How Does This Even Work!? | Bachmann Plasser Rail Truck | Unboxing & Review

[@rogerking7258]

If ever there was a "loco" that would look better for a bit of weathering and some rust patches, this is it.

[@gleggett3817]

Some more metallic paint on the exposed pistons of the crane mechanism too.

[@JustLeftBehind]

Yes!

[@AndrewsModelRail]

Hi Sam I used to work for Balfour Beatty who still operate a variant of these today, they’re referred to as a TRAMM they’re ran back to back (only one end is powered) Balfour Beatty use them for transporting materials to site one of has a wagon in the middle and another is used as a drain train, they’re limited to 40mph, a really impressive bit of kid but they’re starting to show their age but they haven’t done bad for something that was built in the 80’s

[@schoppi112]

Glad to see the old Liliput Austria mould from early 1970s still alive! The details are almost up to date and with good printing it is still a good model. The model was sold in the late 1990 again from Bachman/ Liliput to Conrad Electronics in Germany as an exclusive kit (in yellow, blue and orange) together with the track stamping machine.

[@JPoulAndersson]

The reason Bachmann makes a lot of these is because they’re really Liliput models. HO scale made since the eighties!

[@caw25sha]

It's noticeably a bit too small, and I think it's a cheek to sell it as OO. I don't object too much though as it's very reasonably priced.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I did read that too - I wondered whether this was HO! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Blacksaurdakar]

Yes, I have it under Liliput label from many years ago

[@thedepot7416]

got one of these, great little item to have on a layout

[@alyro-ls1dv]

Thanks for the video and yes the casting dates back to the seventies and at that time it really was amazing in details likewise the non driven tampermachine which bachmann now offers under the liliput label. Austrian Liliput offered amazing detailism and was way ahead of many other brands. sad enough the company went down but good to see the models (some of them) surviving and even today it's a brilliant representation. And as I never saw the driven version I am impressed of your driving test.

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Straight cut gears are louder than helically cut and spiral bevel "worm drive" gears. That would explain the dying cat noises. A good example would be a standard transmission vehicle. First and reverse are usually the loudest and whiniest gears as they are usually straight cut gears while the rest of the forward gears are helical. They're straight cut because straight cut gears are a bit more durable and first and reverse are the 2 gears that do the most work considering they start the movement of several hundred kg from a standstill.

[@chrismoon6978]

I bought one of these about 20 years ago for my nephew and it was great and ran beautifully. It goes to show with this and the wickham trolley that EFE could have easily motorised their 12t plasser that you renewed recently.

[@SamsTrains]

It's super fun isn't it? I think so too - especially if they could do this! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@davidballoid2118]

If you wanted to, you could make a load of sleepers for it's cargo bay and had a flat wagon filled with sleepers behind it that would look even more purposefully impressive ! I like the fact that it has all sorts of potential purpose for any layout.

[@peters1127]

Fantastic idea, I am going to do just that. Thank you.

[@paulputnam2305]

That’s a fun little vehicle. Great job! The only drawback is, being colorblind, I still can’t see the stars or numbers on the rating screen. Not enough contrast. But alas, you make me watch until the end so I can hear the ratings…ha ha good on you! Thanks for the wonderful video Sam.

[@a2020vision_official]

It is possible that that exposed driveshaft is prototypical - if the real thing had both axles driven I would expect it to be by a driveshaft of an only slightly smaller diameter in roughly the same place. At least, that's what I've seen on big trucks and such. The big gear is a bit less likely to be prototypical though.

[@SamsTrains]

That's very interesting - can't tell from any of the photos but you could be right! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@petepefley8023]

MERRY CHRISTMAS SAM! A little weathering and some small details added on and you got a Really Sweety Machine!

[@MrBnsftrain]

This vehicle was even modified for the American market and sold under the Spectrum line as Ballast Vehicle w/ Crane in plain yellow. The ballast tamper also underwent the same treatment, but that one is more like something you would see in America.Those two were last cataloged in 2016 at $137 each with DCC. Plasser rail maintenance vehicles can be found in many countries. The mechanism of this reminds me of 1950s Varney and Marx HO scale locomotives . I also have a Roundhouse diesel that has a similar mechanism so it can run slowly.

[@BhindiBhaji888]

KZbin decided that I had reached a point where my life needed to know everything about model trains. I am 50 years old in 4 days time, I am an expert in quite a number of fields, but the world wants me to become an expert in this new previously unexplored territory. If I embark upon this, my nature will mean I ride it all the way to the end. Do I even have enough years left in my life to know everything about railways and model railways and and and….. should I bail now before it’s too late, or should I start clearing out the loft 😱

[@koresoteira447]

Clear the loft and embrace the tiny engineering.

[@dakshanbalaramesh]

Thanks for the foreshadowing in the last video Sam!

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha!!

[@LCMelendez101]

I wasn't expecting this to have an 8 pin DCC plug or let alone be DCC at all Lol 😂

[@simonmcowan6874]

Great piece of kit, could do with a driver in the cab, Theurer is pronounced 'toyrer' - approximately.

[@adamwilliams192]

And suddenly at 20:55 the inspiration for Sam’s recent shunter competition video (where this model made its debut) is made clear 😊 Lovely little thing, chances of seeing such a machine in N gauge one day? Best

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Hi mukka, Judging on the state of your track you might need a few more teack machines on your layout! 😂 Regards. Gaz 😊

[@StanDoesTrains]

I have to say I really like this rail truck. Very different from anything else you would see working on the rails. Really enjoyable model.

[@SamsTrains]

I really like it too - it's so much fun! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RodericCeorlred]

This rail truck is running so much better than my 20ish years old Liliput (by Bachmann) one! The old rail truck has a type 7 like motor with almost no torque at all, no crawl capabilities (it lets the model dash off at 4 volts, beyond this voltage it shows no movement at all). I had bought a second one in kit form (non motorized) from German retail company Conrad Electronic for just 9 euros, motorized it with a tiny coreless motor with a worm gear working directly on the font axle, and this one is runnung silent and smooth, although with much less power than your one. And by the way, Liliput did produce a Plasser&Theurer tampering machine, a staff coach and some rail and ballast wagons to create a complete maintenance train. Liliput (by Bachmann) do release these models in various liveries from time to time, maybe Bachmann Branchline are doing the same for the UK market.

[@davidford2169]

I have them both,this one and the tamping machine both driven,over 20 yrs old now and still going strong.....but always a little noisy......but i can live with that,for 20yrs old.❤👍🇬🇧

[@jackstrains4468]

What a weird machine! A beautiful loco really, its so smart and as you said, very unique and interesting! I did wonder if youd done a video on it when i saw it competing in the stram vs diesel, and now i know why! Great video as always sam :)

[@freebrickproductions]

TBF, the hi-rail trucks like what you showed wouldn't haul cars anyways unless with was a larger, specially designed, one. They're mainly used for heat patrols and signal maintenance in my experience.

[@osmanpasha_diy]

Huh, have you seen Viessmann Robel Maintenance vehicle in HO? It's similarly sized, motorized, fully digital with sounds, and it has a freaking WORKING CRANE! That's the thing I'd like to look inside, but it's like $400)

[@DGHodgson-o8z]

Hi Sam, i love that, it looks like a little yellow scorpion going along.👍

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi, such a shame they didn’t motorise the EFE Rail 12T YOB crane that was released a month or so ago, the potential was their to make it self propelled but hey I guess that’s life, very nice model and very popular, thanks for sharing.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I think so too - pity about that, but at least it was affordable! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

It's a very interesting model Sam, although I probably won't get it because it's not in the same era I'm modeling in. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@kclassproductions]

I'm glad you made this video Sam, I just couldn't work out how it worked in the shunters video!

[@goupigoupi6953]

Actually the geared wheel on the motor axis may be considered a miniature flywheel, since it's metallic and has a decent diameter.

[@Braystrains]

Very cool model!! And a great video as always Sam!! I also love M of W vehicles! I just picked up two more steam cranes for my layout!

[@thmeier4286]

Model has Liliput Number 382 10 (Oberbau-Universal-Motorwagen OBW 10) in catalog of 1977 . there was also an unmotorized version. Scale 1:87

[@RHaenJarr]

It reminds me of the Polish WM-15 which I always celebrated seeing when I was a kid.

[@peters1127]

Thank you for another excellent review, you sold me om purchasing one of these units, and it is too modern for my layout. I will have to explain to my guess who visit my layout and tell them it is a Temporal anomaly thing. By the way Sam if you find the Doctor tell him its time repair the roof of his Tardis.

[@THEFORBIDDENMAN-lk7of]

THIS LOOKS GOOD TO ME AND ITS MORE TO MY LIKING TO BUILD AN ENGINIERS DEPOT

[@vickielawless]

What a cool little vehicle Sam! Seeing as it can be used as an 0-4-0 shunter, did you know back in the 1980s there was a crude home made "shunter", built from an old engineers open wagon, based at Lowestoft? It was similar to the Plasser you're testing, minus the crane..

[@bavarianbanshee]

When you do load it up, I would love to see. I'm fascinated with how strong this thing could be.

[@lindaoffenbach]

Lol, locos now at £ 0,01... Pfew, that's a gigantic relief for the hobby isn't it... 🤣 We all do need that !

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - what a fantastic turn around! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnlong3214]

Very nice but would look better with a clamshell bucket attached to that hook. Thank you Sam. 👍

[@thorisrain]

Hi Sam, great vid, I've not got a railway but am starting to enjoy certain aspects of the hobby vicariously through your channel. Just a thought - bearing in mind your love of and skill at modelling, and also your love of and skill at saving money, would it be an idea to think about building and reviewing a kit form locomotive, if such a thing exists? A lot of the cost is labour no matter what we're talking about :D

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

Hi Sam, Plasser have a factory here in the UK. It is located in the middle of the triangle between West Ealing, Drayton Green & Hanwell.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh very interesting - I'll google that thanks! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@BoaFilmsPlc]

@SamsTrains Used go past it when I was working trains at Old Oak Common.

[@TurnFullCircle]

Hi Sam---- proper enjoyed this one....i too like this truck a lot....and at the sensible price a decent purchase - all the best.

[@NotDaender]

The driveline reminds me of brass diesel locomotives, with a driveshaft going between the axles in a truck. Anyway, that's an incredible deal on a usable and versatile piece of rolling stock!

[@HighballMachineWorks]

It sounds like a postwar Lionel 30 ton Vulcan! But in other notes, I think you should try to find a galloping goose, aka-Rio Grande Southern rail motors, they were built during the depression using ford model T’s for the first two and limousines and buses for the other 5. The RGS built them to keep up their freight and mail contracts when they couldn’t afford operating steam locomotives, before being refitted for tourist service (thus getting the nickname “galloping geese”)6 of the 7 made survive in preservation with a replica made for RGS motor 1. If you can find one second hand for a decent price, I’d go for it. They were available in on30, sn3 (which is slightly smaller but more to scale than on30) and hon3.

[@RandyDarkshade2]

I can;t see how anyone can argue that it isn;t a locomotive. It's designed to pull other wagons for maintenance supplies and equipment, so therefor, it's a locomotive.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - I just pre-empted the comments haha! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RG-Models86]

It's definitely a quirky model to have in the collection. Great video, Sam 👍.

[@dannagy546]

Quite a nice little model! Its pleasing to see well priced, interesting models on the market Noisy little thing but i have a worse loco haha. I have a brass Pennsy SW-1200 that has a nice can motor, but has a brass tower block, brass gears, metal trucks, with metal worm gears and metal geared axles. At very low speed its deafening, at high speed im pretty sure its detectable somewhere around Jupiter's moons.

[@amagames914]

Wow you actualy showed us this locomotive before the review😂

[@railfilm]

I have the same model from the Austrian Liliput ( more than 40 years old). Basically the same mechanism different open frame motor ( maybe slower because the big gear on dirive shaft is smaller).

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam what a lovely model might have to get one

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

What do I need to fix locomotives? I’m trying to build my own kit, but I don’t know everything 😊. I already have a soldering iron and oil 😊

[@diedertspijkerboer]

You may want some fat for gears (not just any fat, some fats eat away plastic). You need small screwdrivers to open most locos. Also, depending on the brand and kind of loco, specialist tools. For example, you may need a special small wrench to remove the screws that hold together the drive shafts of a steam loco. That's typically brand specific. By the way, putting back the drive shafts us a tricky business, because you have to do something called "quartering". Certainly not the first project to do. Similarly, you may need specific parts to replace broken ones. You can typically find a part number on a so-called exploded diagram, a picture of how all the parts of the loco fit together. For electric repairs, you may need wires. You may need carbon brushes for the electric motor. Which ones depends on the brand and type of motor The latest motors are brushless. For motors with brushes, replacing them is one of the most common repairs you have to do, because brushes wear out over time fairly quickly. Another common repair is replacing the rubber non-skid tyres (on locos that have them). Sam did a lot of repair vids. I'd recommend watching a few of those and making notes of what he uses. You can also find tutorials on other channels and on websites. You can do a search with the keywords "repair" or "servicing"or" maintenance" and the name or catalogue number and brand of the loco you want to do work on. For example, I once searched for "dcc fitting Hornby R2435". Lastly, I'd highly recommend getting a cheap loco for which you can find a repair vid and experiment with it. The reason is that you run the risk of damaging your locos when you're inexperienced. Better not to waste too much money. I hope this helps.

[@diedertspijkerboer]

Adding to what I wrote above, for popular locos, you need to know which version you're repairing For example: Hornby made a lot of versions of the A4 steam locomotive over the years. They don't all have the same parts. This is where the catalogue number comes in. You can typically find out online which locos with different catalogue numbers have the same parts.

[@diedertspijkerboer]

Also, I forgot to ask how old you are. If you're not an adult, you may need to ask help, or ask someone which repairs you can and cannot do by yourself. And starting with something simple, like replacing non-skid tyres on locos that don't have drive shafts, is always a good idea.

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

@@diedertspijkerboer thank you so much for the advice 😊😊 It will really help 😊😊

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

@@diedertspijkerboer thank you again for the time you spent giving me advice :) This is what I love about our hobby 😊☺️

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian!

[@briandesens144]

@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam

[@PhillipBrodginski]

The mechanism reminds me of older Tenshodo brass diesels, Rivarossi diesels, or Varney diesels. Motor on one truck/bogey, with a drive shaft going to the other.

[@robertknight4672]

That what I was thinking.

[@fhwolthuis]

Nice thing! It looks like you could fit a flywheel pretty easy

[@andrewknights1304]

A drive system much used by the French days of Jouef for steam and diesel models, 1960's to 1980's. Same noise too!

[@cmdrflake]

Most USA railroads use highway cranes fitted with hi rail equipment. Most are sent to a work site by road. In fact, the cranes are owned by contractors that provide them to a railroad as required.

[@TheLoftLayout]

Brilliant video again Sam!

[@caw25sha]

I reckon the noise is the axles grinding against bare metal. Any lubricant would dribble off quite quickly so maybe superglue bits of PTFE if there's space?

[@chompette_]

@SamsTrains Is the motor sitting straight in the chassis? It hard to gauge from a video but it looks like it is at an angle of 2 degrees or so, and further it looks like that is a straight cut brass gear. It may be worth straightening it if both are true, to see if it reduces the noise of the gears having them mesh squarely.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Sam very cool Bachmann Plasser Rail Truck !!

[@stormbowman7148]

In the same category, you should check out the Viessmann "Robel" class with a working crane. 👍

[@w.rustylane5650]

Your accent tells me you're from around the London area but you have a little Coventry accent. Your Englishers have it made with your wagons as you don't have to replace 4 plastic wheels with metal ones, you only have 2 axles per wagon. We always have 2 axles on each end so 100 wheel sets will only do 25 pieces of rolling stock. Cheers from eastern TN

[@PeterEdin]

The motor looks like the type you would get in a cassette recorder complete with the 100nF cap.

[@carlbentley80]

Shame they don't have lights, but a great looking item. I have pre ordered one. Will be interesting to see the Tamper that Bachmann are doing soon too.

[@ivovanzon164]

For one with lights and other gadgets, Viessmann makes a 'Rpbel 54.22' with lights and partially motorized crane. Expect to pay 400 euros for that

[@williamsquires3070]

Hi Sam. See if you can get your hands on Bachmann (USA) part #: 16901. The end of the box on mine says: Item No: 16901 “HO” Hi-rail equipment truck w/crane (DCC on Board) Painted/unlettered White I got mine for $109, so probably around 115-120 pounds sterling would be my guess. 😊

[@stuartburton1167]

Currently $109 is £86

[@TheHouseofWindsorAviary-oh4vw]

he has one, did you not watch the video?

[@stuartburton1167]

Not my era but I am tempted. I wonder if some insulation inside the sand load would help with the volume.

[@briancooper562]

Hornby international, BEMO, Kibri and Brawa also make a type similar model. Crich tram museum has one of the Riverossi type with a wagon. I have this model with a non powered Plesser track tamper I purchased in the 80's. £39.95 for both. This tyoe of equipment in the real world is usually diesel hydraulic which also powers the crane (try scaling that?)

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh fascinating - I'll have to look that up thanks for the heads up! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@GhoulishGlee]

Ah, the good old Liliput 332. :-D Nice to see the model still in action. How does it hold up scalewise, since it was originally an HO model.

[@fhwolthuis]

I wonder how it sounds with a DCC chip in it. Could you maybe make another episode where you put a decoder in a lot of your newer purchases to show their functionality when running digitally?

[@PhilBender612]

He Sam. I'm a fan of MOW equipment myself. Really cool crane.

[@bobainsworth5057]

I wonder if bearings can be found for this? You my have to widen the frame ,but doable .

[@ElaineJones-w5e]

I have one from a few years ago it just needs a bit of weathering

[@GeoffArnold1]

Absolutely! All that yellow plastic is just crying out for a black wash to pick out all of the seams, followed by some Tamiya weathering powder.

[@ElaineJones-w5e]

@ 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Jimyjames73]

Just checked - It's still sell at one Great British Pence!!! (£00.01p - 30/11/2024) Yes a little noisy but much fun looking!!! 😉🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@mattchandler2380]

Sam if you want more permanent way equipment check out diecast master model 85662 and 85656 the are a 1/50 and a 1/87 scale high rail excavator

[@phantom66kempo]

I have one of these it's a fun little model to run.

[@tcm_tatra]

I have the same model , but I guess from a different batch. Some small paint details are different than yours , for example mine's have the cylinders for crane painted black , exhaust is grey , steps and axle boxes are black. My crane doesn't have the hook (it doesn't seems to be broken , but not moulded at all). But the biggest difference is with the pick-ups and wheels mounting. On my example the wheels don't have the keeper plate , I can see the gear , I was thinking that the wheels are secured in the axle boxes , but no , I can't figure out how they stay there without coming out. Also I have 2 pick-ups mounted in the middle of the chassis , going to the wheels. The pick-up touches on the top of the wheel , on the part that is rolling on the track. Mine have also a different motor , which is smaller than yours and doesn't have DCC board. The motor is wider than longer. Like I've said in your live , mine's struggling to pull the Dapol Track Cleaner on flat surface , or 2 small cranes and a platform , no chance I will haul 14 coaches with mine , 1-2 at the most. Not because the motor doesn't have power , but because the wheels are slipping , probably my Plasser is lighter.

[@williamsquires3070]

To me, it’s a locomotive if it’s self-propelled and has couplers and enough horsepower to pull at least one extra wagon, van, or coach. If it doesn’t have couplers, or if it has an engine or electric motor, but is not self-propelled, then it’s either a tram, a speeder, a crane, or a Hi-rail truck, or some common variation of one of those. 😊

[@juniorfarm3003]

Cool video Sam ❤

[@walkersrails]

A legitimate locomotive - are we entering a new era on Sam’s Trains

[@IainDavies-z2l]

It will be HO as the other Bachmann track machines are, since the track machines are massive they don't look out of place on an OO layout.

[@roombawars6434]

Hi sam, I've got a question: Where can i find american trains, i know you mostly review british locos but i just had to ask

[@swarticus4228]

I would call this a unique service rail car

[@mikeking2539]

A driver figure would have been nice! But I guess that's ok for 1p!

[@JerseyBill-x9r]

Well, I as you like odd quirky locomotives or should I say powered movers. The fact that it is a maintenance vehicle only adds to its charm for me. I want one! Great video, Jersey Bill

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - well it's pretty decent overall, can recommend! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@dennisneo1608]

As an aside, I'm sure you have some lovely Christmas models on the 3d printer, Sam? 😅

[@charliethetrainspotter4963]

To be honest I think the motor is were the driver sits, how I would like to know that is only a pound 💴🪙and rails of Sheffield is 59 pounds that is scam to me. Great video Sam😁

[@j3xk72r9]

Would be nice if you reviewed the Bachmann Windhoff MPV set to go with it.

[@LarsPW]

The sand on the back of this vehicle is not very prototypical because of the hook on its crane. We have those vehicles in Germany as well and they rather brought tools, track welding kits, small signals, switch motors, track magnets, cables, wiring cabinets and other items of this kind to construction areas. With all of them a crane with just a hook might be helpful.

[@Antluvstrains]

Bachmann has just recently released Rebecca from Thomas and Friends, and they finally used the ice block packaging.

[@robertsparks3685]

Another great video. Thanks. I wonder how the real thing powers its wheels? Does the real thing have an exposed drive shaft?

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Robert - yeah I wonder that too! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Fatduck-nm3jj]

Please review Bachmann Shay because it's truly a fascinating loco

[@jeffheins6624]

Could you add a flywheel to this? With that long shat is there room at thae end for one. I love small quirky models😊

[@roberthannigan8118]

The bachmann n scale Gordon is out

[@ChrisGBusby]

Definitely the Liliput HO model, so 1:87th repainted into a British version. It does look too small with the wagons. The drive train is ok, but could do with brass gears on the axles. The main pressure point is the worm gear, not the square axle "bearing" - the axle doesn't really put any load on them. From memory Brawa did an all metal version (also HO), but the price was a LOT higher.

[@martinpattison1567]

You knocked off one star in the mechanism category and then knocked off another star in the quality category for the axles not having bearings? You could make up a track maintenance train using this model to pull it. I like it, but it does not fit in my layout era. Martin. (Thailand)

[@gazzab3224]

Price only 1 penny ?

[@davidmolin8944]

Kinda wondering if you uploaded the shunters video earlier than anticipated lol

[@azuma892]

Hello from December! Later this month will mark 10 years since I first saw something Hornby related and caught the bug for British trains. Not your channel it was something else. 😅

[@hongmaichen3085]

Vehicles like this usually have the potential to stall due to poor conductivity on layouts. They should have some small stay-alive units built in, but this will increase the price.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Lovely little thing, they were quite loud so that's ok. I wish someone would make a Tamper machine

[@RichyN25]

looks awesome, but exposed gears are a magnet for lint/dust