Model Railway News | April 2024 | Beware of Fake Dapol Models

[@Taggart00]

I think Dapol had no choice but to go public so if people bought these models unknowingly and they had a problem with them and contacted Dapol, and then Dapol turned round and said they couldn't help them it could of reflected badly on them as the public could say they where unaware and weren't more vigilant about it.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah possibly - though I suspect the biggest concern for them would be missing out on sales/profits - and going public with it could have encouraged more people to buy them. The safety concerns are valid though - we don't know if they're identical to the official versions of the models or not! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@tonypacke6954]

@@SamsTrains I bet their going out the back door and are the real article. Some dodgy Chinese scam, probably run by the factory personnel. It's a bit like the "grey" import issue with the likes of cameras and stuff.

[@Mike__B]

@@SamsTrains I agree, even if they are using the exact same factories/tooling as Dapol does so that these aren't cheap knockoffs but the actual product. If you end up seeing the product you want for cheaper elsewhere, of course you'll want to buy it from them. It would be like seeing a loco on Trainworld and a much lower price than the MSRP from Bachmann's website, why would you buy direct from Bachmann? Well if people don't know these are "counterfeit" products, the same thought process will be there too.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Most of those " fake" models I saw came from the same manufacturer in China who builts for Dapol and were identical models​ my advice fir Dapol seitch to manufacturer in Korea or Turkey and cut your own marge which is 70 % of Msrp. @@SamsTrains

[@mkaustralia7136]

When you visit a shop in China, there is the front of the shop and then various back rooms which you get to if they believe you are not out to get them. They show you the genuine articles, the “fake fakes” - knock offs pure and simple and usually of dubious quality, and “genuine fakes” the best of which were actually manufactured by the factory which does the real thing - usually after the QA folk from “the brand” is not on site. When we were manufacturing in China, we fought this practice by having our QA hold the branding tools, labels and stickers. Qualified success as they forged those for the knock offs. They also reset the production counters. It is a battle over there.

[@Taggart00]

I saw the prototypes at Statfold for the 7mm quarry hunslets

[@SamsTrains]

Awesome! Are they looking good??

[@terrier_productions]

@@SamsTrainsyes

[@TrainMaster04]

Bachmann introducing NG7, or O scale narrow gauge, is not a new concept. Bachmann has actually been making On30, US O scale narrow gauge, for years that run on HO track. I am surprised it has taken Bachmann this long to produce British narrow gauge.

[@gs425]

It's just 0-16.5 . Been around since forever

[@asteroidrules]

A tad irritating that they're bringing out British On30 this year, because they just downsized their American On30 line.

[@thomasthornton2002]

I think there’s a logic to Hornby TT going heavy on LNER, rather than offering not enough variety to build any layout they can produce enough variety to build an LNER layout. If they can’t produce the variety of all of it then it makes sense to target the niche that they have the resources to serve properly.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's fair to say - I suppose then they're relying on LNER modellers to prop up the scale which doesn't seem wise... but if they're not willing to invest massively in the scale, then it is the second best idea you're right! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@paulcaswell2813]

Also, as an East Coast modeller, it's good to see a major manufacturer not taking yet more LMS or GW. Until relatively recently, the LNE had been badly served (Gresley Pacifics apart). I think it makes a refreshing change for a manufacturer to specialise on a different area of the country. Yes I know I'm biased, but still!

[@MachRacer4]

For the Bachmann NG7 scale engines and rolling stock, it’s not the first time Bachmann has made O scale narrow gauge stuff. Here in the States, we have ON30 under Bachmann’s US range. My guess is they did this to have something similar over there in the UK.

[@RallyingSightsSounds]

Just to say Sam, Bachmann's new narrow gauge models aren't really in a new scale, they're O16.5, but they're using 'NG7' as a new brand for that. Given they currently market OO9, I wonder if that'll become NG4? Otherwise, it'll make even less sense... OO becoming SG4 maybe a little too far! Saw them at Statfold, they look great regardless.

[@johndenbury4697]

O - 16.5 as 7 mm Scale is also supported by the Gauge O Guild and it's local Groups.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Dapol should have pretended the egg vans were fakes

[@SamsTrains]

haha exactly!!

[@RichardKuivila1947]

YOU guessed right ! THEY ARE !

[@andrewcutts3197]

Why, oh why didn’t Hornby bring out a ‘Bubble Car’ DMU to start with. That would have been great for a TT Scale branch line layout, or shelf layout which was one of the advantages of the scale originally mentioned by Simon Kohler.

[@darrenrees-s6l]

Hornby could have had a whole new market of modellers coming in with the TT range, But i think they killed it with the prices. When you can get 00 at almost half the price.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's right - prices just silly for the new stuff - thought they were trying to get it to take off?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@trevorbellTT120]

I model TT120, and yes I would love the prices to be cheaper, however it doesn't matter to me how they compare with 00, as I would never buy that scale as I just don't have room for anything worthwhile in it. As long as new stuff keeps coming out I'm happy.

[@gregmacdonald927]

@@trevorbellTT120Well said Trevor. Finally someone with a bit of common sense. It was never about making things cheaper. It was about growing the options and hobby.

[@mkaustralia7136]

Covering the whole hobby in TT120 quickly was always beyond one company. However Hornby basically drove off all other manufacturers by announcing a huge range for the future. Another manufacturer entering the scale has to contend with Hornby releasing the same product as they did with several others in OO a year or so ago.

[@asteroidrules]

The prices and variety are really hurting. There's basically no secondhand market, very little support from anyone or anywhere else, and the Intercity 125 set is approaching price parity with O gauge!

[@gs425]

Surely the "new" bachmann scale is just old school 0-16.5 !!!

[@kevfrombutterley]

Yeah, it's not a new scale 😂

[@ManOfUnknownWorth]

I'm sure that the Dapol announcement was made for legal reasons, as it protects Dapol from any liability for when something goes wrong with those fakes.

[@Alpha-oo8]

Dapol alerting people to fake models may tempt more people to hunt the fake locos down, but realistically they have to let people know these fakes exist. Otherwise, someone buys one, it breaks because it’s a knockoff, and they go to dapol to claim the warranty, and dapol can’t help them because it’s not a real dapol product. So yes, it may cause people to become aware of these fakes, but for reasons of warranty, probably for the best they alert their customers

[@muir8009]

Sam, something about the Chinese Dapols, they're likely to be the actual Dapol models, but they've been "rebranded" for the online market. Its happened before with different manufacturers. Remember these wagons are produced in healthy quantities and batches can get redirected through different channels

[@johncunningham6928]

Actually, NG7 might be new to Bachmann, but O-16.5 has been around for many years. It's ust a shame that Peco have discontinued some of their rolling stock.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - I'm guessing the term NG7 is new though?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@muir8009]

​@@SamsTrains just the term. Have a look at their older 0n30 range for the US market that hasn't weathered the market very well...

[@michaelpiggott7840]

Chinese factories making illegal copies of things they have been contracted to make has long been a problem. I believe a Chinese court said that a factory making fake apple products from designs and toolings for legitimate apple products was fine so apple are looking to move production. Maybe the manufacturers will move production back to the UK and not have their models copied in future.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - can't believe that'd be ruled fine... though I suppose things are different in China... I'm sure Dapol aren't regretting their shifts towards UK based production! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Studio23Media]

⁠China has no concept of copyright or intellectual property. I don't want to get too deep into geopolitics here, but if you knew all the technology and designs China has stolen from western countries, you'd be horrified. It's not an accident all of their military equipment looks like knockoffs of American equipment. Several years ago they hacked almost every major US defense contractor, most notably Lockheed-Martin, where they got full plans and specs for stealth jets. This attitude extends all the way down their economy. If you have a product made in China, you better expect knockoffs to appear. Heck, you don't even have to make the product there if it's easy enough for them to copy.

[@mkaustralia7136]

@@Studio23MediaAbsolutely right from my bitter experience

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@SamsTrains One problem, if I may mention it. Apart from railways, I also have an interest in 'high-end' 1/18th scale model cars. Just about the finest manufacture of all, CMC, sell their cars in the £500-£1000 range: they are made in China. It has been estimated that if they were to return their manufacturing to Germany, prices would treble, putting these glorious hand-built (yes they are!) models completely out of the reach of all but the very wealthy. Remember - when Hornby originally shifted production from Britain to China, their locomotives instantly went from toys to superb models. And there lyeth the problem.

[@muir8009]

​@Studio23Media let's not get too carried away. The Germans, British, and US manufacturers all were copying each other's products, even down to the same numbers. Bing had to take on Ives for for their rip off's, meccano took märklin to court, bing took hornby on about copyright. China's just a modern manufacturer but it's never been just a Chinese problem

[@mysilentwake]

The Lionheart Manning Wardles are rtr O scale narrow gauge running on OO track. These were released fairly recently. In America it is called On30 and has been very popular. The UK has had the scale for a long time with Peco making 0-16.5 kits, but rtr is very recent.

[@kclassproductions]

Great to see the HST pack! I actually commented on your review on the TT scale class 43’s weather or not there would be a pack

[@Alpha-oo8]

Heljan posted a video on the rails of Sheffield KZbin channel and they basically gave updates and showed samples of almost EVERYTHING they have coming up over the next year, if you wanna check out what they’ve got coming up. Mostly diesels, with a couple of steamers.

[@darreno9874]

This is not a new scale in the UK its known as 0-16.5 and peco have made kits and other items for quite a while. The locos do look good, the only problem is the 009 quarry hunslet are no longer available.

[@jugbywellington1134]

And they could have done a non-Welsh loco with more universal appeal in 009. They needed something more generic. None of the Bachmann 009 locos are any use to me. The nearest they got to my wallet was the Hunslet 0-4-0Ts.

[@Allthegauges]

I know what You mean about being frustrated by Hornby, Those of us who bought the tt1:20 Scotsman set for £250 when it first came out, it was good, but then when Hornby rereleased their tt:120 Scotsman set, they then added lighting to the coaches which is a bit of a middle finger to those who bought the Scotsman set beforehand.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - I hadn't realised the later sets had lights - I just can't believe they don't get everything worked out before releasing the models... everything seems so chaotic and rushed.... Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

I totally understand the frustration but FOMO often costs and they had said they were going to do a HST train set in the catalogue. I think train sets are a lost leader created to get people into the hobby. A bit like game consoles

[@gregmacdonald927]

well said Damian. It’s getting a bit wearying Sam for you to continue to make digs at Hornby’s expense. Everyone could see the upcoming HST sets. It was well trailed. And the price is keen because the sets are the best way to get folk into the hobby. Which is what we assume we all want to happen more… Right now we have the 50 out in a month, then the Duchess in the summer, then the J50 in October, and then the 66 before the year end. Thats not including the rolling stock: 21T wagons, all the new coaches just out, the hoppers coming soon, and IFAs too. That and the buildings - pubs, terraces homes, shops, croft house, church - in just released. And then the coming accessories too. I really have no clue what you think constitutes a busy release schedule if that doesn’t! Consider the double standards - Bachmann release a handful of O scale narrow gauge - and no criticism of limited range at all. I do think you’ve gotten into a rut with your Hornby takes. Please come back to the cheery chappy that got us all watching in the first place! 😊

[@Studio23Media]

⁠Perhaps Hornby could stop making so many awful decisions that make people angry and not want to buy their products. They completely lost me when they started undercutting all their competition's new releases. It's a really bad look.

[@richardsinger01]

So Hornby are not allowed to develop their products to prevent upsetting those that bought earlier versions. Hmm.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

NG7 ought to be running on TT track gauge. Bachmann have dropped a clanger with these as they already do the Baldwin 2-6-2 in On30.

[@ianjeffery6744]

I think Sam is right about The Great Hornby HST Rip-Off - what a disgrace. The J50, however, does go with the LNER Pacifics - you could have it shunting tank wagons whilst the expresses roar by. I wonder why Bachmann chose to call their new 0-16.5 range NG7? 0-16.5 is a well-established scale (and term), even used by Peco. The Bachmann items look really good, though.

[@-CorporalCharles06]

I feel Hornby should be making TT engines and rolling stock from 1 time period only, and making a large range of products within it. say the Big Four era, they could make a lot of engines from the LNER LMS GWR SR, And rolling stock to match. then you'd be able to create a TT scale layout with plenty of rolling stock congruent to a particular era. and then as the Big Four range fills up, move onto something else. I think that'd be a better approach than producing a bunch of random stuff, all from different eras and periods.

[@patrickmurphy6775]

Your show is consistently professional. I enjoy your content. Please keep up the good work!

[@lj03oem]

Ng 7,isn't that just o-16.5 (7mm scale on oo track).If the co bo is exactly the same spec as the original,my two both had faulty circuit boards,ie the lights didn't work properly.Hattons saying that all the models were the same.

[@chriswarburtonbrown1566]

The problem with TT is the lack of 2nd hand. At the North East n gauge show last weekend I got good quality wagons and coaches at 25% of RRP. Only this makes the hobby affordable for me.

[@Rick70567]

It's new ! Some 2nd hand TT can be found on ebay and also new products sold at very reasonable prices compared to the RRP. I hardly think all these 00 gauge fans buying only 2nd hand is helpful to the hobby ! :)

[@michaelricks1618]

I imagine that Bachmann's snappy new NG7 moniker will suit the British RTR modelling market better than "O-16.5", which has been running in background for years, as a specialist scale, and never been a part of the RTR market. Dapol did absolutely the right and honourable thing to warn customers about fakes. They deserve to be applauded for this. Bravo Dapol and thank you!

[@guyclark2975]

Not entirely sure I agree with you over the the Heljan Class 28. I have two of the originals that were released exclusively for Hattons. They are awesome models and a re-release is most welcome I have already pre-ordered one from Rails Of Sheffield. You say Accurascale should also release a Class 28 but I disagree and you are the first one to criticise repetition yet that is precisely what you are suggesting should happen. Regarding price £199.95 for the DCC Ready version is quite reasonable as the Class 28 is quite a complex model regardless of the age of the tooling. If Accurascale were to release a Class 28 as you have suggested I highly doubt the improvement over the Heljan model would be massive however the price is likely to be around about the same.

[@markusrogerson]

Sam - I'd like to offer a challenge to manufacturers who are bringing out items like the Heljan Co-Bo or the J26. Do a 'Railroad' version. They will sell more. Why aren't they considering this?

[@trainman86trainstramsandmore]

I found the fake models on Ebay. I checked the sellers profile and they also happened to sell the Murphy Models Class 121 so look out for that everybody.

[@azuma892]

Oh that's on Ebay??? What is the Murphy 121 priced at? There is a seller on Taobao who has the 121s at 850 RMB, and upon further investigation, they have Dapol O scale 14xxs too. :o

[@trainman86trainstramsandmore]

@@azuma892 The murphy 121 is priced around the same as the dapol stuff abotu 160 quid

[@SamsTrains]

Hmmm interesting - that's not really a good price for the Murphy 121 actually! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@trainman86trainstramsandmore]

@@SamsTrains I don't really know much about the model, would you say they should be a lot cheaper?

[@Studio23Media]

@@trainman86trainstramsandmoreIf it's the typical method of a Chinese factory making a legitimate product and then making unauthorized knockoffs after hours, the product will be generally the same, but they'll use cheaper parts or skimp on quality. Their knockoffs are rarely as good as the originals. Though I can't say for certain in this case.

[@1maico1]

Lets be clear, Dapol O-gauge British outline sells in tiny numbers. Nobody is going to tool up and counterfeit it. I expect the tank locos on offer are NOS left over at the factory as reserve stock and later offered to a local vender to clear. This is certainly unauthorized and shouldn't happen but if it is manufacturer Dapol no longer uses there is not a lot they can do about it. The listings are on eBay Global. As Sam says there are little to no savings to be had once UK VAT and clearance fees are added.

[@Studio23Media]

It is extremely common for Chinese factories to make your legitimate product while also making illegitimate knocks to sell themselves. This is basically an accepted risk to doing business with China. They have no concept of intellectual property rights.

[@MrBnsftrain]

Did your Martin Mart-Martinson video from a few years ago predict these fake Dapol products?! I recall you used a Dapol box and put a kitbuilt 2-6-0 inside.

[@PuzzlingHousing56]

Sam's gonna build his own Talyllyn once the narrow gauge models are released.

[@SamsTrains]

haha that'd be awesome! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@caledonianrailway1233]

Are the couplings on the Bachman narrow guage models compatible with Hornby oo

[@ethmister]

​@caledonianrailway1233 dosent look like it but i want for 1 for fun and hope they can be

[@andrewblades8368]

⁠The models use NEM pockets so you could swap them to whatever you like. They will come with a version of the prototypical chopper coupling and a simpler item for close coupling the rolling stock.

[@caledonianrailway1233]

@@andrewblades8368 great thanks

[@johnblair8146]

@Sam's Trains Hopefully, Dapol is tearing apart samples of these fakes and comparing them to their own. BTW, NG7 is nothing more than a British version of On30 (O scale models running on HO gauge track) the 30 refers to the fact that HOn30 represents an O scale model of a 30 inch gauge railway. On30 has been sold by Bachmann for decades. A similar situation exists with HOn2-1/2 and its similarity to OO9 There was an American importer known as Associated Hobby Manufacturers who imported Rivarossi and other makes into the US in the 1960s and early 1970s. They sold a line of HOn2-1/2 (2 and a half feet) called Minitrains and Peco sold track and switches for HOn2-1/2 These trains appeared in the 1960s. there is NOTHING new here. Something I'd like to see is something I'd call On17 or O scale models running on N gauge track. Wouldn't you just LOVE an O scale Lister Rail Truck running on N gauge track!!!!!!!! My Yankee self would ALSO love an O scale Mancha Little Trammer on N gauge track!!!!!

[@SteveBridges-w5y]

Personally, I really question the reasons behind the start-up of TT and now the new narrow O gauge.......The hobby does appear to be becoming more exclusive to us in our autumnal years with the finances available... I have collected OO Gauge, Locos, of which I have lost count...but mainly LNER era 3....rolling stock, track etc. etc.....I am about to embark on erecting a purpose built accommodation for my intended hobby......My only regret is that I didn't start collecting N gauge in the first place....With OO Gauge, I am looking at a floor area of 22x12 Feet so that I can obtain serious train proportions!!....Ah well, we live and learn.....Keep up the good work Sam...Steve (Bridges), Norwich

[@davidhall5868]

I have to say on behalf of the viewers and the commenters that we have to say thank you for the warning about the fake dapol while the real dapol have to resolve the issue

[@SamsTrains]

No problem at all - there may not be a lot they can do, but hopefully knowledge is power for people! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Studio23Media]

@@SamsTrainsI'm certain they'll definitely be finding a new factory to work with. 😂

[@stevenbusadl]

just went on ebay for a look out of curiosity, these products are definatly there, and lots of them. reading some of the product reviews though... seems like people more than a month ago started to suspect these were 'fake' items, ore something not right with them

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

I knew Martin MartMartinson were making replicas of Dapol models, but not that they started to make them too accurate! Thanks as always Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - they've really upped their game!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@railway187]

Hi Sam, O-scale on 16,5 mm gauge? Märklin had this already in the seventies, Oe scale with the Minex series. But yes, this new narrow gauge series looks promising!

[@stephendollahan425]

Bachman's NG7, sounds like a British equivalent of 0n30, which is 0 scale 30 inch gauge, which is what your Hawthorne Village Christmas train is. Unfortunately so is the Queens remembrance POJ .

[@harrytodhunter5078]

Gotta love how Hornby say TT is meant to be a more affordable introduction into the hobby, then they release a train set for the same price, if not more, than a similar 00 gauge one.

[@CZ350tuner]

They had the exact same situation when they ran their Triang Railways TT3 / TT100 range, between 1956 and 1965. The TT3 models cost the same to produce as the OO guage equivalents, so the company cut the profit margins on their TT3 models. However, 1960's railway modellers still complained that the TT3 models cost as much as the larger OO equivalents. This was what killed the first British foray into RTR TT model railways, back in the 1960's. Sixty years later and will Hornby's TT120 fail for the same reason as their previous TT3 venture??

[@genericyoutubeuser3828]

Hornby TT:120 has never been marketed as the “more affordable” option. It’s a premium product. In the same way that a newly-tooled Graham Farish is premium, Hornby TT:120 is premium. And you’re comparing apples to oranges. The OO HST that comes in the train set is a decades-old tooling. It’s quite dated, but it does get the job done as an affordable product. The new TT HST is a brand new tooled locomotive, that is more akin to the recently upgraded OO HST that retails for hundreds of pounds.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah - I think a lot of the prices have been reasonable for the TT locos so far - that's no longer true with the likes of the J50... that's actually more expensive than many OO scale 0-6-0s... not a good look! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@NgaugeShelfLayouts]

Hornby tt prices looking more eye watering with each new release. £350 for a hst train set!?!?!? I think tt will dying by next year, especially with yet another awful trading update from Hornby yesterday.

[@genericyoutubeuser3828]

@@NgaugeShelfLayouts That’s the DCC sound version, which features two decoders. If you’d like, you can go for the DC version for 250 pounds. And you can save 20 pounds by buying at the retailers for 229.99 GBP. That features a newly tooled locomotive, an unpowered version of the newly tooled locomotive, two newly tooled coaches, an oval of track, a controller, a re-railer, and a transformer. The sets are a really good value.

[@bbej2016]

The TT120 container wagons were also on Arnold's site 50p cheaper than hornbys TT120 version(same company)but now removed.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - were they previously available, or new for now? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@bbej2016]

@SamsTrains they were new for 2024 for arnold tt and then changed to hornby tt they were the same ones and they also had previous versions which were maersk,dhl and ONE. Good wagons I have some.

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

The Arnold ones came out a few months ago. They sold out quickly. They are basically the same just with different containers

[@bbej2016]

@damianinCanadaTT-OO the new hornby were on Arnold's site after announcement from hornby they switched to their website and dearer.i think someone did a vid on it showing the container wagon on both sites for a while and different prices.

[@AussiePom]

The NG7 or On30 is not new for Bachmann for they've made On30 models for years. It's just that they've now decided to do it for British prototypes.

[@grahamshedman1101]

As usual, it's informative, authoritative and smoothly presented. Thank you.

[@brickleyyard4966]

I am sure we already have narrow o gauge so is this really a new scale?

[@RickAtanga2023]

11:45 Hello Sam, something very similar happens with some Oxford street models, since some vehicles are coming out on Aliexpress that according to what I researched are from this brand, here I have no knowledge if they are copies or if Oxford has a sale in China, or I don't know if Oxford knows about this situation, it's something I discovered by chance, greetings.

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Sam, Thanks for a good round up, as always 😊 All the best Brian 😃

[@lindaoffenbach]

Intriguing news Sam, especially about B's narrow gauge O. Still it doesn't really solve standardisation. O scale to begin with remains different in the UK/France, Germany/Japan and the US. The first two are quite close; i.e. 1: 43.5 and 1: 45, which shouldn't be too much of a concern. The US O at 1: 48 seems more obvious to the eye in comparison. Using H0/OO for narrow gauge O isn't exactly new either. Interesting nonetheless. Cheerio.

[@Sigil_Firebrand]

I really wanted a Co-Bo, having not modeled back when they were originally available, but unfortunately these seem to be on the way when I won't have the money for one for the foreseeable future, I guess I'll just have to wait and hope they don't sell out super quick, also kind of odd they didn't seem to have an expected arrival timeline...

[@CplBurdenR]

I think that's a strike of genius for Bachmann. Unlike Hornby's TT, this only really requires locos and rolling stock. The track? you can use your regular 00/HO if you wish, and the scenery, buildings etc? 0 Gauge, which already exists. So, you're not trying to form a whole new scale, you're introducing a new range that is compatible with existing items from other manufacturers, whilst still being something new. Excellent

[@muir8009]

Bachmanns previous 0 scale narrow gauge range hasn't weathered too well, and I believe they've canned the range. This new UK variant I'm guessing they're hoping might be met with more success

[@stephenarbon2227]

While Hornby is [courageously] bringing British models into TT scale, from what I've read, there is already TT in Europe and USA [which I assume is why they use 120 scale and not the original TT 3mm to the foot]. So at least there will be a scale where British locos and accessaries, will be in the same scale as the rest of the world.

[@asteroidrules]

​@@muir8009If you're referring to their American On30 range, most of it is quite alright but they have indeed downsized heavily. I hope they do the same thing they did with Talyllyn and bring the "NG7" international.

[@muir8009]

@asteroidrules that's the range. Bit of a shame it's been downsized, I had read (to be taken with a grain of salt of course) that the market was considerably less than anticipated at sales had just plateaued. But the way I feel is that good on the manufacturers for trying. If they couldn't be bothered we'd just have the original gauges I, II and III

[@leonkernan]

So Bachmann has rebranded On30 and claimed it as their own invention?

[@SpaceCowboyfromNJ]

Honestly I think you should buy one of those fake Dapol Models and take it apart. If it's really poor quality with some major obvious issues make a video about it, which could discourage people from buying it. If on the other hand it's decent, then just scrap it and forget about it without saying anything.

[@RamblingModelRailroader]

Way to be an upstanding man of integrity. Truth be told, I was momentarily tempted to purchase one to disassemble... But you are absolutely right; It's not the right thing to do.

[@Tombola1993]

The class 28 will definitely be a new class for you to review. The only other Co-Bo diesel to exist, apart from the Class 28, is the Japanese DE10 C-B class. And that is a shunter.

[@lonewolf4215]

I assume the class 28 sound fitted version will go putt putt putt bang fizzle fizzle screeech shortly followed by a smash?!

[@SamsTrains]

haha fingers crossed! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Robutube1]

Never thought I'd hear the phrase 'Streisand Effect" on Sam's Trains!😳

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha!

[@MicroModelRailwayDispatch]

NG7 is just Bachmann's rebranding of 0:16.5 which has been around for a very long time indeed. Quite why they need to re-brand an established scale is a mystery to me.

[@bennihulls6851]

Great video as always Sam. I would just like to say bachmann haven’t really invented a new scale as such, because they’ve been making on30 for years. That’s what I model lol. However I am absolutely so very excited about these models as I have been dreaming off an English loco range for a long time, I even had a go off making one once. Thanks again.

[@LiamsLocos]

Still nothing on delivery for accurascale’s batch 2 37’s

[@raymondleggs5508]

8 wheel drive on a 6 axle loco gives you extra play on one of the axles. So that's not a bad thing.

[@JanHenk-k1b]

Marklin also once made something similair to NG7: it was called Minex (Oe scale) and was quite litteraly the same thing (Even more so considering its literal Half brother H0e = OO9 but H0, with Oe being NG7)

[@asteroidrules]

It's an established but uncommon scale. In Europe it's usually called O-16.5, while over here in the US it's On30. It's a bit of a boutique scale, not a lot of ready made stuff for it but a big kitbashing community. Bachmann are actually the biggest manufacturer of O scale narrow gauge, they used to do a lot of American narrow gauge O scale stuff.

[@JRS06]

Since pre-grouping locos in model form have become more popular in recent years, I would be interested in seeing locos from the North London Railway, North Staffordshire Railway and the Hull & Barnsley Railway since they have yet to be made into 00 guage models by a professional company. If not, I'd love some more LNWR engines from the post-Webb days, like the Prince of Wales, Precursor Tanks or George V.

[@mkaustralia7136]

And a Cauliflower

[@paulcaswell2813]

How about a Webb 'Problem' (either 2-2-2-0 or 2-2-2-2), with drivers revolving in opposite directions when starting ;-)

[@DC4260Productions]

I still want to get a Heljan Class 28 at some point, but I'm put off by the unreasonably high price. I get that it's an exclusive item and what have you, but £200 is still too expensive for a 13 year-old tooling.

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Sam. I was hoping you'd share your view on Mike Ashley's interest in Hornby. Good or bad?

[@paulboger3101]

If you think your stuff is expensive in the UK, try our Aussie prices for Aussie locos!!

[@petercole2092]

Making fake trains is not new by the Chinese a few years ago they were selling direct from China in that case an old Lima loco under the banner of ' Hobbyline'. I suspect the factories might not be doing well economically and looking for a side line to make money. I have often said it's all well and good making things overseas but there is no one to keep tabs on production now Dapol have a real problem because people will be wondering if they are buying the genuine thing or not?

[@Spitstang5266]

Suggestion: When you announce new loco's, would it be possible to say weather they will be released in N gauge from the oo counter part? As an N gauge collector that would be really helpful :) Thanks

[@steamsearcher]

Total support for DAPOL and some wonderful models we have a collection of the O Gauge ones. Hornby ripping us off again and not for the first time! David and Lily.

[@SolarPoweredHobbies]

This isn't the first time the direct from China models have been available a few years back several 00 gauge GWR models were listed on alibaba and ali express, as with what happens in the rc model world it probably the factory that built them selling them off on the side.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I've seen a few suspect models myself in the past - but this is the first time I've seen a manufacturer speak out publicly about it - a very strange and worrying situation for them! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@bowser515]

If they offer the HST set in the swallow livery, I'll buy my first TT stuff. However I feel your annoyence, Hornby knew what they were doing. That train pack was obviously overpriced. Makes you wonder how they are justified in still trying to sell it all at that cost still.

[@PaulBriden]

Your comment about the price of a single HST compared to the pack while correct is not in the real world. It happens all the time. 1) Fiat Pandas in January 2012 were £11,000. Fiat in the March of the same year, because of the new model coming out, were outing them for £7500.00. 2) Jaguar did a similar thing with the X type, at the end of the run they came fully loaded for the same price as a lower spec model. I did not catch a cold, however, one of my friends was rather miffed to say the least. 3) The same with TV's, you buy a new tv for Xmas, in January the same TV is £500.00 less. 4) British Airways are the same, you pay for a Club seat in advance, then they do a sale and it is half the price. There are loads of examples, it is called life.

[@BrokenIET]

The scary thing is I thought about buying one of those fake 57xx as I’m thinking of collecting some 0 gauge. Never realised they were fake, and really glad I decided not too (got another Rapido 15xx instead lol).

[@OliverT-qt1gn]

Hm, I thought this was something new in NG, but it's just British prototype in On30(USA) or Oe(Europe) scale/gauge systems. But 'New"...? Um, remember Bachmann On30; Biller Bahn, Fleischmann Magic Train and Märklin Minex Oe, Peco O-16.5 and others...?

[@ollieahokas9179]

Funny thing as the "new Scale" is same as 0e in Europe or 0n30 accrss the pond.

[@stealthninja5]

Absolute "Hurrah!" on the return of Class 28 Co-Bos! 🤩🥳 At first they only returned in n scale size which was disappointing, but so glad to see them back in oo gauge, especially like the USA dock tank (these engines should be manufactured more too by the way), another one of the most rare models that is difficult to buy due to its availability from online shops. Additionally, other manufacturers besides Heljian should produce this class in order to make things easier for those who wish to buy. In fact, will there be a possibility that you'll claim one and review it someday? lol

[@forrestrobin2712]

Heljan Co-Bo. At not far off £200, I guess I’ll stay on the look out for a Hornby Dublo one, with a bit of extra detail it’ll be fine. They seem to go for between £50-80

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - I'm personally waiting for another manufacturer to do one! I'm not paying £200 for such an old model Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidstrains4910]

Good video here Sam, excellent to see the 28 back in heljans range, managed to pick one up last year for only £50 but will look at maybe getting one from this new batch, it is a fantastic locomotive, big news for me is I have finally gone into the world of DCC after I manage to get 2 gaugemaster prodigy controllers for only £75, overall it’s quite good and I look forward to being able to use it especially with sound.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot David - wow £50 is fantastic - you probably won't like the price of the new ones haha! That's awesome too - hope you enjoy DCC! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@ashleywilson8033]

11:24 £250 for a set?? I remember seeing a similar set in OO gauge for £120 a few years ago..

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

NG7. When you first said that I thought it would be N scale on Z track, but it's just O-16.5.

[@naguoning]

I know which factory made those Dapol GWR 0 gauge models. Run by HK people, not mainlanders. I really doubt they would sell that way. I agree that unlikely another factory would copy something so complex. More likely a third way... that they were either stolen by workers or slipped out as factory seconds that were not properly destroyed etc.

[@CoalChrome]

Ok so Bachmann Europe just invented ON3

[@lukejackson8741]

Are Oxford still ran by hornby? They seem to be releasing new stuff and have moved production on some items back to the U.K I think…

[@ldg1952]

The Dapol fakes aren't really much of a surprise and it's probably similar to what used to (and probably still does) happen with 00 model buses. Corgi OOC or CMNL for example would order say 3500 units of a given model from the factory. The factory went ahead and produced 3500 but didn't stop there, they would produce another 1000 units. Same quality and packaging as the legit models but not sanctioned or endorsed by the model company. These were called grey models and found their way on to the market via Hong Kong model shops. I have no reason to believe that Dapol are the only company this is happening to, they are possibly the only ones who have gone public.

[@FortheloveofThomas84]

I guess this ng7 is the British equivalent of bachmann's on30 scale. Both o gauge Narrow Gauge trains can fit on HO Scale Track and I want those

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's right - not sure why they're not calling it ON30 actually! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@danshobbies13]

Bachmann now has HOn30. HO trains that run on N gauge track. Only Thomas and friends trains right now in the states.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh interesting - they seem to be doing well with narrow gauge! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@williamsquires3070]

I find it interesting that Bachmann (UK) are trying to convince people that this (NG9) is a new scale, when Bachmann (USA) have this scale as On3 for quite some time, now; O-scale, on HO-gauge track, at least as train sets. I haven’t seen them for sale as individual cars or locomotives. I can only guess they mean that it’s a new scale release in the U.K.?

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's a good point actually - I guess this must be their attempt to bring it to the UK! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@BritishRail60062]

It might be worth me covering one of these fake models to highlight any warnings and dangers that could arise from these knockoffs. I prefer to buy genuine Dapol models and support the business but from I have seen from these Fakes on eBay. There is a lot of watchers. I going to see if I can do a collaboration with Dapol on this topic at some point.

[@Donker_Dank]

How can it run on both O and OO track

[@LindseyTate13]

I wish somebody would make more obscure oo9 stuff it would be really cool

[@asteroidrules]

Kinda disappointed that you won't take a closer look at the Dapol knockoffs, I'd be very interested in just getting a look at what's inside them. Good chance that the photos on the listing are taken of genuine Dapol products and won't match what you actually get. The sheer prevalence of them has also made it a bit harder to find genuine Dapol O gauge locomotives online, and I hope that this is a sign demand for O gauge models is higher than most manufacturers think.

[@daystatesniper01]

Good video as usual Sam as for the Co-Bo i wonder how they have got the sound for this loco ? as it last ran with Derby RTC in 1975 doubt if anyone recorded it back then and the preserved one has never run in preservation

[@muir8009]

There's quite a few running examples of the powerplant still earning their keep so maybe they've recorded one of those

[@JohnG670]

I agree with you about the HST set had I known they were releasing one I would have bought this not the HST which I bought separately before ( which was also faulty) Also why does the J50 not have a front coupling ? Renders it useless in my eyes!

[@trevorbellTT120]

It will have, Hornby have already assured us on that. Shame the photo was misleading.

[@JohnG670]

@@trevorbellTT120 Thanks for that - To me it doesn't make sense that the previous A4s and FS Didn't have a front either but it is essential for Shunters. Thanks again Best Wishes

[@vikingofengland]

NG7 is not a new scale, it is just a catchy new way of saying O16.5 or On30 (although these are not exactly the same as each other!). These scales have been around for yonks.

[@fredburley9512]

Be interesting to weigh up the costs of production when set against the prices that Hornby charge. Is it fair? Bit of plastic, bit of metal; the cost of assembly, painting and packaging etc. It's like a Starbucks coffee: bit of coffee, bit of milk - I mean it is good but does it justify £4 - £5 a cup? I don't know how you are so patient with these things. That's a terrible thing to do with that TT HST package and then the set following after.

[@A-Lovely-Bit-of-Kit]

O Scale narrow gauge sounds great!

[@nigelcole1936]

Fake news that's not Fake... thanks for the warning and for a splendid video Sam

[@davidmolin8944]

Really excited for the ng7 stuff it looks really nice, a double fairlie or bagnall would be great to see

[@chrisabbott7458]

A Fairlie could well be a possibility as Bachmann spent 2 days measuring everything possible at Boston Lodge before the 009 models were produced.Linda/Blanche perhaps first.A Garratt even,it has been a rumour in 009 circles for some time.That would be awesome.

[@Trainboy17]

Thomas Fans Are Going To Love The BR Class 28, And Hornby Should've Just Released The Class 43 HST Set From The Start

[@paulcaswell2813]

Just what is all this fuss over a children's story series?

[@gordonjames5833]

As you reviewed a narrow gauge engine. I have a question if you are going to look at the thomas and friends narrow gauge Engines and Rolling stock as I think Bachmann has done a great job with them

[@SamsTrains]

Yes! I do have plans to look at least one of those :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@gilbertporter4992]

regarding the Heljan Metro Vickers re-release I do wish they had added tooling improvements. Do you think it could have been worth that to improve it, and still be $199 & $299 pounds?

[@SamsTrains]

I do too - the photos don't look that great do they? There are some manufacturers that could've tooled it from scratch for less than £200 xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)