Accurascale's New Manor Class | Better than Dapol's? | Unboxing & Review

[@jeffreysmith156]

I prefer not slowing down on corners to the ability to crawl. In one way it is good that the two models each have their advantages.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that’s fair - it’s certainly a nice change to have this maintain a good constant speed all the way around!

[@carlbentley80]

I have a couple of these with the factory sound chip fitted and they crawled beautifully out the box on a straight piece of track on the kitchen table. The other good thing about Accurascale is the lifetime warranty.

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

Beautiful, accurate green on that fabulous looking locomotive! Hornby should take notes on their paints!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah definitely - the green looks awesome doesn't it? :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@speleokeir]

The finish on the Thompson A2s that came out a couple of years ago was dreadful and looked washed out. However to be fair, I think their their most recent models are much better in that regard. The 9fs and new P2s have a lovely satin finish. so they do seem to have worked on that.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Hornby are just hopeless at BR green! They used to be able to do it 40 plus years ago though!

[@Secr_productions]

"Hit the ground running" is a understatement

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha for a first steamer this is incredible! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Secr_productions]

It's fine being doing it for 6 years you were my first channel I subscribed to keep the good stuff up

[@chrisbaines6931]

Good review Sam, I have a 7802 and I think it's the best model in my collection by far. The boiler on the dapol manor looks wrong to me, the taper on the barrel is way to extreme plus the polished safety valve bonet is OK but it's too shiny for a working loco. As an engineman on a heritage railway with 3 manors I think the fire effect is just right, fires get white hot when worked hard so an orange/yellow glow would be inaccurate for an engine working hard.i like the chunky rivets (most of them are domehead bolts) they seem right to me. I agree 100% about the coal load, that is pretty w**k. That's not just an accurascale issue, no manufacturer gets that right, I always remove the plastic coal and add real coal. The removal of the coal wasn't straight forward but wasn't that hard. Never bothered with the dapol manor as the 43xx had quite a few detail issues. I'm glad I went with the accurascale manor.

[@SamsTrains]

That's great to hear Chris - they certainly are wonderful indeed, good stuff about the firebox lighting then! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Dapol manor too. Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@rwjenkins]

I have 7801 in the DCC/sound version. With DCC/sound the firebox glow goes on and off with the coal shoveling sound, and intermittently while running, which I thought was a cool feature. The brightness of it is quite realistic, but I can see how it might seem a bit much when it's on all the time running on DC. On a real one you would only really see the firebox glow when the fireman is shoveling coal or tending the fire, and otherwise the door would be closed most of the time.

[@womble1981]

I’ve been wondering about the door being open. On a real locomotive that would be unbearable for the footplate crew and also inefficient. Do all models have the door open now? Maybe it makes no sense.

[@mccarronfamily]

The door is actually posable, but the firebox lighting goes off, giving the impression the door has closed @@womble1981

[@shanghai264359]

Absolutely right about the firebox glow!

[@adamrushton1740]

Good Choice for Choosing 7812 Erlestoke Manor👍. 7812 Erlestoke Manor is preserved at the Severn Valley Railway and is currently operational. This is the first SVR loco in your Collection.

[@michaelallen2063]

Aesthetically, that is the first RTR OO loco i've ever seen that actually looks like the full size thing. I've always felt manufacturers have never captured the colour and finish of the real things. This has definitely improved in recent years as finishes have moved more towards 'satin' than 'eggshell', and colour has gained greater saturation, but this is incredible. The different finishes (eg matte smokebox) add all of these textures that trick the eye. Couple this to the incredible separate detail, and the driving wheels/con rods that finally look better than Triang managed in the 50s, and I think you've got the most convincing looking RTR OO loco so far!

[@alness1289]

So visible glue and hard to fit DCC and huge lumps of coal are ok. !!!!!!!!

[@michaelallen2063]

​@@alness1289I forgot the internet only permits eye-bulging praise or spleen-rupturing disdain. "gLuE aNd iNSuffICIenTlY pRoPoRtiOneD CoAL. iT's aN aBoMiNaTIon. a PLaGuE oN aLL WhO EVeN LoOkEd aT iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Does that redress the balance?

[@AndrewMurray-xz6hq]

Another superb review. I have just received the DCC-fitted version of this Manor, so early days yet with my experience. However, the slow-running performance of mine is much better than the example you have reviewed, and I have no problems crawling it very slowly.

[@johnrawson9469]

Hi Sam, I have had a dapol manor for a while and am very happy with it. However, my accurascale manor recently arrived and this is so much better. To be fair, the dapol loco/tender coupling is superior and couldn't be easier to use. The details of the accurascale model are second to none though. For example, the cab detail , including the driver and fireman seats is excellent, as is the detail on the front of the leading pony truck. For me, and I suppose this is down to personal choice, but the dapol safety valve cover is too bright whereas the accurascale cover looks more realistic along with the matt smokebox and the copper on the chimney. With regards mechanism, both mine are chipped and both run beautifully. By the way, I shall not be taking either of them apart, too fiddly for me these days. Anyway, they are both excellent models, but my preference, just, is for the accurascale version. Thanks for your review, Sam, really enjoyed your comparison.

[@davidbugler4597]

13.10 Dapol's coal load looks like a mass of slack, whereas the Accurascale coal looks more like actual lumps. While it's true that in BR days steam locos had to contend with a lot of slack, this always led to poor steaming and inefficient coal consumption, since GWR loco fireboxes were designed to burn big-lump Welsh steam coal. So Dapol's tender is not necessarily inaccurate, but you'd need to fit crewmen who clearly look pretty desperate as they try to keep their loco running at all, let alone managing to haul a train. Smokeboxes were painted in the same way as boilers, including a couple of coats of gloss varnish. However the constant high heat -- caused by the firebox gases -- tended to burn off the varnish pretty quickly. So a loco straight out of the shops would have the same gloss finish as the boiler, but in service it would go completely matt in a matter of months, and stay that way until its next main service/repainting. The boilers and fireboxes were of course insulated by their water contents, so stayed glossy -- assuming they were regularly cleaned -- between repaints.

[@tobythehairlessdog8876]

Boiler and firebox were covered with asbestos lagging then thin casings which were the bits which were painted, so never got very hot. Woof!

[@davidbugler4597]

@@tobythehairlessdog8876 Yes I realise that. So were the cylinder'valve-chest castings..Dapol have done a very good job of representing the cylinder cover sheets.

[@allanmorton6022]

Can't recall a loco you were so amazed by when taking out the box being downgraded so much by the end of the review. Great video and always love comparisons.

[@peterwilliamson4663]

Hi Sam my Accurascale Manor is running on DCC and I have no problems with it, and it crawls well. Keep up the good work.

[@levidarling5107]

It is very lovely and nice to see Accurascale try steam locomotives, because we all have to admit, steam locomotives are freaking awesome. I’m so glad we have hundreds to thousands of locomotives preserved and a heck of a lot being restored as we speak.

[@gwrtromsoe]

Looks awesome. And look at those tender lamp irons! Love the smokebox finish. So looking forward to getting mine :)

[@alantraish3368]

This Accurascale manor can crawl on a sixpence on DCC. Just turn back emf of: CV66=1. Beautiful all round and glad I didn’t get the Dapol

[@Ste1952]

Testing on a basic DC is no measure of a locos actual performance either

[@Reidy82]

I find nearly everything runs better with DCC. I watch Sams channel but I dont necessarily make any purchasing decisions based on the content. He puts the effort in and makes a good video that caters for the DC user when it comes to running performance.

[@SteamintheNorthWest]

I do love my accurascale manor, so much so I have 3! One thing I don't think you mentioned, but is a real stand out for the model is the front end of the bogie with removable but accurate detail, no gapping square hole until every other model ever!

[@SuperJam2222]

I'm saving up to get my Grandad a good quality Manor Class, it's been his most wanted for a while now... and seeing the level of detail and livery on Accurascales offering, I'm more excited than ever to try and get him this model. Thanks Sam!

[@spring626]

I have the bachmann Manor and I'll be honest. I'm happy for it. It runs smoothly and it can do a decent crawl, tho my track is kinda dirty.

[@SamsTrains]

Good stuff - like I said in this video, the performance of the old Bachmann one is actually excellent, possibly even better than these! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@northernblue1093]

Another very good review. I'm not entirely convinced with your scoring system (of course, it's subjective and there are no rights and wrongs), but the presentation and content of your reviews are such that it is easy to arrive at an alternative, personal score.

[@lukejackson8741]

Long awaited this one, gutted to of missed out on the version I want… hoping for one of this random ‘look what we found in the warehouse clearance’ resales they do

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh fingers crossed - and no doubt they'll be back in future batches too! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@BrewPub]

Accurascale has the nicest / poshest boxes; and the loco looks fantastic as usual from Accurascale. The Dapol one looks fantastic too.

[@StormmyStormmy]

Accurascale's packaging & presentation is awesome, got my class 97 network rail yellow loco this morning, the box it came in is so impressive.

[@bryantan863]

Accurascale's new GWR Manor class locomotive is a very nice looking model do not get me wrong. Its boiler, smokebox and running board being made out of die cast metal makes the model very heavy along with being powerful to pull multiple rolling stock. Its price is decent and its detail is fantastic. Unfortunately, the plug for the tender from the locomotive is not that great because it is quite difficult to service the model and its motor is not able to make the model crawl slowly because of its ridiculous 3 pole motor. I rather buy the Dapol Manor because it is cheaper and easy to maintain. Overall, the Accurascale Manor class is pretty good Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing Bryan, yeah I'd agree with all of this. A few odd choices, but overall an awesome loco! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidgapp1457]

For me, not slowing down on bends is the decider. Accurascale have built a model you are going to want to see running around your track, Dapol more for static display or shunting maybe. Looking at either model, it is so, so far removed from my experiences as a kid back in 1966. Absolutely amazing.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks David - yes that's a real bonus isn't it, the torque is definitely better in this loco, which is quite surprising! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@WinterroSP]

The reason it cuts in so late is due to the chunky gears. Smaller teeth distribute the force of the motor a lot better , and reducing resistance. However the acurascale will certainly outlive the dappol one. With the bigger teeth, it will take longer to wear out.

[@agentM1991]

A great loco Sam. Accurascale really did take model railroading by storm. It's inability to crawl would be a minor complanit as it wasn't a switch loco or a slow freight loco. But would indeed an inconvenience during a session if your trying to simulate a loco gentility coupling to a train.

[@pemboart]

You've never let me down with a recommendation Sam. I already bought the Dapol version following on from your review the previous year. Thank you!

[@davidhinks8384]

Hi Sam, I nearly bought one and have now missed out on the livery I would want. I love my Dapol Manor so not too disappointed. This new offering is certainly a great model and knocks the 'Big two' manufacturers out of the park on value. I've mentioned before, I would like a Castle and the 'new' offering from Hornby has an rrp of £208, which I suspect will be an all plastic body. Maybe I can wait to see if Dapol or Accurascale get interested... Cheers as always.

[@modelrailfan37]

I’d wait for a sale for the Hornby castle. The body is all plastic, and the motor isn’t fantastic, but other than that, their fantastic. Can’t say the same for the price though…

[@davidhinks8384]

Yep, I think I'll wait. Cheers@@modelrailfan37

[@charliepage1927]

Hmm. I’m surprised at the ratings. Out of the two the Accurascale model looks so much better. Riveting looks chunky in comparison BUT I feel this gives it a much better and consistent look. The wheel sets and connecting rods are also far better. I also believe the boiler on the Dapol version is slightly bigger / wider? The running session was disappointing to see on DC as I have the Sound Fitted version and the slow running is absolutely fantastic even with 128 speed steps and the addition of the stay alive make it bullet proof! Firebox flicker is definitely quite bright. The electroplated safety bonnet on the Dapol model, whilst outstanding looks very out of place compared to rest of the model. All in all I prefer the Accurascale by a huge margin. I think this loco is at home on DCC layouts. However your review is a true reflection of its performance on DC.

[@tony-helmsdeepmodelrailwayoosc]

Hello Sam I enjoy watching your channel, and watching your reviews too. Can I please explain a small point? I have in my possession two Accurascale Manor steam locomotives with a further two on preorder. When both Dapol and Accurascale both announced their versions of the Manor steam locomotives I decided to remain ‘on the fence’ regarding my choice of manufacturer. The reason for this was because having purchased Dapol Mogul’s, D class, and D1 class locomotives (all factory fitted sound versions) I’ve found that the electrical connections can produce problems in sound fitted models because I’ve found that the sound sometimes drops out within the tender of these models due to these types of connections! Anyway, the point of writing this comment is to explain my experience of the Accurascale Manor’s I’ve found that the slow-speed crawl on my Manor’s is excellent!! Could this be because my examples are factory fitted DCC sound versions? I understand that your review took place utilising DC control on both the Dapol and Accurascale examples. I’m wondering if the ESU Loksound5 decoders within the Accurascale Manor’s is somehow smoothing out the 3-pole motor, and by doing so, enables these models to run slower and without cogging?

[@DevonGeorge85]

A very honest review which matches my experience with this model. I have 2, as well as a Dapol version. I had to send one back because of the motor noise with the replacement being a far better performer. They are though, incredibly detailed and accurate models: with details not often modeled by other manufacturer. However, my Dapol has a much better motor and running performance. Tbh they both, Dapol and Accurascale, have elements that one does better than the other. I think the best of both worlds for me would be the Accurascale body on a Dapol motor and mechanism. Also the tender connection of Dapol locos is just the best and most innovative.

[@peterboyes1113]

Thanks for another great video. Being able to compare with the Dapol one also helps when I am looking for steps forward in quality detail. Might you do a review of the new Hornby Castle? Although obviously not a Manor it would be interesting to compare details and quality provided by 3 different manufacturers with such similar models.

[@Teesbrough]

Thanks for crystallising the choice, Sam: walk or torque!

[@paulwilliams3710]

Would be interesting to see if you chipped it how much better the crawl would be. Mine is dcc and crawls great.

[@beh1972]

I can vouch for the Dapol Manor’s low speed running. I was playing with mine one weekend and forgot to turn off the power to the transformer at the wall. Three nights later I went to put something away in the train room and saw an orange light on I In the darkness on the far corner of the layout. It was the firebox LED. I then noticed the LEDs on the transformer on. The power dial wasn’t completely set to off and had been running around the layout at I guess 1mm a sec for 72 hours!

[@michaelliles693]

Full marks for endurance, then!

[@philipcalvey5319]

I've got the bachmann odney manor from some years ago. Nothing wrong with it and detail very good

[@thestocktonflyer4059]

Beautiful model. Just a few little issues. But accurascale seem to listen to feedback 🤔 the deltic had a few little gripes then accurascale listened and gave us the class 37 . So I think the next steam locomotive from accurascale will be something very special. Great review sam 👏 thank you 😊

[@modelrailwaybackshop]

Also Coreless motors are known to have unbalanced Back EMF for ESU and Soundtraxx Decoders, while a 3 pole high efficiency motor and a 5 pole version are best for any model train in reality.

[@1maico1]

Can't say I've noticed that. I fitted a Lokpilot v5 21pin to a Trix with a coreless Portescap motor recently. Other locos have swiss made Maxton and German Faulhaber coreless. All run perfectly and silently at all speeds. A lot better at crawl than the DC Manor. The DCC one will be much better.

[@gordonh9258]

I have the dcc sound cookham Manor & I am very impressed with it, & the crawl on mine is excellent. Very thorough review as always keep up the good work Sam.

[@henriknilsson7851]

My Granville Manor just came in the post. The DCC/Sound equipped models like this can crawl beautifully. The stack fits much better and there are no visible glue spots. Perhaps they might have figured out production a bit better? Quite a nice GWR loco. You are right, we are being spoiled rotten with the great GWR steam locos that have come out in the last few years!

[@chugwaterjack4458]

I swear this is the first time I've heard a UK reviewer refer to the item as an engine, rather than a loco. Next thing you know, you'll have model engineers and brakemen. (That's sarcasm, son.) One feature I particularly like is the fitted springs and journal boxes on the tender. I had gotten used to trucks (bogies) on US models having real springs, but this is the first UK model I've spotted which; although not actually sprung, looks like it could be. (This statement suggests why I have so much more trouble with bogies, especially Accurascale's Siphon G's, staying on the track.) Actually a pretty darned good review. Keep up the consistency in your reviews; it makes comparisons easier.

[@YsanneOshea]

Another excellent review Sir. So, when compared to one of the nine class members preserved, which model, Dapol or Accurascale, has the most realistic rivets? (I can believe I've just written that! 🤣)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

I really love the manor Sam, I've already ordered mine and I can't wait for it to come in :) Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah they're wonderful aren't they?? I'm sure you'll enjoy it!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@robmckenzie2538]

@@SamsTrains Another helpful review, thanks Sam. The Accurascale Manor looks excellent but the three-pole motor is a bit disappointing (they really should be a thing of the past). Some other manufacturers often compromise fine models by penny-pinching in one or two matters; I hope Accurascale won't get into this habit! I ordered my A/s Manor (in BR lined green, the most attractive livery IMO) some time ago but haven't received it. Looks as if my (well known) retailer hasn't received stocks from the manufacturer yet. A bit puzzling.

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Such a promising start with all that die-cast, but then let down by the motor, as somebody pointed out, I wonder how that will fare with long term use. The use of die-cast metal would have helped Dapol in their new D1 loco for rails; all the reviews I've seen describe it as "light on its feet" and can't haul many carriages. At £200, that's a bit unacceptable. Will you be reviewing that loco Sam?

[@SimplyTakuma]

I fell more and more in love with Accurascale.

[@tonyslight826]

Hi Sam. Smashing model and I don't think you could be any fairer with the the comparison between the two well done great review .

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Tony, appreciate it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@robertevans8390]

I have the Accurascale Manor DCC sound, mine is able to crawl very slowly and steadily, and the firebox flicker is just right and lights up driver and Co quite convincingly, it is a bit lacking in power it will not pull my 20 odd coal wagons down to about 12, but I have not run it in yet tbh I did not know you needed to as does not mention running it in on the packaging. I’m fairly pleased with it.

[@georgethomas7814]

Liked for the intro music alone.....As always the review is great and diligent

[@williamsquires3070]

I think this one is better for passenger operation as it doesn’t slow much on the curves, whereas the Dapol one is better for use in the freight yard with it’s better crawl, especially if you only have a medium-sized train with, say, 10-15 wagons and vans to shunt around.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's a very good point actually - much better for passenger operation, I'd agree! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Sam, Nice review , I like it very much, ( Christmas just round the corner 😂) All the best Brian 😃

[@chorlton4]

Wished I had watched this before buying one! It will be interesting to see how long the small motor lasts! Although it looks very good, the slow speed running-or lack of- bears out my experience entirerly. Fitting a DCC decoder is tedious too. The Rails ones don't have etched plates supplied as extras . Most informative, well done Sam.

[@steamsearcher]

9.08 and totally blown out of the water!!!!! Yes we would love to get one BUT we have quite a shopping list to get through first... Titfield Thunderbolt set. The 1500 and of course the 4400. Another expensive year but cheaper than the 5" versions of the tanks I am also doing. The 10 year plan is to sit the OO models on the running boards.

[@lindaoffenbach]

Looks fantastic Sam. Die-cast for us always has the upper hand; simply looks so much more substantial like a real loco. We would happily acquire something like this but with quite some sensible improvements such as a quality motor, logically put together by design, and last but not least..., metal gears s.v.p. We're never keen on plastic ones, especially not when a model is weighty... Locos aren't quiet anyway. Metal gearing simply adds to the experience and durability. We never understand why a model loco is to be quiet... Really mind boggling for us tbh. For all those aforementioned improvements suggested, we would happily hand over the equivalent of £ 200... As it is..., a bit too many questionable compromises for the money... Fantastic looking though as she is 💓

[@S.C.RuffeyGuy]

Thanks for the review on this beautiful model

[@1maico1]

There is a third way of getting around motor packaging constraints. Marklin-Trix and perhaps others have occasionally attached the motor inside the boiler. It meshes with the chassis by cog when attached to the chassis. The Manor in OO has plenty of room to fit a decently large coreless motor which would be a simpler solution.

[@dannyvanstraelen3273]

As ever Sam, you did your best to review this Accurascale Manor, and the reference to Dapol was honest. I think both did well. I also bought both brands, you can do that perfectly, as both brands have different numberings, and that's also a positive something worth while to mention. Both are value for money, not cheap, but what is these days, but exquisit made. Comparing a 3 pole motor to a 5 pole motor, it makes no sense to me, the one with the most poles is going to win the crawling competition, one can cheat a bit with a flying wheel and gearing, but it's as comparing a 4 cylinder to an 8 cylinder car. But here comes my question again, this big "WHY!!!" keeps buzzing in the back of my head. Recently it was Hornby against Rapido with the Lion's, and now it's the Manors. Even the Bachmann Manor already was a fine model 12 years ago. But out of all the endless choices on great British loco's ever produced in the UK, WHY!!! most they (the model brands) all focus on the same models over and over again??? There are so many types, that never have been produced, as a ready of the shelf loco, leave the kit variations aside that's an other matter. So WHY!!! A big please to all the brands who read this, do something that is not done before, you get a 10+ score from me…

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot for sharing Danny - glad you thought the comparison was fair! And agreed, no surprise that the 5 pole motors do the best crawl - I thought Accurascale knew this, so unsure about why they went for the motor they did. Yeah the why is a good question - the different manufacturers have become very cut throat these days, and I do believe that there's a fair bit of deliberate duplication out there. I also think good market research could also be leading manufacturers to the same conclusions, which has resulted in a few genuinely coincidental duplicate products. It's a dangerous game though, however it starts, as there can only be one winner in each case! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@schuylerschultz804]

Very beautiful loco, though I did notice one thing almost immediately that I'm surprised you didn't catch, and that's the fact the handrails on the cab don't actually reach all the way up to the cab roof, which is kinda strange.

[@michaelliles693]

Thats been pointed out by others in the Accurascale thread in RMweb. A strange error, hopefully will be fixed in later batches. Cant wait for mine!

[@bernardnewbury]

I have 2 of these on order. The tipping point for me over the 2 was the fact I could fit a larger wattage sound chip 3 watt (Zimo MS 450) and speaker in the tender and not use the Next 18 which is only 1 watt. However Accursacale did change the sound specs after I ordered and paid.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Hi Sam I don't know if there was a odd one out today, but I did see the blue King Class and all the other locos were green. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@thisisjimmy1761]

Great review Sam. Whilst mine couldn't crawl straight out of the box it did improve considerably after running in although not as good as the Dapol manor. My other gripe you haven't mentioned that is probably worth looking at with all models you review now is the blister pack. Despite the amazing detail here if you fit accessories such as the headboards, coupling detail or tender detail or even use the manor crew which is their own accessory, you cannot then use the blister pack as you cant close it without knocking off the added detail which is a poor oversight. Whats the point of going into such amazing detail on loco accessories if you cant put your loco away in its packaging after fitting them?

[@shanghai264359]

Another great review Sam. I've just ordered one of these in the GWR livery (the DC version). I've always been puzzled by the firebox glow featured in a variety of current model steam locos. Surely when the real thing is running, the firebox doors are only open during the few seconds while the coal is being shovelled into the firebox and therefore rarely visible during operation. Furthermore there must be a measurable cost element to this essentially unnecessary feature. Update 25.4.24:- I received the model today and it's absolutely gorgeous! Just going back to my comment on the firebox glow. Having now seen this working for myself I confirm that it is very bright indeed and, yes, looks really silly! It dominates when you catch sight of it as the loco goes round the track and is a complete distraction in my personal opinion. I'll be painting mine over so it can't be seen. Sorry!

[@modelrailwaynoob]

The lap bracket on the smoke box had excess glue around it as well as the hand rail and other parts. It stood out as very shiny compared to the matt looking black paint.

[@dj_efk]

You know what - for around £150 you can keep both Dapol’s and Accurascale’s - I’ll DCC sound my Bachmann split chassis one as a challenging but enjoyable project - and even if I didn’t already own it, I could buy one in excellent condition for around 50 quid posted to my door. Some models that were excellent when new are only beaten slightly in most areas by the modern equivalents now.

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video Sam very good camera work as usual as always keep it up bye for now Philip

[@WhistleStopWonders.]

Good review! As im making my gwr collecfion bigger i moght pick my self up one off these

[@russellbenton2987]

Very fair an thorough review . The motor choice was surprising

[@robinsweet7170]

Accurascale really communicate with their customers so anything you're not happy about you contact them and get a response. I'm yet to get my GWR liveried version but know it will suit my needs much more than the Dapol model.

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

From another review I saw from someone who had insider information, he says that Accurascale claims the three pole was intentional as its specially designed for steam and for DCC use, and from other reviews I've seen, it seems to be an incredibly smooth runner for the DCC sound models. Sounds good on paper, but perhaps not suited for smaller DC controllers. I could be wrong though. Great review!

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I swear Accurascale is becoming more and more like a British version of Proto 2000 or Broadway Limited. Where I live in America, we have two main options for high quality high value HO gauge model trains. Those are Walthers/Life Like’s Proto 2000 line, and Broadway Limited Imports. They make model trains that, while expensive, blow the likes of Bachmann and Athearn out of the equation.

[@davidrobinson8700]

Hi Sam, Thanks for this review. Please could you do a comparison review with this & the Dapol Manor (like you did with the two Lion's from Hornby & Rapido)?

[@garethparkin9498]

I have a 20 year old Bachmann too Hook Norton Manor in BR Green still a great model and runner

[@noahhorinek]

I'm not really going to run my locos at a crawl anyways, so the torque of this model compared to Dapol's is excellent to me. That coupled with the die cast construction makes this a win.

[@schrodingerscat1863]

The mechanism has been designed for DCC most likely, with DCC the crawl speed would be much better due to the way DCC decoders work to control speed.

[@phil36310]

Hi Sam, When you see the real locomotive you'll notice that the rivets are rather chunky and the chimney connection to the smoke box is pronounced as well. So Accurascale has it completely right. The tapering of the boiler looks wrong on the Dapol. Again the Accurascale is much more elegant and accurate. The detailing & mass of the coupling rods is outstanding. What - maybe - let it down is the 3-pole motor. But then again it's a much better puller and on DCC crawl is programmable. So for me the Accurascale is the absolute winner. Notice that you have limited choice for a decoder in the Dapol since it's space restricted in the smoke box but plenty of space in the tender with this version. A no brainer for the average hobbyist. So far, as regard to steam locomotives, this is the 'Steamer' of the Year 2023 ! Value for the money is just 'outstanding'. Bravo for Accurascale and thank you for the - as always - nicely presented review. Regards, Filip

[@SamsTrains]

Nah - it’s probably a matter of opinion but looking at the photos of the real manors, the rivets aren’t that chunky - you can particularly notice it on the buffer beams. Same with the chimney - that’s not how any real steam loco chimney looks, as they’re not slotted into an oversize hole in the top of the smoke box as they are on this model. I never had a problem with the dapol tapering, but that’s definitely something that people are saying. I’m more concerned with value, quality and serviceability though, and for me Dapol wins by a hair. That said, this is an A grade model, certainly one of the very best.

[@artmatrix9043]

I have run mine in and it ran extremely well at slow speed, barely moving on 1 and slowly increasing as power raised. I am on DCC.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

7:34 I really love that feature Sam.

[@formidable38]

Another great review Sam! Certainly one or two surprises there, all horses for courses as they say.

[@BrugerJimmy-tw8eu]

thanks for the review I am definitely buying one now!

[@headsup2433]

I have just received a Heljan NBL 10800 in green from Heljan No: 1083. I would like to see your review on one of these models. These do need reviewing and to see your take on them.

[@TheWoodlandhoBo]

Firebox looks awesome. A fire is bright. 👍🏻

[@MattTrains2001]

just received my Accurascale manor, I got DCC sound fitted from factory and not sure if that makes a difference but the crawl out the box was incredible so maybe something to do with the programming of the decoder or the difference of DC/DCC operation

[@stephenrussell-clark8329]

Great review Sam. I have Torquay Manor and am very pleased with it. She crawls perfectly, but then I use Gaugemaster controllers. Perhaps you should try again using one of those!

[@LiveSteamNick]

He does use a Gaugemaster 4 track controller, Could you not see it in the review?????

[@Nat-AVMR-N-gauge]

Great review just bought one for my dad. Personally I prefer the larger rivets on the accurascale as on other locos they can be easily overlooked and I like the fact they stand out a bit more as it makes it feel like the rivets are real.

[@mccarronfamily]

Probably because they are accurate, and rendered to scale :)

[@aberfordwest4003]

Really looking forward to mine! I ordered one in the second batch like a fool! 😂

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh never mind - I'm sure it'll be worth the wait! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

16:28 Um Sam Is it just me or is there a lot of glue marks on the smokebox. All where the handrails are and even the top lampbracket. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah you are right - though to be fair I didn't notice them with my naked eyes, only in the closeups! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@europacifictradersltd3717]

hi sam. not much difference between both models . i actually informed accurascale from when they first announced their production that a 3pole motor might cause a problem in performance. still waiting to be notified when my model finally arrive at accurascales warehouse! .

[@lapiswake6583]

I received a new accurascale loco today. However, it was 97301, not the manor (which I'm still waiting for). I absolutely love the matt finish smokebox. More steamers should have that feature. And the front of the pony truck also looks excellent. I haven't yet acquired a Dapol one yet, but it's on my list. The Manors are my favourite GWR 4-6-0s

[@stephendavies6949]

That matt finish is a welcome innovation

[@warwickshiressteam]

Surprised you didn't mention the very visible glue blobs, particularly on the smokebox area.

[@uproid]

I would expect that when using a back EMF controller (or back EMF decoder for DCC users) you would not see the slowing down with increase in load, such as round corners, because the back EMF controller will regulate the motor speed. It might or might not help with slow speed crawl. Like you, I am amazed that Accurascale went for a 3 pole motor, what possessed them? Often they are responsive to problems and fix issues with subsequent batches of their locos, such as the Deltic, so I wonder if we will see a future production run with a better motor?

[@SamsTrains]

Yes that's what I've found with motors like this in the past - certainly better with feedback. I'm not sure why they used it either, though it would necessitate a major change to the design to change the motor for a larger one - as the bottom of the loco boiler would have to be modified/retooled! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mccarronfamily]

Because the three pole fits, and pulls and runs exquisitely - it's not 2000 anymore, motors are generally superb

[@trevorchatwood2630]

Hi Sam.I bought the Dapol Manor in British Rail livery. Compared to the Accurascale livery the Dapol version looks like it has been left in the Sahara desert sun for 30 years, it is so faded and washed out looking. Accurascale wins in that department.

[@rowanthursday5860]

I wonder how absolute the "Second Radius Curves" limit is, with the outside cylinders on this engine. As an earlier video on this channel noted a while ago, a lot of locomotives can actually manage far tighter curves than advertised, which can be handy for tight corners or non-scenic areas, albeit just sometimes with slow running and potential excessive wear on some parts if done for a prolonged period. I've noticed the Dapol Prairie, for instance, in contrast, has visible difficulty with standard non-express Hornby points at times, which are nominally second radius overall but slightly closer to first radius in places to balance out the short 'straight' sections at the end, so I do wonder with the Accurascale and Dapol Manors whether they'll be in the 'go slow and carefully over first radius sections/standard points and hope the trackwork's laid right and if so you should be ok' category, on in the 'will stall or derail at anything less than second radius' one.

[@TIMMEH19991]

I have to say Sam, that the stiffly sprung buffers are way too strong for using a screw coupling. We tried this with a wagon after what you said just to see what would happen, and on the first bend it just derailed and tried to go straight on. However with the Dapol Manor on it did sort of go round the bend! It wasn't happy though! Having looked at both together we all agreed its swings and roundabouts with these two models. They both are great models in their own rights, and both have bits that leave you thinking "could have been a bit better". Compared to anything H and B make, at the price of these though, they are both fabulous and just show what can be done at a more reasonable price. I just wish Accurascale would just stop treading on everybody's toes and make something unique for a change.

[@nickrails]

To be fair, Accurascale have made the chaldrons and are making the J67/69 Buckjumper, both of which are not only unique but pretty unexpected.

[@modelrailfan37]

Agreed with your final point for sure. I think that Accurascale are not doing anyone a favour by copying everyone. We don’t need more than one manor, unless you want a budget model, but the Dapol one is cheaper anyways. Before Bachmann and Accurascale announced their new 37s, we already had two perfectly good Class 37s, and since Bachmann already made a 37, it would make more sense for them to upgrade theirs than Accurascale making a new one anyways. They are also making a class 31 and 50, nether of which we need since Hornby already do that. The only purposeful models Accurascale have announced are the Buckjumpers, Chaldrens, and Class 92, everything else is already made, and not bad ether. Their most recent announcement of the BR Mineral Wagons is by far the most silly thus far. They REALLY think we need those…

[@TIMMEH19991]

@@modelrailfan37 Those 16t wagons.....why oh why oh why!!! Its like KR models class 40? I just don't get it.

[@modelrailfan37]

@@TIMMEH19991 yeah for sure. I actually didn’t see that KR announced a Class 40 until recently, and I think that is a very odd decision for them to make. There have already been Class 40s made that are relatively good, and on top of that KR normally only make weird, one off locomotives, that have never had a ready to run model. I’m all for them expanding their interests for tooling, but the Class 40 seems like a really weird model for them to pick them as their first model that wasn’t a one off prototype.

[@jetporter]

I'd be hard pressed to choose a favourite. I like the one-piece boiler and I think the matte black on the smokebox makes the model look more realistic. The real copper on the chimney looks nicer that the painted band on the Dapol engine, but the safety-valve bonnet is nicer on the Dapol engine. Really difficult to decide.

[@johnbill9201]

Great video reviewing both the locos, I won't bother buying either I'll just stick to my old Bachmann 78XX which runs like yours that's great, J

[@Hanguanjun68]

Detailing and paintwork is great

[@EsotericArctos]

Accurascale continue to amaze me with the high quality features at what seems to be reasonale pricing in todays market. I noticed the coal load first, which is detailed, but not very fine and a bit chunky. I am torn between which I would buy, regarding the Dapol and the Accurascale models. The Accurascale is great for their first steam locomotive, but I am not 100% sure it is 20 better than the Dapol.... I am on the fence on this one. I did notice on some photos of the manor class that there is a noticeable join between chimney and smokebox, but not to the extent that it is noticeable on the Accurascale model. That said, even with the performance, I'd welcome either Dapol or Accurascale into my collection and be equally happy. With the DCC "chipping" I guess you only do it once. The inclusion of the speaker is a nice touch. The three pole motor may be because the speaker is taking up room in the smokebox? Just a thought What's the minimum radius curve it can navigate the close coupled tender? I am just curious if you have tried it :)

[@David_Mattox]

Excellent review! Think we’ll get a comparison video between Accurascale and Dapol?

[@blackjockofmangertonpele]

Isn't that exactly what Sam just did in THIS video? 😂

[@steved5356]

I have the DCC sound versions of both, and they are both great. For Accurascale, the DCC version is way much better at crawl than the DC version.

[@joshslater2426]

I just found out recently that Sonic Models have produced a J50 model. Wow, I did not expect them to make more models that quickly, and it looks pretty decent.

[@colinwhewell7049]

The mat black smoke box is a big plus, but the amount of visible glue is off putting and very difficult to fix with touch up paint in mat black.

[@MichaelJohnson-td1me]

She is gorgeous! I just looked at your video on the Steam Punks.