Review: Bachmann 35-415SF Class 47/7 47711 'Greyfriars Bobby' BR Blue (Large Logo), DCC Sound

[@IronHorseRailways]

I have to say for the cost of this model I would absolutely not accept ANY flaws with it.

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Great and fair review - think every 47 Class owner should (if they can) buy one of these excellent models from Bachmann - love my new Bachmann Class 47 Intercity Swallow train; although can only afford a few of these detail locos now.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dafydd, these are the definitive Class 47s now for sure though I guess Heljan may argue with that!

[@timothymorris814]

Excellent and honest review as always. Looking forward to the layout review and the now for something completely different. As always thankyou. Tim

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Tim

[@petertate5741]

No wonder a manufacturer is after your input mate,another in depth well thought out review. The loco looks good, ran beautifully and I thought the sound excellent. Looking forward to the next one.All the best👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Even Hornby have done a packaging upgrade, Bachmann take note. Excellent review with a highlight on what is for me the most important factor; how well it runs. Many thanks, Andy.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Andy. Yeah, Bachmann falling behind on the packaging front.

[@richardwilkinson6462]

I have just collected a new Hornby 9F & well done Hornby the box / packaging is top notch. Please let us see this type of packaging on more models.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, the 9F packaging looks like a nice improvement - and they've included a crew as well!

[@mytinplaterailway]

You are right about the roof. And in model form that matters.

[@BritishRail60062]

That is a nice model train mate, shame about the quality issues and I think you contact Bachmann for a replacement if not file a complaint. Models of this price and caliber should not be slapped together and be made on sloppy workmanship. I have recently bought the N gauge version which I will get round to reviewing this year as I have one N scale review once a week every Saturday if you wanted to see them. Its a nice model and it should be with me soon. I also have an N scale Class 50 that I will run both with my Mk1's in Intercity livery. I moved to N scale as its portable and more economical for me. Hornby might have won by pricing me out of OO gauge but they will NEVER stop me enjoying N scale. Farish, Dapol and Kato now have won my custom.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Ash, yeah, I need to check out some of your N gauge reviews. With Hornby coming out with their TT120 they'll be trying to sway folks away from N gauge which will be a real challenge given the head of steam N gauge has and the choice of manufacturers you have as well.

[@clippermuso]

Great review. Beautiful model and good to see it runs really well. The price is an issue for me - I’ve got 2 of the older Bachmann 47s and these were great models for half the price. There really isn’t enough improvement on an already good model to justify £220 dcc ready. Be really keen to see your layout tour. Your low level shots of trains running through the station always impress.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and as you say the older Class 47s are still very good models. I still have my "Fire Fly" I picked up new for £90 from Hattons a few years ago and added sound to. I didn't think replacing it made sense.

[@colingriffiths1644]

thank you for that i just thought i reset my select now we are up and running stunning sound thank ery much

[@EuviRail]

Great to hear Colin. Enjoy these super locos!

[@stephenchambers5900]

Great review as always. The point you raise on packaging is spot on. DAPOL, Heljan and Accurascale all better protect their offerings. On a £300 model the packaging is not good enough

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stephen

[@hawkeye4184]

Agree with your comments re the packaging, I need to be really careful with my Construction version especially the antennas. Your windscreen problem may be a one off mine was very good and the buffers worked perfectly.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dave. Yeah, the windscreen looks very much like a one-off and it would have left the factory this way. Even a cursory QA should have picked it up though.

[@Curlypawz]

Sad to see the damage on your model - I definitely agree that Bachmann could do with improving their packaging. Even Hornby have done that with their new 9F. She is a beautiful loco though and I totally agree on the running - my own 47711 is a beautifully smooth runner. Although in some regards not a massive step forward from their previous 47 (which was also very good) I think that they are excellent models and at around £290 for a sound fitted model are fair value. Bachmann's documentation of their sound settings and CVs is far from the worst - and fortunately I've rarely found a need to tweak them.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, the existing Bachmann 47s were very good models in their own right. On the sounds doc, all the vendors are much the same for sure - it's just that a single sheet for a loco like this seemed very miserly. At least it was such a good runner that I didn't need to touch the CVs.

[@colingriffiths1644]

hi just bought this model and 4 others having trouble getting engine sound working i am using a hornby select can you help thank you nice video

[@EuviRail]

Hi Colin, my test system was using a Hornby E-Link with Railmaster which can be quirky itself from time to time and require a total cold re-boot to restore normal operation. I don't have any experience with the Hornby Select Controller though I have seen people have some issues with it in the past. Can I assume for starters that you have DCC motor and lighting control working Ok and are you seeing the same issue on all 5 models?

[@stuartrichardson9205]

Great review, shame about the handrail, buffer and screen faults. Ive got the Tynsley depot one with sound and 47004 without sound, have no issues with either. My crib is the snowploughs, Bachmann managed on the new Class 20 to allow fitting by means of 2 small screws to the underside of the buffer beam. Why could they not do the same to the Class 47 and 37?

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stuart - this was a surprising missed opportunity with the snow ploughs.

[@stuartrichardson9205]

@@EuviRail Yes totally, but, i bought Greyfriars Bobby yesterday anyway while i was in Edinburgh..

[@EuviRail]

@@stuartrichardson9205 Great stuff. Enjoy!

[@SimonWitt]

Shame about the damage out of the box. As with others, that packaging is in need of an upgrade for their premium products. However, Bachmann have really impressed with their newly tooled products over the last few years (I have a Class 20 and a 158 and they're both superb models), they're really pushing in terms of looks and quality and it looks like they're well placed to keep up with the newer smaller companies in terms of pushing the level of quality expected and demanded by modellers

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing Simon. Yeah, on the packaging front I had expected Bachmann to upgrade it in line with the newer tooled models. These models warrant it I think.

[@brianfearn4246]

Fabulous review on the latest Bachmann class 47 but for nearly £300 with broken parts I would be returning it immediately Although indeed its a very good model . I have a Bachmann class 47 in BR blue along with a couple of 57s in freightliner green which I perchesed from hattons shop for around £50 in 2012 back then the packaging was a polystyrene insert which was far better for protection and could be used for holding the model when removing screws...

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Brian. Yeah, any breakage on a £300 loco isn't good. It was a minor and invisible repair so that was a lot less than the hassle of a return. If I had purchased from a model shop down the road then I might have made a different decision! I still hung on to my Class 47 Firefly as that was a fine model and the value add of the retooled version wasn't enough given the upgrade cost.

[@brianfearn4246]

@EuviRail many thanks sir , I know what you mean I bought a heljan class 86 going back in 2010 which had a broken front handrail like yours . To be honest I think with all the fine details buyers are demanding this is going to happen . Many thanks and thanks for the brilliant review

[@9501599]

Good review I can't afford this locomotive, I've just been organizing Heljan class 45 x2, do you have any of these?? This video was very useful, keep up the good work 👏.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Guy. I had a Bachmann 45 a few years ago but in trying to manage the fleet size (to a least to some degree) , the 45 was one of the locos that I choose to cull so I haven't checked out the new versions I'm afraid.

[@9501599]

@@EuviRail hello again I hear you, it's hard case deciding what locomotives to have in one's fleet. I have thought about a couple of classes 26 & 27 but for me I'm going with class 33s. DCC decoders aren't cheap I mean my APT will use 4 decoders and my class 13s will use 2 each so just for 3, 1 train 2 locomotives 7 decoders. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@ChapelEndJunctionUK]

Have just bought one from Rails , unfortunately the drivers cab window was loose inside the cab and the same cab light is not working . It has gone back to Rails for repairs , here's hoping for a fix as I do like it .

[@EuviRail]

Hi Peter, I'm sorry to hear of your out of box troubles. Here's hoping Rails get you sorted quickly and you can get to enjoy this smashing loco on your layout. Thanks for sharing.

[@Trainskitsetc]

Badly needs just a touch of weathering. Nothing over the top but just something to knock that factory fresh look off especially the roof. Otherwise looks very swish.

[@phil36310]

Hi, I agree with your score except the price is not totally justified taken in consideration the damage due to poor packaging. A sound equipped loco is indeed cheaper than adding sound. But these prices don't fit my Hobby budget anymore. I can live with that since I have more than enough traction power on my layout. Anyway, nice to see this honest and detailed review ! Success. Filip

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Filip

[@class50thrasher]

13:48 I see another defect being the handrail on the end sagging on the left side

[@EuviRail]

Well spotted. I discovered that after the fact and had to adjust it.

[@miniroll32]

Honestly, I think Hornby's Class 47's represent better value for money. They may not have quite the same detail, but I don't think the Bachmann is worth paying that much more for.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Thomas. In my earlier modelling years I'd have been more than happy with the Hornby Railroad 47 I reviewed recently. I'm tempted to add some lighting to it. It's absolutely fine for what it is and won't break the bank.

[@aureol40012]

😂

[@malcolmmacdougall]

i'd say it's doing about 140 mph ...lol................ nice colour too

[@dennisbundy3042]

You can buy a real one for less!

[@EuviRail]

LOL

[@davidsheriff8989]

Model railways is an overpriced hobby....