The Worst Model Trains of 2019

[@robkingcomposer]

Having travelled on many 'Northern by Arriva' trains myself, I can assure you that scratches on the windows are completely accurate!

[@SamsTrains]

haha at least that's one redeeming feature though - it's a shame they're not in scale though ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bowden437]

Beat me to it. And I bet it does not run at all on a Sunday.

[@TheLongonot62]

"It didn't run great". A really authentic Northern model in that case............exactly like the real thing!!!

[@preetinarbaria2130]

@@bowden437 to dzzc

[@billykaelin6358]

@@TheLongonot62 and also the “No working lights”

[@Gondarth]

I'm not gonna lie Sam, I kinda want to see a Worst of the Worst challenge. You take the number 1 worst models from each year, and subject them each to challenges, shunting, pulling power, speed, build quality, what have you, standard model tests. The best performer after each challenge is eliminated, until we have the absolute worst model.

[@SamsTrains]

haha that would be fantastic - maybe I'll try that!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@StandardGoose]

I would watch this Shite Olympics, definitely.

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@StandardGoose Me too! Much more entertaining watching turd trains.

[@leomuellner214]

good idea

[@rubenmortimore1483]

That would be a really good idea 💡

[@TechandTrainsChannel]

You can get wheels for the Class 156 without traction tyres as spares - my model from about 5 years ago didn't have any on and had no grooves on the wheels - it worked just fine. I did a speed test on mine once to figure out if it could survive running on full speed for more than 5 minutes. Unfortunately, it can't run that quick, and a wire comes out of the motor if you're unlucky. Mine's been serviced so many times by Hornby for the same problem I now get free servicing! If Hornby bring their pacer out again, I can bet it will be the worst train of 2020!

[@SamsTrains]

That's good to know mate, I might look into that at some point! Yes - let's hope they don't reintroduce those pacers ;) Merry Christmas, Sam :)

[@Catalina._]

The Best Model Trains of 2019 : 1. Thomas 2. And his friends

[@SamsTrains]

haha I agree!! ;D

[@stanlandsberg9890]

Premier table Return

[@janalamanna9224]

Yeah

[@alang.bandala8863]

Ah! Te mamaste! -Mexico

[@jwalster9412]

but the quality isint even that good....

[@NineEyeRon]

Sometimes it’s really hard to “gauge” what a loco is going to be like :)

[@SamsTrains]

haha - see what you did there! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@SMTMainline]

It doesn't surprise me that a Bachmann model made #1 on your list - Bachmann generally makes low quality stuff that is prone to failure and doesn't last long. I'm not bothered by low quality stuff just as long as it's priced appropriately but in recent years they've hiked their prices to near what high-end models go for so I'm not buying their stuff anymore unless it's a really good price.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah you are right, that's been my experience too - I don't buy unless they're brand new releases, or reduced! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@OriginalBongoliath]

You must have been living under a rock. This isn't 70's-90's Bachmann which is the era that 2-6-2 is from. Bachmann quality is much better than it was in the past and have stepped up their game in recent years.

[@aureol40012]

SMT Mainline you’ve literally described exactly what Bachmann isn’t!!! Have you seen the Rapier crane??!!

[@SMTMainline]

@@OriginalBongoliath Nope, I have several of their models made within this decade almost all of which have had something go wrong. The way their drive train is attached to the frame is an extremely weak and prone to easy breakage. Many of my locomotives came from the factory over lubricated, one of which was seized. My friend has a steamer that he got around 2014 and the first time running it one of the linkages on the side broke on the first run under normal use because it wasn't connected properly... And I know countless people who have had decoders burn out on their modern bachmann engines so yes, I they are still not well made.

[@SMTMainline]

@@aureol40012 They're pretty models but that doesn't mean they're good quality, when you get down to the actual drive system you find that they are not well designed (wipers for power, brittle plastic gear boxes and small, low torque motors) I work ho locomotives on almost a daily basis and I haven't found a modern manufacturer that makes a worse drive system then bachmann.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

What I get from this is to avoid steam from Hornby. I do like Bachman for diesel's most these days.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

@@azuma7628 I still prefer Bachman for Diesels Class 37 etc. I have not purchased Hornby or Lima (Real Crap) diesels since the late 1980's Fort steam I prefer to pay more for high quality as only have a few favorites and do need neet a fleet.

[@SamsTrains]

Not at all - many of Hornby's steamers are excellent - these are just some of their worse ones! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

@@SamsTrains Ok Thanks

[@gs425]

It's the other way around...Bachmann seem to make better diesels but its their steam locos that often play up. Common fault is they wiggle down the track with wheels not set up properly.

[@jpsholland]

Maybe i am wrong, but to me it seems like Bachmann N is better build then Bachmann HO.

[@Marco-xz9sc]

The bottom loco is so old, in a america they use it in beginners locomotive set, once you move up from there the locomotive gets a nice and no split chassis. They sell them alone for around $25.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah I'e heard that too - definitely not a nice engine, particularly for beginners ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@longlivetherailways1571]

1:50 The Heljan Tango haunts all model train lovers...

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah!! ;D

[@trigstracks3800]

My god that bit cracked me up. x'D

[@PRR_Class_S2]

From Americans it is Tyco locos

[@highbrookendmodelrailway]

You amaze me with how many times you manage to slip in a section about the wonderful *cough, ahem,* horrible Heljan Tango. Comedy genius!

[@SamsTrains]

haha thank you!! xD

[@747wannabe21]

Good stuff Sam! Thank you for sharing your perspective at the start I.e you pick wisely and for quality because it’s your money at the day. You stick by your criteria and when it’s not up to par, you tell it like it is! Looking forward to your best of 2019 vid 🙏🏽

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much mate - try to be honest in every review - no point praising models undeservedly! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnwalsh6844]

Merry Christmas and Happy New ! Hope you had a peaceful and happy holidays. ❄️🎄🚂

[@Nellerkillerstrains]

You to

[@SamsTrains]

You too John, have a very Merry Christmas! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@karabiner002]

Hi sam, Nice video! I was actually planning on getting the 156 and LNER loco but decided not to. Guess that's for the better I have some video ideas that you could round the year off with. One being worst models of the whole Decade, both wagons and locos the other being a hornby 2020 wishlist video because it's their 100th anniversary since they made their first train next year and they might do something big. Aside from that merry Xmas sam, hopefully

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much mate, I think that's probably wise - it will be fascinating to see what Hornby come up with next year! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@G-ra-ha-m]

4:00 The reason that fewer pickup wheels = more dirt build up is that the better connection (of multiple wheels) results is less sparking between the rail and track. The sparks cause reactions between oxygen in the air and any dirt - even if invisible to create the dirt that we find, caked around the wheels with pickups as thats where the sparks were. In cases where the sparks are difficult to eliminate and dirt is a problem (such as in the garden) actually oiling the tracks can provide a miracle cure (at the trade of far less grip!) because the sparks are suppressed by the oil, stopping the oxygen creating the dirt.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes you're absolutely right Graham - more current flowing through each presumably produces more oxidisation! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@arricat5e311]

The best model train channel of 2019: Sam's Trains

[@SamsTrains]

Bless you mate, that's very kind of you!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@olliemckprice9428]

I agree with the list, putting the price up doesn’t improve the model. Loved the video -Ollie

[@SamsTrains]

Absolutely Ollie!

[@Lumberjackk]

Last time I was this early, the railways were actualy on time with their trains

[@SamsTrains]

haha - looong time ago ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@idonotlikeboats9328]

Jeroen so never?

[@MayoHosko]

Sam'sTrains trains are always on time in Germany and Japan

[@theretrocrowe]

I agree with most of these, but the 2P doesn't belong here. I played the full RRP and was still happy with it. It isn't a good model, but it is far from a bad one. One factor is probably the livery you chose - the BR Black does a great job at making it seem more detailed, but the SDJR Prussian Blue is a more basic livery

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah for £100 they're not too bad (compared with the new stuff), but should have been better for the Railways range for sure! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@RedSpecialArchive]

Worst wagon of 2019 - Dapol Egg Vans

[@SamsTrains]

haha it definitely would be! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@MrBnsftrain]

As I said before, Bachmann has since upgraded the tooling on the prarie/2-6-0/0-6-0. It has proper pickups, rounded bearings, and an improved shell with better detail. I got mine in 2010, and it still runs well, even after falling off the table once. I have given the tender metal axles though. I also never put smoke fluid in mine. I've also never heard anything bad about the current tooling of the Bachmann starter set 0-6-0s

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks again for the info on that - it is good to know that they've updated this in later years! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@trashtrainpunk1542]

The union pacific is my favourite....the chimney melting down into the loco!!! :) :) :)

[@SamsTrains]

haha tell me about it - what a feature that is ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@nigelhingston7506]

Yep, I too purchased a Class 156 (RAF), fantastic screen print reproduction and that’s about all I can say to the positive. On the downside an absolute fiddle trying to remove the flimsy body and fitting a decoder with fear of breaking. No lights, either running or internal - I would have thought with such a prestige presented model Hornby would have pushed the boat out and invested in tooling to complete the job. Bit of a pig trying to couple on the track, I ended up turning the two units over away from the track, linking and then re-railing. Whist Hornby should be applauded using recyclable material I cannot but help feeling the inner paper mache box cheapens the overall presentation Great video and thanks for taking the time reviewing these locos.

[@SamsTrains]

I'd agree with that Nigel - I couldn't find much else to like besides the livery! It would have been a fine model for half the price - but at £125, it set unnecessarily high expectations! Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@Vixen1525]

Hello Sam. I am from Germany and I really like the british railways more than our german ones. Especially the GWR-Trains. I am looking to buy myself a set of those trains. But I am worried that those ones won't function/operate correctly. I have Piko Trains, maybe you know them and they have the same tracks as the Hornby and Bachmann ones. So do you or does anyone in this community know if I can run a Hornby or a Bachmann Train/Engine on my Piko tracks? Or can't I? If you can not answer my question it is not a problem ^~^ Cheers from Germany and Merry Christmas! ^~^

[@SamsTrains]

That's lovely to hear Foxy - if it's HO or OO gauge 2-rail track running on DC or standard DCC, then Hornby should be compatible! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Vixen1525]

@@SamsTrains Thank you for^~^ your respond. Well then I know what I am buying in the next days. Thank you very much and have great holidays! ^~^And a happy new Year! ^~^

[@andreasneugebauer5417]

Hallo Foxy, da gibt es keine Probleme, sind kompatibel mit allen normalen HO 2-Leiter-Gleichstromsystemen. Manche Loks mögen die kleinsten Radien nicht (bei Hornby steht in der Modellbeschreibung R2, für ähnliche Loks von Bachmann gilt das auch), im Endeffekt also auch da kein Unterschied zu deutschen Fabrikaten.

[@Vixen1525]

@@andreasneugebauer5417 Vielen Dank für die Antwort und Frohe Weihnachten! :3

[@railtrolley]

All HO or OO 2 rail track from all manufacturers is the same gauge (rail width apart) 16.5mm. The most common rail height is Code 100. Most makes have the correct wheel flange depth, and wheel back to back (14.5mm) to run fine on it. I'm in the process of converting my layout to code 70 track, as I like the finer look (wheel flanges already converted). I currently have different makes of rollingstock running on Hornby, Peco, Lima, Bachmann, and Athearn track, and they run fine on it. Some of the track I have had since 1980's. The Peco type rail joiners work well and connect all brands of track together.

[@MauserKar98k]

Storytime: When I was a child, I had a Bachmann UPRR Prairie exactly like this as part of my train set. This was 20 years ago. This one is EXACTLY the same, even down to the appalling lack of detail of the bell and whistle. Not to mention the whole upper portion trying to detach itself from the wheels. How do you keep making the same thing for 20 years and more without improving it one iota?!

[@SamsTrains]

haha I don't know - and they're still on their website today, for insane amounts of money, lol! ;D Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@Charles-Reardon]

I’m a HUGE fan. I’m getting a Lionel cajun after Christmas 🎄 Happy new year!!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Charles - that sounds awesome!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@davidhunt6463]

Back in the mid 1970s I had a fairly substantial Hornby set up. I much preferred diesels to steam and I had a blue bodied, yellow ended CoCo with a fleet of Intercity coaches and several BoBos, loads of different wagons and a couple of shunters for various sidings. I don't know whether my standards were lower back then as a boy, or whether the build quality was better in those days but I found that everything felt heavy (weight = quality), the plastic was high grade and the detailing looked good. The wheels had something called Magnadhesion to help the engines gain traction and keep them planted. I know the locos were part of the Hornby Silver Service range (or something like that) which supposedly meant that they were better built or had higher quality components. I had (I think the name is right) Hammant & Morgan controllers and a whole bank of small lever switches that operated the points. I even had signals with tiny red and green bulbs in them and they were actually made out of metal. I built an enormous paper mache hillside with a tunnel through it which I painted and applied copious amounts of rubbery lichen to. I wish I still had it today because I could never afford to buy it all again at current prices and I don't think the quality would be as good. Thank you for an excellent video, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have subscribed. All the best, Dave.

[@SamsTrains]

Sounds great Dave - you're right, the build quality was much better in years gone by - I have the least trouble with my old models! Sorry to hear you don't have it any longer mate, hope you can get back into the swing of things one day! Thanks very much for subscribing, really appreciate your support! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnriggs4929]

Why the hell is everyone starting sentences /presentations - with "So..." ?

[@martianmagician6215]

It is because the TV talking heads do it all the time. People think it makes them sound intellectual. I have have friend that does it constantly. Sometimes just repeats it over and over without actually saying anything. Reassuring to hear someone else is irritated by it, so!

[@SamsTrains]

Sorry to hear you're so easily irritated - I concern myself with issues of greater substance. Merry Christmas, Sam :)

[@explorer806]

@@SamsTrains So...rry :D

[@TheEasterling]

It's a thing we've taken from America, And somehow it's home across to England..

[@explorer806]

So...a needle pulling thread?

[@IanHardmanPhotography]

I bought the RAF 100 156, I thought the box packaging was dire and I knew the design was older, but I bought it being both a fan of railways and aircraft. I don't but modern things so this was an exception. I'm considering one day buying another to get the detail sorted, but that's for the future. I don't plan using this one and keeping it a collector's item for the future and using it as a display only unit.

[@SamsTrains]

No problem Ian - as a display piece, they're not too bad at all! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@JohnWilliamson_]

Worst train of all time: THE PACER

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah, they're pretty bad! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@73bentley]

No it’s not

[@73bentley]

Hi Sam I was going to get that 1 56

[@C455]

I wish I hadn't brought my bachmann class 08, it was £125, when I got it out the box the paint started chipping off, the couplings were bent, the cab was a limp of blue plastic, the nse livery was the wrong shade of red and all the separately fitted parts were not painted and stood out as being plastic looking. Despite this it ran very well.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah my Bachmann 08 sucks too - really nasty pickups and mechanism inside too actually! Glad yours works well though ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Joeben2016]

Yeeee sams trains upload Been waiting alllll day

[@SamsTrains]

Bless you Joe, thanks so much!! :D Cheers, Sam :)

[@Joeben2016]

:)

[@TheAreotrain]

Not surprised by the Bachmann US model. At the model railroad club I am with (in the US) we basically avoid most of their products as it seems that reliability issues plague them. Even the high end items are prone to issues (their shay locomotives are horrible for stripping gears). As for their pricing, MSRP prices can get you much better built and performing pieces of equipment for the same price if not less.

[@SamsTrains]

haha exactly - I've heard that too, particularly on the prices! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@superspidey901.]

How do you can have this class 156 sprinter for a VE day special

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds great lizzie! :D

[@spring626]

For some reason,my union Pacific loco had a better bell on it but it had a different tender and it didn't have a front bogie and didn't have a back bogie too.

[@SamsTrains]

Ahh really?? Maybe they're quite inconsistent then?? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@phonowizard]

Sounds to me that you have a Bachmann 0-6-0 switcher

[@spring626]

@@phonowizard maybe

[@donwright3427]

I got the Talyllyn Railway right by my house so I can watch the real thing

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow lucky you mate!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@pannier1366]

I wish I could ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@stepheng7586]

I'm glad you put the Hornby 156 on the list Sam. Apart from the South East of England and a few other times,this class of train has operated the length and breadth of the UK. A great comparison would be the Realtrack 156. I'm a fan of modern traction so my knowledge of steam is quite limited. The Black 5 operated the length and breadth of the country and the models you can get of that class are superb. It's time Hornby upped its game.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Stephen - yes the Realtrack version would make a great comparison! I agree - I wish Hornby wouldn't do things like that at such a price, Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

Got a question. Can you review a marklin locomotive.

[@Vixen1525]

Märklin...mhh

[@Vixen1525]

But he will need new tracks for those ones. They Do not work on hornby and Bachmann tracks. I have old Märklin trains at my Grandmothers house. I tried to run them on different tracks, they only work on Märklin tracks. But the locomotives are really good. ^~^ Most of them. It is german quality. The old ones are the best^~^

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's the problem - lots of them don't work on my tracks :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@tobiaskeim1138]

@@SamsTrains Hi everybody. The different between Bachmann and Märklin is, that Bachmann is a DC - System and Märklin is an AC -System. Märklin tracks have center conductor point contacts. And the locos needs a separate contact for the power purchase. In german we say "Schleifer" to it. Cherry from Germany an merry christmas.

[@Taschenschieber]

@@tobiaskeim1138 and @Sam'sTrains, Märklin does release DC models under their brand Trix. Those should run on your tracks.

[@jouebien]

The reasons you see the square axel holes is that there is less surface area = less axel ware. If the rubbing is only over 3 very small points then there's not much friction. If you had a rounded top then you have half the axels service area rubbing against the frames and a lot more friction.

[@SamsTrains]

I'm not sure that's true - pressure equals force/area, meaning the smaller the area, the greater the pressure exerted. Proper turned metal bearings allow an increase in surface area (required to reduce pressure), but produce less friction too! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Marco-xz9sc]

Where did you get 5 pole motors for around £2 each, I cannot find them for less than ten

[@SamsTrains]

Ebay! Here's an example: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC12-24V-22200RPM-High-Speed-Power-5-Pole-Rotor-Compensates-Micro-Motor-Toy-DIY/252376655738?hash=item3ac2d2277a:g:NcQAAOSwtUBc92Jk Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@BritishRail60062]

I have to agree with all there Sam. Especially the Class 156. To be honest the Class 153 is a better model and is on par with the Dapol Class 121 unit in my opinion. I might get one of those Dapol 121 units but I don't think they would fit in on my 2016-2018 era layout I am planning to build in the new year.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot mate - I've heard that about the 153, I'd like to try it!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@deel399]

Sam:worst model trains of 2019 Tango:you called?

[@SamsTrains]

haha! ;D

[@bussesandtrains1218]

Sam: nothing

[@practicalsargentsharp9490]

The tango is pretty good actually, it's just a fluke that Sam got a bad one

[@skuula]

If one can find that springy brass material, it is often not too hard to add some power pickups oneself, and they help a lot!

[@SamsTrains]

Yes you're absolutely right - but it's a shame that we have to :'( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@davidstrains4910]

Great video Sam however I disagree with the class 156 because I think it is one of the nicest models because it is much cheaper then the real track one which has a RRP of over £200

[@SamsTrains]

That's true enough David - but still not befitting of the Railways range! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@And_Zo]

@@SamsTrains I have a few of these, they do seem better when they were Lima, I know it's the same model but my all Lima 156's all still run like a dream and they are 25+ years old.

[@matthewjones9259]

David's Trains but the realtrack model is more worth it due to it being more detailed the Hornby one which was once only up to £70 ten years ago hasn't changed in the level of detail but it's only increased the price for no reason so I would move on to the new realtrack models which are near the same price

[@davidstrains4910]

Matthew Jones 925 I know it is worth the money because I have seen reviews but in my opinion over £200 is way too much for a 2 car unit

[@And_Zo]

@@davidstrains4910 its more than I can afford :(

[@wellsworthjunction]

I've been on a search for a hornby b17 for a good price for a long time, but some sellers won't even ship to the US, even after I'd offer to pay a bit extra for shipping

[@SniartekilI]

Hey sam do you have another job than youtube or do you get enough money from youtube

[@SamsTrains]

I do some part time work once a week, besides that KZbin is my full time job! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ZazzelTheGamer]

We still have some people like you who think KZbin is not a job huh?

[@cryoraptora303tm2]

@@ZazzelTheGamer He didn't say that, plus KZbin is pretty bad pay these days unless you're well-established.

[@furripupau]

Those Bachmann prairie locos have been around since the 1970s, and have barely been updated over the years. The model is based on the USRA 0-6-0, to which Bachmann tacked on some pony trucks to make a 2-6-2, so there isn't even a real-world prototype for these. They are toy train set fodder basically.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah you're right - others have said the same!! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@dissolve_4u228]

Ha, these are hysterical

[@SamsTrains]

haha! ;D

[@0v3rr1d3]

Yeahhh, some of the older Bachmann stuff is rough...I've got a steam loco where the wheels don't even stay in their bearings. And the drive rods are more like a chain instead of solid pieces so they get out of alignment when the wheels turn

[@SamsTrains]

It certainly can be - sorry to hear you had problems like that! :( Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

For your top 5 best Locos of the year are you going to add a American locomotive to the list.

[@SamsTrains]

You'll have to wait and see!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnscullans9124]

I have the bachmann 0-6-0 in the Santa Fe livery. It’s the same loco without the lead and trail trucks. I pulled the motor out so it didn’t make noise weathered it very heavily and now it sits in my model scrap yard on my layout

[@SamsTrains]

Uh oh!! Sorry to hear it's scrap now - probably best ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@johnbirkin89WS]

I have two Ivatt Class 2 Moguls, one pristine with sound and one heavy weathered. I was surprised (shocked) by your low rating. They perform perfectly well for me, even on my Branch Line, which has inclines and one tricky descent. I would also give them a high rating for looks. Just two quibbles for me: the pristine one is a bit toy-like in its bright green finish and on both the tender has to be set back, so creating an ungainly space between loco and tender.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks John - mine works well too - but the mechanism is objectively extremely poor for the money, as I say! And yes, spacing between loco and tender is a bit distracting! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@SprattyHeath]

Also not forgetting the fact that Hornby are bringing out (or have brought out) the Regional Railways Class 156 which will be the same tooling as the Northern Rail one, probably the only change that they have made is give it the ability to be DDC Fitted. But at around £120 it is definitely overpriced for a model that LIMA produced around 10 years ago. I'd save up and buy one of the Realtrack Class 156's that have been made although they are twice as expensive.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah - though for £120 DCC fitted, that's a bit better - still, some upgrades would be better!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rod.h8064]

Those RAF 156 DMUs from Hornsby, I've picked up N scale Japanese DMUs for less money then them, that come with more details, both bogies of the motor car turning and working exterior lights, though their interior lights are an optional add-on that can be fiddley to install.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah exactly Rodney - not very good products those :/ Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@charlieg499]

I actually have the bachmann American prairie. It was my first steam loco. I do agree that it is a pretty shotty model but it brought me a lot of joy watching it go around my layout

[@SamsTrains]

haha sorry to insult your first model - glad you agreed though! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ironhorsehistorian9871]

Reminds me of when I got a n scale atlas 2 truck Shay 2 summers ago. It was over $200 and broke not even an hour after opening it! If the locomotive was old or inexpensive, I wouldn’t be too mad, but when a locomotive that was sold for just over 30 dollars runs better, then I get mad! I did get it replaced but now I’m always a little nervous about buying an Atlas locomotive considering their awesome n scale rolling stock. Good vid and the 5th locomotive was absolutely inexcusable with the drive wheels not properly secured to the chassis and not enough electrical contact:

[@SamsTrains]

Oh blimey that is pretty annoying - I feel your pain mate!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@teescottageguyproductions]

With the sound in the sprinter the loud noise is really realistic to the actual loco in real life!

[@SamsTrains]

haha is that so?! Well done Hornby then! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Damocles178]

I see what you mean for the price of some of these. it's noted that Hornby does tend to reuse their old tooling in their main range. Their venerable Class 91 tooling is another example; it's one model people would love to see get new tooling. The livery is always astonishing but the model itself would feel underwhelming compared to their more recent tooling. As a matter of fact the current Hornby class 91 tooling is about the same age as the real Class 91s!

[@SamsTrains]

Yes Hornby do certainly tend to do that - it's quite naughty isn't it?! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@gerardhayden6568]

Merry Christmas Sam. The worst model in my fleet is the Bachmann N class Woolwich Mogul. issued in Ireland as the K class - one of the eary Murphy Models commissions. But it has terrible pulling power, no tender pickups, and the close coupling mechanism on the tender causes derailments running tender first. Again also difficult to convert to DCC, and the real clincher, some owners have reported significant warping of the cab plastic over time.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh that's not good to hear - I found the N class really badly designed, and incredibly difficult to strip and service! The loco to tender connection is a joke too, you're right! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@frankhaggar6885]

A bad loco I bought this year, second hand Hornby Rebuilt Patriot, unbeknown to me it was one of those that had zinc-worm and after the first run the chassis split in half and the gearbox cover disintegrated, a real waste of 60 quid!

[@SamsTrains]

Uh oh - that's not good at all - I've had the same thing happen to me on those too! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@cressonshursleverington1940]

That Bachmann Prairie really is nasty little thing. For those that aren't familiar, that sad little locomotive isn't based on a prototype. It started life as an 0-6-0 switcher model that was loosely based on a USRA pattern. For reasons known only to Bachmann engineers in the 90s they decided that adding leading and trailing boogies made it a road locomotive. To add insult to injury they did the same thing in their N scale range. Edit: I think that blob of plastic is supposed to be the safety valve, at least it's in the right place to be one.

[@SamsTrains]

haha it certainly is - thanks very much for the info! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@mickmac8300]

Dont know if i would worry too much on a bit of clicking on the motion gear. Most videos of working steam locos sound terrible with clunking and clicking with flogged out bearings. Gives it that worked feel.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I guess that's true!! Though the clicking on these usually suggests a more serious issue! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TomPrickVixen]

I only brought 3 locos this year, and one of them was a 2019 new "BR 118 diesel" from Roco (witch i can recommend to give it a look to anyone who collects H0 scale). Last year i got 23 and the worst 3 hmmm.... - "Worst to best" (less bad) - Jouef SNCF 231K (terrible mechanism - tender drive without loco-pickups and ONLY 2 of the 4 tender axles pick power, the other 2 has tires) - Altaya SNCF 231E (again mechanism - An old Rivarossi body on a new chassis, but kept the weird pickup system, very loud but at least 5 pole(what they said)motor, with noisy metal gearing) - Piko BR 119 U-boat "1st release" ( overall an excellent modell, but that is not how the original loos like: shape and color of the frame, lining, buffers, and minor details, dough they fixed it with the new release, but u could still buy the 1st one earlier this year).

[@SamsTrains]

Hey Tom, sounds like some interesting models for sure - they don't sound too bad to me!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheSaint491]

Love how when you look at the 2p on the track, you can see it wasn't built for loco drive, nor have hornby done any balancing. As a result the firebox sits low and raises the front upwards. Well done hornby

[@SamsTrains]

haha absolutely - not a very thoughtful conversion really! Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@SeatedViper]

I've only just discovered your channel, Sam. I like your views about the Bachmann. I have a OO/HO model tramway, where many of the trams had the much-vaunted Tenshodo motors. After fifteen years in storage, though, the Tenshodos had developed oval wheels and ran very badly, while the Bachmann Bogie Brill chassis under things like Blackpool Balloons were wonderful! I had the Bachmann 4-4-0 loco and coach as a representation of the Wild West Train in Blackpool - I ended up putting Tenshodos under the coach to push the loco. I have dabbled in American outline N, where Bachmann is generally ridiculed, but then look how Farish N has improved under Bachmann control! Still, if you replace a blind donkey without legs with a blind donkey with one leg, that has to be better! (Hasn't it?)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Peter - that tramway sounds very interesting indeed! haha that's very true - I have heard good things about Graham Farish! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@DC4444]

The amount of detail on the Bachmann Prairie reminds me of a locomotive for toy train (not model train) that I have. The worst thing I have isn't a locomotive, but a tanker wagon that had plastic wheels and derailed multiple times during a run on my club's layout (one run is about 15-25 minutes). It now has metal wheels from another identical wagon used as a decoration on the layout and the decoration wagon now has the plastic wheels. Edit: I got this second hand for free and it was an easy fix, so it's not that bad.

[@TheLordFinwe]

its a old Bachmann 90s model they don't use split chassis anymore. still waiting for same to finally get a good american locomotive from a better brand like Broadway limited or even atherns.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - it reminds me of a few toys I've seen too, lol! Glad to hear you were able to improve yours!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@railyardpro.3651]

I have the USA Prairie. I got it for $20. It is a simple fact in the US. You don’t buy from Bachmann. You buy from Atlas or Walthers Mainline if you want quality. That model was made in the 1970s so it would be second hand. Don’t buy from Bachmann USA if your looking for quality.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh $20 is much better - but I can agree with that! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@warriorstar2517]

I knew for a fact that the prairie would make the list! Just wasn't expecting the Tango to interrupt the video. Quite the terrors if I do say so myself.

[@SamsTrains]

haha absolutely! Yes apologies for the interference - not sure what happened there! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@robmasterman]

Fascinating Sam, and the reason why your excellent reviews are so important...Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year...Bob

[@SamsTrains]

Bless you Bob, thanks for your kind support as always! :3 Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@robmasterman]

@@SamsTrains My pleasure Sam. I'm not into the Thomas material for obvious reasons, and the simulator I just don't understand, otherwise it's always a pure joy to watch your work....Bob

[@lapiswake6583]

I love my Ivatt 2. For me it runs well, but like my Ivatt 4 the lack of tender pickups makes it stutter sometimes on points. I agree about the other 4, although the 156 is on my list if I find it for sale at about half its RRP. And traction tyres aren't the worst idea for models. I have a hornby 156 in northern lilac and white without tyres and it can't manage some bits of my layout, but my super detailed hornby schools has them and it is fantastic.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I like mine too - but I'm glad I didn't pay more for it! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bentullett6068]

The hornby Sprinter could have been enhanced more by adding little details on it to make it look more modern. They could have added some directional lighting and possibly some functioning LED destination boards from train tech.

[@SamsTrains]

Absolutely Ben - but as a Hornby Railways model, I'd expect those enhancements to come from the factory! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@brianartillery]

Your number four is older than you think. Airfix, in the 1960's bought all the railway model tooling from Kitmaster, to go with their range who had gone bust. When Airfix went bust for the first time, in the early 1980's Dapol bought the tooling. So #4 is possibly about my age - late 50's. I just checked one of my Airfix books, and they bought out Kitmaster in 1962. The Super Sprinter: Good from afar, but far from good.

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey, very old then - crazy stuff! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@VideoGameAdict100]

The Bachmann Prairie is literally the first steam loco I bought for $20 at a convention and my heart just sank when you had as your worst on the list... good video though!

[@SamsTrains]

haha - for $20 it's a much better model - the problem is, I paid nearly $70 for it! :O Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@VideoGameAdict100]

@@SamsTrains well that makes sense given it's more reasonable at a much cheaper price for the poor quality. I only worry about the smoke machine, as you mentioned, so thank you for the heads up. And Happy New Year to you as well!

[@garlandward4372]

You should get yourself a new 2-6-2 from bachmann and see how the old compares to the new. Make it about how tooling and performance has advanced over time

[@SamsTrains]

I'd like to do that - I may keep an eye out for one! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Alerrecks]

The Bachmann 2-6-2 you bought, was unfortunately, the 1st release of this engine. No doubt it was number one. Bachmann re-released this engine and upgraded it considerably. You can tell the versions apart quite easily. The cylinder guides are a bit different on the newer one, and the valve gear is blackened as well. The details are also much crisper. I own 3 and performance is splendid. Sorry to hear you got an old one! Alex

[@SamsTrains]

It appears they still have the same thing for sale on their website today - for a ridiculous price too! The chassis appears to be the same from the photos too! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@matthew_miller0075]

I can’t believe how stupid I was when I started model railroading, I bought a prairie from the local train store and the coupling rods and cylinder broke after it had been out of the box for only about 3 minutes. So I salvaged the tender and what I could from the loco and threw the rest away.

[@SamsTrains]

haha not at all mate - I've done lots of stupid things too (and still do!) :( Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@chrisr19897]

I'll be honest, when I had a 00 layout, I can't really say any loco had was bad in anyway, the only disappointment was a Eurostar I had (and still have) because it didn't feature directional lighting. Just a thought, do you plan to do any reviews of N guage?

[@alfiewells5848]

chrisr19897 I want to see that 2

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate, a Eurostar would be awesome try - thanks for the suggestion! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@terrysigler9043]

I understand about the 2-6-2 prairie locomotive. Some Bachmann locomotives aren't that detailed. I got a 0-6-0 Smokey mountain locomotive that has less detailed bell and whistle.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Terry - really?! Even worse?! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bvlcorail]

I think Bachmann have improved the Prairie since making the one you bought. I've used a couple of recently-built ones as donor mechanisms for On30 kitbashes, with DCC and keepalive modules in it. Having said that, I did remove the smoke unit.

[@SamsTrains]

I'd be very interested to see a newer one - not sure I can bring myself to buy another though! Those sound pretty good! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@bvlcorail]

@@SamsTrains I've got a video showing the On30 loco I built on that chassis. I can send you the link if you'd like to see it?

[@rodneymcgiveron]

Thanks Sam ...I have no knowledge of any of these but suffice to say I run numerous Bachmann U.S style locos...About 30 at a guess...I have several GP40's and 38's , SD 40-2's and a sound value SD 70 ACe... They all run beautifully , none have ever stopped , reasonable detail and max price on any of them was Australian $155 ..Many well under $100..I also have Athearn Genesis , Intermountain , Broadway and Kato models . The Bachmanns aren't as good running wise but for durability and value for money you can't beat them ..All diesel electric of course though ...Enjoy your channel very much....Thanks..

[@SamsTrains]

No problem Rodney - glad to hear your Bachmanns were good - I certainly have a few good ones from them too!Merry Christmas, Sam :)

[@rodneymcgiveron]

@@SamsTrains Thanks Sam...Enjoy your great vids often..very much so .. Got a kick out of the seven pound one cheap train set too the other day . Still laughing about the names on the rolling stock...I do ATSF/ BNSF mostly , live in Tasmania , Australia and love the hobby. Only regret I left it so long to get started . Great to see a really well informed young bloke like yourself with a true passion for The World's Greatest Hobby and a key reason why your vids really hit the spot with me. Please keep them coming ..

[@GrannyGooseOnYouTube]

That last Bachmann looks just like mine, detail-wise. It's indeed "horrendous"...especially in n scale. Came with their "Empire Builder" set years ago. I put the EZ track away, used some code 55, made my layout with great detail, and now I can't afford a better loco. Oh well, maybe NEXT Christmas. lol

[@SamsTrains]

haha sorry to hear that mate - their N scale version isn't much better then?! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@andrewguttry6886]

Thanks for another entertaining round-up Sam. My personal gripes? Ok, the Bachmann Wainwright C. Lovely model (I have two), and both run smoothly but sound like a bag of spanners being shaken. The new Hornby Terrier which stops and starts randomly, usually at an inaccessible point of my layout. The Hornby M7, both of mine screech like banshees and are basically unusable. The Bachmann Standard 3MT; again very noisy. The Bachmann 4MT tank; jerky and lumpy running (since relegated to the scrap line). I also wish Hornby would put ALL of its ancient 'Volvo bumper' equipped rolling stock into the Railroad range and produce some new stuff with modern NEM couplings. Other than that it's been a great year for us modellers with some truly incredible products. My favourite probably being the Bachmann H2 Atlantic. Cheers Sam, and Happy New Year.

[@SamsTrains]

My pleasure Andrew - you're right to criticise the C class - and have you seen the price of the latest release? It's over £200 RRP! I too have had quality problems with the Terrier and M7s too - and don't get me started on Bachmann's mechanisms ;) Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@grootsan]

Hi Sam, I can't judge about the Hornby Class 156 but I do have a 4 Car Bachmann 4CEP (Class 411) in Br Blue & Grey from 6 or 7 years ago. I wasn't even looking for it at Hatton's website but the price including postage to here was an absolute no-brainer (£75), it would have been just very daft to ignore it ! Very well detailed, interior lights and at the front and back and electrically connected couplings. In spite of only one (heavier) end bogie driven without traction tyres it runs perfectly certainly after Tony has made it digital. Comparing that with the £125 for the 2 Car much less detailed Class 156 I think I know which one is the better one …….. By the way, that £75 for a 4CEP is most certainly a thing of the past ! Cheers, Jan

[@SamsTrains]

Oh wow, sounds like you got a massively better deal there - and it certainly is a thing of the past, very unfortunately :( Happy New Year, Sam :)

[@kinkong1961]

Great review Sam your scoring on these locos I have to say are spot on this is why I love watching your channel as you really check the stock fully and put them through there paces and I can take your word for them well done again for another fine video all the best John from Rugby.

[@SamsTrains]

Many thanks John - I do my absolute best!! really appreciate the kind support once again! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Andrew7923]

I have a 0-6-0 that uses the same body as the prairie. It doesn't smoke, but the level of detail is pretty close. Maby it's the price I got it for, but Ive always been pretty happy with it.

[@SamsTrains]

For the right price, I guess I'd be happy with them too - at least they work! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@GWRFan281]

Merry Christmas Sam and all the best for 2020.

[@SamsTrains]

Merry Christmas mate - all the best! :D

[@chriswoods7452]

Yep. I’ve now had two goes at getting hold of a Mainline Scots Guardsman (actually 1st one was Old Contemptibles) but same model. Both dogs.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah they are dogs I agree - can't stand mine! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@iceeblueburst03]

I remember watching your old video on the review of your S&DJR 2P from Hornby and it was from early 2016 I think. I don’t remember what rating you gave it but I bet you were a little generous of giving it a high score. I don’t know what it is, but it’s pretty relevant now that you gave it a score that surely deserves it.

[@SamsTrains]

Yes I think you're right - I think my latest score was a bit more accurate for it! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@williamou417]

The reason why the bell is important to steam locomotives in the US, Mexico, and South America is that it can make loud sounds to warn people on the track and used for safety. That's the law! Except for Thomas at the Strasburg Railway!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - though I don't think that bell would do much ringing ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TGBCR14]

Actually that gave me a idea why don't I ask to have bells on every verchle. Gust kidding man that would be nasty

[@gunner678]

Excellent review. I bought a 'cheapy' battery train set that was better than the Bachmann prairie. Merry Christmas Sam, you are really helping me (not necessarily about trains).

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Matthew - yes indeed, the cheapy toy trains are better than those Bachmann prairies for what they cost!! Great to hear my videos are some help to you! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@drewzero1]

About 20 years ago I had a Bachmann 0-6-0 that was very similar to that Prairie, it was okay for a basic model in the 90s but I definitely wouldn't pay much for one now.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah definitely - I'd never have paid £50 if I'd known!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@kevinrussell2718]

One model that should have been on this list is the Hornby Class 71! It was quite well priced (mine came from Hattons for £130), and perfomance and detail were second-to-none in my view. But what ruined it for me was that pantograph: 1) It disintergrated far too easily, and was made of thin metal that could not be repaired - fitting a replacement pantograph would not have made any difference; 2) It was over-engineered, as the pantograph was very rarely used in service (it was only installed to work in Goods Yards, where the provision of Third Rail was considered far too dangerous for yard workers - instead, tramway-style overhead catenary wires were installed). The pantograph could easily have been rendered in plastic as a non-functioning cosmetic feature, rather than a superfluous functioning and unreliable functioning one! If it weren't for that pantograph, it would have been much more useful on my layout. But because of the pantograph, I', not embarassed to run it!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Kevin - yes the pantographs are a bit troublesome on those, mine was too - probably not bad enough to put it in the bottom 5 though! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@dkbmaestrorules]

Definitely agree about the 156. Had one a few years ago and thought it was a borderline case for Railroad then, it definitely belongs there now!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah absolutely - can't understand why they thought that was okay :/ Merry Christmas, Sam :)

[@Loweko1170]

Of the bottom two I am inclined to look more harshly on the Sprinter because it seems a shameless cash-in; a cheap disposable model trading entirely on the livery. The Bachmann Praire is a "normal" lemon, if you see what I mean. And like all lemons, it can be redeemed as a source of parts for Fun Projects...or even a rescue attempt with aftermarket upgrades!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I'd agree with that - definitely one of the most shamelessly naughty ones! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@markgeerin5928]

Hi Sam ive got the B17 I've had lots of trouble also but I put tender pickups on the tender which in proved its reliability out of site but mine was never noise. Merry Christmas Sam have a great Chrissie.

[@SamsTrains]

Glad to hear you were able to improve yours Mark - have a fantastic Christmas mate! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@dantheman3162]

I got a class 50 for Christmas by Hornby and it has an adjustable grill, opening cab doors and a working fan

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds awesome - is it good then?! :D Merry Christmas mate!! :D

[@mrdreaded8865]

Merry Christmas, Sam !

[@SamsTrains]

Merry Christmas! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jbird167]

I bought a more modern 2-6-2 in the Pennsylvania livery and it works a lot better than the older model, also if you're looking for great smoke fluid try JT's Mega-Steam.

[@SamsTrains]

Great to hear they've upgrated it more recently! Thanks a lot for that - I'll give it a try! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rovervitesse1985]

Wow.... from the netherlands here and i am amazed that £140,- qualifies as a really expensive train. I am a N scale runner and own minitrix, fleischman, arnold, graham farish, kAto, Roco, Startrain, Liliput, Kuehn, Jagerndorfer and dapol and many many many of those are wel above that. Especially steamlocos, those easily go over 300,- with ease. Nice video though! Keep it up!

[@SamsTrains]

£140 is very expensive by UK standard - I know European manufactures charge way more, but that just wouldn't slide in the UK! ;) Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@rovervitesse1985]

@@SamsTrains yeah but to be fair. Mostly they run way smoother, require less/no maintenance and detailing is better most of the time. Only exception (in N scale that I found) was the GF 372-800b A1 Tornado. But to be fair, that was an expensive model at £175,-. Do you own any European made trains?

[@kevinrussell2718]

The 2P started off as an Airfix model, where it remained until 1983 when Dapol took over the model railway toolings.

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey, very old indeed then!! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@paulcaswell2813]

Apart from the motor in the cab, amazingly, Mainline's J72 can still hold its head up high detail-wise.

[@GlamTelevision]

Think my brother had one of the Ivat class 2 models on a small layout he built before going to uni a decade ago, the performance of the 3 pole motor is noticeable. Wonder if you have or were going to do a video about upgrading the motor and to tell apart 3 and 5 pole motors?

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate! I've never been able to find a suitable replacement for a good price unfortunately :( Merry Christmas, Sam :)