Is EFE Rail's J94 Any Better DJM's? | Unboxing & Review

A full review of the EFE Rail J94, in the very unusual NCB blue livery!
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0:00 Intro
4:25 Unboxing
8:59 Prototype Info
10:15 Detail
16:37 Mechanism
22:25 Performance
25:46 Haulage
33:32 Ratings
37:45 Conclusion

[@TrainFan591]

I bought this locomotive a year ago and it’s still been running very well!

[@sullivanrachael]

Sam’s Trains - buying and reviewing models so we don’t have to!! (At least - you help us make good buying decisions - Thank You!)

[@techwod]

As usual an interesting and entertaining review. Any chance of reviewing the old Hornby J94 as a comparison?

[@mikehaufe6635]

I have two DJM versions of this with DCC fitted and I have never had any problems with them. In fact I regularly double-head them. They don't stall on points on my layout and both are reasonably quiet. Keep up the good work!

[@alsmith5604]

I like the fact the photo in the instructions has the smokebox door installed upside down with the hinges on the right, rather than the left of the loco!!! Quality proof reading there!!!

[@soheiltrains]

A suggestion for a future Sam's Trains experiment: It would be cool to see you do a friction test on standard and split chassis designed pickups. Similar to your friction test on bearings. I'm not sure how much I should believe when manufacturers tell us wiper pickups cause loads of friction which decreases the performance of our models. They are only tiny little piece of metal rubbing against the wheels.

[@Peppercorn60163Tornado]

No. 19!!! I’ve seen that engine at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway alot of my time volunteering there!

[@Ian-qs3fz]

“these locomotives are absolutely adequate” -Dickie Dickson of Martin Mart Martinson 😂😂

[@MikeParkin65]

Really helpful review - was nearly tempted by the current half price offers but this review has been enlightening. Thanks 😊

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

They are selling them for £50 at rails of Sheffield if that sounds better now 😊

[@adriannash2705]

I mean honestly Hornby could takes notes from them on how to make unwarped plastic running boards XD

[@timbervalleyproductions]

I do like the J94s, but if only someone would produce a properly good model of one! Great video!

[@SamsTrains]

I agree!! I guess the Rapido Hunslet is the closest we'll get for now! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jamfjord]

The ultimate Austerity; one Austerity to rule them all... that's what the world needs. Who's going to step up and make it?

[@pooletrainboy]

What is the hornby one like is it better in either detail or performance?

[@stephendavies6949]

​@@SamsTrainsGreat looking loco. I've pre-ordered the black with yellow diagonal stripes version!

[@stephendavies6949]

​@@pooletrainboyI think so. I've got couple and they're very good, reliable performers.

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video Sam very good camera work as usual I am really enjoying your lovely videos and camera work keep it up. I had spotted one of your other locos in a siding it was 68074 bye for now Philip

[@jamesdunloptrains]

Awesome video today Sam really like the j94

[@robbiegrant5729]

I think if Bachmann where to produce a batch of j94s at bachmanns quality then I think it would be a very good seller for Bachmann as no company has made a very good j94 in the past

[@lukeslocomotives]

Three saddle tanks in the sidings, with a side tank being the odd one out

[@davidhart4748]

Small shunting locos don’t usually have-screw link couplings !

[@DaiElsan]

Ideal loco for weathering. Ive never seen a clean NCB loco ever. Trying to remember the last one in South Wales which was based at Marine Colliery, Peckett 'Menelaus' which I passed daily on the way up to the Steel Works at Ebbw Vale, both Colliery and Steel Works no longer exist but the loco is preserved (from memory) Considering they were never main line locos, having them doing very little on an industrial section of a layout wouldnt be to bad for them. Crawling might be an issue though.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot for sharing - I can imagine this looking much better with weathering!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@lukeslocomotives]

Anyone else notice the upside down smokebox door on the instructions?

[@cbrooks122000]

I fitted mine with a Train O Matic decoder coupled with a LaisDCC "stay alive" and it now works perfectly. I think the front coupling retainer is on upside down. On mine I had to invert it so that the springy bit fitted properly.

[@benstrainsandthings]

Nice to see an NCB locomtive as most heritage railways in tyneside have!

[@Tombola1993]

Zoo wee mama! Look at the colours on that, Sam!

[@alantraish3368]

Any small wheelbase loco should have stay alive fitted as standard by manufacturers as its not fit for purpose. The other problems also make it a bin job. Ive got an analogue Hornby J94 which is weighted to the max albeit with one of cheap motors. It does the job after I hard wired it. Comprehensive review

[@clippermuso]

The problem I’ve had with mine is it cuts out due to poor conductivity through the bearing pickups, particularly with oil based lube. Totally fixed it by using graphite lubricant - it lubricates and conducts. This totally transformef the running. A lot of heavy discounting on Bachmann models at the moment, indicating they’ve been priced way too high and stock not shifting.

[@brucewelsh1969]

This locomotive used to run from Comrie Colliery to Oakley yards in Fife. I used to see this from my grans bedroom window. She is currently preserved at Bo'ness and Kinneil railway pained in Black.

[@catinarage5538]

Your Gran or the loco? (Sorry, I couldn't resist it)

[@brucewelsh1969]

@@catinarage5538 LOL

[@stephendavies6949]

As I've mentioned on many occasions, I've got a huge soft spot for anything that was used to haul coal wagons, so I watched the price on this example drift down and bought at 70-odd quid, after confirming that this was in fact a legitimate livery. I have to say, my example runs fine and is capable of pulling a reasonable rake of trucks, as it would have done in charge of trip workings from coal mine to mainline. Having said all that, I too thought £150 was an outrageous asking price and I would have certainly been extremely disappointed if I'd paid that price.

[@DavidTheNickjrFan2003]

Ironically, i was just looking at that locomotive yesterday.

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I bought two of the EFE Rail J94s and then the model you bought at the cheaper price you showed from Rails. All three of mine run really well. However, I have two of the older DJ Models J94s and they are crap in comparison. I did want a DJM Class 71 (Golden Arrow) but didn't want to risk it. Fortunately, I found a converted Hornby Class 71 and it runs really well.

[@awatt]

Maybe powdered graphite would make a better lubricant on the axles? I've had some success (not with models) with powdered graphite, used as a lock lubricant, on electrical contacts as it's conductive.

[@Alpha-oo8]

What a fascinating livery! I do love a bit of variety in liveries. Makes a change from just boring ol’ black

[@SamsTrains]

Me too - I do like unusual liveries too!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@revrup]

The blue shirt 👕 is a good color for you, Sam! 👍🏼

[@SamsTrains]

haha thank you!! :D

[@star86703]

Nice bright colourful loco 👍😊🤩

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video Sam's trains

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Brian! :D

[@briandesens144]

@@SamsTrains you're welcome 😊 buddy 😊

[@captainvlad]

This is right up there with the "steampunk" ones they did

[@TheThepeter56]

I have 3 efe j94s they all run flawlessly they all pull 7 pullmans without and issue and theyre very quiet too

[@stephendavies6949]

Mine example of this one is a great little performer too. But Sam does makes some very good points about its shortcomings.

[@learn_with_gern]

I can't believe it still has all wheel drive, that seems like the first on the to-do list to improve an old DJM model's reliability.

[@plumtreeworks5225]

Thanks for the mention for scunthorpe sam ! Have you ever visited our preserved group , the appleby frodingham railway ?

[@AllensTrains]

Hi Sam. I think it is about time you starting singing, "The Plastic Loco Song". The first line is, "My loco wasn't quite fantastic, it was almost entirely plastic!" Thanks for uploading.

[@kylemaccauley6065]

Quite a very interesting color scheme on the tank engine

[@mitchellhogg4627]

Yup the internal working engines of the coal board ended up in some pretty funky liveries

[@glengreen362]

I've enjoyed revisiting this video, as I've long had a desire to own a J94 saddle tank. So I did another quick check on eBay, and they're still way out of my price range, even one with a slight bit of damage. It's always going to be the currency conversion rate to Aussie dollars, and high postage costs. So back it goes on my list of locomotives I can't afford, including the SDJR 7F, the GWR 2800 class and the GCR/ROD 2-8-0. It took me years for a Stanier 8F (tender drive) to show up on sale here in Australia at an affordable price.

[@anthonybarber3220]

Bachmann just made an announcement for EFE Rail. They have 2 train packs coming. It’s mainly coaches.

[@ianhaynes5898]

Can't imagine that yellow cab would look too yellow after a week working at the coal mine.

[@gregmacdonald927]

Hi Sam. Have an old Hornby J94 that I love. Wouldn’t swap! Just a Q: the thick rear windows at 14:42, are they by any chance fitted the wrong way round!? Is that why they look so awful?

[@philkeller4170]

Screw link couplings we’re ONLY used on locos which hailed passenger trains! I have explained before the whole point of them was so they could be adjusted to take up any slack and stop PASSENGERS from being bounced about. Goods wagons - particularly wagons of coal needed no such careful handling so if the locos were fitted with anything (and they may not have been in all cases when it comes to industrial locos - why fit a coupling to the loco when there is one on the wagon) it would be a simple 3 link type. I agree the loco itself isn’t great however….

[@user-mh9cu1tj8i]

Excellent review Sam love the old NCB livery

[@SamsTrains]

Thank you! Yeah it's pretty cool isn't it?? :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@markphillips5368]

Looking at the space inside the boiler when you had the body off, it looks as if there is enough room to put a small amount of lead weight in it, if y you were to wrap the decoder board in insulating tape.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Funny Story Sam, I bought one of these in the LNER verson and the motor burnt out within 1 year of owning it. Now it's just on static display. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh dear that's very annoying - presumably just outside of the warranty period then? :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@colintett6872]

Oh dear, the giant railway worker is back at the water tower!

[@a_thomas64]

looks cool

[@terrigoddard3448]

I won't be changing my old dapol 1 (for £25) Which runs lovely when run in & lubed up.

[@JustinFrazier_360]

That's amazing

[@Pinatattadvantjer]

I love your content it has inspired me to build my own Little Reilway😊 called pinat Reilway

[@OlivierGabin]

EXCELLENT QUESTION ! For a J94, we have, nowadays, some DJM models end of stock or used, you told us what to think about them, the Hornby model second hand if you are into vintage rolling stock and don't care about NEM couplings and DCC, and this one... Split chassis and overdose of gears, that's enough for me to not buy it. And no LNER J94 available... Overall, it is an Hornby Railroad-like finish and conception, good one I shall admit, but I won't pay over GBP 75 for that. And even not over GBP 50. Anyway, the decoder installation is a complete joke, and that would have been enough of a no-go for me (the DJM one use a 6 pins decoder by the way). Like the drivetrain... For the dynamic qualities, they are correct, unless you factor in the cutout on points. So, who will manufacture a decent J94/Hunslet Austerity ? My bet is on Dapol or Rapido. and I'm happy to have not bought one of them, even if the dynamic qualities are less awfull than my DJM version. I'm waiting for another manufacturer to make one that's worth the buy.

[@davidmolin8944]

Probably the weirdest livery a engine has ever worn, really adds to the irony of the model

[@adamwilliams192]

Wow those are three letter I thought had left the hobby! When DJM ceased trading I decided to pick up what I think was their only N gauge product (a mermaid ballast wagon) from a major retailer for a small discount. This was mainly to say I had one, original packaging and all (the model is now in the EFE range). For an n gauge wagon it’s quite nice, but a basic feature (the hight of the buffers above the rails) is noticeably wrong….

[@stephendavies6949]

For a moment there I thought the 3 letters to which you were referring were NCB.....!

[@adamwilliams192]

@@stephendavies6949 ha! Very good 🤣

[@garrymartin6474]

It needs to be really heavily weathered to make it look anything like they did in real life, NCB loco's were usually pretty grotty.

[@stephendavies6949]

My dad was a coal miner and all the locos where he worked - both steam and diesel - were filthy and very poorly maintained. However 1 Pannier tank (9600) that worked at the mine made it into preservation and even ran on the mainline for while.

[@Arkay315]

Geez, that paint scheme is tacky. It's livery kinda looks like a stunt plane instead of a locomotive.

[@AbbeyYard]

It looks like a toy train.

[@gc7820]

It’s authentic to a locomotive that was still in use in that condition in Scotland into the 80’s (albeit quite weathered) and is preserved I believe.

[@AbbeyYard]

@@gc7820 Even the blue buffers? And garish paintwork, especially on the cab and buffer beams?

[@tempertantrum6464]

Tacky, but accurate

[@jamfjord]

​@@AbbeyYardyep, google "Hunslet Works No 3818 NCB East Fife Area No 19", should get you a photo. Granted, the colours on the model look more 'plasticky' but this horrendous livery did indeed exist 😬

[@James-ih4gz]

maybe get all electrofrog points that could help with cutting out. small shunters sometimes cut out on insulfrogs due to there been that dead point

[@adamswindells1]

I think these engines look pretty good, i love saddle tanks but ive never bought one as ive always thought there over priced even at there discounted price

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I had exactly the same on my Hornby J94 models. I have a red and black one and Lord John, the green one that regularly visits the Epping Ongar Railway.

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

The blue buffers on the yellow bufferbeam look smashing. I may just have to pick one of these up. This little J94 will look at home with my NCB B2 Pecketts from Hornby.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah it's a very interesting look isn't it! Ahh yes it'd work great alongside those!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@willsvintagevehicles9164]

Never heard Sam say plastic so much he’s gonna have a saw cough in the morning 😂😂

[@axelrajr]

i think it would be a rather nice 65-75$ locomotive. the looks of it though, great looking paint scheme.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Lovely little J94!! It looks such fun!! But the new Bachmann product in the EFE branding is probably a much better locomotive for the type of train you would want to run!!

[@joshslater2426]

The livery is a bit worrying. It makes the model look more like a prototypical mould than a working loco.

[@davidstrains4910]

Decent review here Sam, interesting livery especially for NCB, my dads n gauge j94 is in NCB but it’s a different NCB livery where the whole loco is in a dark blue colour and has no yellow cab, my most recent model was from EFE and you were asking how my 58 was and I’m happy to say it’s an excellent model, regardless of how this model is I may look into one of these in the future, I don’t have a j94 and in my opinion they are quite nice looking engines.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot David - I like the sound of the dark blue! Glad to hear you're pleased with the 58! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bbej2016]

The counterweights on middle wheels look to be in position.?just looked at pics on net and there right.

[@buddmetroliner200gaming3]

Sams trains the model you had is a paint color green and light cyan

[@RSG003]

Love the NCB livery The No.19 operated at Comrie Colliery in scotland and I believe still exsits as No.3818

[@Noblelox]

I'm wondering if the mototr could be installed into a DJM version to improve performance. It is one of the few spares available to buy. I would also like the drop in faux valve plate, as that was the plan for the DJM version, but you can't buy that as a spare.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

17:52 I wonder if it was glued on?

[@MistaMatthews]

Any chance you could let us know if the hm7000 Bluetooth decoder fits?

[@ajivins1]

Was that the missing magnet black taped to the smokebox door?

[@davidballoid2118]

Hi Sam, how are you today? I was wondering if theirs a small capacitor that can be fitted to get over those open points a little better for loco's with small wheel bases? If so, maybe you could do some experiments with that and recommend a brand of capacitors or an alternative solution.

[@stephendavies6949]

Great idea! A stay-alive for DC locos

[@davidballoid2118]

@@stephendavies6949 The trick would be for the mechanism to maintain the same voltage it drop at.

[@TonyTheCarrot]

“Well, I do suppose I have time for a short story.. there was an engine I worked alongside in a steel manufacturing plant, and his name.. his name was sixteen.”

[@reecewreford8440]

I wonder how the hornby j94 would compare against the bachmann and dj one?

[@stephendavies6949]

Hornby much better IMO

[@Seasonal50]

That livery is…certainly something!

[@stephendavies6949]

If you Google the engine you'll find a photo of it in that (albeit rather dirty) livery working at a Scottish coal mine

[@Seasonal50]

@@stephendavies6949 interesting! Thank you for that information.

[@Jimyjames73]

An Ok Loco I guess - was surprised it had Sprung Buffers 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@berkgamer28]

Which one would be the best to get as I'm not sure which one to get

[@donaterdosi618]

The model centre has these for even cheaper than Rails

[@Cross_Trainspotting]

Could you do a review of the EFE Rail class 58?

[@michaelellison]

Hey Sam I got battery power train set from yard sale

[@Damien.D]

In our troubled times, this livery will sadly attract missiles like a pint of beer attracts flies ^^'

[@plumtreeworks5225]

Love the livery myself. Very much accurate to the real loco it's based in, just too clean

[@Damien.D]

@@plumtreeworks5225 weathering required! *drop the loco in a bucket full of coal*

[@ChazzaWatson09]

Is this the same as a hunslet austerity? They look identical to me

[@cirseltoo]

My twelve WD/J94 locos lead a hard exhibition life. All are DCC sound fitted and have stay-alive. The newest is an EFE, and the oldest an original Dapol that is pushing 40 years old. The EFE and DJM have the speakers in the smokebox under the chimney and were fitted through the smokebox. On a colliery layout the EFE and DJM locos are a bit more track sensitive than the Hornby. Otherwise little to choose between them. Four of my 5 DJMs are very quiet, considerably quieter than yours. For a noisy loco try the ancient Dapol, which growls when above walking pace. The big disadvantage of the DJM and EFE are that the handrails are very fragile. Advantage is that there is no heavy join line along the bottom of the saddletank as in the Hornby. Why 12?- the most appropriate for the collieries in the area.

[@lindaoffenbach]

Just checked the EFE site Sam. 6 Liveries selling at £95.95 now, except the BR black one for £108.95. We're not very sure what to think about it tbh. This particular livery looks a tad cheapish which doesn't very much help. For a 2rail system, of course electrofrogs are the way to go to avoid loss of contact, but overall this loco should be priced at ~£80 max indeed and then still one has to accept quite some silly design choices and a faltering coupling... A score of 5.56 is well deserved in the end. Cheerio.

[@stephendavies6949]

TMC & Rails of Sheffield are selling them for under £80

[@haphappy266]

i need a j94 what do i get i use dcc also i think hornby would be best but idk

[@TheSaint491]

Only bucket worth getting I’m sure will be the dapol o gauge one 😂

[@Masonkoko10]

The train short a looks like a character from Tomas the tank engine

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah it does! I thought there was a character of this class?? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@joshslater2426]

It looks like Wilbert and Sixteen’s multicoloured cousin? I think I’ll call him Norville. Watch the fandom create a story about him within a few days.

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Is it the kerr stuart victory loco Sam? Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@michaelschultz5127]

Could you make new pickups, to help it run better??

[@The.Conqueeftador]

The colour scheme fooled me into thinking it was a cheap plastic toy train for a split second 😂

[@plumtreeworks5225]

Yet very much a real livery!

[@Joey15811]

​@plumtreeworks5225 really? Whoever decided that should be a livery needs to learn colour coordination

[@michaelschultz5127]

Could place some weight in the tanks to give it some help.

[@Eric_Hunt194]

I've only tried one model from EFE- their recent Class 144 Pacer. On DCC it works really well, and many of the imperfections of the donor model have been corrected. The cheapest online is £200 though! Cost aside, it'd be fun to see a review...

[@pooletrainboy]

Agreed and hopefully he does the Valley lines liveried one as thats the most interesting one in my opinion.

[@stephendavies6949]

Genuine question: what is the attraction of the Pacers? I remember bumping along in these constantly screeching bus/trains and hating every minute of the experience. I even stopped travelling by train in the South Wales Valleys for a while as I just couldn't stand it!

[@pooletrainboy]

@@stephendavies6949 For me I never experienced them so have never had much care towards them. It's just because the model is the only one with the Valley lines livery that I know of.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I did see those pacers, would be very interesting to try one!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@m10cachilles43]

Realtrack are doing an updated class 142 Pacer as well.

[@DangerAngelous]

“I’m trying not to prejudge” press X to doubt

[@sneedsfeedandseed7777]

Mr. Sam Train I'm not trying to be rude (love the channel), but why don't you include photos of the real loco alongside the model? Just asking so maybe we can get a real time comparison.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I find it hilarious that while you were complaining about the quality of the old J94 model the smokebox door fell off.

[@HarrisHandle]

In the whole of the haulage section i only saw 1 J94, or 3 if you include the ones that are running

[@superstepno835]

That little engine looks like minion 🍌🟨

[@dutchbeef8920]

The Bachmann Junior 060 saddle tank performs better im sure, you should compare the two.

[@davidhall5868]

Super great video Sam’s trains maybe you should do a shunting video with a j94 and any other tank engines on your layout

[@SamsTrains]

That could be fun David, thanks for the idea!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)