The Most Unusual Diesel | "The Fell" | KR Models | Unboxing & Review

[@ThatOneMonke1217]

Hey Sam's trains I am a nine year old boy who loves trains you inspired me to become a train driver keep making content to inspire others and I by heart you are my favorite KZbinr

[@aureol40012]

He inspires me to poke my own eyes and ears out with a shitty stick.

[@southerntrainspotter2527]

@@aureol40012 LMAO

[@SamsTrains]

Hey! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I'm so glad these vids have inspired you to get into the rail industry! Stay in touch, and really appreciate you watching! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@thebritishempire8754]

@@aureol40012 9 aswell?

[@ShibaInYourWalls]

@@aureol40012 Are you just a troll? it costs you nothing at all to not say hurtful comments. Who knows what people are going though.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

To be honest the gloss, thick glazing, the distance between the bogies and the body, and some of the moulding makes it feel like a model made decades ago

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah... not what I'd call a refined model unfortunately :( Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@paulsngaugechannel]

Mmm undecided as to how to describe it. I think it’s far too glossy, has limited appeal, badly assembled, sounds like a hurried model with no real thought, almost as if they lost interest towards the end of the product. Not something I would want to own. Good and fair review.

[@meme_king4854]

yeah, has a diecast feel

[@mph20000]

The reason why most manufactures do a mate or satin finish and not a gloss is to simulate the distance and perspective. If you hold a model locomotive an arms length, it should resemble the finish of a real locomotive from a perspective and distance of at about 200ft away. So if you took a shiny polished real locomotive, it would be glossy up close, but matte at 200 ft.

[@panttill3805]

It makes it look more like a real locomotive compared to a “toy” aka model train in my opinion

[@Sohave]

The thing about shiny models is that when you scale things down they look more glossy with the same level of gloss in the paint. That is because there is less distortion from the environment inside a house under a light-bulb than out in the natural light with all sorts of things surrounding you to break up the light and distort the reflections. Gloss also makes the surfaces seem fluffy and plastic like, it rounds off sharp edges and details in an unpleasant way, just look at the leaf springs. Luckily it is easy to correct with some masking tape over the windows and wheels and a spray of satin or semi gloss.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes absolutely - that's exactly what this looks like. A coat of satin would be a great idea, Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stevenweasel2678]

GOOD POINTS

[@marklilley589]

@@SamsTrains What satin varnish would you recommend?

[@drosera88]

That looks like a cursed loco... Also, I think you should add a "Quality Control" category, cause some locos are good quality, but aren't done any favors by whoever assembles them.

[@formidable38]

The glossy aspect aside, it also looks like its been painted with a roller!😄

[@shanequigley6745]

My Grandpa painted his car with a paint roller😆

[@iron1349]

I actually saw one of these at the NMRA train show in Illinois. I'm glad to see weird one-off locomotives being built. I like how it has siderods like an 08 shunter but a body shell similar to a 37

[@royfearn4345]

Having spent the first 30 years of my life in Derby, I am quite familiar with this unique loco. It soon became known as the "Bellowing Fell" because of the sheer gut churning noise it made at low speeds. I used to love going to Derby station to see it setting out on its trial runs. I remember it being very glossy (it was after all brand new and as it turned out spent little time getting dirty, preferring to mash its gearbox and bending coupling rods) oh well, just my take based on fond memories,

[@QuantumLeclerc]

I actually knew of the Fell before this video, but I really love to see these unique prototypes in locomotive history getting models. Other great ones are the Class W1 Hush Hush and Dapol LMS 10000. Definitely think it's cool to see them and they can be great for alternate history style layouts or even just a great eyecatching centrepiece for a period layout.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fantastic - and it sure is great to see these amazing prototypes getting modelled! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@drubrooke-taylor8261]

I saw all three of those, though the Hush Hush was in its rebuilt form in BR days, when it looked much like an A4. 10000 usually travelled paired with 10001. I knew the Fell quite well. It used to work between Derby and Manchester Central quite often. It was at Manchester Central that it caught fire, which resulted in the end of its operational career. There's no way to avoid saying that however novel, it was an ugly brute. It was also quite noisy. The red counterweights were very distinctive. Not so sure though about the gloss finish. Both the black and the red were a bit grubby in day to day service.

[@RzMK]

Strange indeed, I see that KR Models tend to choose really exotic looking engines to produce in model form :) PS. Are you planning to review some Central European locomotives? If I had to recommend you something, it would be Piko's ET21, model of a Polish locomotive having some crazy features, like chassis lighting, lots of photo-etched detail and working metal pantographs, costing just around 150 pounds! Cheers, Kacper :)

[@SamsTrains]

They totally do, and I'm very glad to see them do that too! I would like to yes... I'll keep an eye out! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@sarge4455]

Strange looking for sure

[@jamedmurphy4468]

If you want something out of the box what about some Aussie prototypes...recommend Ausicison 73 class as a good starter..fantastic runner on DC

[@europacifictradersltd3717]

hi sam. i really believe that this model was sent back because for some reason and was shipped to you unfortunately. the reason of my thinking this way is two fold.. 1 the static grass found while unboxing and the lack of instruction manual.

[@David_Mattox]

Everyone as they stare at the finish: Gloss! Gloss! Gloss! Gloss! Gloss!… Me as my optics burst into flame: MY EYES!!! Jokes aside, is it weird to say that the counterweights are hypnotic in motion? Great video Sam.

[@timbervalleyproductions]

No it sure isn't!

[@SamsTrains]

haha my eyes too!! No not weird... I find it mesmerising too! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@brucetheloon]

The missing gears between the inner and outer drive wheels are probably left out because there would likely be a rotational clash between the coupling rods and the gears. Significant engineering is needed to match up the two driving mechanisms. Maybe the chassis design is meant for a couple of models with and without the coupling rod mechanism.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah you're probably right... it would be an added complication! As far as I know, none of the KR models have no coupling rods at all... please correct me if I'm wrong! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stephenarbon2227]

@@SamsTrains It is also closer to how the prototype drive was set up. Allows for some play between the pairs of wheels, although it doesn't have suspension, all 8 wheels can't be made exactly in vertical alignment. Some older N gauge locos have axles with gear & coupling drive, and they can get out of sync, jamb and are fiddly to realign. If a drive gear is worn or slipping on the axle, it looks very easy to flip the pair of axles over and use the other one. It might have been cheaper to have a single type of drive wheel.

[@1maico1]

I've got a Trix BR85 tank loco with all 5 axles gear driven. The drive train actually changes sides halfway down because the model, like the prototype, is articulated. Later versions did away with this complexity and just drive one axle and let the coupling rods do the rest.

[@matthewneleigh567]

One of my favorite things about the Fell is that it actually had SIX diesel engines on board- four to provide traction via the mechanical transmission, and two additional engines to spin the superchargers that fed air into the main engines. So in addition to its other unusual operating characteristics, the main engines would run with high supercharger boost even at low RPMs, providing more torque at slow speeds.

[@TIMMEH19991]

They are referred to as constant torque engines,which you need with mechanical transmission as engine speed varies with road speed.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh yes I did read that these had two extra engines for that... fascinating design indeed! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@christopherbarton6770]

After reading your review I received my model of The Fell and it was with some trepidation that I opened the box and then tested the loco. My version is the first livery with all wheels coupled. There was no damage to the model when taken out of the box. It looks fine. The paint finish is better than the one you reviewed. The windows are not too thick. The handrails are consistent in colour and are wire I think. The model ran well from the start. Perhaps you were unfortunate. I am delighted with mine. I do enjoy your reviews. Keep up the good work.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Despite this loco only lasting for a short time it went through quite a lot of variations to is body. Unfortunately KR models have included a missmatch of these variations and as modeled it was never like that. Also the water fillers in the roof should be at the opposite ends instead of being directly opposite like they are. Just got to love those counter weights though!

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

You're a nice guy Sam. Your passion and presentation has really sparked my interest.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Excellent, in depth review Sam and you definitely know what you're doing technically. Ignore the keyboard warriors, they don't know what they're talking about and are often over-compensating for their own lack of knowledge using finger letters. The "Fell"? It's a no from me. Too glossy and the cab windows look like theyre made from Fox's Glacier Mints. There's obviously a lot of backlash in the gear set too as sometimes, when changing direction you can see the model move before the connecting rods begin to rotate. I can forgive the "missing" gears but including them might have improved the above? The bogie wheels could quite easily have been fitted with pickups with a little thought too and this would help the lack of vertical springing on the main driving wheels too?

[@chrisvaughan159]

Good points Sam. I am coming to the conclusion that manufacturers are using the preponderance of dcc as an excuse for poor motors since dcc is a feedback system by design. I think us dc users are being left behind. Keep up the good work!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's true actually - many of these motors work great on DCC, but are shoddy on analogue... I'm seeing massive differences in performance between certain different models these days! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@MRacer001]

@@SamsTrains could you maybe do a video on that? to see if some locos that performed poorly on DC perform better when DCC fitted?

[@TheRip72]

That raises the question: are they trying to push DCC or just cutting corners?

[@jameshatfield1194]

Thats a good idea Sam

[@chrisvaughan159]

@@TheRip72 good question. One thing for sure "rhe great silence" also applies to Hornby if you ask them..........

[@sharkymcsharknose2979]

Kudos to KR Models for producing a model of an obscure prototype. I like this sort of thing. However, I don't like the gloss finish, it's a bit too over-the-top & plasticky (Woolwinder's finish is better). It wouldn't scare me off if I was in the market for the Fell, but I would be reaching for my satin varnish to tone it down a bit! If you're interested in a model of another bizarre & unsuccessful diesel, check out Broadway Limited's Baldwin Centipede.

[@SamsTrains]

Absolutely - fantastic to see such a thing produced! The finish definitely was a surprise though... wasn't expecting that! The Centipede sounds awesome too :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@kiwitrainguy]

Broadway Limited also have brought out the PRR E6 4-4-2 Atlantic and the crazy thing is that its the same price as a double-unit Centipede.

[@dbzsonicnerd5852]

Just as an idea for when you are running in a loco, if it is showing to have continuous problems with cutting out maybe have another loco like the one you used for the freezing a loco experiment to push or pull it out of hard to reach areas

[@glennhardacre5366]

I received my BR Black model today (Sunday I know :) ) This is shiny as well but still looks good. As for the packaging it stands up to anybody else's packaging, it is a good 2-ply still cardboard and only as to stand up to the ravages of Royal Mail parcels as only delivered from Liverpool Cannot wait for KR Models "Bellerophon" engine Love watching your videos

[@SamsTrains]

Glad you got yours safely Glenn - yes the loco packaging itself is fine, but a bit of cushioning or bubble wrap on the outside would have brought this more in line with decent retailers. Bellerophon certainly will be interesting, though it calls for more refinement and effort than this loco received! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@jonatcov8981]

Hi Sam. Great review as always. Seeing a few others discussing the ‘dcc vs analogue’ issue for motors. Is it worth you having a poll for how many modellers run dcc vs analogue? As you have pointed out, alot of these models that struggle on analogue run much better on dcc (maybe using it to hide deficiencies?). I wonder, is it beginning to be worth you adding a dcc section to your reviews to see if these models do perform better? And you’d perhaps see other features not available on analogue. Maybe a poll would give you (me!) the answer to that? I’m not suggesting at all that you permanently chip every loco….but if you swapped a chip in for a test? Anyway, ive gone on a bit now! Keep up the great videos.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Jon - yes that would be a cool poll idea, thanks for that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Noodlewerfer]

I like the glossy finish honestly. It looks really nice, and it makes it look more metallic even if it's not made of metal. Locomotives do have pretty glossy finishes in real life, at least when they have new/well preserved paint. The molded detail on the chassis looks a bit disappointing, the edges seem chunky and rounded and it's not very finely done. Each axle having a gear is very strange, but it might actually be helpful. It looks like you can replace any of the driven axles with the same set, you don't need to go looking for a geared/non-geared version. Also what's with the counterweights getting crooked sometimes? I don't know if that's realistic but it looks like there's too much play in the coupling rods.

[@SamsTrains]

Glad you like the gloss - it's certainly not something we see too often in model form! Yes detail (and I hear accuracy) isn't the best, that's for sure! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stevenweasel2678]

The real machine wouldent stay in Pristine condition like an outa the box TOY , like this Cos it would pick up Natural weathering and and at least some Industrial / RAailway Use Grime . The timeline this Locomotive ran in was a Steam Loco age enviroment Also quite a lot of Air polution from Brit industry then.

[@carlgauntletttrains3026]

Hi Sam, dispite all its faults, I really like this one. I like the glossy Finnish. It's an odd one and that's what I like. Great video. Carl.

[@mod2966]

Oh my god! The fell diesel, I’ve always loved this locomotive and never knew there was a model of it😮

[@jvbndofvbnebe]

Hello Sam! Whilst I prefer steam over diesel, I've always had an interest in early british diesels (including the Fell diesel, LMS 10000 class, BR 10800 and others) and it's really nice to see that these locomotives are finally getting a model form. (Along with other niche eras/designs. And also, I'd like to know one thing: Do you recommend/plan to do a video about motors? I want to know more about the types of motors, its parts and the advantages/disadvantages of them. In that sense, it would be a video like the video on controllers you made. Do you have a recommendation?

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing - I don't blame you for that, the early ones are fascinating! If you check my video on "how model trains work", there is a section covering the basics on different types of motors! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@douglasanderson2894]

I love it "The Fell"! This is a stunning model and I am going to try get one. You mentioned that you though the two coupling rods should be a single long one. All the photographs I have seen show two separate coupling rods.

[@CustomiZe_]

The gloss paint finish makes it look like tinplate 3 rail locos

[@SamsTrains]

haha it does... others have said the same, lol! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@graemehansell7642]

Hi Sam. Do you think the model you bought was actually a return that had been re-issued, or a model that had been on display? Can't think of any other reason why there would be static grass in the packaging. A very fair critique of the loco.

[@stephendavies6949]

Hi Sam. I'm a great fan of your reviews: they're both forensic and entertaining. This time I think you've been a tad generous towards this model, as you had to repair a loco that's sold as a RTR item before it would even run! I was with you, nodding all the way in agreement with your views, until you shared with us your scores. But whatever the final score, you've done me a favour in guiding me away from any ideas I had of buying one...

[@tonylaming4994]

To answer your question, with my black version I am not keen on the gloss finish. It seems to make the model look toyish in appearance. I have run mine in on a rolling road but not track tested it yet. I do suspect, though, that I have pick up problems also. Fair revue.

[@cbrooks122000]

I got mine back supposedly fixed but it still didn't run any better. So as I wanted a working model I looked into adding pickups to the bogies. Anyway I found a Hornby Thompson bogie with pickups has the same centres so I wired that in. Works a treat. You know you criticised it for not having a removable base keeper plate, well it does if they hadn't used a stupid plastic clip to hold the pickup wire. If they hadn't have clipped it, which also has the effect of damaging the pickup wires, you could have just disconnected the connector and the base keeper plate would pull out a lot further.

[@LMR78]

The Counterweights remind me of any D&RGW Narrow gauge K-27, K-28, K-36, and K-37. They are all outside frame 2-8-2s. If you’ve never heard of them, you should look them up, they look very cool!

[@LMR78]

@@ScaniaVabis580 my lord good luck! That must be crazy to build! Doing some looking into On30 but im mostly a HO scale modeler. Trying to build a 4ft by 2ft mini layout.

[@LMR78]

@@ScaniaVabis580 ah,you’re from the UK. Im From the U.S. I model mostly Ho and Hon3 in Colorado from the 1880s to the 1930s.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Porter DE45T. bogies, rods and counterweights! Got to be unique?

[@LMR78]

@@TIMMEH19991 definitely unique!

[@LMR78]

@@TIMMEH19991 looks like one of the D&SNG, Number 1 nicknamed “Hot Shot”

[@markdunwell3288]

Another interesting video Sam thank you. The paint on the locomotive you have acquired looks as if it is a tin plate loco from the 19 30's. It's in your face so to speak. Too BRILLIANT or bright. The coupling rods are first class, i really like them . The red paint on the rods and counter weights are stunning. I have purchased the black early crest loco myself and can't wait for it to arrive. Cracking review. 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@mirrleesuk]

A way round the feedback issue, is to fit a DCC chip. This means you can have feedback with out a feedback controller Tim

[@TheRip72]

& a friend with DCC who can set up the decoder to provide feedback for you 😉

[@mirrleesuk]

@@TheRip72 Modern chips have auto feedback setup. Not the cheapest chips but the ones around £25+

[@glengreen362]

In my personal opinion, I like the gloss finish of the body shell as it does look prototypical of an engine straight out off the production line. It does give the look of a metal body shell on the locomotive. I have always thought that the satin sheen or the matt finish of models does look like just plastic, no matter how impressive the moulding. Has anyone ever seen a real locomotive with a satin finish? They are either ex-factory glossy, wiped over with an oily rag glossy or varying degrees of matt grimy, dirty neglect. As always I think it is up to the purchaser to decide what appearance they want to convey on the engine and above all, it is far easier to work down from a gloss finish than to try to work up to it.

[@rainlori]

Very good review as always but @8:20 is that wheel wear we see on this supposedly brand new model? That, plus the scenery fragments in the packaging, may indicate otherwise. There might also have meant to be a nice pin badge included but I didn't see one.

[@russellbenton2987]

Well done Sam . Good review .yes I know who you are directing the poor electrics comment too . Some people just resent your success and can’t see past your carpet ! Good well balanced reviews that really investigate running , unlike bland magazine reviews

[@Evaunit98]

I like that KR are doing oddball locos, I hope that they might make a loco like Fury

[@lordluffington2351]

imagine if they made GWR 111 'The Great Bear'

[@Evaunit98]

@@lordluffington2351 now that would be something to behold

[@OffTheRails33016]

I was reading a book, and it had this exact engine in it, then you uploaded this and I was like "woah"

[@Mariazellerbahn]

10:55 I have a drooping buffer on mine and it is exactly the same drooping buffer as yours.

[@thequietestengine]

if I ever have a lethargic loco like this one, I double head them with an older model, like my Triang 3F. Both might be running slower but if the lethergic motor cuts out, the 3F pulls it through the 'bad patch' so to speak to help run it in. If it locks up to the point the 3F cant shift it, but it itself is still running, I know its mechanical. (Might sound daft but I got the idea from Edward helping Gordon in 'Off the Rails'. Its also brought a LOT of tired second hand models back from the brink too.) For a brand new model like this though, you really shouldnt NEED to do such a thing. Hmmm....

[@SussexHistory]

Hi Sam. I do enjoy the calm of Sam's loft compared to the gyrations of those lunatics in the Kremlin that is on the news! The look and mechanism of this loco bears a suspicious similarity to the Bachmann Thomas range, and one wonders if it was made in the same Chinese factory. The Chinglish instruction sheet is consistent with this hypothesis! You are the most analytical and fair model train reviewer on KZbin. I don't think I would have ever have ordered this model, but nevertheless it is fun to have you pull it apart and put it through its paces! Thanks for uploading.

[@dennisneo1608]

They aren't the lunatics!!!!!!

[@pooletrainboy]

@@dennisneo1608 Who are?

[@grootsan]

Good that you showed a loco in High Gloss Finish because I just ordered and paid two loco's in High Gloss Finish from The Model Centre TMC. Both Bachmann loco's a newly tooled Class 47 Large Logo Greyfriar's Bobby and a Class 40. This gives me an impression what I can expect. You can order in several steps of weathering and High Gloss Finish which has costed £55 (no VAT) extra. Thankfully I received some photo's of my Class 47 from TMC and also thankfully it is NOT as glossy as the Fell ! Of course it has some sort of glossyness because I have ordered that. Because it is a Bachmann I don't worry about the quality and hence I expect it to be better than the Fell. It is on it's way to me in Australia and being exempt from VAT it comes to £370 (DCC Sound and shipping and some other extra's included). I sure hope it doesn't disappoint 😁Cheers, Jan

[@dancalmpeaceful3903]

I and my son installed an overhead fan once. The instructions were so bad, I re-wrote them and sent them back to the manufacturer. THAT's how disgusted I was......

[@bummeroni]

I honestly really like the glossy finish of this locomotive, it reminds me of one of those old Lionel tinplate trains.

[@strike9716]

The pensylvania railroad had a 4-4-4-4 called the T1, it was actually a succesful and iconic locomotive, though sadly none survived nto preservation. But an organization is trying to build a new one, and has made some headway.

[@bluesteel1199]

The gloss feels more realistics, since real steel Locs also bounce light like that fresh out of the works.

[@kevatcrewe]

All the axles have gears i suspect to avoid duplication at the factory, also I would have thought they designed the chassis first and included the gears in case they ran into any issues with the conrods/counterbalances potentially?

[@astridvallati4762]

Seeing those rotating counterweights reminds me of the FS Gr.550? 3-Phase 0-10-0 Electric locos of 1905 or so...Everything old is new again ( Diesel instead of 3Ph.)

[@fredburley9512]

Very brave attempt at gloss metal finish that works pretty well to my eyes - does look like panelling. Bit of a curio. Why this engine was not a success in real life is a strange thing. Colonel Fell's genius.

[@robertgates7686]

An interesting illustration on the use of none feedback controllers. At the risk of being controversial electronic motor control has moved on from the basic pure DC control of yesteryear. You never see today the brick size mobile phones of old. They have been superceded by devices that are not only a phone but can tell me when my credit card is used. We would all be driving Mode T Fords if the motor industry had not progressed. I believe your Gaugemaster controller is not pure DC but controls by pulse width modulation, essentially pulses of DC. So an improvement to aid motor control. Moving on to performance of the Fell it seemed much better with electronic feedback. Perhaps in the future you could do a comparison using the same locomotive of pure DC, Pulse width DC, DC with feedback and DCC on motor control. The modern electronics appear to allow better control and more power to be developed in smaller motors. In the case of the Fell you correctly identified the motor was underpowered with your Gaugemaster controller and that others with different controllers will have a different experience. As a DCC user I look forward to receiving my Fell next week and hopefully without the pickup and wheel gauging problems, it should not happen.

[@debbiemilka2251]

Given the high gloss finish of this engine it would have been great to have seen you wearing sunglasses for the review. At least for the first couple of minutes.

[@tommytorpey8482]

Hey Sam, cool loco. Very obscure but interesting. Love these videos. Keep up the awesome work!!!

[@toki_-_wartooth]

Great video as always Sam. Even tho i chose N Gauge i still love all your videos, very thorough and always some humour in there too :D

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you so much, that's very good to hear! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@chargoesboom6990]

You actually don't need to worry about the paint chips because overtime the paint will chip and expose the primer or start to corrode due to some extreme heat elements outside

[@nathanwatson01]

I've never seen a touch start loco before. What a cool feature!

[@MoleculeMind7]

1:20 Asks if I’m interested in the background, proceeds to not talk about the stuff in the background

[@lapiswake6583]

Mine arrived at my local postal depot on thursday evening, so because of the postal strikes, I'm yet to receive it. I'm not convinced on the gloss tbh. It'd be interesting to compare to your glossy A3 though. The mistakes in the instructions are shocking, but the lack of instructions is consistent with GT3. Also noteable is its initial delivery date of before christmas 2021, then easter, then june, then july, then august, then its eventual arrival. I've ordered the black version, which should have the middle rods. I'll be testing it on a small test track in my flat upon arrival, then running it in at my local club on monday night.

[@lapiswake6583]

Quick update. Mine arrived this morning, same packaging state as yours. It included a pin badge, perhaps only available with the black one? Also one of the small bits under the nose had come loose, so that's now glued back in place. It had the same pickup issue, so I just sorted that, but the glazing doesn't seem as bad. And the gloss doesn't come across too badly in black. The wobbly wheels are ridiculous. Gonna take some work to sort those out...

[@edwardhawke8338]

Great review. Honest and straight to the point. Cannot fault the ratings. Just a thought, have you tried out the following KR Model Trains: Bellerophon (£133.33), Clayton DHP1 (£133.33) and the SR Bulleid - The Leader (£154.17)? If you have reveiwed any of these then I apologise for including them.

[@PebProductions46]

None of the locos you mentioned are out yet. KR Models have only released the Fell and the GT3 so far.

[@edwardhawke8338]

@@PebProductions46 , apologies. I should have looked at that webpage closer. Still, when they are released they would make interesting reviews.

[@PebProductions46]

@@edwardhawke8338 No worries, the website is a bit confusing. I am sure Sam will cover them when they come out!

[@TomPrickVixen]

Reminds me of those old sheet-plate models (toys) from the 30's-60's. I guess they took seriously that "those are just guidelines" phrase when they made the "instructions". I'd put this loco into the "there was an effort/attempt" category!

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah, certainly has that kind of finish... and on the underframe... that level of detail too! Yep, an effort for sure... but not much of one! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@ImmortalAbsol]

Part of what I love about steam trains is the linkage so this is actually really cool. Would've been a great loco for preservation.

[@davidhinks8384]

Thanks as always Sam for a fair and balanced review/ Interesting prototype and good to see some unusual locomotives being modelled. I agree with you that the gloss is a bit of a Marmite finish. I would prefer a satin if I were to go for this. Quality seems to be bugging some manufacturers. Cheers!

[@greenslider]

Wanted a smile today, so revisited this one😊

[@glennhardacre5366]

I love the ORANGE counter balances LOL

[@randytaylor1258]

I found some photos online with a dull finish but they looked very used. I also found photos online with this glossy finish on what looks like a new loco. I don't haveva problem with the finish itself as their is a major difference between a gloss finish and shiny plastic, and thos looks to be the former which is consistent with a single prototype experimental loco.

[@Arles_dale]

Here’s a random fact for you sam, KR models is based in Edmonton Canada. (5 hours from where I live)

[@TIMMEH19991]

I love gloss finish locos! I have 4 different Heljan Westerns all finished in gloss.

[@bjftype8288]

Looks like a Hornby Dublo, Meccano model from the 1960's. I'm dissapionted now, i was looking forward to buying a Fell locomotive. I'm sure this model has been produced as an all metal kit in the past.

[@garycross228]

Very interesting locomotive, I hope that the Leader Class isn't glossy like that. Have you ever done a review on the Kernow 2-CO-CO-2 diesel locomotive?

[@Bop7324]

It’s not glossy but the one I saw at the weekend leans about 20 degrees like the real one….. It’ll get a great review on another well known KZbin channel though……

[@darknut9696]

it reminds me of a old tin plate Hornby O gauge from way back then

[@briancooper562]

TRAXX have today a similar loco, a 4 off 720 HP diesel-electric (gensets) locomotive where engines can be shut down when not required to reduce emissions TRAXX DE ME class 245. Last year two Pullman cars of the Northern Pacific (USA)where repainted gloss, which was nice, however they where so shiny that they reflected so much you could not tell what colours they where in the wrong light.

[@Seagull-sq4wh]

Thanks for the review - informative and instructive as usual. I missed the ordering deadline and have been looking at popular auction sites in order to acquire one. Unusually they seem to be cropping up quite regularly considering they are a brand new issue (in comparison to very few GT-3 locos) with vendors claims of duplicate orders, unwanted gifts, wrong colour ordered etc! Given the number of problems around this loco it would appear the vendors are possibly looking to offload poor quality locos. I will not not bother with one now.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Hiya, Sam. Ah the Fell loco. IRL, they made enough noise to raise the dead! Pity the running is so iffy. Heard the rumour that KR have a Union Pacific GTEL (gas turbine) in the pipeline?

[@jasperraine6104]

generally as long as the product is snug inside whatever packaging it's put in, it should be decently protected so long as it isn't tossed around. But extra padding definitely helps.

[@TheGarlee]

Received my Fell model in the same colour livery as yours on Tuesday. I like the gloss finish to it and had no problems with the running of it straight out of the box . Like you say the instructions should be more comprehensive especially as to fitting the detailing parts . Got a nice metal Fell pin badge in the box too . Did you get yours too ?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Sam, great review! You beat me lol, mine should arrive this week. Iconic loco. Pickups should have been working that's poor, glazing, well that's horrid really, makes Lima look fine. But all in all an amazing thing. Mine should have the facility to couple all wheels. Fingers crossed. Review when it get it and work allows.

[@aveedub7403]

I'm dreading what the Leader i have ordered is going to be like, having been relieved of £200 nearly a year ago, and still no sign of it so far or very little communication or progress reports from KR.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes... their business model is becoming a problem... here, they took money early, and then delivered a sloppy product. Hopefully they don't expect customers to continue to do this without putting more effort in! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@BegudMaximan-zp2tc]

The one and only crazy Fell locomotive, a one off, and rightly so!

[@davidstrains4910]

Great review here Sam, good to see another KR models locomotive, wish I had pre ordered this as I’m a huge fan of the various prototype locomotives, hope KR will do another run of these.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot David - always happy to see a new model come out! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@joshuadupay1285]

I honestly don't know if I would have rated it as highly myself, but it definitely isn't the worst model we have seen for the price. I do think that they didn't "change the gearing at the last minute", but rather I think they just mass produced the wheel sets with the gears to keep the cost down and then used the same wheels on the whole model. Either way the model does feel a little dated in some aspects in the mechanism and I certainly wouldn't have bothered fiddling around with fixing pickups on a brand new model I just paid a fair chunk of change for. Great review as always Sam, very entertaining!

[@lukeslocomotives]

Didn't the GT3 have the same gears afterthought? It Didn't have gears on every axle, but it had a bump under every axle on the baseplate to accommodate the gears?

[@VernesValleyPictures]

The counter weight just look so satisfying

[@harpinson]

Mine just arrived today, DCC with sound. Very similar problems with the pick ups and back to backs. I don't mind the gloss finish and it will be easy enough to tone down if I feel like it. I'm a bit disappointed with the gap between the bogies and the frame. Handrails all pretty straight on mine.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sorry to hear that, but not surprised to learn that mine wasn't an isolated example. At least you got away with the handrails... all the same colour too?? ;) Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RiverDoncaster]

Personally I'd say leave it as a yard decoration decoration and that be it but if you do want to run it I would recommend it being on the Line closest to the center of the room. but I would also recommend trying to find some gears to make it geared better better because that might help

[@adriancarter2863]

Hi Sam, Rather than adjusting the Pick-Ups, had you first thought about correcting the varying Back-to-Back measurements of the Driving Wheels to bring them back into tolerance of 14.2mm? At over 1mm difference across the Wheelsets, surely this needed rectification first?? Adrian.

[@SamsTrains]

I generally don’t like to go too far with surgery in reviews, as then I’d be reviewing my own work rather than the model as it came. I decided to sort the pickups, as this was the only way I could’ve finished the review

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I only watched the review now, and I certainly have my own opinion on some points. While the shiny finish on the body looks acceptable for me, the detail is still sharp enough and some weathering will tone it down a bit, I can't say that for the chassis. I don't think that the detail in the moulding is so bad, but all the detail seems drowned in the black paint. I would strip the paint off from the chassis and respray it in satin black. Having the locomotive apart I would alter the wiring on the keeper plate to make maintenance easier, and try to address the wobbly wheels to some extent. What also appeared in the video was that the slop in the coupling rods was quite much, as these didn't stay in a horizontal plane when moving, there are several ways to address this but it takes some fine engineering skills. Then lastly the glazing was quite bad, and it seems there is no laser glazing as per now to replace it. This model reminds me more of the Bachmann models of 25 years ago, not so much in detail but how it's designed and build quality wise. So I most likely will not buy it.

[@dobbsdroid]

Nice review! Though It’s clear quality control slipped a bit, all in all a decent loco. Can’t wait for mine to arrive! On a happier note The Great Electric Train Show is nearly upon us again! Maybe we’ll see the Fell on one of the layouts?

[@AlexHardtAnimation]

This remind me of the Rivirossi models from the 80's - 90's. They are moderately priced, well detailed, focused on unique locos, but awfully wired locomotives. I bought an AC-12 (American Cab Forward) a while back and couldn't wire a DCC chip to it because they used part of the chassis for a ground. that being sad it was hard to call it crap. nice review and cheers

[@jacksnorth4074]

I quite like the glossy finish if I'm honest, I get how sometimes it can make them seem quite toy like, but I don't think that carries over to this model, I felt the way that it's come out on it looks quite realistic and calls to mind the paintwork on preserved locos 🙂

[@andrewdking]

The EP review by Jennifer E Kirk just reappeared from 6 or more months back. The EP was a great looking model with a nice satin finish. So what fool changed the spec for the production model to a second rate application of thick gloss ?

[@fairywolf7515]

Mines supposed to be here Monday according to the Canada post tracking I also have a shay and log cars coming later this year aswell

[@sullivanrachael]

Good review Sam. It’s an odd fish this thing, both in terms of the model and the prototype. I suppose that’s realism. The super-gloss finish doesn’t seem realistic though; a gentle weathering might help tone it down. The basic design seems sensible, as long as the extended axles and coupling rods can take the load. Maybe those extra gears added extra complication; the manufacturer decided to add the provision for the extra gears, just in case the coupling rods didn’t hold up. Maybe the Chinese manufacturer suffered Covid staffing problems and supply chain issues; maybe that explains the pick-up problems. A shame the baseplate pickups aren’t easier to fine tune. The thick glazing and low-relief detail on the outside frames seems to be the worst of it; that is toylike, and not what you’d expect in this rarified level of niche product. I have one on order and I’ll be quite relieved if it arrives in one piece and actually works.

[@alantraish3368]

Got my black sound one and its fine. It goes thru my peco points ok and hornby 3rd radius ok. I will black up the pony wheels to improve the look.

[@Hilux5972]

I do agree some of the moulded detail is pretty low res but let’s not forget this is only KR’s 2nd UK loco model. The gloss finish, yeah not a huge fan on this particular model as it makes the green look too dark I thing and does seem to have a very orange peely finish to it.

[@damiendye6623]

gloss issue is fixable just give it a coat of satin varnish after weathering

[@SamsTrains]

Good idea - that'd do it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@DoubleX8620]

It's such an interesting loco, it reminds me of a Deltic shapewise. Eventhough it's not too good as a runner I still quite like it. Such a unique locomotive. The glossy finish doesn't bother me a lot, but the plastic handrails are a shame those should be metal for the price. I still really like KR Models they do the rare prototype locos. Hopefully they do the Paget or Decapod one day. Out of the two, I like the GT-3 more. Great review, Sam 👍👍

[@SamsTrains]

It sure is Jeanne - I do still quite like it too, as much as I wish it'd been better! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

Fair , thorough review Sam . Thanks . 👍

[@SamsTrains]

Cheers Bonne, appreciate it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@ForvoQuizlet]

I one day hope to hike (er', walk) some of the fells in Yorkshire. The locomotive sort of looks like a green (smaller than a mountain, larger than a hill, little to no trees).

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh sounds fantastic... haha a fitting parallel?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Tombola1993]

It’s not every day you got to see a large diesel engine with coupling rods that isn’t classified as a diesel shunter. Definitely a unique engine.