiful visual gags thrown in. From the Tender Swap to the Coply Hill Engines all dwarfed by Hornby's Toby XD

[@leokimvideo]

@MrTrainman12 well it's Hornby 3 Bachmann 1 Hornby still way out in front!

[@owendinostudios1200]

Dang you have a lot of comments and replies

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@leokimvideo - you'd surprised - the ERTL Toby model is in fact incredibly close to a scale model of the real tram, many people have used these to make well detailed 00 models of the trams in question.

[@leokimvideo]

@Henryfan3 its really sad bachmann have this common flaw of poor performance, that would be quite easy to correct if they did a few small changes

[@HeyItsKit]

Speed isn't everything -James

[@leokimvideo]

Honors for this video (18) Toby is popular, watch out Thomas!

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski well on TV here is a very old long film called The 10 Commandments, how can you sleep seeing such a classic!

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@thatguywithnoaccount - vote noted, and the QC for the Bachmann models keeps coming up - maybe I should test their longevity in a future video...

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@dkbmaestrorules - one of the tobys failed prior to the team tug of war (filmed directly after the single tug of war, which is filmed in sequence after the main comparison footage, haulage and speed tests). I had to come up with something to continue the tug of war - it was entirely meant in jest and was an aside to the "1" motif of thomas, if nothing else.

[@leokimvideo]

considering he's a garden shed he's pulling some views! i have a sneaky suspicion Toby is a much loved garden shed, he will give cheeky Thomas a run for his money

[@trainmaster844]

Well done, once again, Simon! Can't wait to see the next review!

[@erickuo5900]

Here is the 4472 Flying Scotsmen in person, and here’s Toby.

[@leokimvideo]

@TMRReturns there are a few in the local model train realm who know me, but as I do fantasy work I feel no one ever takes me seriously as soon as I mentioned I was running ERTL Thomas on HO I think most write me off as a loon how could you take such a thought seriously?

[@leokimvideo]

simierski, have yoru considered looking at the larger scale bachmann v the large scale thomas i know this would cost heaps of money but I am hearing the G scale thomas has some major issues and is a real cheap build what have you heard

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski pt3 i know now a little more as I know the result from my son choosing between Tomy Thomas and Action Thomas, this has really detailed to me a very interesting aspect to the appeal of Thomas to a very young mind. It's really powerful stuff, and I will even say it's life changing for many. What other train in recent history has had such a impact on children? And really the hobby of model railways owes lots to the little blue engine.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@SodorGr - thanks very much - it is exactly that in the 00 scale world that made me do it. Nobody had tried to an "unbiased" or as close to an unbiased review as possible - so I gave it a go. Interesting tidbits found along the way.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@LegoArtsProduction - it's an NRM edition, made by Hornby, and still readily available :)

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@PokelordEX - retooled from what plastic thomas range? These are completely new toolings. Neither toby nor bill/ben were retooled from anything: they were "tooled up" as entirely new models, incorporating a new motor drive, but utilizing common hornby components such as wheels and coupling rods.

[@leokimvideo]

@TMRReturns I live quite close to Train Trader at Pymble, I have been there many times. Yes ago I knew Peter Leggot and he was the silent force behind Mad Bomber, unfortunately he has since passed away. I know Peter as he used to work in the film industry, his passion was model trains. Train Trader is a place which is expensive, mind you it's a expensive part of town, and I found dealing with them difficult to say the least. I am not as dumb on trains as many think.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@JesusBlack14 - to be fair, the QC of the Bachmann models suggests to me that it depends entirely on how good your model is. I've had a lot of people say their James models are nowhere near as powerful as mine proved it was.

[@leokimvideo]

Honors for this video (20) Toby is a superstar, who would have ever guessed that!

[@SaltyVan]

We all know the best one is the Rapido J70

[@leokimvideo]

#2 - Most Discussed (This Week) - Education - United Kingdom

[@CheekyTankEngine]

Excellently detailed review, Simon. As for my vote: I think you should do Henry next.

[@BramGroatFilms]

Another great review! However, I collect Bachmann models, and my Toby pulled heavier loads than James and Percy did. I did have a slant on my layout though. He is however indeed a very slow model. (Lol at "Some time Later...") I'd like to see Gordon and Henry next. Then you will have gotten all the Bachmann models with gray couplings out of the way.

[@astromotive6047]

1:10 It's the British Railway Stories Stephen!!! Nice to see you here old friend.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@TheRyanCarMan - vote noted - and if I were a betting man, the Bachmann Toby would make a half decent J70 - but the old K's model that Crovansgate009 has worked on is the best model of the J70 currently on the market.

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski pt2, i have him lined up to do a video about but I will also wrap around it a Christmas story. He said to me the only benefit adding Thomas and Percy to his layout was all of a sudden kids started to love his railway, before this his layout was basically ignored he really had me thinking about the magnetic attraction of Thomas, and from that came the thought to see if I can nail down exactly what kids see in Thomas, is it the face, colour scheme or shape.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@leokimvideo - I've heard a lot of mixed stories. The main problem is quality control, not necessarily the design of the models themselves. They are designed to be cheap and functional, whilst also offering a fairly robust design. Unfortunately the main problem with both Thomas and Percy (can't comment on James) is their motor and geartrain design. On the Bachmann USA website, you can see the innards of the models by looking in the spares department for the G scale Thomas range.

[@leokimvideo]

FEATURED, thanks for your massive support of late, lets make TOBY a star

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@tomatojamsam - if you must know, I've been ill recently. Doing my best - there were quite a lot more visual "quotes" this time around. I do my best - people in the last video said I rushed the narration, so I slowed it down for this one. Simply can't win!

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski the spam thing would be due to my many comments here, youtube hates spammers. I feel much of Toby's appeal is he's so different to the other bright coloured big personality engines, he comes with a lot less baggage. It's so easy to say Gordon or Spencer is beat, and sure they are the BIG characters, but as we know having a big character does not impress everyone. Being mundane can have huge advantages in a alpha male stand off! Real mojo comes in all shapes and sizes!

[@allanegleston13]

have the bachmann toby and i had 5 uk wagons plus a usa style caboose ( flischman cars ). ran him half way round my layout and he started to smell like burnt wire . so the operating department has limited him to one car and caboose or switching . i still like him .

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski pt5, there is one thing which is really powerful and that's the toys and play which young children end up remembering all through their life, they will have flashback reminders of all the good things via this toy, and I know from the comments I have seen Thomas is a key component to so many people. Those McD happy meal toys work on this principal, on my video much older people look back with good memories related to toys they remember, in a flash they are kids again

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@TheClaudHamilton - actually, one of the four models failed before the tug of war, so it would have been a pretty one sided event anyway (not affecting the outcome in any way...!)

[@leokimvideo]

@Damocles178 the best thing about simierski's reviews are they bring the hammered Thomas community together, i see lots of tubers who i have known for years here and we all know so many have now gone after being wiped out by hit's iron glove. i was clearing out my log of fav videos which was over 4 years old, almost half the videos in this log have now been removed and so many channels now closed. we have suffered heaps, hopefully we are still strong

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski and most importantly I hit the THUMBS UP, something many fail to do!

[@leokimvideo]

does bachmann do Spencer, if so he would be a good one to do

[@CarGuyZM10]

I truly enjoy these! Great Idea! Please keep them coming!

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@AaronIzzard - yep - a few nods and intentional bloopers that were originally seen in the television series!

[@Sodoradventures]

Excellent, once more! I would agree 100% that Bachmann Toby has all the right looks. I never knew Hornby toby was THAT big. Thanks again for your video!

[@TamagotchiToonz]

I always thought of this but I think that in the episode Cows we see a shot of Edward, Gordon, and Toby in a siding together and Toby was taller than Gordon which is a cousin of the LNER A3 Flying Scotsman because Gordon was an A1 and the A1s were rebuild into the A3s.

[@hiesler]

I see you have bought another On30 2-6-0. I am intrigued to say the least! I would like to see Bill & Ben reviewed next.

[@mariobest93]

*And here's TOBY*

[@Memjay]

Well in the tv series of Thomas and friends, Toby said “I’m built to go slow” so Bachman made him be a slow tram engine.

[@TheClaudHamilton]

Do you know, Simon, I reckon the bit with garden sheds being faster than Toby is another benefit of sorts, because the J70s never travelled much faster than 30mph.

[@bluehairedgirlstudio]

maybe you should add a bit on how controllable they are. do they jump from 0-100 in a second or do they reach it gradually making it better at shunting without smashing into the buffers...

[@blasterblaster1221]

why was Gordon and henrys parts and faces switched

[@sambee8982]

I don't know, but I've seen something like this in a magazine story before when Gordon and Henry switched tenders. And possibly in an episode in the TV series.

[@esoteriastudio]

I think that's true.

[@MBMBMBMBMBMB7]

cuz theyre gay trains

[@TheOnlyHollywood1]

Mohamed buhdeima They can't be

[@TheRyanCarMan]

A yes! An American one wins! Not that I don't like Hornby, but I only have Bachmann myself. Another great review. If Bachmann had better motors and/or chassis, I think they would win a few more. But as I said, great review as always! Do you think one could take a Bachmann model and convert it into a "J70"? I know it's loosely based on it, but it wouldn't look TOO bad. My vote is a review on Edward!

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@726berkshire - no problem. Has to be said, the next video is a rather epic win for one company...!

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@leokimvideo - not sure why people marked your comment as spam, but I've unmarked it. Tell you what, Toby is the sleeping giant of Thomas & Friends. I've heard a lot of people say they don't like Gordon, Thomas, Emily, Lady and so on, but not a single bad word for Toby. This video has opened my eyes to the power of the tram engine. I'll have to retract the garden shed comment, of course...!

[@leokimvideo]

@sonicxthomasexpert well if simierski does Spencer it will be interesting to see if it is as popular as Toby. Who would have thought a square dirt coloured tram would be soooooooo popular. It certainly caught me by surprise.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@leokimvideo - ran out of space - point is, I'd definitely consider doing them, but only when money is better, and I've had a chance to think about how they could be tested well.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@Zorran202 - not sure how in depth it would be, given one has been discontinued...

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@leokimvideo - it's strange - I wonder if its the personality that comes with the character too? So many people cite Edward as their favourite character, and its always down to the characteristics which to some extent Toby shares. Is it because Toby is not conventional in look that people seem to have hidden their fondness for this character?

[@Damocles178]

I never thought I'd say this but I actually like the Bachmann Toby's face; now that there is a stunner as I pretty much dislike all the Bachmann Thomas faces but it's clear that this Bachmann Toby beats the Hornby Toby by a long shot. The Bachmann Toby is among Bachmann's best and arguably has the best face too. Another splendid review and while I knew it would be interesting it exceeded my expectations! :)

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@matt814211 - one broke down prior to filming the tug of war, so had to come up with something...!

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski pt4, BUT seeing the mass appeal of Toby throws all my ideas out the window related to the reason why Thomas is popular. Toby has not got a classic shape, nor colour and his face lacks the cheeky charm of Thomas. So has Toby got something even more primeval? Maybe it's his number 7, whatever it is this garden shed has some magical power just like Thomas!

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@XBrucePatX - it's 3-1 at the moment - who will win the next one? Don't forget to vote!

[@leokimvideo]

@TMRReturns I don't like places selling trash at high prices, it's that simple.

[@TheVicarstownSentinel]

Another fine review, Simon. Seems Hornby's winning so far, but I would probably go for the Bachmann Toby anyway. It may not be fast or strong, but I think it captures the character perfectly, and to me that's what counts, for this model at least ;)

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@tencents6 - basic gist was that one of the four models stopped working prior to the shoot, so doing a tug of war would have been unfair. Of course, team thomas always wins anyway...!

[@leokimvideo]

@therailwayinspector3 i would argue the detail aspect related to kids. kids scrutinize this stuff way more than adults do, they are far more picky about actual look than most adults. children suffering autism will look over them with a even greater search for fine details and traits connecting them to the real deal. over the last 4 years I have had many mails from parents explaining to me aspects of autism and the connection to trains, what I have learned is very interesting indeed.

[@DamiensTrainsandTravels]

Am hoping to buy Toby soon, hornby Toby would be perfect if smaller. I have hornby one. Just heard his TV series model was stolen from drayton manor

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@sgprailfan - no as the Bachmann Toby shell is too small for the hornby motor drive. If Bachmann toby had all wheel drive, it would be a different matter.

[@hartleymartin]

The long 14-second lap time for the Bachmann Toby is a good sign. Toby is supposed to trundle along at 12 miles per hour on the roadside tramways. This also make him rather good for shunting. I think it is a real shame that Bachmann did think of making a scale J70 model which could be realised as either a J70 or NWR No. 7...

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski Diesel is another of my favs, i like the drab coloured characters

[@callinstead09]

I was wondering if a Bachmann branchline model could be compared with a Hornby counterpart "Same locomotive, different manufacturer." For example a Hornby peppercorn A1 could be compared with a Bachmann peppercorn A1.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@BramGroatFilms - if you check the Copley Hill blog, you'll find out more...!

[@Damocles178]

If you haven't got him I wish you the best of luck on obtaining one; apart from reviews owning him would be a pleasure :) I have no Hornby Thomas stuff or anything but with it's increasing rarity of some characters I'm starting to think I should buy some.

[@leokimvideo]

@TheRyanCarMan Lady is yet another flash in the pan character, thats a big trait of this franchise.

[@leokimvideo]

@Klurty34 i agree, the Hornby face looks less 'gay' thats gay in the old style of the word, not today's version!

[@D0nnyB0y]

I think the speed trial should've gone with who's slower, considering the J70's weren't exactly express engines.

[@CrisisOnACanoe]

I'm actually considering getting a Hornby Toby, throwing the body away, or selling it on Ebay. Keeping the face and chassis with motor, and use the face on a truck/van and use the chassis on another engine.

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@cainman02 - vote noted! Next video will be out in a month.

[@leokimvideo]

@simierski pt1 there is a G scale modeller close to where I live, his layout is in his front yard. He was telling me the issues he's had with the Hornby Thomas G scale and reported to me it's basically expensive trash, I say expensive as you pay a premium because of it's connection to the franchise. He's had lots of issues with the motor and basically reports it runs like a dog. Now you have to consider many G scale modellers choose G scale because they enjoy taking the hobby to the next level

[@Britishrailwaystories]

@C0BO - vote now noted, I am taking them down for the next video!