One of the many wonderful features of which this channel is full is that even being harshly critical about all Hornby's faults, still Sam, every time he can, pushes up that brand enhancing its good sides, which is not just only a little help for that producer, but also a main act of love for the hobby.
haha thank you very much - yeah like most companies Hornby isn't all bad - and their train sets are very important to the hobby for sure! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@pepwaverley2185 Nothing against to offer such type of starter set, but if I were short of money I would have made different starter sets first. Hornby must lure people into the hobby, children, adults and adults who love to remember their toy trains.
I bought this set to go around the Christmas tree and we add a truck each year with the date for fun. I made a ballasted track bed on some ply to give it some 'realism' 😂
@@markknowles6374i have a loop around my tree and each year i take an old grave yard coach or wagon and decorate it and add it to the consist, this year i am adding a lowmac but i wrapped the cargo with red white stripes paper last year i bought a 7 plank wagon sprayed it grey dry-brushed some dirt on it and filled it with tiny presents
I bought the GWR high speed train set last year in Tenby for 93 pounds at a closing down sale, I have bought another GWR MK3 for it and planning to buy two more to create a GWR Castle Set
Blimey that's a good deal - it looks good with extra coaches doesn't it? Yeah sad to hear another model shop's closed down though :( Thanks for watching, Sam :)
In Australia the prices for these little sets have skyrocketed. Actually, most hornby stuff has over here, at least in my region. I bought my first set, which had a little 101 tank engine, open wagon and small coach, for about $175 (about £90). Recently I saw a railroad Jinty in a store for $220 (£112)! My accurascale P class, which will be leagues ahead of a railroad range jinty, costs 40 dollars less than that! Not really related to the topic at hand, but a funny yet frustrating anecdote
One of the best Hornby train sets in recent history, was the R1172 Majestic e-Link DCC. It came with 2 locomotives (Class A1 steam and Class 47 diesel), 3 coaches, 4 freight wagons, fully twin tracked ovals with siding and a 1 amp transformer, making it capable of running 2 complete trains simultaneously out of the box. This was the set that got me into DCC.
I have managed to run a class 57, class 800 and a HST on first radius consistently for a few months now, it’s surprising how many locos seem to handle it despite not being recommended
When I went to England with my school this summer, we went to Hamleys in London. I saw the High Speed Train on the shelf and I couldn’t resist picking it up! I’ve wanted a Class 43 for ages now and it feels so good to finally have one!
Santa gave me the Flying Scotsman set back in 1972, that train set gave me a life long love of model railroading. And yes, it did have realistic chuffing, I still have engine but not the tender(and tgat is where the chuff came from), and two coaches.
The Flying Scotsman train set was the first model railway item I bought myself and my 3rd loco overall, back in 2009 it cost £140 and you got a lot more for your money back then. it came even more track than is offered in any set today a better controller and a highly quality version of the flying Scotsman than the current railroad one its a shame that these sets are getting a bit too pricey now especially when you get less in them. Yeah the Scotsman train set always has that nostalgic feeling for me even seeing the modern equivalent reminds me of that time. its also a shame that you don't see the 040 sets come with 3 coaches anymore my first train set was the Caledonian local and it came with 3 matching blue coaches which look great with it. A good analysis there Sam looking forward to the next video.
Ahh fantastic - yes it's been in Hornby's range in one form or another for so many years! Yes they definitely were more generous with their sets back in the day! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
If you bought yours in 2009, you likely got set R1072. I have the same thing, purchased brand-new in 2010 during a trip to Melbourne (I live in Sri Lanka). Carrying the set in the overhead luggage compartment of two flights when returning home was amusing, to say the least. Super set, came with not one but two points (a RH one and a LH one), and of course the R965 controller which is far better than the later R8250 and the current one. Those points and all of the track are now in my permanent layout. The R965 also did service there before I went full Gaugemaster. Loco is a super smooth runner and I've since bought three more coaches to make up the full prototypical rake of six. Pulls the full rake like a dream (although I don't have any gradients).
This is interesting. I have a Flying Scotsman from a train set from back in the 90s or very early 2000s. It's tender driven and of course not DCC ready, so I had to have someone chip it for me, and they didn't do a great job so it doesn't run very well. That said, the model looks lovely, and is the classic A1 apple green with the corridor tender, with red lining on the numbers and letters. When I decided to get a new one, I wanted as close to my original as possible. I had a look at the the newer set, but it looks nasty in comparison: the colour didn't look quite right, and there was no red lining on the running number and tender lettering, making it look flat. I ended up getting a Hornby Legends one. As far as I could tell from research, it's the same as the railroad version, but with much nicer paintwork (nicer than my old one in fact). One thing I still don't like about it is the fixed pony truck with flangeless wheels - my old one has the pony truck as a separate part on a pivot which looks nicer in my opinion. So, can I ask about whether yours is tender or loco-driven, what the lining on the numbers are like, and whether it has the separate pony truck?
To be honest, with the exception of the Freightmaster, these sets just seem to be a bizarre mixture of contents and prices. As an example the HST set comes with a siding that can't accommodate the train, or possibly even one coach of the train, while the "Triang" set come without a controller at no difference to the cost of other sets (so what if the original version didn't have a controller). One of the problems with train sets is that it isn't possible to resist buying extra track, rolling stock and accessories, so why are these sets all so expensive? If a sale is lost because of the price, then all the future purchases are lost forever. Personally, I believe that sets should be priced near to cost price and that would be Hornby's investment to gain future customers.
haha yeah I suppose it was a bizarre mixture, but it makes a great fun train set! But yeah I agree, the sidings should be able to accommodate the train, though the track packs are standard regardless of the train which I suppose is the reason. Yeah the tri-ang set is a dead loss... like I said, not really in the spirit of a train set - it's for collectors or those looking for nostalgia! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
i've never had a train set. thought about buying one, but imo the prices are too high for someone starting out. Especially if a person isn't sure they will become long term modellers.
Every year at Christmas I look at getting one, they remind me of my ladies stepdad going upstairs into the attic with a flask of tea for hours on end. I miss that guy.
I have a soft spot for the Santa express, a few years back I bought one. I’ve lost it since after I moved, but it was a nice little model. Sure, the rolling stock is pretty bad, and the track-mat isn’t Christmas themed, but it has heart. And that’s all it needs.
My first train set was the Eastern Rover, i got it over 10 years ago and i still have it all till this day. Perfect for a first time and is a reminder to how i started
Made me nostalgic about my first train themed Christmas (inherited my sister’s Triang trains). Good timing. I noticed a number of the sets are not released yet. Worth considering this as delivery has been delayed in the last few years and even if Hornby gets them in time a retailer might not. A bird in the hand and all that! Thanks Sam
Thanks a lot Damian - I'm thinking SURELY they'll get them in before Christmas - they'd be crazy not to have planned for that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Funnily enough I inhereted my sisters triang and dublo trains too - she is 13 years older than me and boys had replaced trains. The next Christmas a new board with plan 4 from the triang hornby track plans arrived, with all the buildings etc and aa new 08 shunter and wagons - god knows how my parents afforded it. The following year it was a new hymek and three sets of container wagons and a hobby was born! I still have all the trains and buildings from that, only the super 4 track is gone.
The Jinty, otherwise known as the 3F Tank Locomotive, in the old days was a lovely little set. It was one of the Synchrosmoke locomotive that puffed out smoke from the chimney.
I started with a Playcraft train set that operated by plugging a battery controller into the track. The locomotive was a little 0-4-0 diesel shunter, a van with sliding doors and an open wagon. The end of the train was a BR brake van.
As one of you older viewers, I can rember having a 0-4-0 clockwork, set. at some stage there must have been a battery operated set, as i had a little blue loco and some wagons. Oddly I don't really recall having the loco before getting my first proper electric powered train set, this was a GWR pick up goods set, it had GWR 0-6-0 PT loco, first radius track, points and siding, buffer stop uncluping ramp, 5 wagons and brake van, a small station, tunnel, and a set of juntion signals (ie home and distance). great play value, . my dad bought a proper mains controler for it, as it came with a battery powered on inn the set. Interesting to see how things have moved on over the years! Good review of the sets, I sure this will help first time buyers.
My advice would be to see what Bachman has to offer in regards to trainsets, my issue with Hornby trainsets is that the rolling stock dates from the 70s so a bit of a con trap for unexperienced modelers
Yeah true, I could look at doing this for Bachmann, but obviously their stuff is mainly higher end, at least their UK sets are! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Its always the train sets that in my opinion are great - that Mallard set has a beautiful a4, almost a fully detailed one too! I think everyone in the hobby started with a Hornby trainset - I had a little 040, wagons and a random coach - these are the kind of things that are going to bring people to the hobby! Great video as always sam, hope you're well
Not me, my first train set was all second hand though I didn't realise for many years (I was five at the time). My dad had an old Hornby dublo loco. It was quite a sought after one and he sold that and used the money to buy me a load of second hand Hornby/triang stuff for my first train set. I got a hymek diesel and three blood & custard coaches, a dozen or so wagons and a load of track. He made the platforms himself from balsa wood and a paving kit and the station was another kit he made up. If it had been new I'd have got a lot less. After a few weeks of running it on the carpet he made a baseboard which was hinged against the wall and could be hooked up against the wall when not in use. Normally he hated doing DIY, my mother commented it was the only project he'd ever shown any enthusiasm for!😁
Yeah - they're much much better now they have the enhanced liveries... do like that! And yes, the classic 0-4-0s are great for train sets :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great vid Sam. I have the GWR HST set (started with it and another in 2020), and it's not great as the locos run poorly and the railroad coaches don't match the more realistic railways ones! (I've bought a prototypical rake of four Sliding Door mk3s). That aside, I agree that the best diesel train set is the freight master!
Thanks mate - ahh that's a pity - my Railroad HSTs do run well, but I'm guessing the new ones don't use the pancake motors any more? Will have to look into that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I think a review of play trains would be a good one to see. We have the origional set (flash) and was so impressed, we eneded up getting the entire range and it makes for a fantastic play, my son, me, my wife and his grandad all love it and enjoy it. It has features you pay a real premium for on normal OO models, such as lights, multiple sounds, and magnetic couplings while being very affordable.
My last train set was the Western Express train set with Windsor Castle and three carriages and a small pannier tank locomotive with three open wagons. It was an early DCC set.
Very well and professionally done, Sam. A late 60s/early 70s Freightmaster set, bought as a Christmas gift by my parents, was my introduction to model railways. I've still got the class 31 loco from it, as well as a few of the wagons. Happy memories.
Thanks so much Stephen - blimey they've been making sets called the Freightmaster for that long? That's pretty cool. So that'd be the Tri-ang 31 then? What a classic that is! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@SamsTrains Yes, D5578 with plastic wheels (no pickups) in the rear bogie. It has magnets in the motor bogie that improved traction, as they helped it to literally "stick" to the steel (Triang Super 4) track. Useless these days, of course.
@SamsTrains Yes, a Triang model. With "magnadheision" (excuse the spelling): magnets in the front bogie to help it stick to the steel track. Obviously, it doesn't work on modern track.
My first set was the Highland Rambler which I bought in 2018 when I was on a school trip, then the Smokey Joe set from Hattons for 30£ back in 2022 and went from there. The Highlanr Rabler cost me about 67£ if I remember correctly. Great deal. Bought some track to go alongside it. The loco has a special place in the collection. I detailed her up as best as I could. In the end, Hornby still knows how to make a good train set I think 👍 with the exception of the price of course 😅
My objection to the Mallard Record Breaker set is that the box art depicts Mallard with fine-scale valve gear, rather than the chonky Railroad-tier gears on the actual model. I almost bought it to complete my A4 Collection (I still need BR Blue) but didn't when I realised the quality of the model did not match the picture on the box.
I consider this a nice boost for Hornby and I'm glad to see it and I hope they appreciate the gesture whether intended or not, lol. You mentioned that the Flying Scotsman was the most famous steam locomotive in the world, and I think that it is matched by the Big Boy and possibly surpassed (take that), lol. Every collector, that can afford it, has at least one of each. This was a great video that gave information like the importance of track radius, what you get or don't get for the money, age appropriateness, and all the information needed for the introduction to model trains, great job. Jersey Bill
Thanks a lot Bill - and that's true actually, the Big Boy is mighty... maybe Scotsman isn't the most famous in the world then? She's certainly better known round my parts though! Thanks so much for the kind words, Cheers, Sam :)
imho, the only way to get started in this hobby nowadays is to shop the 2nd hand market - some sets have been loved, and been properly taken care of, and provide a much better value for money for both starters and enthusiasts alike
Probably my fave Hornby is the Virgin Pendolino DCC tilt train. Came with DCC decoder fitted and the budget DCC controller for a pretty low price. And of course it tilts. Pity Horny don't have any radio controlled ones like Ahearn and Lionel. Bluetooth is now the go and radio seems to be fading. Lionel's North Pole Express is fantastic. Plain DC and DCC. Radio remote including sound buttons (noises and Tom Hanks lines from the movie!) straight out of the box. Love it. I like collecting what I travelled on. So far about 25 matches world wide. These days it's rare I buy something because it's good or good value. Though the Dapol Wallaby (I'm in Oz) is very tempting. It's either to add carriages to the other 100 sets I have or one I've been on.
Great vid, personally I'd like you to do more of your own ideas for train sets as there are so many configurations! Also, who remembers when the bigger sets came with *two* track extension packs and sidings?? Grew up with those myself, amazing play value.
Hi Sam, Great video again. The GWR 125 is now on sale at Hornby at £119 and I'm tempted. Also how can it be expanded? As far as I can see the extra coaches in the correct livery on Hornbys website have NEM pockets compared to the older couplings on the model in the set.
Hi Rob, the coach included with the GWR HST set actually does have NEM pockets fitted to it, hornby have just fitted the larger D coupling because the power cars use the medium sized tension lock coupling, the main issue with expanding the GWR HST set is the extra coaches that are likely to be bought are done in a gloss version of the GWR livery rather than the matt finish they have done on the train set version, on my one I actually sprayed the power cars and the coach in a gloss varnish.
I bought the HST set when it was on offer for £119 and found some hornby GWR coaches in the same livery but annoyingly the extra coaches have different more modern couplings so the set will only stay on the track if "pulled" by the power car. Running with power car pushing, the added coaches fall off the track.
I brought the Frieghtmaster last year from Hornby as it had a free Christmas tree and the Hornby Triang 0-4-0 train. I will admit its a great set, in my case let down by the controller! Its very hit and miss to use. Sometimes the train will not go at all. However I was never planning on using this and went to the HM 7000 decoder instrad (I already had a few loco's on this system) If you're planning on getting this, I would reccomend looking at a seperate quality controller, or the HM7000 decoder, power pack and track power connector. This is a lot more expencive but you have greater control and the option of sounds too 😉
I actually have the “Coke summertime train set” and I love it! specifically how nice the engine looks and just to get more cool rolling stock but I do like to use it on Bachman track
Today I was at a model train exhibition in Madrid (Spain) and at the Hornby Hobbies group stand there were only Electrotren (H0) and Arnold (N) products, but nothing from Hornby, even though on their website they sell some of these sets like the Santa's Express Train Set for 68 pounds. Even though the 00 is bigger than the H0, I think Hornby has interesting and well-priced products. And that this brand (like Bachmann or Walthers) is (at least in my country) very unknown and that you can only buy their products through Amazon or some second-hand material that can rarely be found.
Great video, tempted by the one with the cl20 now. When I was growing up I really wanted Hornby's Night Mail set, with the maroon Duchess loco and working mail van. I wish they still made it now, as I would buy it!
Thanks Tom - ahh yes I remember that one - my night mail had the Jinty, but there were many. I think the last time that mail van turned up was in a Thomas and friends set... same thing though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I had the Christmas Train set. My local hobby store had it and i got it when i had money. I still have the track, loco and rolling stock. But i repurposed the loco and rolling stock to make them more realistic.
Worth noting Hornby had quite a big black friday sale last year, I got the itraveller train set for under £100 i think (although the RRP was lower then)
Not sure which I would call the best but in my time in this hobby I have only had 2 train sets from hornby, my first one was the night mail which had a LMS Jinty, mail coach and the apparatus and a Stanier brake coach, this one was my original train set that I got on Christmas Day 2011 then later just a couple of years ago I picked up the GWR HST set, I got this one just because I wanted the GWR hst power cars.
Ahh maybe - it's REALLY hard to tell... I struggled because some photos showed 1st radius, others showed 3rd, and the text didn't clarify! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Ahh yes, My First Model Railway Was A Hornby Thomas Train Set, Had It Even One Time The Cheeky Blue Tank Engine Had One Of His Buffers Broken Off, I Currently Have Used Some Of the Track For An Old Permanent Model Railway Progect, And The Controller I Still Use As A Backup, As For Thomas, Still A Fine Runner. Boy I Do Wish Hornby Still Made Thomas Train Sets.
At 5:32 is that a wagon with Wardle Restoration livery, Wardle Restoration is a British channel and he volunteers at a railway, his logi is much the same as that seen on the last wagon
The trouble with train sets are that there is always something you don't want; I think a "build your own trainset" would work; Choose a controller, loco, stock etc and some track and (hopefully) a bit of a discount than buying the items separately.
I am pretty sure that the "R1292M" web exclusive "Diesel Mixed Freight" is a re-package of the iTraveller 6000. The latter has been in stock for ages, so it makes sense to put it in a new box and sell it as a "normal" starter pack.
To give you a comparison poinbt with what you can buy on the continent, I have bought last month a Piko PKP contemporary passenger train at 160 € / GBP 133 plus postage from Germany (Modellbahnshop-Lippe as the retailer). I have for this price a Sm 42 diesel shunter of the Polish railways, two bilevel passenger coaches, an oval of track with ballast with a, let's say, a R1 3/4 radius (422mm), and a controller. Those are recent products by Piko, and the price of the set is at the same level as the one of the locomotive bought alone. By the way, I wonder if the Bachmann 4MT standard Mogul is a good deal (SKU 32-954A)... If someone here have one, let me know.
I bought the flying scotsman back a few years ago, The loco broke and some of the track being a beginner. I plan to return to model railways with a serious layout on a table and Australian/British/American stuff and not cheap railroad locos
My favourite Hornby train set was the Hornby Gordon express one back from the late 1980s early 1990s. Never got to own one as yet but I'm on the hunt for it. As well as the duck train set and devious diesel train set. Shame Hornby lost the licence for the Thomas range but oh well.... eBay here I come lol
@SamsTrains true..we'll have been modelling Thomas since age 9 and I'm 39 now lol. Even remember my first custom been a 08 painted as diesel with plasticine face. Lol
My favourite set would be the Class 20 set. Robust enough for youngsters and can be detailed for those more of a mature age. The loco is very good runner too.
Me and the wife have just bought a lot of the play trains things for our son who's 4 and totally obsessed with trains think it may turn out to be a very expensive future ahead
Interesting video Sam, for me it has to be the flying Scotsman set, because It holds a special place in my collection. Although I would absolutely not pay that much for it. Cheers Jasper & Willow
Love your reviews. Not sure you've got the iTraveller 6000 tip correct. Does the standard set come with a bluetooth decoder? If not, then you need to add on BOTH the decoder and the Bluetooth power pack. Keep the reviews coming regardless. Cheers
No you don't - you're thinking of the HM7000 - the HM6000 is an analogue controller which connects to your phone via bluetooth, no decoder required! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Think i would go for the Freightmaster set as a good value for money mixed freight starter though mainly because it references Barrow Hill. I live a few miles away from Barrow Hill on the former Great Central Railway trackbed close to the Arkwright Town colliery and the "kissing" double headed Class 20s was familar to this area in the 1970s & 1980s whilst still in the blue BR livery. I would run the loco cabin end first though,not lights first as the box photo shows. I have never been bothered about buying rolling stock second hand,there are no electrical parts that can go wrong,maybe a few wheels might need to be changed but i can pick up wagons to add to this set from £2.50-£5 each at Chesterfield Market stall holders,it's more important to me to have brand new track and a never before used loco to go with the older items.
I had a bit of a giggle at the 'Valley Drifter' set - the name of the Engline 'Crimson King', for starters - who ever made this set is obviously a fan of the Prog Rock band, 'King Crimson'. The wagon carries the name 'R FRIPP'; a long time member of King Crimson, is the extraordinarily talented guitarist, Robert Fripp. Coincidence? I think not. 😂😂😂
it seems like the Coca cola Holidays Are Coming set is a Black Friday deal version of the Summetime set. Something that will be a cheaper option as a Christmas gift. The Diesel Mixed Freight also seems like a lite edition of the iTraveller 6000 set with a normal controller instead of the Bluetooh HM6000 I find it odd at 170 pounds, the R2X set does not have a controller. It should be cheaper if it's supposed to not have one like the original. If I were getting into OO/HO model trains, I would personally get the Freightmaster. Three pieces of rolling stock, and you could easily form two shorter consists with one set. I also considered sets like the Valley Drifter to add a complete British OO train to my American HO layout. I am surprised Hornby no longer offer an OO scale DCC sound set, as they offer a TT DCC sound set. Bachmann USA still offers two DCC sound sets as well as a two-loco DCC set.
When I bought my son his first train set at age 5, the trains where a bit too delicate for him. If Hornby railroads models where available then, they would be a better option to start with. Unfortunately, the price you now pay for railroads is more than the main product offering back then. Age sucks when you remember price's and how much we pay now.
One of the many wonderful features of which this channel is full is that even being harshly critical about all Hornby's faults, still Sam, every time he can, pushes up that brand enhancing its good sides, which is not just only a little help for that producer, but also a main act of love for the hobby.
haha thank you very much - yeah like most companies Hornby isn't all bad - and their train sets are very important to the hobby for sure!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@pepwaverley2185 To become a politician one must be a professional liar, which is really not the case for Sam.
The Christmas train set really should come with a christmas themed trackmat
Yeah I think so too!
... to be thrown into the corner for the rest of the year?
@@pepwaverley2185 Nothing against to offer such type of starter set, but if I were short of money I would have made different starter sets first. Hornby must lure people into the hobby, children, adults and adults who love to remember their toy trains.
I bought this set to go around the Christmas tree and we add a truck each year with the date for fun. I made a ballasted track bed on some ply to give it some 'realism' 😂
@@markknowles6374i have a loop around my tree and each year i take an old grave yard coach or wagon and decorate it and add it to the consist, this year i am adding a lowmac but i wrapped the cargo with red white stripes paper last year i bought a 7 plank wagon sprayed it grey dry-brushed some dirt on it and filled it with tiny presents
I bought the GWR high speed train set last year in Tenby for 93 pounds at a closing down sale, I have bought another GWR MK3 for it and planning to buy two more to create a GWR Castle Set
Sad about the closing down sale but that’s a great deal and excellent set 👍
I thought you might cover the Triange Lord of the Isles train set which got poor reviews.
@@GeorgeLumkin Definitely
@@michaelwhite8031 Certainly a classic set
Blimey that's a good deal - it looks good with extra coaches doesn't it? Yeah sad to hear another model shop's closed down though :(
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
1964 I had a hornby clockwork train set with an oval of track. Loved it.
In Australia the prices for these little sets have skyrocketed. Actually, most hornby stuff has over here, at least in my region.
I bought my first set, which had a little 101 tank engine, open wagon and small coach, for about $175 (about £90). Recently I saw a railroad Jinty in a store for $220 (£112)! My accurascale P class, which will be leagues ahead of a railroad range jinty, costs 40 dollars less than that!
Not really related to the topic at hand, but a funny yet frustrating anecdote
Coca Cola train set????? Bloody advert should not be there.
One of the best Hornby train sets in recent history, was the R1172 Majestic e-Link DCC.
It came with 2 locomotives (Class A1 steam and Class 47 diesel), 3 coaches, 4 freight wagons, fully twin tracked ovals with siding and a 1 amp transformer, making it capable of running 2 complete trains simultaneously out of the box.
This was the set that got me into DCC.
Final comment: when I was a beginner, I put first radius on my permanent layout but luckily my accurascale locos run over it 😊
Wow impressive!! Do you have many issues with other models??
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@ yes sadly I do, I regret ever putting first radius on it
I have managed to run a class 57, class 800 and a HST on first radius consistently for a few months now, it’s surprising how many locos seem to handle it despite not being recommended
There is nothing inherently wrong with 1st radius. We use it on a branch line most large locos can actually go around 4 radius 1 no issues.
When I went to England with my school this summer, we went to Hamleys in London. I saw the High Speed Train on the shelf and I couldn’t resist picking it up! I’ve wanted a Class 43 for ages now and it feels so good to finally have one!
Ahh Hamleys is such a classic - did you travel from far??
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@ yeah, I came all the way from Colorado on that trip!
@@GP30_DRGWlong flight then did you enjoy your time
Santa gave me the Flying Scotsman set back in 1972, that train set gave me a life long love of model railroading. And yes, it did have realistic chuffing, I still have engine but not the tender(and tgat is where the chuff came from), and two coaches.
The Flying Scotsman train set was the first model railway item I bought myself and my 3rd loco overall, back in 2009 it cost £140 and you got a lot more for your money back then. it came even more track than is offered in any set today a better controller and a highly quality version of the flying Scotsman than the current railroad one its a shame that these sets are getting a bit too pricey now especially when you get less in them. Yeah the Scotsman train set always has that nostalgic feeling for me even seeing the modern equivalent reminds me of that time. its also a shame that you don't see the 040 sets come with 3 coaches anymore my first train set was the Caledonian local and it came with 3 matching blue coaches which look great with it.
A good analysis there Sam looking forward to the next video.
Ahh fantastic - yes it's been in Hornby's range in one form or another for so many years! Yes they definitely were more generous with their sets back in the day!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
If you bought yours in 2009, you likely got set R1072. I have the same thing, purchased brand-new in 2010 during a trip to Melbourne (I live in Sri Lanka). Carrying the set in the overhead luggage compartment of two flights when returning home was amusing, to say the least. Super set, came with not one but two points (a RH one and a LH one), and of course the R965 controller which is far better than the later R8250 and the current one. Those points and all of the track are now in my permanent layout. The R965 also did service there before I went full Gaugemaster. Loco is a super smooth runner and I've since bought three more coaches to make up the full prototypical rake of six. Pulls the full rake like a dream (although I don't have any gradients).
This is interesting. I have a Flying Scotsman from a train set from back in the 90s or very early 2000s. It's tender driven and of course not DCC ready, so I had to have someone chip it for me, and they didn't do a great job so it doesn't run very well. That said, the model looks lovely, and is the classic A1 apple green with the corridor tender, with red lining on the numbers and letters.
When I decided to get a new one, I wanted as close to my original as possible. I had a look at the the newer set, but it looks nasty in comparison: the colour didn't look quite right, and there was no red lining on the running number and tender lettering, making it look flat. I ended up getting a Hornby Legends one. As far as I could tell from research, it's the same as the railroad version, but with much nicer paintwork (nicer than my old one in fact). One thing I still don't like about it is the fixed pony truck with flangeless wheels - my old one has the pony truck as a separate part on a pivot which looks nicer in my opinion.
So, can I ask about whether yours is tender or loco-driven, what the lining on the numbers are like, and whether it has the separate pony truck?
To be honest, with the exception of the Freightmaster, these sets just seem to be a bizarre mixture of contents and prices. As an example the HST set comes with a siding that can't accommodate the train, or possibly even one coach of the train, while the "Triang" set come without a controller at no difference to the cost of other sets (so what if the original version didn't have a controller). One of the problems with train sets is that it isn't possible to resist buying extra track, rolling stock and accessories, so why are these sets all so expensive? If a sale is lost because of the price, then all the future purchases are lost forever. Personally, I believe that sets should be priced near to cost price and that would be Hornby's investment to gain future customers.
haha yeah I suppose it was a bizarre mixture, but it makes a great fun train set! But yeah I agree, the sidings should be able to accommodate the train, though the track packs are standard regardless of the train which I suppose is the reason. Yeah the tri-ang set is a dead loss... like I said, not really in the spirit of a train set - it's for collectors or those looking for nostalgia!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
i've never had a train set. thought about buying one, but imo the prices are too high for someone starting out. Especially if a person isn't sure they will become long term modellers.
Oh man the Flying Scotsman set (the version before this one) brings back memories. I still have the mat for sentimental purposes :)
Every year at Christmas I look at getting one, they remind me of my ladies stepdad going upstairs into the attic with a flask of tea for hours on end. I miss that guy.
I have a soft spot for the Santa express, a few years back I bought one. I’ve lost it since after I moved, but it was a nice little model.
Sure, the rolling stock is pretty bad, and the track-mat isn’t Christmas themed, but it has heart. And that’s all it needs.
My first train set was the Eastern Rover, i got it over 10 years ago and i still have it all till this day. Perfect for a first time and is a reminder to how i started
Ooh that one rings a bell - which loco came with that one?
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Made me nostalgic about my first train themed Christmas (inherited my sister’s Triang trains). Good timing. I noticed a number of the sets are not released yet. Worth considering this as delivery has been delayed in the last few years and even if Hornby gets them in time a retailer might not. A bird in the hand and all that! Thanks Sam
Thanks a lot Damian - I'm thinking SURELY they'll get them in before Christmas - they'd be crazy not to have planned for that!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Funnily enough I inhereted my sisters triang and dublo trains too - she is 13 years older than me and boys had replaced trains. The next Christmas a new board with plan 4 from the triang hornby track plans arrived, with all the buildings etc and aa new 08 shunter and wagons - god knows how my parents afforded it. The following year it was a new hymek and three sets of container wagons and a hobby was born!
I still have all the trains and buildings from that, only the super 4 track is gone.
Great video. Great timing for those looking for presents.
Thanks Robert!
Been thinking about buying one of these and thought "if only Sam had made a video comparing them... 😂😂😂
hahaha your wish is my command!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Nice King Crimson reference (R. Fripp is their founder/guitarist)...
Ahh interesting!!
@@SamsTrains it'll probably be the only time that King Crimson has a chance of outselling the Beatles.
@@lukewolsey Robert is one of the worlds greatest musicians and still selling well all over the world.
The Jinty, otherwise known as the 3F Tank Locomotive, in the old days was a lovely little set. It was one of the Synchrosmoke locomotive that puffed out smoke from the chimney.
I started with a Playcraft train set that operated by plugging a battery controller into the track. The locomotive was a little 0-4-0 diesel shunter, a van with sliding doors and an open wagon. The end of the train was a BR brake van.
As one of you older viewers, I can rember having a 0-4-0 clockwork, set. at some stage there must have been a battery operated set, as i had a little blue loco and some wagons. Oddly I don't really recall having the loco before getting my first proper electric powered train set, this was a GWR pick up goods set, it had GWR 0-6-0 PT loco, first radius track, points and siding, buffer stop uncluping ramp, 5 wagons and brake van, a small station, tunnel, and a set of juntion signals (ie home and distance). great play value, . my dad bought a proper mains controler for it, as it came with a battery powered on inn the set. Interesting to see how things have moved on over the years! Good review of the sets, I sure this will help first time buyers.
My advice would be to see what Bachman has to offer in regards to trainsets, my issue with Hornby trainsets is that the rolling stock dates from the 70s so a bit of a con trap for unexperienced modelers
Yeah true, I could look at doing this for Bachmann, but obviously their stuff is mainly higher end, at least their UK sets are!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Its always the train sets that in my opinion are great - that Mallard set has a beautiful a4, almost a fully detailed one too! I think everyone in the hobby started with a Hornby trainset - I had a little 040, wagons and a random coach - these are the kind of things that are going to bring people to the hobby! Great video as always sam, hope you're well
Not me, my first train set was all second hand though I didn't realise for many years (I was five at the time).
My dad had an old Hornby dublo loco. It was quite a sought after one and he sold that and used the money to buy me a load of second hand Hornby/triang stuff for my first train set. I got a hymek diesel and three blood & custard coaches, a dozen or so wagons and a load of track. He made the platforms himself from balsa wood and a paving kit and the station was another kit he made up. If it had been new I'd have got a lot less.
After a few weeks of running it on the carpet he made a baseboard which was hinged against the wall and could be hooked up against the wall when not in use. Normally he hated doing DIY, my mother commented it was the only project he'd ever shown any enthusiasm for!😁
Yeah - they're much much better now they have the enhanced liveries... do like that! And yes, the classic 0-4-0s are great for train sets :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Very helpful for potential buyers. Other scales are out there, so Z, N,TT sets as well as three rail O or S sets deserve attention.
Thank you! Sure, I could look at doing those in the future!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Always been tempted to buy a Marklin Z set.
Great vid Sam. I have the GWR HST set (started with it and another in 2020), and it's not great as the locos run poorly and the railroad coaches don't match the more realistic railways ones! (I've bought a prototypical rake of four Sliding Door mk3s). That aside, I agree that the best diesel train set is the freight master!
Thanks mate - ahh that's a pity - my Railroad HSTs do run well, but I'm guessing the new ones don't use the pancake motors any more? Will have to look into that!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great content and really useful for Christmas presents advice.
I think a review of play trains would be a good one to see. We have the origional set (flash) and was so impressed, we eneded up getting the entire range and it makes for a fantastic play, my son, me, my wife and his grandad all love it and enjoy it. It has features you pay a real premium for on normal OO models, such as lights, multiple sounds, and magnetic couplings while being very affordable.
I did think about that - maybe I'll do that one day! Thanks for sharing,
Sam :)
My last train set was the Western Express train set with Windsor Castle and three carriages and a small pannier tank locomotive with three open wagons. It was an early DCC set.
Very well and professionally done, Sam.
A late 60s/early 70s Freightmaster set, bought as a Christmas gift by my parents, was my introduction to model railways. I've still got the class 31 loco from it, as well as a few of the wagons.
Happy memories.
Thanks so much Stephen - blimey they've been making sets called the Freightmaster for that long? That's pretty cool. So that'd be the Tri-ang 31 then? What a classic that is!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The 1970 freightmaster which i had was alot lot better in every respect.
@SamsTrains Yes, D5578 with plastic wheels (no pickups) in the rear bogie. It has magnets in the motor bogie that improved traction, as they helped it to literally "stick" to the steel (Triang Super 4) track. Useless these days, of course.
@tonyrobinson362 The loco had magnadeision (excuse the spelling!) which, of course, doesn't work on today's non-ferrous track.
@SamsTrains Yes, a Triang model. With "magnadheision" (excuse the spelling): magnets in the front bogie to help it stick to the steel track. Obviously, it doesn't work on modern track.
My first set was the Highland Rambler which I bought in 2018 when I was on a school trip, then the Smokey Joe set from Hattons for 30£ back in 2022 and went from there. The Highlanr Rabler cost me about 67£ if I remember correctly. Great deal. Bought some track to go alongside it. The loco has a special place in the collection. I detailed her up as best as I could. In the end, Hornby still knows how to make a good train set I think 👍 with the exception of the price of course 😅
Ooh yeah I remember that one well - good price on that for sure!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
My objection to the Mallard Record Breaker set is that the box art depicts Mallard with fine-scale valve gear, rather than the chonky Railroad-tier gears on the actual model. I almost bought it to complete my A4 Collection (I still need BR Blue) but didn't when I realised the quality of the model did not match the picture on the box.
It is so often the Hornby way, I have concluded that their current brand strategy has been sourced from the works of Marx and Lenin.
really helpful as ever, hope it encourages christmas presents and newcomers thanks Sam
I consider this a nice boost for Hornby and I'm glad to see it and I hope they appreciate the gesture whether intended or not, lol. You mentioned that the Flying Scotsman was the most famous steam locomotive in the world, and I think that it is matched by the Big Boy and possibly surpassed (take that), lol. Every collector, that can afford it, has at least one of each. This was a great video that gave information like the importance of track radius, what you get or don't get for the money, age appropriateness, and all the information needed for the introduction to model trains, great job. Jersey Bill
Thanks a lot Bill - and that's true actually, the Big Boy is mighty... maybe Scotsman isn't the most famous in the world then? She's certainly better known round my parts though! Thanks so much for the kind words,
Cheers,
Sam :)
@@SamsTrainsDiplomatic to a tee!
I would only go for the Coca Cola set if Hornby produced a sugar free version 😂
Like it that made me laugh!
imho, the only way to get started in this hobby nowadays is to shop the 2nd hand market - some sets have been loved, and been properly taken care of, and provide a much better value for money for both starters and enthusiasts alike
I hope you will do videos like this with startersets of other brands too
When choosing a train set, my usual advice to beginners is to start off small and build up from there.
Great video, Sam. It's very helpful 👍.
Yeah absolutely - that's sound advice thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Probably my fave Hornby is the Virgin Pendolino DCC tilt train. Came with DCC decoder fitted and the budget DCC controller for a pretty low price. And of course it tilts.
Pity Horny don't have any radio controlled ones like Ahearn and Lionel. Bluetooth is now the go and radio seems to be fading. Lionel's North Pole Express is fantastic. Plain DC and DCC. Radio remote including sound buttons (noises and Tom Hanks lines from the movie!) straight out of the box. Love it.
I like collecting what I travelled on. So far about 25 matches world wide. These days it's rare I buy something because it's good or good value. Though the Dapol Wallaby (I'm in Oz) is very tempting. It's either to add carriages to the other 100 sets I have or one I've been on.
Hi Sam, my favourite would be the Blue Mallard. A great video and very informative, well done . Regards from Ron 🚂👍😃✔️👍
That's gorgeous isn't it? Glad you liked it, thanks Ron!
Great vid, personally I'd like you to do more of your own ideas for train sets as there are so many configurations!
Also, who remembers when the bigger sets came with *two* track extension packs and sidings?? Grew up with those myself, amazing play value.
Hi Sam, Great video again. The GWR 125 is now on sale at Hornby at £119 and I'm tempted. Also how can it be expanded? As far as I can see the extra coaches in the correct livery on Hornbys website have NEM pockets compared to the older couplings on the model in the set.
Hi Rob, the coach included with the GWR HST set actually does have NEM pockets fitted to it, hornby have just fitted the larger D coupling because the power cars use the medium sized tension lock coupling, the main issue with expanding the GWR HST set is the extra coaches that are likely to be bought are done in a gloss version of the GWR livery rather than the matt finish they have done on the train set version, on my one I actually sprayed the power cars and the coach in a gloss varnish.
I bought the HST set when it was on offer for £119 and found some hornby GWR coaches in the same livery but annoyingly the extra coaches have different more modern couplings so the set will only stay on the track if "pulled" by the power car. Running with power car pushing, the added coaches fall off the track.
I brought the Frieghtmaster last year from Hornby as it had a free Christmas tree and the Hornby Triang 0-4-0 train. I will admit its a great set, in my case let down by the controller! Its very hit and miss to use. Sometimes the train will not go at all. However I was never planning on using this and went to the HM 7000 decoder instrad (I already had a few loco's on this system) If you're planning on getting this, I would reccomend looking at a seperate quality controller, or the HM7000 decoder, power pack and track power connector. This is a lot more expencive but you have greater control and the option of sounds too 😉
Yeah I think that's decent too - though yeah the controllers aren't great... worth upgrading asap I think!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I actually have the “Coke summertime train set” and I love it! specifically how nice the engine looks and just to get more cool rolling stock but I do like to use it on Bachman track
Ahh fantastic - people do seem to like the coke sets!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Today I was at a model train exhibition in Madrid (Spain) and at the Hornby Hobbies group stand there were only Electrotren (H0) and Arnold (N) products, but nothing from Hornby, even though on their website they sell some of these sets like the Santa's Express Train Set for 68 pounds. Even though the 00 is bigger than the H0, I think Hornby has interesting and well-priced products. And that this brand (like Bachmann or Walthers) is (at least in my country) very unknown and that you can only buy their products through Amazon or some second-hand material that can rarely be found.
That's very interesting - did they have anything good on show? That's a good deal for the Santa's express though!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great video, tempted by the one with the cl20 now. When I was growing up I really wanted Hornby's Night Mail set, with the maroon Duchess loco and working mail van. I wish they still made it now, as I would buy it!
Thanks Tom - ahh yes I remember that one - my night mail had the Jinty, but there were many. I think the last time that mail van turned up was in a Thomas and friends set... same thing though!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Thanks for the review Sam .
I got the GWR HST in a sale for less than £100 for my Dad and it's the first time I've seen him smile in a long time!
Got the older release of the flying Scotsman set when I was 8. Love that model
Informative as always Sir, many thanks.
I bought the Mallard one just before I gave up on trains and went back to my interest in cars. It's never moved, probably worth selling it now.
I had the Christmas Train set. My local hobby store had it and i got it when i had money. I still have the track, loco and rolling stock. But i repurposed the loco and rolling stock to make them more realistic.
haha it's such a classic! That sounds awesome though - would love to see photos!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
2:22
He says as a view of his track on the carpet can be seen in the background
He's well aware of the irony, I'm sure... he's also well aware of the impact of running locos direct on the carpet, and services them appropriately.
5:15 The Network Traveller looks like Mavis from Thomas And Friends! And as always, a great video. Keep up the good work and videos, Sam!
haha yeah it does a bit actually - thanks so much!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Worth noting Hornby had quite a big black friday sale last year, I got the itraveller train set for under £100 i think (although the RRP was lower then)
Not sure which I would call the best but in my time in this hobby I have only had 2 train sets from hornby, my first one was the night mail which had a LMS Jinty, mail coach and the apparatus and a Stanier brake coach, this one was my original train set that I got on Christmas Day 2011 then later just a couple of years ago I picked up the GWR HST set, I got this one just because I wanted the GWR hst power cars.
Hi Sam i think the Valley Drifter set mite have 1st radius curve as it size is the same as Santa's Express Set when you look the Track Dimensions
Ahh maybe - it's REALLY hard to tell... I struggled because some photos showed 1st radius, others showed 3rd, and the text didn't clarify!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I am easy to get starter sets for because I love all types of trains also what about the west coast highlander it is a bit older but still good right?
Ahh yes, My First Model Railway Was A Hornby Thomas Train Set, Had It Even One Time The Cheeky Blue Tank Engine Had One Of His Buffers Broken Off, I Currently Have Used Some Of the Track For An Old Permanent Model Railway Progect, And The Controller I Still Use As A Backup, As For Thomas, Still A Fine Runner.
Boy I Do Wish Hornby Still Made Thomas Train Sets.
Ahh the Thomas sets, what a classic! Glad to hear some of it still lives on in your new projects!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
At 5:32 is that a wagon with Wardle Restoration livery, Wardle Restoration is a British channel and he volunteers at a railway, his logi is much the same as that seen on the last wagon
I’ve really been getting into British trains recently, especially the smaller ones. British trains tend to just look really cute in my opinion
Recently bought the flying Scottsman pack, really satisfied with it
Glad to hear that - they're beautiful aren't they? Much more nicely painted than they used to be too!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I remember back in 2019 I bought the flying Scotsman set on Amazon for $140, (roughly £108). How times have changed.
The trouble with train sets are that there is always something you don't want; I think a "build your own trainset" would work; Choose a controller, loco, stock etc and some track and (hopefully) a bit of a discount than buying the items separately.
A video ranking/talking about the worst train sets overall would be awesome to see from you
I am pretty sure that the "R1292M" web exclusive "Diesel Mixed Freight" is a re-package of the iTraveller 6000. The latter has been in stock for ages, so it makes sense to put it in a new box and sell it as a "normal" starter pack.
Yeah it's the same set with a different controller and slightly better value!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Thanks Sam awesome channel mate
I remember as a kid getting the Thomas the tank engine set which came with double track and inner and outer sidings
Hi Sam you forgot to mention on one of the models you could buy the HM6000 for £36.99 true but you still need a power supply for £26.99 , great video
Yeah true - but you get a power supply with the analogue controller! You'd have to buy both for the Tri-ang remembered set though
To give you a comparison poinbt with what you can buy on the continent, I have bought last month a Piko PKP contemporary passenger train at 160 € / GBP 133 plus postage from Germany (Modellbahnshop-Lippe as the retailer). I have for this price a Sm 42 diesel shunter of the Polish railways, two bilevel passenger coaches, an oval of track with ballast with a, let's say, a R1 3/4 radius (422mm), and a controller. Those are recent products by Piko, and the price of the set is at the same level as the one of the locomotive bought alone.
By the way, I wonder if the Bachmann 4MT standard Mogul is a good deal (SKU 32-954A)... If someone here have one, let me know.
I bought the flying scotsman back a few years ago, The loco broke and some of the track being a beginner. I plan to return to model railways with a serious layout on a table and Australian/British/American stuff and not cheap railroad locos
My favourite Hornby train set was the Hornby Gordon express one back from the late 1980s early 1990s. Never got to own one as yet but I'm on the hunt for it. As well as the duck train set and devious diesel train set. Shame Hornby lost the licence for the Thomas range but oh well.... eBay here I come lol
Ahh that's going back a bit now - yeah pity the Thomas sets are gone now :(
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@SamsTrains true..we'll have been modelling Thomas since age 9 and I'm 39 now lol. Even remember my first custom been a 08 painted as diesel with plasticine face. Lol
I remember seeing the flying Scotsman set once years ago in a fry’s electronic store before they went bust, always wanted it lol
Ahh you weren't tempted then? ;D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I pruchased a hornby local freight set wonder if it makes to the top 10
AHh sounds good! If you like it, then that's all that matters!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I did have to wonder if the "Valley drifter" comes with a OO scale BMW and an Asda parking lot outside Merthyr Tydfil.
One note, if you bought the 600 separately you also have to buy a dedicated power supply…you can’t use the basic one so not the cheapest way to go.
I think that Cowboy trainset you reviewed would be better than the coke trainsets
hahaha probably actually!
My favourite set would be the Class 20 set. Robust enough for youngsters and can be detailed for those more of a mature age. The loco is very good runner too.
Awesome video today Sam I would have to say my favourite is the flying Scotsman one
Thanks James - yes getting lots of comments about that, people seem to love it!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I've always wanted a hornby set but the cool ones are always in the UK.
Nice job sam
Thanks Justin!
Me and the wife have just bought a lot of the play trains things for our son who's 4 and totally obsessed with trains think it may turn out to be a very expensive future ahead
Have gone to O gauge, you can get bargains from retailers on the products Best Regards Andrew
Interesting video Sam, for me it has to be the flying Scotsman set, because It holds a special place in my collection. Although I would absolutely not pay that much for it.
Cheers Jasper & Willow
I’m sorry to tell you that the set before the Christmas train set was quite nice, but it’s close but no cigar!!
Great video! Have you done a video on reviving an old loco/train set before?
Thank you so much! Yes lots - this is the oldest loco I’ve ever done: ua-cam.com/video/wRI71qgNzOc/v-deo.htmlsi=RwMRqSRSEiZ8zB6c
Awesome video Sam
Thanks Brian :D
@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam 😊
I had been looking into getting a Hornby set , but prices and import costs to the US scare me a bit.
Sam things move fast - the GWR HST is currently £119.99 which would I think make it pretty high on your list
For christmas im getting my first hornby sets the GWR and Scotsman i got the scotsman for £200 and GWR for £130.
Love your reviews.
Not sure you've got the iTraveller 6000 tip correct.
Does the standard set come with a bluetooth decoder? If not, then you need to add on BOTH the decoder and the Bluetooth power pack.
Keep the reviews coming regardless.
Cheers
No you don't - you're thinking of the HM7000 - the HM6000 is an analogue controller which connects to your phone via bluetooth, no decoder required!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Thanks for the clarification. Didn't know that. Cheers.
Think i would go for the Freightmaster set as a good value for money mixed freight starter though mainly because it references Barrow Hill. I live a few miles away from Barrow Hill on the former Great Central Railway trackbed close to the Arkwright Town colliery and the "kissing" double headed Class 20s was familar to this area in the 1970s & 1980s whilst still in the blue BR livery. I would run the loco cabin end first though,not lights first as the box photo shows. I have never been bothered about buying rolling stock second hand,there are no electrical parts that can go wrong,maybe a few wheels might need to be changed but i can pick up wagons to add to this set from £2.50-£5 each at Chesterfield Market stall holders,it's more important to me to have brand new track and a never before used loco to go with the older items.
The flying Scotsman or the Mallard will always be iconic
Great video Sam, what do you think is better? The upgraded a1 Doncaster or the lbscr h1 Atlantic?
They're both absolutely stunning... I think objectively the A1 is better (Hornby), but I have such a soft spot for the H1
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Thank u
I had a bit of a giggle at the 'Valley Drifter' set - the name of the Engline 'Crimson King', for starters - who ever made this set is obviously a fan of the Prog Rock band, 'King Crimson'. The wagon carries the name 'R FRIPP'; a long time member of King Crimson, is the extraordinarily talented guitarist, Robert Fripp.
Coincidence? I think not. 😂😂😂
haha yeah I didn't notice that myself... very cool!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
it seems like the Coca cola Holidays Are Coming set is a Black Friday deal version of the Summetime set. Something that will be a cheaper option as a Christmas gift. The Diesel Mixed Freight also seems like a lite edition of the iTraveller 6000 set with a normal controller instead of the Bluetooh HM6000
I find it odd at 170 pounds, the R2X set does not have a controller. It should be cheaper if it's supposed to not have one like the original.
If I were getting into OO/HO model trains, I would personally get the Freightmaster. Three pieces of rolling stock, and you could easily form two shorter consists with one set. I also considered sets like the Valley Drifter to add a complete British OO train to my American HO layout.
I am surprised Hornby no longer offer an OO scale DCC sound set, as they offer a TT DCC sound set. Bachmann USA still offers two DCC sound sets as well as a two-loco DCC set.
When I bought my son his first train set at age 5, the trains where a bit too delicate for him. If Hornby railroads models where available then, they would be a better option to start with. Unfortunately, the price you now pay for railroads is more than the main product offering back then. Age sucks when you remember price's and how much we pay now.
I just got the i 6000 set , brand new on eBay for £74.95 👍.
Go back to the 60’s and 70’s,if you got the “posh” Wren locos they were metal and quite heavy.