Incredible New Oxford Rail WW1 Boche Buster Train Pack Unboxing & Review

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My review of the incredible bargain WW1 train pack from Oxford Rail!
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[@williambabcoke248]

I love how this costs less than the 1361, and this includes a bigger locomotive and a massive railgun.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - it's crazy isn't it?! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@chaz4512]

@@SamsTrains this railgun and Dean goods is amazing,I want to buy one of these 😃

[@Embitteredoldcurmudgeon1468]

The shell track that you swapped round will block any elevation of the gun if it runs right up to the breech, so I think the original position was correct. Newsreel footage and photos appear to bear this out.

[@scaone27]

Remember to load the gun the breech would have to be opened so the original way round would be correct .

[@rvlougdon9500]

Usually you would have a dolly between the rack and breech. It moves to allow for load operation and recoil

[@davids82605]

Also, notice how the camo pattern blends in the original position, and absolutely NOT the other way around

[@davidgapp1457]

I don't even own a railway set and I'm drawn to this channel like a moth to a flame. Absolutely brilliant, thank you!

[@TCK007]

Interesting history. This gun, was built buy EOC (Armstrong) as one of a pair for the Japanese Battleship Yamashiro, but they were rejected in favour of similar guns from Vickers. Due to being designed to fit inside a battleship turret, whilst the breech on Boche Buster opened to the right, the gun on Scene Shifter opened to the left which was a rarity for British Artillery. And yes, the carriage that the gun was placed on, was reused in WWII for an 18 inch artillery piece left over from the cancelled N3 battleships, also carried the name Boche Buster.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much for this Billy - interesting stuff! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@victorwesley2725]

🇬🇧 Launches a 14-inch, 2,500-pound TEA BAG☕. And the target is: BERLIN

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! All of it! ;D

[@vectorbrony3473]

Any excuse for the Generals to move their drinks cabinets a few feet closer to Berlin

[@heiderichvladimir7341]

*sits in Berlin with a cup of hot water* the ride should start any moment now...any moment

[@nwrailfan2465]

@@SamsTrains do you have any duplex locos you could run,I have that exact radius curve but ho scale about a month ago I picked up a rivarossi mallet it's from like,1983 and runs beautifully the date the model was built on is actually on the box

[@martinpattison5110]

Now the target should be Brussels.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Some really impressive models! I saw the Dean Goods not too long ago, and it amazed me how good the model's cab is, it felt like being at Swindon again! The livery and the howitzer's camouflage is very well applied and I could see these fitting in well on a WWI railhead layout. Edit: I believe the ammunition sled was actually mounted the right way around; The sled stops short of the gun breach so the cranes can be used to feed in the shells at different heights - Otherwise the gun would need to be perfectly aligned every time it fired and it might damage the tray with the weapon's hydraulic recoiling. Still, though, excellent review, and I applaud doing loading gauge tests like that on rolling stock!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Rocky, ooh cool, so the cab looks accurate then? Yes you’re right about the sled, I looked it up too! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

@@SamsTrains Oh yes - The preserved one has a little platform between loco and tender, so you can get a look at the footplate without having to clamber up the steps yourself, strangely, the driver's side of the roof had steam heating pipes. Weird considering how open the rest of the cab was, especially if you went tender first. And like a lot of 19th century GWR locos, the folding seat for the driver is out from underneath the little bit of roof and you can't reach the controls from there. Victorian engine designers made some interesting ergonomic choices, didn't they? And I wonder if the ammunition sled being detachable is a possible plug for a 'Munitions Wagon Train Pack' sometime in the future :P

[@e-mananimates2274]

I like how the code contains the word "BOOM." Also, imagine if an engine like that was on Sodor and told stories of the railgun.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - I can imagine it too!! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Kanjilearner]

As long as that engine isn't Benson from Victor Tanzig's _The Stories of Sodor._

[@traingamer2037]

ATTENTION ATTENTION.- Benson

[@trainfan998]

Ok, if you have this train set, you need to have a bachmann diesel carry the gun around their layout. Come on, someone has to have done that already.

[@yourfriendlyneighbourhoodb2688]

@@Kanjilearner might be a good idea to keep Peter away from it too. Might stop him shooting hospitals 🤷🏼

[@davidbugler4597]

17.45 I believe the metal frames, as well as the 'handrails' along the top, were to support camouflage netting. 17.55 The big handwheel was, as you say, part of the fine aiming mechanism -- the gun could be adjusted two degrees left/right by using that handwheel to slew the top carriage across the muzzle-end span bolster. It would of course have to be re-centred for proper balance before the gun was attached to a train for movement, given that the barrel alone weighed 86 tonnes. And yes, it was a gun, not a howitzer. In a naval mount -- with full power-assisted loading and pointing -- it could fire 2 rounds a minute, but with manual loading and aiming that would be more like 1 round every two or more minutes. But it could upset people calmly eating lunch more than 20 miles away, which is a pretty mean thing to do. Excellent review of a fascinating model, as usual.

[@KMACKTIME]

I’d like to see a Gustav cannon model from WWII

[@SamsTrains]

Me too, that’d be crazy! :D

[@irishtrains1396]

Yeah, but they would have to scale down a model of it because if they made it like to scale based on the locos size it wouldn't be able to pull it.

[@LogHAHAHAHA]

@@irishtrains1396 ?

[@oliknow]

@@irishtrains1396 why? The Nodel "Schwerer Gustav" was a Railway Cannon BUT it could not be transported on Track in one piece. The Cannon was constructed at the site of use, transported deconstructed by Train. The fully build Cannon used double Tracks for it's firing Curve and was dragged by two large V188 Locomotives. Fully constructed it would just be scenery.

[@BMMEC6000]

@@irishtrains1396 you don’t understand anything about models don’t you. If you were to scale down the cannon then you would have to scale down the locomotives that pull it. Also it was pulled by more than one locomotive.

[@MilkDrinker218]

“It’s a long way to Tipperary, it’s a long way, to go~”

[@SamsTrains]

Love it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Scrambledggman]

R u Irish like me 🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮

[@MilkDrinker218]

No, I’m afraid.

[@Scrambledggman]

@@MilkDrinker218 ok

[@CindyDijkema]

"to the sweetest girl i know!"

[@JamesSmithStudios]

This is the best thing to ever come out of Oxford Rail! The Karki Dean Goods was beautiful, and that Rail Gun was flawless in every way! Great review Sam! Can’t wait for more!

[@SamsTrains]

I think so too James - it's incredible - even the loco yeah!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jmream2618]

Sam'sTrains @5:23 looks like the locomotive that James The Red Engine is based off of

[@cjperkinsboy1293]

Hmm shiny dome Hmm James

[@LawrenceTimme]

Top class piece of kit. Oxford rail have knocked it out the park with this and it's going to be extremely hard to beat. I think Oxford rail are the best £/quality and performance manufacturer by a long way ATM. The big companies seriously need to up there game in both quality and price.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree Lawrence, how will they top this?! They certainly are - can’t wait to see what else they come up with! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LawrenceTimme]

@@SamsTrains you review was also top class on this. I'm glad you went into so my depth to show clearance issues and how it went through points and curves as well as the excellent b roll showing the detail against the white screen.

[@H_chapman17]

Great video sam why not run it with a Q1 or a WD 2-8-0 Many thanks Harry

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Harry - you absolutely could do!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@michaelgarofalo6231]

Harry Chapman mainly due to when those two loco’s were built in comparison to this one?

[@Penguig]

@@michaelgarofalo6231 but going by sam's running sessions I don't think he really minds if they are from different time periods

[@michaelgarofalo6231]

MOTHER RUSSIA fair enough.

[@ashleywilson14282]

I love your videos!!!!!

[@Planestrains-d5e]

I bought one of these a few years ago in anticipation of finally setting up a new layout and in the last few weeks have finally gotten around to it - and oh dear! The initial layout is just a 6x4 on a hardwood table with cork track bed. I set the loco to run in and it was fine - quiet and pretty quick. A good smooth runner- until I hooked up the rail gun. It performed another couple of circuits and then stopped dead. Investigation time - the engine is humming and vibrating but to all intents and purposes as dead as a dodo. As it’s out of warranty I decided to be a bit less than gentle and got it running again, back to the same standard as before. However, it has derailed a couple of time and, each time it does, the loco jams up again. The only conclusion I can have is that there’s something a bit off on the tolerances of the gears that causes a jam if the loco gets into a situation it doesn’t like. So I’m really not that impressed, even with this ‘new and improved’ Dean Goods.

[@francora4763]

That railgun is gigantic! Let's hope Oxford rail does a garratt with this level of quality. It would be a dream for me.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh that’d be awesome, I’d love if they did that!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@kompstdog2509]

To me, it doesn't matter what flaws it has. This loco is beautiful and looks like it's worth more than it costs! There is so much intricate detail on these models for the price, it's what I call, a steal. :)

[@SamsTrains]

That's fair enough - it certainly is superb in my opinion! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

Thinking about it, I think the reason they manage to make their models so cheap is their priorities. They don't remove the seams, they put the metal where it's the most useful but need the least detail, so the castings can be cheap, they add all the extra details that they can do cheaply, and they commit to decent quality mechanisms. I bet sanding off those seams before painting would be several man hours by a minimum wage intern, which would hike up the prices, so they decide to just leave it and make up for it by adding other features. What do you think? Does this seem like a decent explanation as to why they can afford to sell them cheap?

[@John73John]

That is an amazing rail gun! Watching it bend itself through those points forward and backward just made my day!

[@SamsTrains]

Oh me too John, I was utterly amazed it managed that - I have 4-wheel wagons that derail on those points! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@gh0sttz797]

This is so astonishing and satisfying seeing that gun go across the tight points

[@SamsTrains]

I know!! Can you believe that?! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TracksideStudios06]

The amount of detail on it is just incredible! (And a little overwhelming). Quite a short running board the loco has, it looks a bit unusual that way. The livery is really cool though. Great job!

[@SamsTrains]

I agree - I'm blown away by this! You're right, the Deans are odd looking things! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@michaelking2568]

well u never fail to make me smile

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you so much Michael! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@tryffan-ddu009-layout9]

Hi Sam, I bought the plain painted WWII Gladiator as mine is a WWII layout. Your review is spot-on. The field gun is the most fantastic bit of kit. Everyone comments on the field gun and wants to see it running. It has its own siding alongside the Ambulance Train. A great section of my layout. Thanks Sam, brilliant review. J.T.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much -yeah it's amazing isn't it? Still so impressed by these! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Kris-qy7hh]

A 14-inch railgun?! Wow! The King George V class battleships for the Royal Navy of WW2 used 10 14-inch guns as their main armament! Now that’s firepower! The shells literally weigh 1 ton!

[@SamsTrains]

Haha wow, yeah it’s bonkers isn’t it?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@billylauwda9178]

Well, the one on HMS King George and her sister ships haves a calibre of 50. While that raulway gun probably 25-30 not sure. I just use ny finger and a screenshot to measure it.

[@johngoody7220]

Nope They use 13.5 Inch Guns The BL 14 Inch Guns Were Use By The Chlliean Navy On The Battleship Almarante Latorrie Which Was In Royal Navy service In WW1 As HMS Canada

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hiya Sam, very nice to see, I really want a WW2 one, but don't know, they were moved around by a Maunsell diesel shunter looking very like an 08. But I agree, its stunning. Oxford Rail are indeed leading the way and I am yet to have a bad experience with them. Very glad to see you using a Gauagemaster controller, you can now enjoy the 'real life' feel of driving locos up and down hill and adding or reducing speed just like the real thing and have nice smooth safe operation, good call. Great video.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Mike, me too - love them! That’s very true actually - it is more realistic - though I’m used to them ‘driving themselves’ during filming ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@leilacentral1883]

What a train pack! Big fan with how Oxford Rail are producing models especially the price for the quality. That recoil is phenomenal in real life. The overhang and clearance of that gun is hilarious but awesome at the same time. Great review as always am. Clint at Leila Central.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Clint, I’m a big fan too -superb! Really glad you liked this! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@VenTheRen5757]

There's a show called the great model railway challenge. One team had a rail gun that succesfully fired smoke!!! i was blown away! :0

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I remember seeing that - it's very impressive! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Auri713Real]

You shuold rewiew Lego trains just for fun and compare them with hornby trains😂

[@SamsTrains]

haha great idea!! :D

[@dddf27]

Yes i aggree

[@Bittern19]

Yes

[@sonicrail5253]

that's a great idea!

[@gunner678]

Each to their own I think. It's nice to have a little demarcation.

[@peterforden5917]

They were built (it and its Sister Gun', 'Scene shifter' ) during ww1 and were found by 'accident' refubished and put to use, two land based guns Winnie and Pooh were also found somwhere, they were all Naval guns.

[@SpottingWithSam]

you know how you have made a Blitz video? Make a WW1 Video! because these are WW1 Stock! just a Idea! Sam :D

[@SamsTrains]

That would be epic, great idea Sam! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@solar_9878]

do you know what I see? James joined the military, cut off his front bogey cuz he thinks its useless, gets repainted (basically goes through a giant character arc) and just hauls this big chongus gun and blasts the naughty boys and girls away

[@rydermike33]

A wonderful train-pack and great review Sam. Many thanks. Oxford certainly seem to be setting the standard don't they!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Mike - that's very true - seems they can do no wrong with their OO railway stuff! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@EN2YT]

As soon as I saw “incredible” as the first word in the title, I knew you were gonna be excited. Spectacular train set, your reviews are ALWAYS top notch! 👍

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh yes, very thrilled with this one! Thanks so much for that mate! Cheers, Sam :)

[@GothicSteamEngine96]

I love me some WW1 rolling stock! Its such a tempting train pack to buy!

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh I know - I can highly recommend it anyway!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@codydombrowski3347]

Astonishing, Now I'm A American Train Person But Its Wonderful To See What Other Kinds Of Trians There Are In The World, What A Wonderful Model !

[@SamsTrains]

Glad you liked it mate - I'm amazed by this one too!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jackclarke1220]

How about as a animation project with the railgun firing on some pesky Heljan engines? (O4 Tango I'm looking at you!)

[@SamsTrains]

haha I'd certainly enjoy that! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@raymonddavidson1237]

10/10 wonderful what else can one say....well done Oxford.......

[@jackamus_prime5062]

One little GWR 0-6-0 tender engine can't pulled one biggest heaver railgun to get the top Gordon hill that is impossible said James the red engine!😂

[@SamsTrains]

haha - it was pretty close to not making it! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@monsoonidiot]

From the tiny bit of research I decided to do and the very slight bit of Naval knowledge I have, The BL 14 inch (356mm) naval gun was a decently popular (I think) naval gun for some Dreadnoughts. (New York class and New Mexico class are the only dreadnoughts I know with them.) They were also used post WW1 on the King George the V class in a 2x4 and 2x2 configuration. The 14inch guns were the BL 14 inch Mk VII. The 13.5 (Other gun from the same website) were also pretty common. They were mounted on the Orion class and Iron Duke class of Dreadnoughts. That's about all I know. There are some surviving examples of the BL 14 inch guns (Not the railway guns) today. For me, most notably is the 14 inch guns mounted on the USS Texas.

[@monsoonidiot]

1x2 instead of 2x2*

[@SamsTrains]

Many thanks for sharing my friend, appreciate that! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@AdiPullen]

Hi sam Wow nearly 50k wow I miss my Oxford rail Dean goods It had too many issues for me at time Swapped it for a 72xx The gun could feature in a story for Nov 11 or ttte stories you use to do. Only an idea Keep safe arp

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Adi, I'm amazed by that! Yes the motors in the old ones were not good - this ROD one has a brand new type of motor used, and they're miles better, as you can see! I agree - it'd be great for that! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@gunner678]

I do like that. Many years ago I built a 1/72 scale kit of the K5 Leopold railway gun and I converted it to run on 00 track. Then 20 years ago I built a Marklin gauge 1 set in my garden. Remembering the gun from years ago, I built one from scratch using plywood for the body and a snooker cue for the barrel, mounted on adapted Marklin flatbeds, all finished and sprayed up in German western front camouflage. Bought some Britain's Germans as crew and we were away. My young son and I had had many a happy hour playing with that beast. It presently sits in a display case waiting for someone to play with it. Any offers, 040 Luzie tank Locomotive included? Breech not door old chap, and they are ammunition hoists (or crane or union purchase)! Nice review and a lovely model. By the way, what I did with my railway gun (rail gun is something quite different ) is make a tunnel and kept it in there, guarded by some WW1 soldiers, ready to pop out and fire. It appeared from nowhere and disappeared as quickly, very impressive.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Matthew - that sounds fantastic, probably much more impressive to say you built it by hand! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@evalpenguin8797]

dam you youtube recommendations, i already throw all my money at 40k, i can't afford a new hobby... ... maybe just the boche buster... yes just *one*

[@SamsTrains]

haha go for it - they're awesome!!! :D Merry Christmas, Sam :)

[@233kosta]

You mentioned the cannon recoils in its mounts, so I would assume there has to be some clearance between the breech and the loading rail to allow it to move freely.

[@matthawkins1771]

Sam this is such an amazing set, thanks for sharing it!

[@SamsTrains]

My pleasure Matt, I loved doing this one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@flynnbolam]

Please can you do a review and unboxing video of the Hornby 43209 tank engine (0-4-0 version of the E2 tank engine)

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds pretty epic Flynn - I'll look for one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@flynnbolam]

@@SamsTrains I have one, I have a couple of videos on it if you want to check them out. :D

[@ross5361]

Wow I Thought the engine wont work cause of the Original dean goods But Wow! :D

[@SamsTrains]

It crossed my mind too - but it was miles better! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheRealEasyA]

Railway guns are very interesting part of railway history and war history as well. Germany was very fond of railway artillery. During WWII they had the Krupp K5 railway gun which was one of the most effective of railway guns not too dissimilar to this one. The guns were huge and the Germans would often build special tunnel bunkers that were hidden to push the gun, an engine and some ammo trucks in. The allies had difficulty finding them because the gun and crew would pop out of the bunkers, shoot about 8 shells, and then quickly scoot back in out of the view of allied air and recon. They also would put out dummy guns in the nearby rail yards for display and simulate muzzle flash in order to trick and decoy allied fighters and recon. There's actually allied footage of an attack on a decoy gun. Just an incredible set you have there, and yeah. Do get a dedicated siding for it. You can use it as a museum piece as there is one of the K5 guns here in the U.S. on display.

[@SamsTrains]

Wow that’s fantastic Alex, I wonder whether any modellers have ever depicted that before?! Thanks a lot for the info! Cheers, Sam :)

[@rstowers7899]

Him: Classic ww1 train pack Me: hell yeah war on the rails

[@SamsTrains]

haha for sure!! ;D

[@mariebcfhs9491]

Get a Krupp K5(E) Leopold so the Boche buster has an opponent, the Baguette buster!

[@TheCarDemotic]

Marie BCFHS I’ve seen the Krupp K5 irl

[@garywheeler7039]

I am impressed that you were able to make a usable attic space out of a house with a truss roof. Its rather unique looking. In the US the spacing is 24 inches on center and the space barely usable.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Gary! Ahh yeah 24 inches wouldn't be great - but I bet these aren't far off that!! Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@andrewchapman2039]

They had a license to print money with this model set and decided to hand it out at bargain prices. Hats off to them!

[@abnavyguy46]

Rail guns are just in general fascinating. The size of the guns mounded on the large rail frames was no easy task. It's nice to see that the makers of this rail gun took the time and figured out the articulation on the sets of wheels to handle curves on a layout.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree, they’re very interesting indeed! Yes it’s clear that a lot of careful consideration went into the model - and that really pays! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Bittern19]

3:07 wow 😯👍👍👍👍😁😁

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! :D

[@rexremedy1733]

The weird bogie construction helps to negotiate very tight curves. As they had tight curves behind the battle lines to adjust the howitzer direction without having to move the car too long distances. The handwheel was used to lift the mouth of the gun. Yes, the sled helps to move the ammunition.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely Rex - and it works remarkably well too! :O Thanks a lot for confirming all of the queries! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rexremedy1733]

Sam'sTrains you are welcome! In germany, very similar railguns were used and I have seen films from the time showing how it works... Although very big weapons, they failed to have any substantial impact in both wars, as the support logistics were tremendous and very easily disrupted by enemy forces. One occasion a much bigger rail gun was used was in Stalingrad.

[@SpottingWithSam]

Ohh Golly Goodness! look out where you aim that Sam! :0 Dont wanna Hit New Zealand!! :0 XD What a Superb Model! :D Loved the Video! Sam

[@SamsTrains]

Haha I know - it’s crazy stuff! ;D

[@colinlangford6258]

Hi Sam great videos. Gun carriage was correct at the rear as received. Shells were loaded onto carriage by cranes, then moved forward to the breach. Cheers, Col.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Col - yes you're right about that, I checked after filming! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Layton_Nando]

Sam i cant ser your videos and lives between september and june

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey! How come mate?! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ellisdiggle1523]

Just a quick note Sam, the ammunition rail on top of the railway gun was the right way round originally. The crane would be used to hoist the shells from the ammo wagons onto the small truck and the other crane would hoist the shell into the gun breech. If the small truck fed the shells into the gun directly, the gun would be unable to elevate. Other than that it's all good.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes you're absolutely right - I checked against some images after the review - it's definitely a non-issue! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@williamhawkes7437]

hiya Sam, great reveiw as always and I am ordering one of these as we speak as a result of this review, from Oxford Rail. The sled was, in fact, reversible on the original gun and this was to allow for ammo to be loaded on AND off the gun as there were concerns about the ammo exploding while the train was in motion. secondly the seam you mention on the barrell, is, in fact, an accurate feature. This occurred because the two sides of the barrel were cast separately and then welded together after the casting and skimming. I hope this helps. Please excuse my absence of recent times ....I have got married!!!!

[@SamsTrains]

That's lovely to hear William - really hope you enjoy it mate! That's very interesting - nice that you can reverse it on the model too then!! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@peters1127]

Great video, you made a comment (32.56) looking for a reason to run the Boche Buster. Well I noticed you have Tardis on you layout, well just get inside and go back in time to 1918 and enjoy. I to have a Tardis on my layout era 1950-1969 so if I want to run modern locomotives I go inside and transport into the future, works for me.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Peter - haha that sounds fantastic, great idea! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@joeeason6538]

Maybe time to update the layout? Give it it's own sidings and build a little military base for it to live 😉

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh I know Joe - so tempted! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@joeeason6538]

@@SamsTrains would definitely be a cool feature... and I'm pretty sure you can get some flat bed wagons with removable army tanks... in fact no I might just be giving myself ideas here 😂

[@JohnDoe-un3xm]

the way the pull off that complex a livery that inexpensively is hydro-dipping, almost guaranteed.

[@spankflaps1365]

For war-train fans, I recommend the Lima HO German Army WW2 Leopold train pack. I got mine new back in the 80’s. You can get them on eBay for £150-200. It contains a double diesel loco, coach, van, wagon and Leopold Railgun (as seen in “The Guns of Navarone”). It’s all super-detailed, and looks similar to the Nazi train in the new Indiana Jones movie.

[@Bahamas-rd8le]

On the rail where you thought they stored the ammo, it isn’t used to put the shells in. It is in fact used to take them out. As a bullet leaves a gun, there is a cartridge thing that gets left behind and that will have to be taken out.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh duly noted! Thanks very much for the extra info, appreciate it! Cheers, Sam :)

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

I completely agree, the Boche Buster is an absolutely amazing model for its price. To me it's not even the detail that makes its price so amazing, but the fact that it's a niche product even among model railway enthusiasts - which normally fetch an even higher price.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Damian - I'm just amazed by it - and you're right, it's so specialist, and yet still so well done! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@martinsims1273]

I believe I'm right in saying that "Boch buster" "lived" on the Elham Valley railway line, down towards the south of England (can't remember the exact location of this line 'though), but I do know that it was intended for coastal defence (in case we were invaded). It wouldn't reach France, it's range was 19 miles, but apparently it was only fired (for practice) 5 times, as the blast broke windows in the nearby villages up to a mile away. The line was double track, but the military took over one track to house the gun, which was kept inside a tunnel when not in use, to hide/protect it from the enemy. And you're right about the curved track: these "super heavy" guns, as they were known, were so powerful that the traverse on the barrel had to be restricted to 2 degrees either side of centre, to prevent the recoil from knocking the gun carriage sideways off the track. In order to aim this type of gun, they were placed on a specially laid, steadily curved spur of track, and always had a loco in attendance. To aim, the whole gun carriage was shunted along the curve until the barrel was pointing in the right direction (using compas bearings & map). Then the 2° traverse either way was used for fine tuning the aim.

[@martinsims1273]

P.s: if you wanted to accurately house this gun on your layout, either build a tunnel to hide it in (bit of a shame to do that though, hiding it where nobody will see it), or build a steadily curved firing spur for it. I believe the real world ones were about 1/4 mile long, but like most other things on a model layout, that would highly likely have to be a compromise because of available space. :-)

[@martinsims1273]

Oh, and the line is near Folkestone.

[@MrBnsftrain]

I went into my local model train store which sold hornby for a couple of years now, and it also had some Oxford Rail warwell wagons with steamroller loads for $64 each (which is more expensive than the price on Hatton's, and is more than this railgun's RRP) In America, there was a large railgun produced by various manufactuers from the 70s or so until about 2014, and it resembles this Oxford railgun a lot (but not as detailed, has only 8 axles. and is shorter than my IHC passenger cars)

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey that is pretty expensive - I’ve noticed those aren’t as cheap as the rest of Oxfords stuff too! That sounds cool, I’ll have to check that out! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@charlieflockhart2203]

Sam as far as excuses go a war series would be a good one plus you can get more use of the ambulance train.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree Charlie - it's high time I did a proper video on all of that stuff! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@georgetimperley8906]

WOW! I can't say in writing how impressive that is to me, I really want one of those! Absolutely wonderful. Oxford rail are turning out to me my favourite model railway producer! I really did enjoy that. No way that video was 40 minutes that went quick! Big well done to Oxford rail. Great video Sam 👍

[@SamsTrains]

I know George - I struggled to put it into words too!! They're turning into mine too!! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rockhopperpenguin7141]

Upon seeing this I immediately bought a model of the 'Gladiator' railway gun for myself. Also the thing you swapped round was in the right position as ammo would be placed on that from a munitions carriage behind the gun.

[@paulwollenzein2324]

The American rail guns were organized into a single cannon per unit. And were organized and controlled by the US Navy! I kid you not. Each barrel was one unit, I believe. And when transporting it was accompanied by1 box car for powder. 1 boxcar for ammunition.. Crew cars. And a end of train car, a caboose, in the US. And to top it off each unit was organized and run as if it was an actual ship.

[@paulwollenzein2324]

Plus they also included a flat car/wagon as a idler and for increased braking. Crew cars were usually regular passenger cars with sleeping cabins. But this is probably up for interpretation based on what type of cars were available.

[@rossstone2610]

Great review 👍 I just picked up a lightly used Gladiator rail gun from Rails for £49.50 and I love it to death. Can’t wait to run it at my local club layout

[@sgkingly8392]

The part that you flipped round was correct the way oxford put it on. I had a look at reference photos and plans of the real thing and there is a distinct gap between that and the gun breech and it overlaps over the edge of the mounting.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I looked it up afterwards too - I'm not sure why that would be! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@lavawolf666]

if we take in consideration how the shell rail is painted it goes in the other way, the camo need to match the camo on the main body, also i think will obstruct the movement of the canon, by hithing the bridge

[@sgkingly8392]

I am so glad that new motors are in these. I am tempted to get one now!

[@SamsTrains]

Me too - such a great move to change them! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@robbyboy03]

What a stunning model. I was in the Australian Defence force and my father was in the RAF so 8 do have an interest in this Thanks Sam. Good job.

[@SamsTrains]

Sounds great Robert, well worth picking one up then, hehe! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bryantan863]

That Boche Buster railgun with the GWR Dean Goods locomotive from Oxford Rail looks pretty badass Sam. Plus, it is also money well spent.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate, I agree - very badass! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ItAbel-xy3xk]

Hi Sam I went on the 621 Duke of Edinburgh yesterday. I was at my grandparents house because they live near the station and we heard a horn. They said they heard a whistle before I came. Then we left and as we arrived at the station we heard the diesel horn again. We went onto a good viewing and saw the SAR 500 class diesel roll into the station (it shunts for the steam engine) We waited at the station and soon saw and heard the 621 storm round the corner. It coupled and I got on the first coach closest to the steam engine. It departed and after a lovely coastal track ride we arrived at Victor Harbour. The engine uncoupled and it reversed back to the turntable. I got to the turntable as quickly as possible to see it go down the track, go on the switch and turn around. I got some photos of it on the turntable. I then went back to the station and got on the train, and we had chips as the train departed. We got back to the station (Goolwa) and I greeted the driver. It was a lovely (very cold) day and I can't wait for the next ride I have on it! Great video by you, the rail gun looks amazing!

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh wow that sounds like a superb day, with some great trainspotting too! Can't beat chips can you?! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@pencilpauli9442]

The double bogie on a primary bogie would help the railgun negotiate bends and points really well. Great stuff thanks I didn't know about this rail gun at all so will have to research it further. Can imagine it would have some munition wagons and another engine at the rear

[@Onthemainline]

Fun Fact: My Great - Grandad used to lay the rail for these guns to fire, recoil and travel on. My Dad told when I showed him this on the Hattons website :) Great Video and review :)

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow really?! It must be awesome to see something like this in model form then! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Onthemainline]

@@SamsTrains It is, it's nice to know that something my family was a part of is now in a very nice and well made train set. If only he was still alive to see. (I never met him)

[@dodgem9012]

Hi Sam, Just watched your video and according to Oxford rail the footplates although a tight fit are actually removable. When I went to purchase this gun I noticed part of the description on the UK retailers website read 'removable footplates', so I emailed Oxford and they comfirmed it and explained the footplates are designed for removal when running the gun and fitted when displayed static.

[@SamsTrains]

That's very interesting - I hadn't realised that! That's very handy then! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@AutoMotive_Vision]

Hi Sam. Awesome video. That railgun is an amazing piece of rolling stock. Do you think the oxford rail/Golden valley hobbies Janus shunter could pull the railgun? Keep up the amazing work-Cal :)

[@SamsTrains]

Hey Cal - thanks so much! Yes I think the Janus could manage easily - they're quite powerful! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@drunkbear889]

Märklin made a Schnabel car (Uai 839) back in 2004-2005 program. Märklin 48295 / Trix 23994. I do not know if that exists from any manufacturer in 1:76 gage. In 1:87 it's one heck of a model with a length of around 72 cm buffer-to-buffer. (0,72m * 87 = 62,64m). And a weight to boot. Around 1-point-6 kilograms.

[@patrickadams1430]

Basically a small schnabel car made into a long range cannon, that'll help your railroad beat the competition :)

[@georgewarren2841]

Hi sam great video as alway and such and amazing value for money pack. Tbh i believe the ammunition sled is the correct way when you unboxed it as the first crane would lift the shell from the ground to the sled where it overhangs it would be rolled to the other end and the second crane would lift it into the cannons breach. Also the way you have it means the breach wouldn't be able to open fully

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot George really glad you liked it! Yes I think you’re right actually - I’ve looked it up and it does look that way! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@edbridges1164]

Boche Buster was Housed in Bourne Park Tunnel on the Elham Valley Railway in East Kent! It was Fired a few times! I believe it was also used during WWII and fired at German Occupied France

[@SamsTrains]

Oh I didn't know that - I thought they were scrapped after WW1! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@edbridges1164]

@@SamsTrains if its the same one there is a short Video of it on here called "Boche Buster (1941)" The Name on the Guns Side says H.M.C. Boche Buster! The Royal Engineers took over the Elham Valley from Canterbury as far down as Lyminge also a short distance from the Tunnel were Laid curved Firing Sidings so the Guns Barrel could be aimed at France! There was a story of a second rail gun on the Cliffs at St Margarets Bay Dover but am currently unsure if this was Boche Buster or anothef one

[@cynicalcharclone5894]

It was until I saw this video that I looked in the description and saw the link for Hattons. Thanks for the link, I’ll be using that as another source for model trains.

[@SamsTrains]

My pleasure mate, glad that was helpful! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@cynicalcharclone5894]

Sam'sTrains no problem. Recently got my LNER Class J38 and it works great on Bachmann track, which I was a bit worried about since I don’t have OO track mainly because I live in the US. But considering I’ve been getting back into the hobby, your vids have helped a lot, especially considering I want some Hornby models. Thanks again, have a good one.

[@ABellEngine]

I have absolutely NO words! This has to be one of the best thing to exist.

[@SamsTrains]

I agree, it’s utterly superb! :D

[@stephenrose8188]

Hi Sam, another good video, thank you! Have you ever reviewed any old Rivarossi locos? Are they even made any more? I worked as a Saturday boy in Bakers Model Shop, Canterbury St, Gillingham Kent many years ago and the excitement that the Rivarossi locos generated amongst customers and staff (and me) alike was fantastic, but boy they were a lot of money, can't remember exactly how much the big Union Pacific locos were but my paper round and Saturday job money wouldn't buy one for sure.

[@SamsTrains]

I've reviewed one or two, not many of them though! Thanks for sharing - I'd really like to try more! :D Merry Christmas - Sam :)

[@danielwardwell914]

I’ve always had an interest in war trains and royal trains. They’re very interesting, especially the royal trains, such as the Imperial Russian trains from Tsarist Russia. Sam! Will you be doing another Christmas special this year? I love your Christmas specials!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Daniel - yeah they are very interesting aren't they?! :D Yes there will be a Christmas special! :D Cheers, Sam :)

[@martinpattison5110]

Brillant video Sam. What an amazing model. It is a shame that the moulding marks stand out up close. I didn't know about the ambulance train existed. Did you make a video about It? My Grandmothers First Husband was being brought back to England on one of those but as he was so ill they dropped him off at Nursing Station 44 in Mons, Belgium. Where he died of Influencer in March 1919 and is buried in Belgrade Cemetery in Moms. I would like one day to own both of those trains and have them run on the layout just on their own place some tempory dioramas around the layout including a cemetery. He left 3 children. My uncle Jack (The eldest of the three)worked on the Railway since he was 14. All three never married or had any children. Thanks for bringing back the memories.Cheers. Martin (Thailand)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Martin, yes the joins were the only major criticism I could make with this! Yeah I did - you should find it with a quick KZbin search for the Bachmann ambulance train! That really is quite a horrific story - yes I can see that pack having quite a personal meaning for you! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@simonmardon9644]

I’m a new subscriber and after watching this I ordered it and it came today. It looks even better in person, the detail is amazing and can’t believe the price.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear that Simon - really glad you're happy with yours! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@wheresthegovernance4350]

Earmarked this a first buy from Hattons. Even with exchange rate and postage it is still 3 times cheaper than what I can buy one off the shelf in Australia! Great reviews Sam. Champion!

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow that's great to hear Jeff, hope you enjoy if if you decide to get one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@aidan_rickard_v8303]

I want one NOW!!! but they are way to expensive here in Australia. Thanks for another great video Sam.

[@ausfoodgarden]

Just buy it from Hattons. They deduct the 20% VAT from the price and that helps cover postage. I've bought quite a few things from them and I'm in Melbourne 😊

[@SamsTrains]

I think that’s a good idea Gerry, It shouldn’t be too much from Hattons! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@aidan_rickard_v8303]

That's great, thanks

[@MayoHosko]

Before the video: it’s an Oxford rail model railway locomotive so it’s going to surprise us with wow factor, finally the rail gun is released, and it’s an Oxford rail piece of rolling stock so it’s going to surprise us with wow factor After the video: the only thing that lets the train pack down is a few paint splotches and a minor assembly fault, the locomotives mechanism creates ultra slow speed and ultra smooth running, the rail gun crams 30 wheels in and still takes tight curves, the rail gun has no problem over express points and punches above its weight on slow points with its 30 wheels, there is die cast everywhere and the rail gun weighs 5 tonnes. All together you have a 110 pound locomotive when bundled together selling for only 88 pounds and a 200 pound 370 gram 30 wheels piece of rolling stock when bundled together selling for 50 pounds. This train pack certainly lived up to its hype and is better than we all thought it was. The fact that a train pack with an above average locomotive and a record setting piece of rolling stock is only selling for 138 pounds combined is the biggest steal in OO/HO scale model railway history and puts every other manufacturer to shame. By the rate that Oxford rail is trending, bachmann in Great Britain looks like a dead man walking and should be put up in stocks for model railway customers to throw rotten fish and mouldy bread at demanding for their money back and nation wide boycotts. The sheer value that Oxford rail has presented with this train pack exposes how bachmanns cheapness with price galging and dodgy assembly process will not be tolerated by consumers anymore because unlike DJM, Oxford rail has been setting higher standards. For peat sake bachmann can’t even afford the bear essentials like tender pick ups, proper axel bearings, and 5 pole motors. After this triumphant delivery by Oxford rail, unless bachmann step up their game and respond to the challenge of competition set by Oxford rail, will now be relegated from a top of the line manufacturer to a second class phoney just like the dead DJM models and the poverty stricken heljan.co

[@SamsTrains]

haha absolutely right! Though I don't think it was an assembly flaw after all - I've looked it up and they're all like it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Zy_trex]

Amazing video once again! Love it like always! It would have been fun if it had a little '' Bullet '' you could put in the railway gun and then fire away using springs or something like that. Keep these videos going! - A random Swedish fan!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much - yeah I agree that would have been fun to have it spring loaded, though maybe it'd ruin the dignity of the model? ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@eddierools]

Sounds like there may be a motor transplant in your GWR Green Dean Goods' future! And I just bought a Boche Buster railway gun as I was watching this review, cannot wait for it to arrive!

[@SamsTrains]

I hope so - I’ve asked Oxford anyway, lol! That’s awesome, enjoy it mate!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@agentM1991]

Wow what a great train pack. And I perfect one might I add as I am a big history buff with the world wars. I am a history buff with others like the RMS Titanic, American Civil War, skyscrapers, and others. The most expensive rail car in the us market is the Schnabel at $201. You did as "how is that not £200?" And that is on par with the Schnabel. The Schnabel is a car used in Europe, North America, and Australia to ship really heavy loads such as transformers, pipes, engines and more. The load is incorporated into the car itself. The challenge is the load must swing through curves and such to not interfere with foliage and other obstacles close to the track. The load sits low to the track to allow it to clear bridges and tunnels and sometimes could be a challenge too. Fifty pounds for a railroad car. In the US that would be $62.30 which is pretty expensive. Many rolling stock is usually between $25 to $50. The locomotive is £88? That would be $106.69 which is very cheap in the US market for a steam locomotive. Some manufacturers do offer in that range however as I said steamies can cost well over $1,000 in the US and on average cost around $100 to $200.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot mate - hope you enjoyed this one! That sounds very interesting - thanks for this! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@agentM1991]

@@SamsTrains I really did enjoy it. And I can't wait to see it and future videos. Hopefully I did not bore you with all that information.

[@aytonbob]

The Boche Buster was made by the Company I worked for Vickers Armstrong in Newcastle upon Tyne

[@ellisdiggle1523]

Ive stood next to the barrel(only the barrel) of an 18 inch railway gun. It was big enough to crawl through but imagine what you would need to pull its original carriage and all the associated wagons. You'd need a 9F i think. Anyway great vid Sam keep up the good work.

[@SamsTrains]

Wow, pretty unbelievable stuff! I know - quite crazy that a relatively small engine can manage all that! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@18robsmith]

During transit moves all those platforms would either be removed or folded out of the way. Stunning model!

[@brianartillery]

The tight radius points were negotiated because of the asymetric bogie set up. In use, the gun only has traverse by being moved on the track. German guns had special turntables they were mounted on - sometimes rail guns had sidings constructed to fire from or were hidden in tunnels. Whatever, they were built to be able to take fairly sharp bends easily. An expensive and vital weapon that derails easily is a liability. These guns saw more life in the last war - new guns - ex Royal Navy warship, I believe - there was no ammunition for the old guns - were fitted to the old carriages, and used on the south coast.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much for the info that Brian, very interesting stuff! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)