Walthers HO Scale BNSF Freight Train Set - Flyer Express Unboxing

Over the years I have purchased many different train sets however until now non of them have been made by Walthers. I figured it was time to give one a go so I placed an order on eBay.
After unboxing the set I was impressed to see nickel silver track, metal wheels as well as metal couplers. These starter sets seem to have come a long way since my first Life-Like set.
I'm gonna be curious to see how it withstands the tests of time however at present it seems like a decent set.

[@midmissourirailroad]

A thing to note is that locomotive has directional lighting, which is something you rarely ever see on trainset locos.

[@myvideosetc.8271]

On an american trainset it may be unusual, here in europe is the norm for roco or trix sets, even mehano, but yes, you don't find many train sets below 300€

[@invest315]

I want a BNSF DCC too. For so young you have great practical repair common sense. Love watching you repair these engines. When I do it I cant get them back together :(

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. I find taking pictures or videos can help in getting things back together because you can review the footage and see how it went.

[@zacharyhale1681]

I love that Walthers is defining what a Starter set should be. The track could be improved, but everything else about this set is absolutely fantastic. The Walthers GP15-1 is actually a neat little engine and a lot of their starter rolling stock is really nice for what it is. Kadees and Metal wheels should be a standard Now these days. I hope Walthers keeps this up. Great video!

[@VestedUTuber]

Hard to say that Walthers is really breaking any ground when KATO's been doing the same thing and then some for a while now, just in N scale. KATO starter sets come with KATO's in-house couplers (not quite as good as MicroTrains but they're very good in their own right), metal wheels, a premium DCC-ready locomotive, high-quality track and, in the case of the CNW Commuter and Silver Streak sets, a full, complete consist. You also get significantly more track, their sets come with the full Master Set 1 loop which is actually quite sizeable. Not saying I don't like what Walthers is doing, just giving credit where credit is due.

[@SMTMainline]

@@VestedUTuberYou’re not wrong but those KATO sets cost a small fortune. They are good quality but I don’t know how many people with limited income could afford them.

[@SMTMainline]

They’ve found a good balance. Personally I feel like the set is worth more like $150 but at least they are selling good stuff.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@SMTMainline Trainworld has the premium "full consist" KATO sets listed for around $250. That's not much more than what they sell the Walthers sets for. And the "regular" Kato sets go for around $190. KATO probably has a significantly higher MSRP but you're rarely going to see them sold for that.

[@SMTMainline]

@@VestedUTuber Are any of those HO scale though?

[@josephbugaj8149]

Walthers itself is pretty good when it comes to their cars and locomotives. I got a few GP locomotives and others by Walthers and I've never had an issue with them, they're easy to work with and they can pull a pretty sizable train without much difficulty (especially their 6-axle units) and they can be converted over to DCC operation without much of a fuss. And any cabooses I've seen on the rails out by me, they're still in use but mainly as shoving platforms for yard use.

[@anthonyj.adventures9736]

BNSF wad founded in Sept 1995. Caboose's were phased out in the early to late 1980s so it is possible MOW crew might have had BNSF caboose but the caboose was for the conductor and rear end brake man. And with air brakes and the F.R.E.D and no need for a rear end brake man. The conductors office was moved into the locomotives.

[@kennethhanks6712]

Actually the caboose not totally out of place as a number of local service operations still utilize them on certain long back up moves or convoluted switching layouts. In this type of usage the caboose often referred to as a "shoving platform" for rear crewman and many times no longer maintained (at least as far as looks!) as well as in the past.

[@jensenleblanc]

Walthers uses their own brand of couplers. I believe they are called proto-max couplers. They’re basically Kadee #5 clones painted black instead of dark grey! Great video Harrison! I am a fan of the motor in those walthers, nice big can motor with two flywheels, can’t go wrong!

[@TacticalCat-f7j]

I just adore his layout and how he said why dont we take this locomotive over to the work bench and rip it apart i can relate to that (;

[@richardsweeney197]

Walther's train line locomotives are basic but pretty reliable. Much like the old Athearn blue box. They did start as Lifelike and Walthers bought Lifelike and improved the mechanisms.

[@MrBnsftrain]

Walthers re-did the Power-Loc track to have nickel silver rails. I had a Life-Like set with steel rails from a garage sale, and I noticed the power was weaker the farther the train got from the power source (I even tested it with test leads directly on the rails and it still happened) Lionel developed a joinerless track system for HO around 2018, and from what I've seen it's even worse on uneven surfaces

[@mattydred72]

That cracked me up when you called it a box of school supplies. 😜

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

He really has a sense of humor.

[@Eastkentuckysirensandtrains]

Dandy train set. Loved this video, Harrison!

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool set Harrison! The couplers Walthers uses is actually their own in house Proto couplers (basically a knock off of the Kadee no. 5 series coupler). While not quite as good as the Kadees, they still make a nice stand in coupler in a pinch. Also, fun fact about the locomotive used for this set (BNSF GP15-1 1478), the prototype locomotive was originally built for the Frisco as part of a 25 unit order for that Railroad! Unfortunately, I couldn't find the unit's as built road number though!

[@ErickC]

Model: EMD GP15-1 Built As: SLSF 103 (GP15-1) Serial Number: 767076-4 Order No: 767076 Frame Number: 767076-4 Built: 8/1977

[@randallellison6421]

@@ErickC awesome, thanks for the info!

[@mikegrappone9078]

Thanks for making!

[@St.LouisTrains]

Great video love to see more of your work

[@Papa_Shurika]

It's always interesting to know how a locomotive works👍

[@modelrailroader5619]

That could have been you and your sister on the cover about 10 years ago! Lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@Jacob_152-l2z]

Yet another great video you’re my favorite model train KZbinr SMT keep up the good work

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so much 😀

[@danshobbies13]

I remember when starter sets came with accessories and other fun stuff. These starter sets are so boring. For about 30 dollars you could easily add a decoder in there. Which is awesome.

[@jaxonlizotte5579]

Yay finally you have the locomotive I have!

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

Awesome Video Harrison! This is certainly something you don't do every day, which is something I like because I'm a fan of the unusual. Hope to see this train on a live stream!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, it's nice to change things up every once in a while.

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

Yes it is!

[@Raul_MP]

2:40, I believe Marklin/Trix C track, along with Lionel's Magnelock H0 track, don't require rail joiners, though I believe they do sell rail joiners for Marklin C track in order to connect it to M track or K track, those are the ones I remember off the top of my head though.

[@casstelles]

The caboose isn't totally gone. Many railroads still have a few as a "shoving platform" as a car not intended to be occupied, but as a car to rode from the outside while moving over crossings during backup moves while switching. Being from Ohio, I know both CSX and NS uses these shoving platforms for backup moves on locals during switching. My opinion is that manufacturers offer a caboose as an expected item of a trainset. It would be interesting if manufactures would offer a car with a flashing EOT (end-of-train) as an alternative car. A boxcar with an EOT would be an easy car to do as a modern updated item that could be easily offered. As another note: some cabooses had headlights for backup moves. The Erie Lackawanna had some for the moves to-and-from the Dayton Branch. Since the Dayton branch connected to the mainline east of the yard at "AC" tower in Marion, OH, a backup move either out of or to the yard was required to access the branch. While I'm not 100% sure about any other warning devices on these types of cabooses, I would guess that they were also equipped with horns or whistles on the caboose. The whistle may have been the default choice since I've seen them on other cabooses. I call them 'peanut whistles' since they sound much like a European steam whistle.

[@ThatOneHWcollector]

I've had 2 of those fall off of my layout and neither of them had any mechanical damage whatsoever. One however broke a coupler and popped out the headlight, but still runs magnificent.

[@markwilliams2620]

We Yanks started phasing out cabooses in 1982 and finalized the process of elimination in 1984. CN and CP got Ottawa's approval in 1988 to remove them. As I lived near the Port Huron to Chicago line I saw many a GT crummy go by at night with lights ablaze inside.

[@darrenharvey6084]

I have the older version of this loco , it has separate fitted metal grab irons and better trucks with helical gears and is dcc ready .

[@cjdavis2684]

This was pretty cool Harrison... wish the set had come with a few more cars but over all it was pretty cool. living in Ohio I wish they had more of the railroad names we see and use to see. But this was a cool video and the set was a lot more affordable than what I mostly come across. Thanks for posting this.

[@dannagy546]

Tell you what, the level of detail and quality on the loco and cars is a million times better than anything i had as a kid. Knuckle couplers and metal wheel sets is insane, compared to the all plastic garbage i remember.

[@TGPilar]

This was my friends first locomotive, we ended up doing a DCC conversion on it and it took forever, we managed to fit a massive speaker in it too 😂

[@dmetzger24]

I got 3 of these sets for Christmas a few years back the track is kind of hard to find and expensive but overall I'm still pretty much using everything else

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice little set 👌

[@PCrailfan3790]

From my experiences with Walthers there stuff is built like a tank. I got a walthers train set 13 years ago and it still runs like new, I haven’t serviced it ever

[@tylerbrobston4265]

I'm glad it works!

[@williamsquires3070]

Well, it’s not a stock GP15, though it might be a rebuild of some sort; maybe a GP15M? The original GP15s, like most GP-series made by EMD back then would have had radiator fans, and an option for dynamic brakes, I believe. The radiator section on this model is more reminiscent of GE power (like a U25B), or EMD’s later offerings like the SD90MAC.

[@c44-9w9]

Nice train set! My first train set was the Santa Fe flyer

[@dfwrproductions]

5:23 sad to say I've had a derailment like that too, lol. What I find interesting is that I have the same exact locomotive but its road number is 1478. Do you think you'll ever get the Walthers NS GP15-1?

[@JasonDooley-i4i]

Please run trains around the rest of your layout. I'd like to see more than the large loops.

[@gamingwithlukeJToH]

1:36 While you are correct that the paint job is not realistic, BNSF actually uses cabooses to this day! They aren't used like they were originally however, rather they are used as shoving platforms. Basically, when a local is backing up and they need a worker to stand on the back of the train, they put a caboose to act like a platform to stand on.

[@ErickC]

BNSF does indeed have a smattering of cabooses being used as shoving platforms, but they're mostly still in predecessor paint with a few in the "swoosh" livery and a couple others in relatively plain solid colours. Most of them are of International Car Company (e.g., former ATSF Ce-6, -8, and -11) or PC&F origin (the BN wide vision cars). Almost all of them have the doors welded shut and windows plated over. None of them are painted in that scheme, and none of them are that particular International Car Co. design. So it's a stand-in, but a reasonable one. If you blast it with white and red, that particular model is an okay match for Soo Line's first order or cabooses from International - so long as you're modelling a period before 1979 or 1980 when the side windows were plated over and the rest of the glass was upgraded to comply with Part 223.

[@Trains-stuff]

I was given a used walthers loco and it is one of the best on my layout it can run at super low speeds

[@dbtech7914]

Nice looking train, and it looks like it is made well. I have to say, that kid on box does look a little bit like you!

[@SMTMainline]

I kinda see it, it's a bit strange.

[@csx_defectdetector]

@@SMTMainline Yeah, I thought the same exact thing!

[@robby062]

I’ve always like the Power-Loc track better, but get why it never totally took off, not to mention there was never any selection of it beyond the basic train set stuff. And like others said, you have to lay it flat on a hard surface to connect, and especially, disconnect it. Walthers locos are like a half step up from Bachmann, IMO. The cars are quite nice and it’s a sharp looking starter set, however un-prototypical the cars may be.

[@Planes_n_trains]

Nice to see a starter set that has something other than a GP40, or F7/9 😂

[@SMTMainline]

That's a good point!

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

Ive seen walthers locomotives at a hobby shop. Been wondering what their quality is.

[@ROBERTN-ut2il]

A major lesson from shop class - don't assume floors are level of corners are 90 degrees

[@rickygarrett6508]

Yay a new SMT video

[@kevinbeverly4086]

Definitely a really cool set. The price didn't seem too bad for the set as well. I might consider getting one. I think I'm more in the market for more dcc locomotives now. I've seen some really nice new locomotives and would definitely like to get some more dcc locomotives.

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah I agree

[@VestedUTuber]

So, the track kinda concerns me here. It seems to have a bit of "Hornby TT Scale Syndrome" where the track kinda wants to tilt outwards because the curve sections are actually slightly too long and make up more than a 360 degree circle. As for the power and rolling stock, everything looks good quality but the selection doesn't stand out to me. Almost every manufacturer's freight starter set has a GP38, two basic freight cars without any loads and a caboose. Obviously for someone who's already got some experience in the hobby that seems fine, but the typical starter set buyer is parents buying for their kids, and when you compare this to, say, a LEGO train set (which can be built, taken apart and rebuilt easily) or an LGB Work Train or Freight Train starter set (which, although very basic, typically comes with a working crane, a functional gravel skip or hopper, or a low-sided gondola with a truck load), they're going to gravitate towards the sets with more play value. I wish there was more consideration for that. I know some people in this hobby look down on adding features that may come off as "toyish", but for the primary demographic that actually buys starter sets, you _want_ those features. And the people who count rivets and demand scale realism in every facet of the hobby are _not_ that demographic. Heck, when I got back into the smaller scales after a decade hiatus, I didn't buy a starter set, I bought a Bachmann USRA Light Mountain, a KATO Master Set 1 and a handful of rolling stock, because I already knew what I was getting into. Still, as far as quality goes, apart from the track this set looks pretty good.

[@cherokeecoyoteoffical4625]

The real unit in this set was stored here in Springfield MO till it was cut up with two other units

[@mailstorminurbox]

much better than bachmann sets in my opinion, except the track connection, higher quality for lower price, only issue is it doesn’t seem to be as easy to find

[@SMTMainline]

They are pretty common on eBay but I don't find the sets have good search engine optimization.

[@tugsandtrains78]

Are you on one of those and just last week? The thing smoked a lot so I hope that one doesn’t have anything wrong.

[@SMTMainline]

I do too, haven't seen that happen on a Walthers loco before. I haven't owned a BNSF from them before, are you thinking of the Bachmann No. 3001?

[@robertlucido3686]

Do you have a favorite color you like for painting locomotives and rolling stock

[@amartamang8694]

Quick tip: you don't need to unscrew the couplers to take off the shell

[@heartsfordays6336]

I have had this exact train set except I got it at trains toys and hobbies also it came with a coal car to

[@intoxicode]

You should do a review high-end sets for Christmas 😁😁

[@SMTMainline]

Which sets would you like to see reviewed?

[@CalvinAirshows]

When will u do more N scale trains I enjoy those as much as HO

[@michaellindsey8769]

Beautiful 😍 ❤

[@GaryDavis-ir6fh]

i have a tyco #1102 diesel i got free when i bought a santa fe f unit off ebay. the 1102 is a chessie system.

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

I love Walthers HO scale BNSF freight train set. GP15-1 🎃 BNSF locomotive. My N scale GP15-1 🎃 BNSF Dummy locomotive, Atlas.

[@chasesrailwaylinesrr6447]

Sam's trains also had an issue with this The train derailments were dependent on direction. 1 direction it was fine the other direction derails. Also isn't power lock track basically life like track?

[@SMTMainline]

Walthers bought Life-Like trains in 2005 and used many of the same ideas including power-loc. They kept the life-like brand around for another 15 years but discontinued it.

[@chasesrailwaylinesrr6447]

@@SMTMainline I knew Walters bought life like just if or did not use the old life like track

[@oskarvalance3041]

The price is not much more than Bachmann, but the quality is much better. Walthers is a better starter set than Bachmann. As you mentioned the nickel silver track, metal wheels and couplers. Walthers will definitely outlast Bachmann. Not sure if you noticed but I'm not a huge fan of Bachmann. No really!!.........I'm not. 🤣😂 From Texas.

[@harperlarry49]

School supplies....that's funny.

[@axdominguez5953]

Very nice

[@Metra167Productions]

Oh boy

[@jamessneed8789]

👍

[@jonas2431]

I've had that track before

[@michellelegge4380]

I'm just curious if you have any n scale stuff you're interested in selling? We are from Barrie, and are having quite a difficult time finding stuff

[@SMTMainline]

Nothing at the moment. Have a look on market place or eBay, sometimes you'll find something you don't expect like an entire collection.

[@chrisbrownoffical2553]

I have the same bnsf locomotive but the number is different

[@wesleymoore8552]

Someone should do a voice over of the locomotive

[@user-MotoTrains1974]

You are very smart SMT cool as well

[@amtrack23]

It's was making a winning screaming sound very faintly

[@ilovehockey8100]

Hello guys, I’m new to the hobby . May someone please help me answer a question? I have black ez bachmann track and am thinking of buying a dcc sound locomotive and controller; do I need to buy the grey bachmann ez track or does dcc sound locomotives work on the black bachmann ez track? Thank you!

[@SMTMainline]

It would work best on nickel silver but black steel track should be okay so long as it's clean. I used DCC locomotives on steel track for a year and didn't have any issues.

[@robertmunguia6172]

Nice ❤️ 👌 👍

[@stefanegger]

how should you see overspray on a pad-printed product?!?!?

[@SMTMainline]

I have seen overspray on some models, or in the case of printed ones, poor alinement.

[@missamyspreschoolchannel7211]

I prefer this offer Bachhmann 😊

[@SMTMainline]

The funny thing is that the locomotives alone are cheaper than Bachmann's but Bachmann still makes cheaper train sets. Ether way I like these as budget locomotives quite a bit.

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Nice train set. 40$ chep for an n scale engine

[@SMTMainline]

Depends what kind

[@robertmcbain6247]

Bnsf uses cabooses but they're still in bn paint

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Walter's or Walther's? I've always pronounced it as "Wal-Ther's"

[@SMTMainline]

I believe the last one is correct.

[@tigerphid9677]

All of the components in the box look like they are worth about $50 total...

[@aldairmondragon6989]

I used to have a bnsf SD40-2 but it broke

[@ErickC]

If it makes you feel better, SP had a lot of 40-series locomotives and they were *all* broken.

[@amtrack23]

For that cost it should be a dcc engine

[@VestedUTuber]

If it was just the engine alone then I'd agree. But it's a starter set, with track, rolling stock and a power pack.

[@Trainguy90406]

Hi smt!

[@SMTMainline]

Hello!

[@jade-a7990]

i thought motor sound is horn sound...

[@jade-a7990]

like p5 or someting

[@hycube_dunnage]

Overall, this is an okay starter set for those beginning in the hobby. I have that Walther’s BNSF GP15-1, which I paid a good bit for. The detail and paint work is pretty mid, I have to say, but I do enjoy the directional lighting that it has.

[@SMTMainline]

I agree. It isn't highly detailed but it seems to function well.

[@BillGill-v8n]

Do you work have a job

[@SMTMainline]

Outside of youtube I'm self employed with a motor recycling business.

[@omegasupreme1970]

no glass in caboose not much track not too impressed

[@August-e5h]

Do not use that track set I had it it not good track

[@lnerj50productions32]

First

[@traincrashvideos1905]

first

[@avlisk]

I've had a couple of Walthers "cheapest" locos. They run and hold up as well as Athearn Blue Box. There's a lot of "starter sets" out there that are crappy, but Walthers makes a good product. (I have no experience with this design of track, though.)

[@thomasmoje5926]

This looks to be Walther's version of the Bachmann 'Rail Chief' set with their version of the later style BNSF livery GP40-2 loco. I like the grey railbeds..more realistic looking. I like my Bachmann 'Rail Chief' set with the exception of the extraneous doodads that are of no use to me except for the signal tower..I painted it silver to more closely approximate the appearance of real signal towers. The metal wheels on the cars in the Walthers set are a definite plus. Also the Bachmann loco does not have directional lighting..the front and rear lights stay on no matter which direction the loco is travelling. Good to see Walthers offering a reasonably priced 'starter set'..more options for those who want a good quality train set without shelling out a ton of cash.

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

Looks good! It'll be interesting to see if it can pull a 15 car + caboose train on the main layout!

[@darrellr267]

You don't have to take off the knuckle couplers to remove the body. The pilot bars pull off, and some of these models come with plows that you can put on after you pull off the pilot bars.

[@williamgottlieb8723]

It is best to snap the ends of track pieces together while holding them on a firm, flat surface and not up in the air. Even a small scrap of plywood placed underneath the sections to be joined then moved to the next and so on until the loop is complete is better than holding them up in the air for joining.

[@SMTMainline]

That's good to know

[@yourfellowpancake6335]

Nickel silver track is nice to have in a set

[@maltnz]

Life-Like PowerLoc was reasonable track if you joined it on a flat surface .. never had much luck with getting it to go up risers. The major issue is getting it apart again - it is very easy to break the retaining clips. If anyone is going to use PowerLoc as their primary track, buy a few of the old black steel PowerLoc tracks (cheap) and slide the gold connectors off them as spares.

[@SMTMainline]

That's good to know, thanks for sharing.

[@aceact9883]

This is truly the best looking starter set I’ve seen by far. The way everything was built like this is pretty good. If Bachman did the same type of thing then I bet they would get more sales. (Hopefully they would have a reasonable price too.)

[@SMTMainline]

Bachmann isn’t far off from making a reliable drive system, they just fall short in a few places.

[@aceact9883]

@@SMTMainline I agree

[@MalloryShumate]

Bachman has a special relationship with plastic

[@SMTMainline]

They sure do/

[@PWaco-yq7wr]

I sent some thing to you . let me know when you get it, It's My Will to you, but my lawyer is not talking to me much, Talk it over with your family. give me a yes or no on it,

[@garysprandel1817]

And here I was thinking new locomotive works out of the box so no workbench segment. If I'm not mistaken the Walthers locomotives are a continuation of the Proto 1000 and 2000 line after Lifelike got out of the train business. BNSF would have had cabeese as pushing platforms MOW service and limited local/way freight service in ratty BN and SF paint but nothing in BNSF paint.

[@ErickC]

BNSF has several cabooses in the "swoosh" scheme and a few in plain white or red with a "swoosh" logo applied.

[@garysprandel1817]

@@ErickC yep forgot about those. CRS is a thing at my age

[@SMTMainline]

I believe Proto is still with us but they switched their train sets to Walthers trainline.