Is Bachmann's New Dance Hall Brake Van A Rip Off? | Unboxing & Review

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Loved your comments. Bachmann are pricing themselves out of the hobby. The large Drax models from Hornby came in pairs at just under £50 and were amazing value for money. The latest models for the Bachmann Collectors Club are quite ridiculous.

[@AQuietNight]

Due to the change in expenses for manufacturing and shipping I would expect prices to go up on some items like locomotives (more so steam). The brake van price does seem to be pushing it.

[@thevauxhallman7157]

Totally agree. For what you get I would expect 3 brake vans not just one.

[@EsotericArctos]

Yes, I agree this is pushing it a lot. As Sam said, all manufacturers are suffering the same economic conditions, yet Bachmann seem to be charging an extra premium. It hurts the hobby as it makes it hard for new people to get into it when prices go up ridiculous amounts.

[@speleokeir]

Completely agree with your review. If the RRP was half the price then I'd think nice brake van, might get one. But at £50 RRP or even £43 at a model shop my reaction is "Bachmann you're taking the Micky, feck off!" I always think what else could I get for the same money? - TWO brake vans just as good from other manufactures. - FOUR Dapol gun-powder vans or vent vans. - A lit Genesis coach plus £3 change. - A Hornby new tooling coronation coach with lights for £50. Those are new. On the second hand market I could get far more. I've bought mint, new tooling DCC Ready locos for £50 in the last 12 months. e.g Hornby Terriers, Schools class, Thompson L1 and King class. As you said it's a rip off. That said there are some people who'll pay it. I suspect Bachmann's marketing policy is "A fool and his money are soon parted" at least that's what they hope!

[@jonswinfield9336]

I ordered mine as soon as I heard about it Unfortunately I was quite underwhelmed by it The horizontal side handrail was just as yours was and so were the wheels Fortunately I had a birthday so I could afford it Since receiving it I haven’t bought any new railway products I’ve scanned eBay to buy second hand good quality products instead At some point I’ll have to change those wheels and find a way to straighten that hand rail !

[@davidhinks8384]

Insane price. With that wonky handrail I'd be asking for my money back. Indeed the Genesis coach quality detail & pricing bring this model into serious criticism. Not harsh in my eyes Sam. Cheers.

[@capecodsteve6575]

👍Great comparison with the coaches , really puts it in perspective . I'm content with my 2nd hand Loadhaul Shark Brake Van at £11.79 . Thanks Sam

[@RobA500]

What make the price even more surprising is that the like of Hornby, Dapol, Accurascale etc all have to pay a third party manufacturer to make their models for them, Bachman don't as they are owned by their manufacturer.

[@Earbrass1]

Surely an O gauge van would be eight times (2 cubed) the size of an OO one, not four? Nice video as always.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh yes right you are - mis-spoke there! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@samgineer9857]

I actually highly commend you for looking at what you pay for how much compared to other manufacturers! Even if a model is cheap as dirt I want to make sure I'm getting the highest quality and in the opposite situation where I'm looking for quality, I'm still looking for what is the better deal in what I'm looking for and your videos absolutely help people like me with similar mindsets, I just know it! Can't believe big companies like Bachmann, Heljan and sometimes Hornby are trying to pawn off cheaper level models at ridiculous and inexcusable prices even when the competition has them beat in both price and quality. I don't even model British trains or OO trains but I still find your videos awesome and an invaluable source of information and this one isn't any different! Keep on chugging, Sam!

[@stephendavies6949]

Great video Sam. More power to your elbow for highlighting these outrageous prices. I'm sure Bachmann will refer to rising costs etc to support their pricing policy, but this is the way the price mechanism works: demand & supply determining the market price. The only way that prices will fall is if there is no demand for such models at these prices. So we should all desist from buying this and other similarly priced models. Trouble is, there's more than enough well-headled modellers out there that will ensure the production run sells out. I'm not one of them, however!

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

This is absolutely a model to keep you eyes out for. On sale. After barely anyone buys it at that ridiculous price.

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi Sam, great honest review, Bachmann think we modellers have Swiss bank accounts, hence the excessive prices.

[@StormmyStormmy]

I'm not sure if i have seen an Accurscale brake van, i hope they produce one for us at a realistic price.

[@clippermuso]

It’ll ne up to customers to decide whether they are willing to pay these ridiculous prices, but a look at some or the larger retailers sale items shows a lot of Bachmann stock (new 37s, 47s and crazily priced mk2fs) being discounted . Indicates they are not able to shift stock at recommended retail discount. It’s great to see Accurascale, Dapol and Cavalex bring competition to the marketplace with good quality models at sensible prices. If you want of these SECR brake vans, hang on and pick one up in a few months at a better discount. As customers it’s up to us to decide whether we’re willing to pay these prices for average products.

[@speleokeir]

Exactly. I mostly buy second hand. I only ever buy new if see it at a big discount in a model shop. The size of some of those discounts suggests how big a mark up the RRPs are. There's making an honest profit and there's taking the Micky.

[@1995TomHughes]

'Extracting the urine' is quite rightly put. Considering some of their coaches are around £10 more which have more detail and various parts etc. Though, even just checking their website they have bigger items of rolling stock for less than the RRP of this brake van. 🤨

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks Tom - yeah even comparing with some of Bachmann's other offerings doesn't make any sense! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@djdaz72]

Nice review, the thing is if people pay these prices they will keep upping them

[@davidbugler4597]

Great and honest review as always, especially on the value-for-money aspect. For this price, the lack of interior detail and lighting is crazy -- particularly since modern LED technology easily allows for the special lamps used on brake vans of this period in service. Pre-grouping freight stock was almost always painted with a linseed-oil based paint tinted with white lead and carbon black, or with various metal oxides for red and brown colours. Unlike coaching stock this was generally not varnished, so the very slight sheen of the fresh paint disappeared within a day or so. Bachmann should know this, and give their wagons a proper matt finish.

[@philbartlett7898]

Useful review Sam and thanks for the honesty. The one issue which I am struggling with recently, not just from Bachmann are wonky plaastic handrails. Hornby have the same on their Stanier 20T brakevans, probably because they are plastic. They would be better with metal handrails I think

[@DaiElsan]

Good review, Sam. It's simple, really, if they want to sell these, they need to bring the price down. If people think its good but bauk at price, don't buy it. At the end of the day, the customer controls the prices.

[@sailingschooners8668]

See my reply as above...

[@DaiElsan]

@@sailingschooners8668 huh?

[@mauricioantunespereira3461]

Toad

[@thomasthornton2002]

Prices like these are why I haven’t brought a brand new item of rolling stock in ten years. Beautiful though the models are the moment you attempt to construct a train with wagons at £10+ you can burn through a £100 for a short rake of pretty generic wagons it’s just not feasible to put together trains with anything other than second hand rolling stock anymore.

[@nameless5413]

it can only be one of 2 things - horribly inefficient supply chain or greed (well technically combination of the two too). Since it is large company i am leaning towards greed, the usual means of how many of similar companies *cough* ea *cough* *spits on ea's soiling of legacy*. Regardless of how the only takeaway is to vote with wallet - go buy competition that dose care about customers and dose try to make things affordable.

[@kimcason8764]

Great Video Sam, as Always. This Brake not Available in Oz as yet, unless imported. And at $87 to $95 AUD. Plus a Shed load for Postage. It ain't gunna be in my Collection, any time soon for Sure..! Luv your work. Cheers All. Kim in Oz.😎

[@allangove1440]

I saw this in my local model shop in Faversham recently and my mouth watered but I bailed when I saw the £40.00 price. A lovely model but Ivwill keep my Cambrian kit built one going. Perhaps a review of that for comparison would be a good idea? Great review Thanks.

[@williamtown4058]

British Railways also used this very design in 1949, the Kent and East Sussex Railway has one from 1949 too.

[@LawrenceTimme]

I love the pre grouping locos and rolling stock. It's not seen as often and very interesting.

[@michael32A]

Gosh, I remember the first Hornby Pullmans with light-up table lamps coming out around 2000 when I was roughly 8yo and being horrified they were £25each (I think?) compared with their Mk1s and previous generation of Pullmans being about £15each, and 4wheel wagons were roughly £5... My expectations on price have really struggled to keep up since!😅

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam I 100% agree with you if there charging that much for a brake van it should have some features on it

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot James - glad you agreed! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@neillscollick6835]

Thanks Sam for a spot on review and yes I did like your phrase 'extracting the urine' and as I teach English abroad that's definitely a phrase to teach my students. As my layout and loco/rolling stock collection is Southern/SECR themed (along with a very nice Hatton's Southern P class) I would consider myself to be a potential customer for this brake van. However, only at £25-30 and at £50, without any interior detail and an easy to remove roof etc, then I'm afraid that Bachmann can keep it until it comes down to this price. Yes I know that production costs in China have gone up, as have shipping costs, but please Mr Bachmann and Mr Hornby, can you be realistic with your prices in the current economic climate. Lastly Sam, how about cleaning those wheels with your Dremel and retesting the the free rolling of the brake van?

[@chrishart3508]

Interesting video Sam. The price to me seems to have come to them in a dream? I'd love one, but my budget doesn't allow, sadly

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks Chris - maybe you're right? Nah I wouldn't recommend it - wait until they reduce it in price, or don't bother at all - you're not missing too much! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@robertlucido3686]

I had a look an N gauge curve track and the widest curves that both Bachmann and Atlas offer is 19 inch radius and the tightest curves in Bachmann is 11.25 inch radius and the tightest curves Atlas offers is 11 inch radius, I haven't done much looking on Peco N gauge track, but I thought for when you add the N gauge circuits on your layout

[@SamsTrains]

Ah interesting - that's very handy, thank you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@danagibbs3265]

@@SamsTrains With Flex track, engines and cars with smaller and very close together wheels (Like american trains) can do very tight curves, even down to 8" or sometimes less. Small steam engines with 4 to 6 close together drive wheels can do 10", but 11" is better. Anything with more wheels you ideally want to stay over 12", but sometimes they can squeeze through slightly tighter. This is from my own experience doing N scale myself, a small layout of 2 1/2' by 4' is very doable in N scale, and doesn't take long to set up.

[@Blur4strike]

A fitting ranking for that piece of rolling stock. If a manufacturer is going to charge that high of a price for rolling stock, it needs to have features that help in justifying the price (lighting, interior detail, brakeman sitting in said interior, sprung buffers, etc). If not, price the thing between £20-£30 as that seems to be the sweet spot.

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Yes I think so too - not that it needs those features - the simplicity in this model is fine in my opinion, it just needs to be priced accordingly! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@deepsleep7822]

@sam: agree with you in regards to pricing. I’ve bought a few Bachmann items recently, track and rolling stock and was surprised at the cost.

[@colinking8374]

Hi Sam great video. For £50 I think that's way over priced, particularly when I managed to get an airfix pre-made kit brake van from John Dutfields in Chelmsford for £5 and a weathered version for £12. After buying Rapido's J70 I'm seriously considering their 6 wheel brake van after how good the J70 turned out to be.

[@davidkirkham9117]

My family all worked on the railways and South Eastern & Chatham was always referred to as the Slow, Easy & Comfortable!

[@davidballoid2118]

Wow Sam, at that price I'd expect it to D.C.C apply breaks & uncouple, have a smoke unit for the chimney, lighted interior & exterior smooth metal wheels for electrical pickup. "50 Quid OUCH!" -----------👀 Nothing quite like ripping someone a new one Aye Bachmann?

[@DJ_K666]

A lot of the time it's raw materials and improving living standards/wages in China plus the shortage of shipping containers. The cost jumps every time a ship gets stuck in the Suez Canal as suddenly you can;t get a container as they're all in the wrong partt of the world. I do remember Montana from Hornby stating that nickel had gone up by 60% over the last few years. As to the DAncehall van I might get one but I might well wait until it's either Black Friday or shops have batches of Old 'New' stock or clearouts awaiting the next catalogue release. I do agree with you the price of this does seem very high, especially since other manufacturers are managing to put them out at a quarter of the price. Lets see what they go for come next Christmas.

[@lindaoffenbach]

As interesting as it is, I don't think this could possibly pass our approval either. Since brake vans aren't a thing here, it's difficult to compare but for € 46.99 from PIKO Spielwaren a very detailed 2 axle well sharply put together luggage van can be had..., and with lights as well. This from B looks rather disenchanting for the money. The moulding doesn't look crisp and (again) it carries major manufacturing defects once again (handrail and even the wheels this time)..., a fixed roof and no lights at that price...?! Looking at Roco, a 2 axle passenger car of similar quality goes for € 19.10..., sharply moulded and well put together. This from B, 20 GBP maximum would suffice in our mind..., if one can accept being the acting final quality controller as well, as with most OO models sadly. Cheerio.

[@alanharris2799]

Maybe they modelled it on a prototype that had the brakes slightly on, so that’s authentic? On a more serious note, the railway hobby has now become ridiculously expensive and people won’t be attracted to it due to costs. I do understand the manufacturers are also suffering from CoL rises, but if prices keep going up, the net result will be they don’t sell anything as people will be choosing between energy/petrol/food or a brake van.. for years now, railway prices have slowly risen to the point of being a niche hobby for rich people rather than a hobby kids can enjoy sadly.

[@roulernbleu4532]

My thoughts exactly. I mean, superbly rolling brake van? That's 100% unnatural. ;)

[@tbrooke3016]

Hiya Sam! Great video but please can you explain how your score number is calculated?

[@AllensTrains]

"Taking the Mickey", is the expession, the Cockney Rhyming slang being, "Mickey Bliss" who works for Bachmann. Thanks for uploading.

[@OlivierGabin]

So, what can we have for GBP 40 retailer's price as a 2 axle wagon ? Rapido's new Ferry van (I've just bought one) or Bachmann's dance hall brake van, let's compare ! Prototype size : Rapido : 42 ft long, Bachmann : uuuhhhh... let's say 20 ft to be nice. Starts bad... Accessories : Rapido : brake hoses, Bachmann : brake rod. Draw. Qualitiy and level of details : Rapido : wow ! Includes a highly detailed underframe (dual brake piping : air and vacuum). Bachmann : good, but not overwhelming. clearly one step below Rapido. Finish : Rapido : some little details on the model I had seen are perfectible, but you can't see them. Bachmann : highly visible misassembled handrail on one side. Bad. Specific prototype details : Rapido : functional opening wide doors on both sides. Bachmann : some interior details. Let's say draw to be nice to Bachmann. Rolling equipment : Rapido : sprung buffers (YES !) and elongation mechanism for the couplers (mandatory on a 42 ft long two axles vehicle !), Bachmann : nope. The elongation mechanism can be dropped in such a short vehicle, let's say, but, for the price to not be lowered accordingly... Dynamic qualities : Rapido : the one I have seen is just correct on free rolling, but stay put on the tracks on a R2 radius without derailing, despite its size. Bachmann : lots of drag, but does the job. Small but neat advantage to Rapido. So, the answer to your question is yes. At this level of detail and features, above GBP 25, it's a ripoff, to stay polite. I'm waiting the stock clearance of unsold models in 1 year or 2 to buy one in SR version at this price. The Kernow Models LSWR brake van, with this comparable level of finish, is sold GBP 35. From a small retailer in a small series, that's more acceptable than the price Bachamnn asks, and that's why I have one by now. With a full diecast chassis, all the molded parts being separate parts, sprung buffers, interior lights and a more detailed interior, and a top notch free rolling ability, I would have accepted a retailer's price of GBP 42. I accept it on the Rapido van I have bought because I have my money back. Here, we have something barely above what you can get from a GBP 10 Dapol van in term of quality. So, as I said, this one above GBP 25, no, period. Bachmann, see you in one year or two if you lower your pricing for this one. Else, don't count on me.

[@tmcg972]

Thanks Sam, this is just a joke. Honestly, send it back! If it is anything less than perfect and immaculate, it's not worth it. And you can't open the roof to fit a person or some weight. Your opinion and conclusion are spot on!

[@paulsngaugechannel]

Hi Sam, I totally understand your comments, and although the manufacturers will use the price hike down to the rise in costs of labour and shipping, and true we most probably don’t understand the prices, BUT every shipment is not just a box being shipped from China individually but a whole container, which I am sure is not sent half empty. If they are, then those manufacturers should band together and share containers, logistics these days are far more advanced to allow for multiple companies to use the same container. Obviously you won’t want models mixed in with engine parts etc, but considering how much delays are being put down to shipping issues,? They are well placed to be able to buy a half, quarter etc container and the shipping container company will no doubt be able to mix and match the shipments. No doubt the manufacturers will quote release secret compromise, but the shipments are not seen till they reach the recipient. Too much horse manure being bandied about. At the end of the road, as the intended victims, sorry I mean bowing and scraping public, I will continue to vote with the wallet ( or more precisely, non credit/debit/cash) and give the extortion barstewards a miss. Yes if it is reasonable price, or something exceptional, then I might consider, but food on table, a warm home comes first, these prices are a week’s shopping, shoes for the kids ( or someone in the family) etc . Great video and totally agree.

[@c-note676]

No way a brake van in OO gauge should B costing almost £50 no matter if its the only way of getting a specific kind of model The pricing of model railway stuff from these big manufacturers is getting way out of hand regardless of our current circumstances

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - we don't need £50 worth of features in a brake van, it's just not necessary. Here, we don't get the features anyway, so it's a double no! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mikeking2539]

Do I really need to watch this video to decide if £50 for a toy brake van is a Rip Off,? No I don't of course it is a rip off!

[@Teesbrough]

An appropriately terse review! My two new Rapido Trains VIX Ferry Vans have just arrived from Hattons at £39.06 each. Complete with opening side doors and the sort of under frame detail you would describe as ‘insane’ there is no comparison and no excuse for Bachmann. The VIX vans are well worthy of your own review.

[@donsharpe5786]

I agree, the cost of that Brake van is terrible. I think about £30 is OK. There is no point in having internal detail if it can't be seen. I even question about the level of underframe detail unless you are going to show a railway accident where the train is upside down. In the late 1980s early 90s I had a number of LMS coaches. Underframe detail wasn't brilliant and bogie detail wasn't fantastic. However, they had composite coaches, which Hornby didn't produce in their range. When running a train with the high quality Hornby coaches along with these earlier coaches (now available from Dapol) it really didn't show badly, because they were moving. I bought those Hornby coaches about 15 or 20 years ago and I was paying about £20 per coach for a high quality coach. Even now you can get these coaches at a reasonable cost. The cost of Dapol coaches is probably the same as the high quality Hornby coaches now. But the cost of a £50 brake van with no real details seems expensive and I certainly won't buy one, even if I had wanted one. Besides which, I have a perfectly adequate Hornby brake for about half the cost.

[@VFCproductions]

I want a Dancehall brakevan, but laughed at the price when it was announced so haven't bothered. I think if I saw one on offer for about £25-£30 I could be tempted. Very fair review

[@philipstokes2824]

I'd expect sprung buffers, metal bearings and wheels, lit interior with guard and separately fitted metal handrails actually fitted properly and working tail lights

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Nah, they've gone too far Sam. A brake van used to be a "pocket money" item that a father might treat his Son (or Daughter) to. If it had lighting inside - perhaps even a flickering orange glow in the stove too, it might just have been about acceptable. But not at this price I'm afraid.

[@pauljohnson4590]

I bought a Hornby version in the early 1970s with my pocket money - I found an old book of mine from when I was a child - it said I paid 7/6 - so that is less than 40p in today's money.

[@RGJTrains]

I do need to start watching more and more reviews like this, I have just done a review here on the R8008 Hornby Grand Suspension bridge, really not happy with the quality, thanks for a good review again sam

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Needed to watch your video again as I now collect brake vans for my collection. Rails are now offering 25% off rrp. Still expensive.

[@duncanbhaltaireanraigwilso9627]

Hi Sam. Excellent show as per usual. I was wondering, would you like to borrow my GNER Class 91 to review? I have the new GNER Class 91 from Hornby and the matching DVT and Coach B to go with it. I have never run they as I don't have a layout at the moment, I have simply had it on static display for a little while.

[@LleshGordon2122]

This is very interesting in this videos on your channel again Sam's train! That's because it's all about thing a brake van is always my favourite the brand new as is today buddy congratulations sam buddy.

[@chrissouthgate4554]

Hi Sam. Yes, overpriced! However, with regard to weight, surely so long as there is enough to keep rolling stock on the track, then the lighter the better? The more weight for each individual item the less your poor logos can drag around the track, or up Gordons Hill. I would have thought Heavy locos, light rakes are the way to go. If this is the case, should it be reflected in your rating system?

[@speleokeir]

Agreed up to a point. There needs to be enough weight to stop them derailing easily. Anything beyond that isn't necessary though.

[@Rdodo67]

Worth a comparison is the Cambrian kit of the same prototype for around 20 pounds and some kit-building skills.

[@wobblinwheel]

Have you been able to straighten the crooked handrail? (Or did you try) I'm curious if it can easily be corrected...🤔

[@wakefieldtrainlad340]

Fantastic review of the most ludicrously expensive brake ever! The price is unjustifiable. I say rolling stock needs to be between £10 and £30 for them to be reasonable, but a £50 wagon is an absolute joke, pardon the joke but it’s priced like that that make people put on their brakes buying anymore rolling stock with inflation or whatever excuse was to put the price up.

[@atomic...]

Frankly, I would return this and get a refund because £50 for this is, is taking the word I won't say in this specific comments section. Also I think the P class might be my favorite model. Only took 18 years to find my favourite train.

[@SamsTrains]

haha agreed - ridiculous! And the P class is great isn't it? It's a sorry state of affairs when a cheap brakevan costs half the price of one of the best locos you can buy! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mitchellhogg4627]

Just a friendly reminder..there was a time when £50 cash would've bought you a brand new locomotive..

[@richardmorton4362]

Hi Here in New Zealand at my local shop the Brake Van cost $114.95 which equals £59.97 thought you might find that interesting !

[@marksinthehouse1968]

If it wasn’t for certain retailers discounting I wouldn’t bother I just ordered an EFE rail class 143 £40 cheaper than listed at Bachmann ,but a brake van for just short of 50 and one of the white hand rails is winky blimey 😮😮

[@Pleasant_Green]

Had to laugh when you said you were expecting a diecast chassis, lights and sprung buffers! It was clear from moment zero that it was just a plain wagon and we were being ripped off. But totally get the expectations based on the ridiculous price.

[@9501599]

It's really a basic model, price is one thing but in today's world 🌎a detailed model goes without question in terms of looks, etc. Now a super detailed model is another story.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

9:42 that's bachmann for you Sam Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

haha yes that's true! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidwest6962]

I think you were generous. Bachmann have thoroughly lost the plot price wise. Hornby aren't far behind. Though detail on Hornby models tend to be crisper.

[@harrytodhunter5078]

I recently bought a Peckett W4 from Kernow for £65 (Albeit not a normal price!), so absolutely yes, £50 is a rip off. No matter how nice a brake van.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - I've paid that for them too - insane! And those Pecketts are equally obscure models too, obscurity being a common defence for ridiculous prices! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@nigelericogden3200]

Sam … have you seen the prices on their scenic range (ffs) ? Thankfully it’s all beyond my pocket 😅. Have you checked out the Sonic … Robinson A5 ? What a nice locomotive. Powerful looking … and not bad for a hundred and fifty notes. Might be a good one to review. All the best, Nigel

[@danielannett1019]

Its actually quite funny cause when I was at warley I saw this exact model in one of the stands and it cost about £15.00

[@muckmoses6521]

For £50, with that wonky hand rail it would be going back! If you let them get away with shoddy products they'll keep making shoddy products...

[@johngondol3225]

Sam, that is a ridiculous price for what you get. Spot on review. I would think an RRP of 29.95 and price at the merchant of 24.95 would be acceptable. I won’t be getting one anytime soon

[@justinporter6236]

It's a bit absurd. Translating it to Yankee modelers, I have a preorder on Atlas's upcoming NE-6 Caboose from their Master line in Nickel Plate colors and those have tons of separate parts, weighted chassis, and they even got the unique NKP window spacing correct plus it's Atlas Master rolling stock so it will be free rolling as all get out. MSRP is $39.95 on that so THAT is coming out significantly cheaper than this Bachmann brake van.

[@johnstephens649]

Couldn’t agree more. 50 quid for a brake van that is nothing special or has any extra (although probably unnecessary) features… be interesting one day to get the manufacturers on here to explain their prices?

[@louisbuscarino7330]

This brake van is a good example of manufacturers using the sign of the times as a excuse. It is a good looking car nice detail but to high a price. I would buy one if for that price a smoking stove pipe being able to get into it to put a guard. And sprung bumpers. Good video as usual

[@robd2184]

I’d suggest they seriously need to get their fixed costs and overheads under control so they can compete with the smaller more agile new manufacturers

[@adamwilliams192]

Blimey, have you been mellowing? I was fully expecting “triggered” Sam when we went to the close up, or even a twitch / manic look in the eye at the intro when you spoke of price…. Totally agree with findings, and if it’s any consolidation, Bachmann N gauge offerings are starting to gap other manufactures in prices…

[@SamsTrains]

haha maybe a little mellowing, lol! And interesting about N scale too - at least they're consistent I suppose! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@chrisr19897]

Nice model - but the RRP is just pie in the sky. I'd expect to see features like DCC sound.

[@MrBnsftrain]

At that price, it should've included a lighted interior. Just a single LED to represent a small oil lamp or stove burning.

[@michaeldavies9600]

You would have thought that for £50 it would have metal wheels? Maybe even Gold lol ! My last Bachmann brake van cost £3 off ebay it's actually really nice :) Great review Sam.

[@Hercules4277]

I think Hornby's older 1970s range was better Due to better quality these days. I noticed this was different. As I am a Hornby Collector, I don't have any Bachmann stuff apart from 4 Open Wagons made by Bachmann

[@tobyytlai]

Hello Sam I'm waiting for your review (and others') on the Rails/Sonic Robinson A5 so that I can decide whether to get one

[@alantoms3263]

I think Bachmann are looking to Hornby for a role model .... !! Need to look more closely at A/Scale I think.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Wish my employer thought inflation had gone up the same level as Bachmann pretends it has. Wouldn't mind a 200 to 400% raise.

[@steved5356]

At that sort of price I would expect working LED lights on a brake van. I might even expect it to weigh a bit more too.

[@davidmolin8944]

Sad Bachman has to overprice this model but it does look good besides that warped handlebar

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah agreed - besides the handrail it's a perfectly good model! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@johnoneill5661]

And after your great review we find that the Bachmann dancehall brake van has absolutely nothing to make it worth almost £50 😂 I really wonder how they come up with their prices, I know that many people will still buy them even at these daft prices because they want one and can afford it, but it is a very simple economic fact that if you sell something for a lower price you won’t make as much profit per item as you would charging a higher price but you will sell a lot more items and end up making a lot more money in the end. Or are they trying to price themselves out of the market intentionally. 🤔

[@whitespider8523]

Madness, large percentage of the price is to pay for manufacturers energy costs. A model brake van at this price will be well down most peoples priorities.

[@drevo50]

You were generous on the value rating. Bachmann needs to learn that simply charging extreme prices doesn't make them into a "prestige" manufacturer, product quality, innovation and features need to be there as well. Instead, it's just another brake van at an extortionate price. If China is too expensive for manufacturing these days, move somewhere else.

[@Taggart00]

I bought one of these from TMC for £37.46 and while the hand rails were glued on better than yours, the handrails were still wonky.

[@H_chapman17]

Great video Sam, I bet you could 3D print and produce a Dancehall Brakevan cheaper than this, I'd like to see you try. Many thanks Harry

[@FormallyknownasE100]

I would be sending it back based on that handrail. I personally would be ok with the price. You only need one rather than a rake as per other wagons / coaches and is fairly niche so I understand the premium but that being said compared to the new rapido it's still overpriced.

[@DoubleX8620]

Its basically like the Autocoach from Bachmann. Alright model, but way too expensive which is a shame because it looks quite handsome, but yeah like you said lacks features. At least, a proper, painted interior, metal chassis and sprung buffers as well as screw link couplers to make it considerable. A big shame. I buy most trains and all rolling stock second hand I can't pay almost 50 quid for a brake van I can get way more second hand. Still, great review of a overpriced model yet again. Still I completely agree with you, Sam

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Sam, Nice review, not something I would go for, and as you say bit pricey, All the best Brian 😃

[@Valleys56xx]

Bachmann could have built it in this country for that farcical price. I think I'll buy another MIB Lima deisel instead. I bought four good Airfix BR Toads for seven quid the lot six months ago... *insert swear word here*

[@David_Mattox]

To answer the title… YES! Don’t get me wrong, this is a neat little model, but without all the top notch bells and whistles, there is absolutely no justification for this price. Maybe Hatton’s will have a sale… Until then, as a channel member with paint and waterslide decals, I certainly wouldn’t complain if you decided to 3D print some of these to compensate for your purchase. Wink wink

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks David - I think it's a yes too. Agree with you completely there! And it would be fun to try and create my own, true!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@OlivierGabin]

I think I have seen somewhere a kit model of this one for around GBP 25 or 30. GBP 50, if not for an overdetailed Rapido model, a 100 % brass kit or a O gauge model, it's no for me.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Thanks Sam, great video, I think you have said it all with your one star value Mark!

[@kevinedwards256]

I paid £34.46 plus an extra £12 for some superb deluxe weathering by TMC

[@dwaynejohnson4892]

Design and 3d print a break an and include metal wheels and sell it for £15 each painted and £10 each unpainted. This will make a statement to Bachmann! I’ve got a triang break an which is about the same as this 😅

[@tankmicr00man]

Simply put, it's double the price it should be. End of.

[@azuma892]

Happy Valentine's Day Sam, hope you are having a nice time with Chloe and your family. :)

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! It's not until tomorrow for us, but thank you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@route7railway567]

The price is extortionate. I can’t believe they will sell unless heavily discounted to below £30.