From Wikipedia... 'On at least one occasion a single V2 hauled 26 coaches from Peterborough to London.' That means that Bachmann have given this model realistic pulling power! 😎
There is a problem with Prarie locomotives driven on the centre axle: they tend to waddle at higher speeds, due to the geometry being symmetrical fore-and aft. Maybe it is possible to alleviate that by careful design. There is a similar problem with ten-coupled locomotives as well.
Great review Sam. Some more info incase anyones interested. The V2s were more closely related to the P2s than the A3s. Infact the original plans were for a fully streamlined design ala P2/2, butfor once the LNER board managed to talk 'Saint' Nigel out of the idea, these were mixed traffic locos after all, not express passenger jobs. However the legacy of the abandoned streamlining can be seen in the wedge shaped cab and recessed steam pipes. Being derived from the P2s they did inherit some of their problems. The lead pony truck was of gresely own double pivot design, and like so many of his other 'two up front' designs tended to bounce around at speed, damaging track work and in some cases leading to derailments. (It was Edward Thompson who fixed the issue in the end) They also had issues with leaky regulators and Gresleys three cylinders in one casting concept meant that maintaience was a long, complex task because even a basic repair involved a complete rebuild of the front end. However, Thompson and Peppercorn in turn solved these issues and they did indeed become some very handy and useful locos. Keep up the good work
The fact that this loco irl is just a slightly shorter version of the A3 yet just as powerful and versatile despite the problems it encountered is also very interesting.
The boiler is a cut-down A4 250lb boiler, not a cut down 220lb A3 example.Note the lower washout plugs on the firebox are angled on the 250lb boilers, and parallel to the ground on he 220s
The reason why the rear trailing axles are being made flangless and static (wt least i think) is to represent the Cartazzi axle. It was quite common with LNER locos and it involved an axle that shifted side to side in its static axleboxes instead of a moving bogie
@@SamsTrains Sam, stop calling Cartazzi axles pony trucks! Nothing was swiveling on the prototypes. Previously Bachmann made the axle housing wider than the true scale, on some models, to enable lateral movement inside a cage. It seems they now think the way to go is flangeless with vertical compliance. It's amazing it can get round R3 when Hornby's 'solution' can't even get round R5!
One thing you missed on the tender coupling is that has a mechanism to keep the gap to a minimum. Works well. The firebox on dcc, though not overbright, looks realistic to me. Fantastic loco.
I didn't miss that because it isn't true. Gap between V2 and tender = 6.8mm. Gap between Precedent and tender = 5.7mm. Precedent has the old design... Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Such a crude solution. They just have to look at other manufacturers to get some better ideas perhaps. High precision there is required though. I can imagine a simple click mechanism and power transferring via 4 magnetic 1 mm rods within that mechanism in each unit. When clicking together all eight 1 mm rods pull themselves together by magnetic force (Marklin system but would probably cost a license fee?)
@@SamsTrains your comparing 2 very different designs of loco. The gap will be different on both in reality. I know it has to be larger than scale because of the 2nd radius rule.
Of course Matt - my point was that the new coupling design wasn't necessary in order to achieve the 6.8mm gap between the V2 locomotive and tender, and I gave an example of the old coupling design achieving a smaller distance Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Was the Presedent's coupling adjustable for length? I find that feature important as I have gentle curves I can close couple a tender more like they are in real life. In Bachmann's defence it has been better than Hornby's two position system that's either too close or too far.
I need to stop watching this channel, It's costing me a fortune :-) My V2 arrives tomorrow (Actually Today) It's now the next day and I can say the Loco is really nice
Almost an hour long?! My evening is sorted. Edit: Wow great review Sam as always! Love that you go into such detail that may not even be thought of by other people to properly review a model. Great video looking forward to what’s next!
You could make a real life Gordon from this using a A1 chassis and the V2 tender (I've been watching the UnluckyTugs videos on his homemade Gordon( he used a Bachmann B1 tender instead of the canonic Fowler as it was too small)
@@SamsTrains the price is the only thing stopping me. I have a Flying Scotsman A1 I got cheap for the explicit purpose of making him Gordon and have been on the search for the proper tender ever since. This would be perfect because not only what I have the perfect tender for it, I'd still have an engine that would look good with Scotsman's original tender
Another comprehensive, informed and fair review, thanks Sam. Much more informative than a mag. review I read. One of these locos has been in the mail to me for several days (I'm in Oz). I'm feeling a bit disappointed that, at today's prices, the major manufacturers still can't seem to get everything right (no metal running-plate, no flywheel). But perhaps I shouldn't pre-judge until it hits my track.
I like the V2s and I'm glad you made a video of one of them. Lionel have managed to develop a wireless loco-to-tender connector with infrared technology, but that's in O scale.
The LNER V2 is one of my favourite locomotives. Great review. It would have been interesting to have compared it to a model LNER Thompson A2/1 as that locomotive was a 'pacific' conversion of Gresley's V2. Unfortunately such a model doesn't appear to be produced.
Great review Sam from what I have seen this is one of bachmanns best new tooled locomotives, if I ever have the funding available I would definitely consider getting hold of one. I have just got hold of one of the rails of Sheffield 18000 gas turbine locomotives.
Hi Sam, Phil here watching your videos from New Zealand, and always look forward to your latest ones, I am jumping in on the back end of this particular one because I have just landed a copy of this beautiful model fromTMC for a bargain price of 127 British pounds (NZ$267) delivered here to NZ. even with its minor setbacks/faults in design, its a dam fine model and am pleased to be adding it to our collection, the same model bought locally can be in excess of $580-685 NZ$ though the model retailers, its always good to get real bargain, Cheers Phil
After seeing Green Arrow as a kid I absolutely love the look of a V2 the 2-6-2 wheel arrangement just seems so right for them and their lines are glorious. And going up to 101mph and regularly 93mph
What a gorgeous locomotive!! If I were buying new locos this would be one I would seriously consider! But repainting and decalling is my internet at moment so buying older 70s and 80s locos at roughly $20 to $30 dollars. Diesels though not steam. Thanks for the review!!
@@SamsTrains Very happy to watch. Have learned and am learning quite a lot and your videos are very interesting to see the British side of model railroading! All the best! Cheers!
A great looking locomotive by all accounts. The only thing is that people have expected certain features like diecast parts these number of years and the extra detailing. That once a company cuts back on it to develop a new coupling system. The cost for that must be made up from where they can cut back without a diecast footplate to do it in plastic. A way to offset the cost against other features to make it cost effective. Though with all the price increases since the start of the V2 development. The higher cost per model now seems to make it over price. Then again with the pandemic a lot of people got back into modelling or started for the first time. This helped the manufacturers to shift more units and have their profits rise. That now they think they can squeeze more out of a person's pocket and blame it on the rise of resource prices etc.
Thanks a lot John - yes that's very true! Customers shouldn't have to worry about the economics of their models... if they're expected to hand over £200 for a loco, it should be quality in all areas with no exceptions. If some manufacturers (based in China) can manage it, then others should too! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great video! The wheel configuration makes me think it could be a great idea for one of your collection videos to try and fill your siding with as many models of different wheel arrangements! Pacific might be a tough choice, but I would accept tank and tender being different, i.e. 060 :)
Amazing I love the V2 in the iconic Doncaster green ,I'd love to get one, thank you for giving me a face for it.I recently noticed that the fact that you have got quite a few orders from rails of Sheffield recently
About the loco-to-tender connection: I just bought a Bachmann Class 117, and it has the same kind of connector between the three cars. On there, it serves a useful purpose (makes it possible to have one DCC decoder for the entire unit, rather than one in each carriage), but it seems a bit weird for a loco-to-tender connection (which I usually expect to be permanent...)
Sam, one day you'll have to do a video, picking all the best features of your locos and put them together to say what you would expect to have in the perfect engine. Would be fascinating as you are so honest about what you buy and see.
I like the brand spanking new LNER V2 loco. Nice livery as it always is when it comes Bachmann and nice build quality. I have found a german webshop that has both Bachmann and Hornby. Keep the videos coming. 👍👍👍👍
Looks a good model. Some people claim the shade of LNER apple green used by Darlington Loco Works (a former NER facility) was never exactly the same as that used at Doncaster Works (formerly GNR). Darlington's was slightly darker apparently.
superb video sam, the v2s are really beatiful in my opinion. and i call them baby a3s. and also derails models are superb its just what im looking for ,thanks.
Hi Sam, Great in-depth review as always. Note that the coupling is a 'close coupling' so this keeps the gap to a minimum but allows separation to handle curves. It's quite an improvement but maybe not perfect. And regarding the Dapol coupling there are problems ! Running plate plastic doesn't change the overall look of this beautiful and fine finished model. And as mentioned in some comments this loco runs excellent on DCC and probably the majority of model railroaders do run on DCC. It could be interesting to do a poll on this. Quite expensive but value for money according the general new sales politics and worrying manipulated inflation. This truly is a superb loco I have put on my wish list. Bachmann did a good job on this one. Praise where due ! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Filip - they may have intended this as a close coupling, but it's no closer than with the older coupling design... which at times was even closer... I checked with my new calipers! What are the problems with the Dapol coupling? I haven't run into any as of yet! Thanks for sharing, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Some model railroaders report disconnecting during running sessions at the point some glued the couplings on the Dapol Mogul. Well nothing is perfect. Thanks for your reply ! Have a nice day.
Great video Sam this might have to be my next purchase. Was considering it but definitely after seeing your review. Need to choose a livery though, either BR black... but this apple green looks SO good!
Ahh sounds awesome - yes overall a great one from Bachmann! Very tricky choice there... hope you enjoy whatever you choose! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Another well done review Sam. From a personal standpoint I think that the binding you could be having might be linked to the gears. There might not be enough space between the frame and the very bottom gear on the driving wheel. You could try to very carefully push that gear over a bit or just wait till the plastic has worn down from rubbing on the metal frame. Still, good locomotive for a hobbyist to enjoy. 👍
This has got to be one of the finest RTR OO gauge locos I have seen and if you're not blown away by this, then I fear we are in for a year of reviews where you're constantly disappointed.
haha - visually this is stunning, don't get me wrong! But there are issues with it that needed to be addressed... I don't let that take away from how good this looks though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
It does look good . I wasn’t thinking about one but you’ve got me thinking . The tender attachment I think is an improvement on the Precedent and Caley which is far too flimsy . I think in this case I’d leave the tender permanently coupled . The thing that spoils this is that big black stripe between boiler and cab which is way too wide and is very visible . To me it just spoils what is otherwise a very well finished locomotive .
Oh my Dear, the Tender coupling is a good one. In Germany it its used by Lilipt with diffrent pins but same System and how you use these Coupling is the stupit way i did ever see. :D Take the Loco in you hand if shes coupled and a small Screwdrifer between the Hook little push down on the Hook and you get bouth uncoupling... easy going. Coupling is also easy Loco and Tender in one hand an then fist just hook down and let the tender slide in the Pins and finished. I Like these Coupling type more than Honbys metal Couple with screws thats sucks most. By the Way these coupling Idear is from the RC Modellbuilding and realy long time in use by these. The Dapol Coupling is nice and easy to handel but if you couple and uncoupling the Loco too much i thing the little dot gets damaged and dont hold these bouth good enough togehter. To the End one Thing... What does have the Train for a Weight if it does bends these Coupling of the V2 so much? 20 and more Coaches? comon thats not Serious enough what you showing there. ;)
Hi Bill I've read your comments re MRRC motor as a possible replacement in modern locos.Many years ago I acquired a Bachman A1 Pacific (Aberdonian 60158) at a swapmeet. After 5 mins or so of running it slowed up to a stand and the firebox top was very hot.i removed the body and noticed a very small Flatt can motor which was extremely hot.i believe this was one of a faulty batch of motors.re article in BRM by Tony Wright. As loco was pre- owned repair was down to me as unable obtain new motor. I was very impressed with the chassis in general and wondered if a MRRC/1001 (a motor I have mutch experience of)could be made to fit
Hi Fred - I've actually got a video on this topic coming out very soon! It involves substituting the original Bachmann motors with a cheap corelss one (£3), by means of a cheap 3D-printed motor mount. I have the first few locos up and running, and they perform similarly (though not quite as well at slow speeds) as the much more expensive Bachmann original motor! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
A good-looking beast -- if you like LNER locos, that is -- but as you say there are quite a few tiny niggles which start to eat away at the great first impression. One you didn't mention was the blower pipe along the side of the boiler, which to me screams 'look, unpainted plastic!' Bachmann have clearly tried to match the plastic colour to the paint colour -- and then visibly failed. Oops. That they have neatly painted the part where it runs along the smokebox just underlines what they didn't do with the rest of it. And that coupling between loco and tender -- dear heavens, what a bodge! For two hundred quid, we really should be seeing a decent flywheel. And come to that, skew-wound motors are not exactly unknown to the industry either. Maybe this model was designed by a committee... In their lunch-breaks... Love your honest and thorough review.
It surprises me the number of different models available, and sold in your part of the world versus what we have available here in the states. The cost of locos here are far and away more money than the typical prices for trains there. I'm not an expert by any means in familiarity with all of these types of trains that are available, but it's always interesting to watch you do these videos. We need you here in the U.S....lol
Can't Help but Wonder..! "How BIG in 'Real Life' would the Phillips Head (Cross Head) Screwdriver have to be for the Mechanic to 'Un Do' that Screw..!?" I know 'Ridiculous Thought' but my Brain had it..!! Great review Sam. That Tender Joint/Coupling would be a Positive Nightmare. For a 65 yr old with an Unsteady hand..!! As Always Great Work Sam. Keep it up young man. Your Complaints may Reach Bachmann Eventually..! Cheers kim 😎 in Downunder Land. 👍
Hey Sam. Love the critique and fairly level reviews that you are creating..... when you display an overall rating score , could you show it against prior years top scores please? Rather than at the beginning of the year only have two or three scores in the league table!? Many thanks.
I was excited when you said that it had a new tender-loco connection. Then I saw you try and take it apart... All they really needed to do was have a tighter connection between the pin and tab on the old connection and it is mostly sorted... either that or have the same connection with a more sturdy wire connection so that it doesn’t feel like it will rip apart under any load... They’ve taken the problem, and made an over complicated solution to it...
Your comment about not doing a direct comparison between the new model and the older version made me think, that could be a cool concept for an episode. Find a few different examples where the same manufacturer has done a completely retooled model of a locomotive they have offered before, and show us what's new in terms of mechanism, detailing, livery, price (adjusted for inflation, of course), and whatever other points of comparison you can think of. Obviously we would expect to see the new model being significantly better than the old one, I doubt there will be any surprises as far as that goes, but it might be interesting to see how different manufacturers have approached the retooling process, if you picked several examples from different manufacturers. That is to say, not the same model done by different manufacturers (you have already done a few comparisons of those), but several examples of models from different manufacturers where both the old and new versions of that model were done by the same manufacturer, so Bachmann V2, Hornby A3, etc..
Will be keeping my old V2 31-565 with a re-tooled DCC ready chassis, blackened wheels. This version has flanged wheels on the rear pony. which don’t flop around like the original but sit inside the frames like the new version. I am surprised that the motion parts have not been improved, by being finer, and still have the over prominent screws that let it down.
Wow, that livery is so excellent it would make the men at Darlington & Doncaster works really proud. I often wonder if an Airfix MRRC 1001 12V 5 pole motor would improve the performance of these locos? I recall the transformation of Hornby BR Mogul (the original) when the 3 pole sticky motor was replaced it was quite a transformation. If 'one could be fitted' into modern loco it maybe another tranformation!
Yeah it is! I imagine it's unpainted green plastic or not treated in the same way as the rest of the body... only noticed this during editing though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Speaking of finishes, I'm curious why it's invariably satin on models. After all when the real thing leaves the depot paint shop it's glossy. Heljan did a gloss version of the Class 33 in BR green. It looked very good. Good review as usual Sam. Thanks.
Yeah I don’t mind the full gloss either - on occasion the gloss can make models look a bit toylike though, and some people have criticised this... I personally think Bachmann’s approach here is the best approach! :)
Excellent indepth review sam, its a beautiful loco for obvious reasons I would personally steer clear, why not try a diesel or electric next time heljan and accuscale have some nice offerings at the moment far better priced than hornby 🙂
I told this before and to many other people but the LNER V2 is my favorite LNER loco just because this is the locomotive that Gordon in All Engines Go was based on, and I’m very interested in its history.
Hi Sam. Another excellent review, thanks. Considering this loco is designed for DCC, with smoke box glow and speaker, I wonder if you have considered such reviews should include DCC features and DCC running performance? Would that affect the rating the price (having DCC sound, etc)? If not, maybe there is scope for a "DCC review" follow-up video, with a revisit to the score for such locos that comes with DCC sound, etc? Just a thought. Love the detail you give in the reviews, anyway.
Another great review Sam. I bought my 4771 V2 from locomotion Models and therefore paid the £229.95 price excluding postage. Unfortunately, it had to be returned for a paint defect and mine also had the hook missing from the front tension lock coupling. Replacement arrived a few days ago with no paint defects or missing hook and it ran well.
Hi Sam, Please film the cab interior when you have removed the tender. It gives a much clearer impression of the cab, and you nearly always remove the tender if one exists. Thanks for what you do. Regards, Jim
Man I just got into this hobby and I love it I inherited my great grandfathers n scale locomotives and Lionel locomotives (yes I knew my great grandfather he pasted away December 2020 at age 97)
I've just received my Green Arrow version from the NRM. It has DCC sound. Looks absolutely stunning as you agree. Running it in though on DC is abysmal. So much so that the first example had to be returned to the NRM because it was as dead as a Dodo. To their credit, they did arrange its pickup. Its replacement wouldn't move until 80% power applied and then could only cover its own length per 1 second. That's slow. I have just bought a DCC controller (2nd hand, as no new ones available), so will test it on the same rolling road you bought Sam (they're good aren't they) and hopefully there will be a significant improvement in performance.
Nice review Sam, it seems a tricky one to review actually. I liked the Doncaster version but not quite sure now. Enjoying all the reviews this year very much!
I think the coal being plastic is a positive, not a negative. It reduces weight in the tender, and that can only be a good thing. For most modellers it looks perfectly fine, and for those that care about super-realistic coal the metal version never cut it anyway. It must be easier and cheaper to make in plastic. All good I say.
26 carriages maximum load. Bachmann got it perfectly, as the V2 holds the record for the longest passenger train ever hauled in Britain: at precisely 26 carriages!!!
If you like the Bachmann LNER green finish, I highly recommend their A1 and A2 (they are 3-4 years old and can be had cheap 2nd hand or NOS). They have full metal everything, and are DCC ready. The only trouble is, they are over-engineered, making sound fitting extremely difficult. I have seen some people drill the firebox to get the speaker wires through to the tender, but I daren’t take a drill to such chunky metal. Might fit a sugarcube in the boiler instead.
I got the Bachmann V2 when it was first introduced in 1991. I liked Bachmann better than Hornby at the time. Notwithstanding the split chassis and 3 pole motor the loco ran quite well. I am tempted by the new model though I wish it had a metal running plate.
Another fair review Sam. On quality we would have given 3.5 starts I think but that’s just a minor difference. We’ve wondered what could have been done by leaving some (imho) toshes out, e.g. sprung buffers and painted cab. The latter is sheer invisible as it is and must be stinging production on costs. Another thing; not sure, but leaving the driving transmission to the driving rods will create tight spots and slight wobbling evidently. We’d rather prefer high precision metal gears driving all large wheels which will do away with all tight spots, spreading energy evenly. Oh and micro locking sleeve connectors for the base plate should be viable perhaps. For the money the loco seems very okay though. Generally speaking the German manufacturers will bulldozer over this but then be prepared to pay over 300 for a steamer. So overall for this one, it certainly is quite okay. (A tad silly that lubrication seems to be needed out of the box).
For me, personally, I like sprung buffers as a nice little detail; it can add so much to the overall feel of a locomotive. If I buffer up a locomotive to a long rake of coaches or freight cars and start pushing, and I see the buffers start to compress under the weight of the train, it just feels satisfying. I also like when drive is provided by the coupling rods. While it may present the opportunity for them to bind as we've seen here, just knowing that the mechanical pieces I'm seeing are doing their job is a big plus for me. It's like having a transparent clock with a ton of beautiful clockwork pieces inside, only to open a little cover and realize the hands are driven directly by a small electric motor and the clockwork doesn't even move. That's why part of why I've never been a fan of tender-drive locomotives. As for the sub-par lubrication, that's just a bit of classic Bachmann quality right there. lol
Last week bought Bachmann old tooling V2 plus J39 and four wagons at auction for £125 including commission/VAT. Will be interesting to see how they compare including on price.
Sam, 2 quick questions from the other side of the pond: ● Why do so many Brit locos have no tenders? I ● What is a brake van and why isn't t every train fitted with one? ● Is it really that much cheaper to fit a loco with a plastic chassis plate or no flywheel? Cheers my friend!
#I guess we Brits had so many tank engines because comparatively short runs between stations meaning you didn't have to carry so much coal and water. #A brake van was a small cabin, usually 4 wheels, sometimes 6 and VERY rarely 8. They carried a guard who was in charge of the train. Up to the 1960s most goods wagons only had a handbrake. Twenty or more loaded coal wagons takes a bit of stopping with a brake only applied on the loco. The brake van was equipped with a screw on handbrake to help stopping. It would also be used to keep the couplings taught so they did not snatch and break. It would carry lamps to show signalmen and the loco crew that the train was still coupled together. Start worrying if no lamp at end of train! Around 1960s/1970s more wagons were fitted with brakes under the control of the driver so brake vans fell out of use and are only rarely used if pushing a train for a distance or perhaps for dangerous loads. The brake van would always be at the back of the train. (Sometimes you see pictures with another at the front of the train, probably a spare being moved). Each company had distinctive types, notably the GWR having a type with a single verandah known by its telegraphic code TOAD.
(1) The UK is a much smaller country than the US with your typical journeys being shorter, plus more servicing facilities located closer together etc, so there was simply no need for all locos to lug huge quantities of coal and water with them and as such the cheaper tank engine design was ideally suited for many slower services. (2) A brake van is the UK term for what Americans call a Caboose. It is somewhere for the train Guard (Conductor in US speak) to ride and in the days before wagons were fitted with train operated brakes (as opposed to a manual handbrake to hold it still when parked on a siding), the Guard would use the brakes in the heavy brake van (the weight coming from trays of scrap metal hidden within its underframe) to help slow the train down on steep gradients. In the late 1960s, the need for brake vans on trains where all wagons were fitted with a continuous braking system was removed and the guard riding in the rear cab of the loco (note most UK designs have dual cabs) instead - until the early 1980s when the need for a Guard on freight trains was removed completely! (3) The raw material (metal) used in die cast is more expensive to buy then cast than plastic. OK it might not seem like much more but there is a saying over here 'look after the pennies (i.e. cents) and the pounds (i.e. dollars) look after themselves - and as such what might seem like a trivial cost saving can end up making a significant difference when it comes to shelf price. Its a similar situation with flywheels - it might not seem that expensive to provide in isolation but could well have a significant effect on the eventual price.
I like the V2 engines and Bachmann seem to do a good job with their model. I'm not too keen about the price though. I've seen a few of your reviews and I would like to mention about the leading & trailing bogies of the tender engines. Don't know if you already know. The leading bogies are called "pony" trucks and the trailing bogies are called "cartazzi" trucks. Named after a design engineer called "Cartazzi" I think (not sure). Anyway I have seen a lot of your reviews and find them very helpful as I have been a Railway Modeller/Collector for a lot of years and look forward to seeing more reviews/videos in the future. My wife usually says " Sams Trains again" lol.
Hi Sam. Not sure what to think about this. I have been trying to pretend it hadn’t been released as I adore the V2 and have got two already (one in BR green, one in early BR black) which are great old things. Yep, they are a bit long in the tooth and look a bit toy like now but I love them dearly. And funnily enough when I bought them I thought “wow, the detail on this is amazing!” 🤣😂😅 The coupling (if you can call it that) was always an issue but they are such plucky performers it never seemed an issue. However, I see what you mean about the new one! What a ruddy faff! Overkill is the word that springs to mind. And spring is the word that…er…springs to mind when I see the running plate 🙄 Like you I felt sure it would be die-cast but no 🙁 And the firebox glow (which I have been a sucker for ever since I bought my beloved tender drive 8F in about 1995) is…well…not very glowing 😐 That said, despite the lack of a fly-wheel (again, why? 😒), that 5-pole motor is pretty good and I think the performance of ‘just about 4’ is right, simply because form my point of view, I’d want it to just go, not least because I’d not use it to shunt as it’s a V2 not a J72! 😜 But ohhhh my! The bodywork is delightful! And THAT is what I suspect I am going to have to do the whole “oh no darling, I’ve always had this one” routine. Yes, it probably is a bit overpriced but I can cover it with a bit of overtime…and it’s a V2 for goodness sake 😍 I am also impressed with the sprung wheel set on the rear pony. Not convinced at all with this “innovation” but that looks the best I have seen yet to be fair 🤔 Thanks again Sam for a splendid review. It is annoying that it isn’t as good as it could have been, but I think overall it is a pretty decent offering. Plus, as you point out, it has at least become available! 😅 If it had been a Hornby engine, I suspect that, in the words of a certain someone, “It’s not a toy, it’s for keep…ing everyone waiting only to be ultimately disappointed and send the thing back and forth until you say sod it I want a refund.” 🤪 Cheers mate, take care 👍🍻🍀
Another excellent and fair review Sam. Thanks. It really is another gorgeous looking model from Bachmann. As you say they're excellent when it comes to the finish on their models. In particular I'd compare this to the LNER Apple green livery on Hornby's Thompson A2 which didn't look quite right from all the pictures/vidoes I've seen and for some strange reason is a different shade to all Hornby's other Apple green livery locos, which was poor. The apple green version of the Hush Hush does look back to their normal shade though. There's lots to like about this loco: livery finish, detail, the rear axel and if the motor is 5 pole then that's a step up from many Bachmann models, but as you said it's a shame the running plate isn't diecast and it could be better designed for maintenance. I also wonder how robust the tender connection will prove over time? It may well be fine, but personally I think I'll let others be the guinea pigs and watch how they get on and see whether they have any issues with it. I get the distinct impression that Bachmann models are aimed first and foremost at the cabinet collector where looks and detail are paramount with layout performance being slightly secondary. Not terrible, but not as good as some others. There are encouraging signs that they are at least listening to the feedback and trying to improve that.
The four pins between the loco and the tender are: Two pins for the pickups from the wheels, and the other two are for the factory installed speaker in the tender.
Hi Sam, great review. Can I make a polite suggestion? If doing the really close up shots of a models details, it might be an idea to give the models a dust with a soft brush, or puffer brush. It's just a keep noticing hairs and dust that of coarse look huge when zoomed in. Keep up the good work. Neil.
I always liked this LNER locomotive! Especially that unusual 2-6-2 wheel configuration that it has! It’s almost like a pacific but with less front wheels.
I don't really like Bachmann loco's because of those Thick siderods on so many of there models, while the older one may run less reliably and has less detail, the livery and siderods make it my preference for me as I run a dc layout
When it comes to the tender couplings, I can't help but wonder if the reason why the one you like a lot more isn't used elsehwere may be due to a patent somewhere. Truth be told, I wish we'd abandon having wires and stuff inside the tender. I dislike tender-driven locos as it is, and I would generally like my tender engines' tenders to be interchangeable to a degree without having to go crazy with rewiring (say for example I wanted Fowler tenders rather than prototypical ones... or just wanted to re-enact a tender-swapping incident involving Scottish locomotives).
One needs to remark that there are problems with the Dapol coupling. Note this is a 'close coupling' on the Bachmann V2. Maybe not perfect but quite an improvement. Cheers.
I'm not sure - I don't think Dapol would have patented their coupling... I'm not even convinced it's patentable, even if they were willing to spend the money! Any mention of close coupling is nonsense in my eyes - I have other Bachmann locos with the old coupling design which couple 1mm or more closer than this does! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
For me it’s crazy to think that so many classes of engine were derived from the A1/A3 design. This loco (V2), the A4, the P1, etc. V2 is a shrunken A3 A4 is a supercharged A3 P1 is a goods version of the A1/A10
Hi Sam, the DCC Sound-Fitted version famously has a small man who cooks a bacon 🥓, sausage and fried egg 🍳 roll on a shovel in the firebox for you each time you run it. Mmmm…. It’s almost worth the £2,000 it costs.
love the detail i am tempted to get this model. i would love if one day ireland gets some models made we had some lovely engines in ireland and id buy them up. be cool to see murphy models or irm models make one. also accurascale are making steam train models they are diecast i think they look real good
From Wikipedia...
'On at least one occasion a single V2 hauled 26 coaches from Peterborough to London.'
That means that Bachmann have given this model realistic pulling power! 😎
Still one of the best looking steam engine designs to my eyes. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Yeah you could be right - absolutely beautiful for sure! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
There is a problem with Prarie locomotives driven on the centre axle: they tend to waddle at higher speeds, due to the geometry being symmetrical fore-and aft. Maybe it is possible to alleviate that by careful design. There is a similar problem with ten-coupled locomotives as well.
Gresley's masterpiece - Pacifics included.
Great review Sam.
Some more info incase anyones interested. The V2s were more closely related to the P2s than the A3s. Infact the original plans were for a fully streamlined design ala P2/2, butfor once the LNER board managed to talk 'Saint' Nigel out of the idea, these were mixed traffic locos after all, not express passenger jobs. However the legacy of the abandoned streamlining can be seen in the wedge shaped cab and recessed steam pipes.
Being derived from the P2s they did inherit some of their problems. The lead pony truck was of gresely own double pivot design, and like so many of his other 'two up front' designs tended to bounce around at speed, damaging track work and in some cases leading to derailments. (It was Edward Thompson who fixed the issue in the end) They also had issues with leaky regulators and Gresleys three cylinders in one casting concept meant that maintaience was a long, complex task because even a basic repair involved a complete rebuild of the front end. However, Thompson and Peppercorn in turn solved these issues and they did indeed become some very handy and useful locos.
Keep up the good work
The V2 is one of my favorite British steam locos. That model is a looker for sure.
Certainly an elegant and timeless design!
The LMS has most of the locos I like, but the V2 is one of my all time favorites
I can't blame you - and it sure does look amazing! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
not much use to me if it doesn't "perform" at least decently.....:-)
The fact that this loco irl is just a slightly shorter version of the A3 yet just as powerful and versatile despite the problems it encountered is also very interesting.
Yes absolutely - it looks way smaller than the A3, but side to side not that much different!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The boiler is a cut-down A4 250lb boiler, not a cut down 220lb A3 example.Note the lower washout plugs on the firebox are angled on the 250lb boilers, and parallel to the ground on he 220s
The reason why the rear trailing axles are being made flangless and static (wt least i think) is to represent the Cartazzi axle. It was quite common with LNER locos and it involved an axle that shifted side to side in its static axleboxes instead of a moving bogie
Thanks a lot for sharing! It's a great design - works very well! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Sam, stop calling Cartazzi axles pony trucks! Nothing was swiveling on the prototypes. Previously Bachmann made the axle housing wider than the true scale, on some models, to enable lateral movement inside a cage.
It seems they now think the way to go is flangeless with vertical compliance. It's amazing it can get round R3 when Hornby's 'solution' can't even get round R5!
One thing you missed on the tender coupling is that has a mechanism to keep the gap to a minimum. Works well.
The firebox on dcc, though not overbright, looks realistic to me.
Fantastic loco.
I didn't miss that because it isn't true. Gap between V2 and tender = 6.8mm. Gap between Precedent and tender = 5.7mm. Precedent has the old design...
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Such a crude solution. They just have to look at other manufacturers to get some better ideas perhaps. High precision there is required though. I can imagine a simple click mechanism and power transferring via 4 magnetic 1 mm rods within that mechanism in each unit. When clicking together all eight 1 mm rods pull themselves together by magnetic force (Marklin system but would probably cost a license fee?)
@@SamsTrains your comparing 2 very different designs of loco. The gap will be different on both in reality. I know it has to be larger than scale because of the 2nd radius rule.
Of course Matt - my point was that the new coupling design wasn't necessary in order to achieve the 6.8mm gap between the V2 locomotive and tender, and I gave an example of the old coupling design achieving a smaller distance
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Was the Presedent's coupling adjustable for length? I find that feature important as I have gentle curves I can close couple a tender more like they are in real life. In Bachmann's defence it has been better than Hornby's two position system that's either too close or too far.
I need to stop watching this channel, It's costing me a fortune :-) My V2 arrives tomorrow (Actually Today) It's now the next day and I can say the Loco is really nice
52 MINUTES?! These reviews are getting close to the 1 hour mark since the W1 video. BUT, I am all here for it!!
Almost an hour long?! My evening is sorted.
Edit: Wow great review Sam as always! Love that you go into such detail that may not even be thought of by other people to properly review a model. Great video looking forward to what’s next!
haha hope you enjoy it!! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
For a prairie type locomotive the design of this engine is quite a work of art and beautiful too
You could make a real life Gordon from this using a A1 chassis and the V2 tender (I've been watching the UnluckyTugs videos on his homemade Gordon( he used a Bachmann B1 tender instead of the canonic Fowler as it was too small)
That'd be very interesting actually - wonder if anyone's willing to try that?! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains not for over 200 odd quid...
yes yes you could
@@SamsTrains the price is the only thing stopping me. I have a Flying Scotsman A1 I got cheap for the explicit purpose of making him Gordon and have been on the search for the proper tender ever since. This would be perfect because not only what I have the perfect tender for it, I'd still have an engine that would look good with Scotsman's original tender
@@OmegaInfinityAlpha the tender connection is different than the usual metal tab and pin style drawbar.
Another comprehensive, informed and fair review, thanks Sam. Much more informative than a mag. review I read. One of these locos has been in the mail to me for several days (I'm in Oz). I'm feeling a bit disappointed that, at today's prices, the major manufacturers still can't seem to get everything right (no metal running-plate, no flywheel). But perhaps I shouldn't pre-judge until it hits my track.
I like the V2s and I'm glad you made a video of one of them. Lionel have managed to develop a wireless loco-to-tender connector with infrared technology, but that's in O scale.
The LNER V2 is one of my favourite locomotives. Great review. It would have been interesting to have compared it to a model LNER Thompson A2/1 as that locomotive was a 'pacific' conversion of Gresley's V2. Unfortunately such a model doesn't appear to be produced.
I can see why Edward - really glad you liked the video!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The A2/1, to be authentic, should be 'centre road' having failed yet again.
Great review Sam from what I have seen this is one of bachmanns best new tooled locomotives, if I ever have the funding available I would definitely consider getting hold of one.
I have just got hold of one of the rails of Sheffield 18000 gas turbine locomotives.
Thanks a lot David - it's certainly one of the best looking! Overall a decent loco! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam, Phil here watching your videos from New Zealand, and always look forward to your latest ones, I am jumping in on the back end of this particular one because I have just landed a copy of this beautiful model fromTMC for a bargain price of 127 British pounds (NZ$267) delivered here to NZ. even with its minor setbacks/faults in design, its a dam fine model and am pleased to be adding it to our collection, the same model bought locally can be in excess of $580-685 NZ$ though the model retailers, its always good to get real bargain, Cheers Phil
After seeing Green Arrow as a kid I absolutely love the look of a V2 the 2-6-2 wheel arrangement just seems so right for them and their lines are glorious. And going up to 101mph and regularly 93mph
That's great to hear - I can imagine these being super impressive in service!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
What a gorgeous locomotive!! If I were buying new locos this would be one I would seriously consider! But repainting and decalling is my internet at moment so buying older 70s and 80s locos at roughly $20 to $30 dollars. Diesels though not steam. Thanks for the review!!
Thanks a lot for the comment - yes overall a decent loco! Sounds like a great way to go! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Very happy to watch. Have learned and am learning quite a lot and your videos are very interesting to see the British side of model railroading! All the best! Cheers!
A great looking locomotive by all accounts. The only thing is that people have expected certain features like diecast parts these number of years and the extra detailing. That once a company cuts back on it to develop a new coupling system. The cost for that must be made up from where they can cut back without a diecast footplate to do it in plastic. A way to offset the cost against other features to make it cost effective. Though with all the price increases since the start of the V2 development. The higher cost per model now seems to make it over price. Then again with the pandemic a lot of people got back into modelling or started for the first time. This helped the manufacturers to shift more units and have their profits rise. That now they think they can squeeze more out of a person's pocket and blame it on the rise of resource prices etc.
Thanks a lot John - yes that's very true! Customers shouldn't have to worry about the economics of their models... if they're expected to hand over £200 for a loco, it should be quality in all areas with no exceptions. If some manufacturers (based in China) can manage it, then others should too!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great video! The wheel configuration makes me think it could be a great idea for one of your collection videos to try and fill your siding with as many models of different wheel arrangements! Pacific might be a tough choice, but I would accept tank and tender being different, i.e. 060 :)
Thank you!! And great idea there - that definitely could be fun!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Amazing I love the V2 in the iconic Doncaster green ,I'd love to get one, thank you for giving me a face for it.I recently noticed that the fact that you have got quite a few orders from rails of Sheffield recently
I do too!! This came from Derails models - I don't often order from Rails of Sheffield!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
About the loco-to-tender connection: I just bought a Bachmann Class 117, and it has the same kind of connector between the three cars. On there, it serves a useful purpose (makes it possible to have one DCC decoder for the entire unit, rather than one in each carriage), but it seems a bit weird for a loco-to-tender connection (which I usually expect to be permanent...)
Sam, one day you'll have to do a video, picking all the best features of your locos and put them together to say what you would expect to have in the perfect engine. Would be fascinating as you are so honest about what you buy and see.
I like the brand spanking new LNER V2 loco. Nice livery as it always is when it comes Bachmann and nice build quality.
I have found a german webshop that has both Bachmann and Hornby.
Keep the videos coming.
👍👍👍👍
I like it too - very good build quality for sure - great to hear you've found a decent outlet near you!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains you are wellcome.
Yes it is always nice to find a outlet near .
I do not need to faf around with hornbys wierd shipping pratices .😃😃😃👍👍👍👍
Looks a good model. Some people claim the shade of LNER apple green used by Darlington Loco Works (a former NER facility) was never exactly the same as that used at Doncaster Works (formerly GNR). Darlington's was slightly darker apparently.
superb video sam, the v2s are really beatiful in my opinion. and i call them baby a3s. and also derails models are superb its just what im looking for ,thanks.
Thank you so much - haha they do look like baby A3s, lol! ;D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam, Great in-depth review as always. Note that the coupling is a 'close coupling' so this keeps the gap to a minimum but allows separation to handle curves. It's quite an improvement but maybe not perfect. And regarding the Dapol coupling there are problems ! Running plate plastic doesn't change the overall look of this beautiful and fine finished model. And as mentioned in some comments this loco runs excellent on DCC and probably the majority of model railroaders do run on DCC. It could be interesting to do a poll on this. Quite expensive but value for money according the general new sales politics and worrying manipulated inflation. This truly is a superb loco I have put on my wish list. Bachmann did a good job on this one. Praise where due ! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Filip - they may have intended this as a close coupling, but it's no closer than with the older coupling design... which at times was even closer... I checked with my new calipers! What are the problems with the Dapol coupling? I haven't run into any as of yet!
Thanks for sharing,
Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Some model railroaders report disconnecting during running sessions at the point some glued the couplings on the Dapol Mogul. Well nothing is perfect. Thanks for your reply ! Have a nice day.
love your in depth reviews! saved myself some money on bad models!
Thanks so much Josh - that's very good to hear!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The 2-6-2 have some good features, like you can use a wide firebox, and get more traction than an 4-4-2 while you don't get a very bumpy ride.
My favourite class of steam locomotive and a fine-looking model.
I agree about the screws- from when I first saw them, I could not unsee them.
I like it a lot. Beautiful loco overall I think. Great detailed review as always!
Great video Sam this might have to be my next purchase. Was considering it but definitely after seeing your review. Need to choose a livery though, either BR black... but this apple green looks SO good!
Ahh sounds awesome - yes overall a great one from Bachmann! Very tricky choice there... hope you enjoy whatever you choose! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Another well done review Sam.
From a personal standpoint I think that the binding you could be having might be linked to the gears. There might not be enough space between the frame and the very bottom gear on the driving wheel. You could try to very carefully push that gear over a bit or just wait till the plastic has worn down from rubbing on the metal frame. Still, good locomotive for a hobbyist to enjoy. 👍
This has got to be one of the finest RTR OO gauge locos I have seen and if you're not blown away by this, then I fear we are in for a year of reviews where you're constantly disappointed.
haha - visually this is stunning, don't get me wrong! But there are issues with it that needed to be addressed... I don't let that take away from how good this looks though!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Another banger Sam, shame that the coupling rods are shared with previous versions but I can't wait to get mine!
It does look good . I wasn’t thinking about one but you’ve got me thinking . The tender attachment I think is an improvement on the Precedent and Caley which is far too flimsy . I think in this case I’d leave the tender permanently coupled . The thing that spoils this is that big black stripe between boiler and cab which is way too wide and is very visible . To me it just spoils what is otherwise a very well finished locomotive .
Oh my Dear, the Tender coupling is a good one. In Germany it its used by Lilipt with diffrent pins but same System and how you use these Coupling is the stupit way i did ever see. :D
Take the Loco in you hand if shes coupled and a small Screwdrifer between the Hook little push down on the Hook and you get bouth uncoupling... easy going. Coupling is also easy Loco and Tender in one hand an then fist just hook down and let the tender slide in the Pins and finished. I Like these Coupling type more than Honbys metal Couple with screws thats sucks most. By the Way these coupling Idear is from the RC Modellbuilding and realy long time in use by these. The Dapol Coupling is nice and easy to handel but if you couple and uncoupling the Loco too much i thing the little dot gets damaged and dont hold these bouth good enough togehter. To the End one Thing... What does have the Train for a Weight if it does bends these Coupling of the V2 so much? 20 and more Coaches? comon thats not Serious enough what you showing there. ;)
Hi Bill I've read your comments re MRRC motor as a possible replacement in modern locos.Many years ago I acquired a Bachman A1 Pacific (Aberdonian 60158) at a swapmeet. After 5 mins or so of running it slowed up to a stand and the firebox top was very hot.i removed the body and noticed a very small Flatt can motor which was extremely hot.i believe this was one of a faulty batch of motors.re article in BRM by Tony Wright. As loco was pre- owned repair was down to me as unable obtain new motor. I was very impressed with the chassis in general and wondered if a MRRC/1001 (a motor I have mutch experience of)could be made to fit
Hi Fred - I've actually got a video on this topic coming out very soon! It involves substituting the original Bachmann motors with a cheap corelss one (£3), by means of a cheap 3D-printed motor mount. I have the first few locos up and running, and they perform similarly (though not quite as well at slow speeds) as the much more expensive Bachmann original motor!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
A good-looking beast -- if you like LNER locos, that is -- but as you say there are quite a few tiny niggles which start to eat away at the great first impression. One you didn't mention was the blower pipe along the side of the boiler, which to me screams 'look, unpainted plastic!' Bachmann have clearly tried to match the plastic colour to the paint colour -- and then visibly failed. Oops. That they have neatly painted the part where it runs along the smokebox just underlines what they didn't do with the rest of it.
And that coupling between loco and tender -- dear heavens, what a bodge!
For two hundred quid, we really should be seeing a decent flywheel. And come to that, skew-wound motors are not exactly unknown to the industry either. Maybe this model was designed by a committee... In their lunch-breaks...
Love your honest and thorough review.
Wow such a cool model.
Keep making the great videos!
Thanks a lot Arlo, appreciate it! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
It surprises me the number of different models available, and sold in your part of the world versus what we have available here in the states. The cost of locos here are far and away more money than the typical prices for trains there. I'm not an expert by any means in familiarity with all of these types of trains that are available, but it's always interesting to watch you do these videos. We need you here in the U.S....lol
Can't Help but Wonder..!
"How BIG in 'Real Life' would the Phillips Head (Cross Head) Screwdriver have to be for the Mechanic to 'Un Do' that Screw..!?"
I know 'Ridiculous Thought' but my Brain had it..!!
Great review Sam. That Tender Joint/Coupling would be a Positive Nightmare. For a 65 yr old with an Unsteady hand..!!
As Always Great Work Sam. Keep it up young man. Your Complaints may Reach Bachmann Eventually..!
Cheers kim 😎 in Downunder
Land. 👍
Hey Sam. Love the critique and fairly level reviews that you are creating..... when you display an overall rating score , could you show it against prior years top scores please? Rather than at the beginning of the year only have two or three scores in the league table!? Many thanks.
I was excited when you said that it had a new tender-loco connection. Then I saw you try and take it apart...
All they really needed to do was have a tighter connection between the pin and tab on the old connection and it is mostly sorted... either that or have the same connection with a more sturdy wire connection so that it doesn’t feel like it will rip apart under any load...
They’ve taken the problem, and made an over complicated solution to it...
Your comment about not doing a direct comparison between the new model and the older version made me think, that could be a cool concept for an episode. Find a few different examples where the same manufacturer has done a completely retooled model of a locomotive they have offered before, and show us what's new in terms of mechanism, detailing, livery, price (adjusted for inflation, of course), and whatever other points of comparison you can think of. Obviously we would expect to see the new model being significantly better than the old one, I doubt there will be any surprises as far as that goes, but it might be interesting to see how different manufacturers have approached the retooling process, if you picked several examples from different manufacturers. That is to say, not the same model done by different manufacturers (you have already done a few comparisons of those), but several examples of models from different manufacturers where both the old and new versions of that model were done by the same manufacturer, so Bachmann V2, Hornby A3, etc..
Will be keeping my old V2 31-565 with a re-tooled DCC ready chassis, blackened wheels. This version has flanged wheels on the rear pony. which don’t flop around like the original but sit inside the frames like the new version. I am surprised that the motion parts have not been improved, by being finer, and still have the over prominent screws that let it down.
Wow, that livery is so excellent it would make the men at Darlington & Doncaster works really proud. I often wonder if an Airfix MRRC 1001 12V 5 pole motor would improve the performance of these locos? I recall the transformation of Hornby BR Mogul (the original) when the 3 pole sticky motor was replaced it was quite a transformation. If 'one could be fitted' into modern loco it maybe another tranformation!
Is it just me, or is the pipe, which runs along the boiler, a different shade of green?
Yeah it is! I imagine it's unpainted green plastic or not treated in the same way as the rest of the body... only noticed this during editing though!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Speaking of finishes, I'm curious why it's invariably satin on models. After all when the real thing leaves the depot paint shop it's glossy. Heljan did a gloss version of the Class 33 in BR green. It looked very good. Good review as usual Sam. Thanks.
Yeah I don’t mind the full gloss either - on occasion the gloss can make models look a bit toylike though, and some people have criticised this... I personally think Bachmann’s approach here is the best approach! :)
Excellent indepth review sam, its a beautiful loco for obvious reasons I would personally steer clear, why not try a diesel or electric next time heljan and accuscale have some nice offerings at the moment far better priced than hornby 🙂
I told this before and to many other people but the LNER V2 is my favorite LNER loco just because this is the locomotive that Gordon in All Engines Go was based on, and I’m very interested in its history.
I was hoping you would review this loco. It certainly is a good looker. Thank you.
A superb locomotive,it ticks all the boxes, except the price. A great review, thanks.
Hi Sam. Another excellent review, thanks. Considering this loco is designed for DCC, with smoke box glow and speaker, I wonder if you have considered such reviews should include DCC features and DCC running performance? Would that affect the rating the price (having DCC sound, etc)?
If not, maybe there is scope for a "DCC review" follow-up video, with a revisit to the score for such locos that comes with DCC sound, etc? Just a thought. Love the detail you give in the reviews, anyway.
Another great review Sam. I bought my 4771 V2 from locomotion Models and therefore paid the £229.95 price excluding postage. Unfortunately, it had to be returned for a paint defect and mine also had the hook missing from the front tension lock coupling. Replacement arrived a few days ago with no paint defects or missing hook and it ran well.
Hi Sam,
Please film the cab interior when you have removed the tender. It gives a much clearer impression of the cab, and you nearly always remove the tender if one exists. Thanks for what you do.
Regards,
Jim
A mate of mine has got 1 his was sound fitted works great and run well . The fire box glow was ok much better on dcc.
Do you think you will review the model rail/rapido 16XX in the future?
Great vid, wondering if you are going to review the soon to be released, new tool, Bachmann L&YR Class 5. The L&YR lined black is beautiful.
The livery on this is stunning, I hope other manufacturers take note of it when making their own models.
I agree Michael - I hope they do too!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
It's a very handsome locomotive. I like locos that have both front and rear bissells.
Man I just got into this hobby and I love it I inherited my great grandfathers n scale locomotives and Lionel locomotives (yes I knew my great grandfather he pasted away December 2020 at age 97)
I've just received my Green Arrow version from the NRM. It has DCC sound. Looks absolutely stunning as you agree. Running it in though on DC is abysmal. So much so that the first example had to be returned to the NRM because it was as dead as a Dodo. To their credit, they did arrange its pickup. Its replacement wouldn't move until 80% power applied and then could only cover its own length per 1 second. That's slow.
I have just bought a DCC controller (2nd hand, as no new ones available), so will test it on the same rolling road you bought Sam (they're good aren't they) and hopefully there will be a significant improvement in performance.
Nice to seee a good running Bachmann, let's hope this is a new trend.
Nice review Sam, it seems a tricky one to review actually. I liked the Doncaster version but not quite sure now. Enjoying all the reviews this year very much!
I think the coal being plastic is a positive, not a negative. It reduces weight in the tender, and that can only be a good thing. For most modellers it looks perfectly fine, and for those that care about super-realistic coal the metal version never cut it anyway. It must be easier and cheaper to make in plastic. All good I say.
Yeah sure - I don’t mind either! Still, would have been nice to see these cut backs reflected in the price is all! ☺️
I'm a big fan of the loco and this model. hopefully some day I can get one second hand
This makes me realize what Gordon might actually be. The mix of a Gresley A1, Thompson A1, Gresley A3, Gresley V2
26 carriages maximum load. Bachmann got it perfectly, as the V2 holds the record for the longest passenger train ever hauled in Britain: at precisely 26 carriages!!!
If you like the Bachmann LNER green finish, I highly recommend their A1 and A2 (they are 3-4 years old and can be had cheap 2nd hand or NOS). They have full metal everything, and are DCC ready. The only trouble is, they are over-engineered, making sound fitting extremely difficult. I have seen some people drill the firebox to get the speaker wires through to the tender, but I daren’t take a drill to such chunky metal. Might fit a sugarcube in the boiler instead.
Yes I have both of those - they're just not great mechanically unfortunately! :(
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Saw the Green Arrow a few years ago. Beautiful looking steam engine...
I got the Bachmann V2 when it was first introduced in 1991. I liked Bachmann better than Hornby at the time. Notwithstanding the split chassis and 3 pole motor the loco ran quite well. I am tempted by the new model though I wish it had a metal running plate.
Another fair review Sam. On quality we would have given 3.5 starts I think but that’s just a minor difference. We’ve wondered what could have been done by leaving some (imho) toshes out, e.g. sprung buffers and painted cab. The latter is sheer invisible as it is and must be stinging production on costs. Another thing; not sure, but leaving the driving transmission to the driving rods will create tight spots and slight wobbling evidently. We’d rather prefer high precision metal gears driving all large wheels which will do away with all tight spots, spreading energy evenly. Oh and micro locking sleeve connectors for the base plate should be viable perhaps. For the money the loco seems very okay though. Generally speaking the German manufacturers will bulldozer over this but then be prepared to pay over 300 for a steamer. So overall for this one, it certainly is quite okay. (A tad silly that lubrication seems to be needed out of the box).
For me, personally, I like sprung buffers as a nice little detail; it can add so much to the overall feel of a locomotive. If I buffer up a locomotive to a long rake of coaches or freight cars and start pushing, and I see the buffers start to compress under the weight of the train, it just feels satisfying. I also like when drive is provided by the coupling rods. While it may present the opportunity for them to bind as we've seen here, just knowing that the mechanical pieces I'm seeing are doing their job is a big plus for me. It's like having a transparent clock with a ton of beautiful clockwork pieces inside, only to open a little cover and realize the hands are driven directly by a small electric motor and the clockwork doesn't even move. That's why part of why I've never been a fan of tender-drive locomotives.
As for the sub-par lubrication, that's just a bit of classic Bachmann quality right there. lol
Last week bought Bachmann old tooling V2 plus J39 and four wagons at auction for £125 including commission/VAT. Will be interesting to see how they compare including on price.
Haha, don’t think you’ll beat that in value for money!!
Sam, 2 quick questions from the other side of the pond:
● Why do so many Brit locos have no tenders? I
● What is a brake van and why isn't t every train fitted with one?
● Is it really that much cheaper to fit a loco with a plastic chassis plate or no flywheel?
Cheers my friend!
#I guess we Brits had so many tank engines because comparatively short runs between stations meaning you didn't have to carry so much coal and water.
#A brake van was a small cabin, usually 4 wheels, sometimes 6 and VERY rarely 8. They carried a guard who was in charge of the train. Up to the 1960s most goods wagons only had a handbrake. Twenty or more loaded coal wagons takes a bit of stopping with a brake only applied on the loco. The brake van was equipped with a screw on handbrake to help stopping. It would also be used to keep the couplings taught so they did not snatch and break. It would carry lamps to show signalmen and the loco crew that the train was still coupled together. Start worrying if no lamp at end of train! Around 1960s/1970s more wagons were fitted with brakes under the control of the driver so brake vans fell out of use and are only rarely used if pushing a train for a distance or perhaps for dangerous loads. The brake van would always be at the back of the train. (Sometimes you see pictures with another at the front of the train, probably a spare being moved). Each company had distinctive types, notably the GWR having a type with a single verandah known by its telegraphic code TOAD.
(1) The UK is a much smaller country than the US with your typical journeys being shorter, plus more servicing facilities located closer together etc, so there was simply no need for all locos to lug huge quantities of coal and water with them and as such the cheaper tank engine design was ideally suited for many slower services.
(2) A brake van is the UK term for what Americans call a Caboose. It is somewhere for the train Guard (Conductor in US speak) to ride and in the days before wagons were fitted with train operated brakes (as opposed to a manual handbrake to hold it still when parked on a siding), the Guard would use the brakes in the heavy brake van (the weight coming from trays of scrap metal hidden within its underframe) to help slow the train down on steep gradients. In the late 1960s, the need for brake vans on trains where all wagons were fitted with a continuous braking system was removed and the guard riding in the rear cab of the loco (note most UK designs have dual cabs) instead - until the early 1980s when the need for a Guard on freight trains was removed completely!
(3) The raw material (metal) used in die cast is more expensive to buy then cast than plastic. OK it might not seem like much more but there is a saying over here 'look after the pennies (i.e. cents) and the pounds (i.e. dollars) look after themselves - and as such what might seem like a trivial cost saving can end up making a significant difference when it comes to shelf price. Its a similar situation with flywheels - it might not seem that expensive to provide in isolation but could well have a significant effect on the eventual price.
It does look like a very impressive model especially if it has that bachmann finish
Oh for sure - visually it's stunning!! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I like the V2 engines and Bachmann seem to do a good job with their model. I'm not too keen about the price though. I've seen a few of your reviews and I would like to mention about the leading & trailing bogies of the tender engines. Don't know if you already know. The leading bogies are called "pony" trucks and the trailing bogies are called "cartazzi" trucks. Named after a design engineer called "Cartazzi" I think (not sure). Anyway I have seen a lot of your reviews and find them very helpful as I have been a Railway Modeller/Collector for a lot of years and look forward to seeing more reviews/videos in the future. My wife usually says " Sams Trains again" lol.
Hi Sam. Not sure what to think about this. I have been trying to pretend it hadn’t been released as I adore the V2 and have got two already (one in BR green, one in early BR black) which are great old things. Yep, they are a bit long in the tooth and look a bit toy like now but I love them dearly. And funnily enough when I bought them I thought “wow, the detail on this is amazing!” 🤣😂😅
The coupling (if you can call it that) was always an issue but they are such plucky performers it never seemed an issue. However, I see what you mean about the new one! What a ruddy faff! Overkill is the word that springs to mind. And spring is the word that…er…springs to mind when I see the running plate 🙄 Like you I felt sure it would be die-cast but no 🙁 And the firebox glow (which I have been a sucker for ever since I bought my beloved tender drive 8F in about 1995) is…well…not very glowing 😐
That said, despite the lack of a fly-wheel (again, why? 😒), that 5-pole motor is pretty good and I think the performance of ‘just about 4’ is right, simply because form my point of view, I’d want it to just go, not least because I’d not use it to shunt as it’s a V2 not a J72! 😜 But ohhhh my! The bodywork is delightful! And THAT is what I suspect I am going to have to do the whole “oh no darling, I’ve always had this one” routine. Yes, it probably is a bit overpriced but I can cover it with a bit of overtime…and it’s a V2 for goodness sake 😍
I am also impressed with the sprung wheel set on the rear pony. Not convinced at all with this “innovation” but that looks the best I have seen yet to be fair 🤔
Thanks again Sam for a splendid review. It is annoying that it isn’t as good as it could have been, but I think overall it is a pretty decent offering. Plus, as you point out, it has at least become available! 😅 If it had been a Hornby engine, I suspect that, in the words of a certain someone, “It’s not a toy, it’s for keep…ing everyone waiting only to be ultimately disappointed and send the thing back and forth until you say sod it I want a refund.” 🤪
Cheers mate, take care 👍🍻🍀
Another excellent and fair review Sam. Thanks.
It really is another gorgeous looking model from Bachmann. As you say they're excellent when it comes to the finish on their models.
In particular I'd compare this to the LNER Apple green livery on Hornby's Thompson A2 which didn't look quite right from all the pictures/vidoes I've seen and for some strange reason is a different shade to all Hornby's other Apple green livery locos, which was poor. The apple green version of the Hush Hush does look back to their normal shade though.
There's lots to like about this loco: livery finish, detail, the rear axel and if the motor is 5 pole then that's a step up from many Bachmann models, but as you said it's a shame the running plate isn't diecast and it could be better designed for maintenance.
I also wonder how robust the tender connection will prove over time? It may well be fine, but personally I think I'll let others be the guinea pigs and watch how they get on and see whether they have any issues with it.
I get the distinct impression that Bachmann models are aimed first and foremost at the cabinet collector where looks and detail are paramount with layout performance being slightly secondary. Not terrible, but not as good as some others. There are encouraging signs that they are at least listening to the feedback and trying to improve that.
I just love these videos, keep up the fantastic work Sam!
Thank you so much!! :D
The four pins between the loco and the tender are: Two pins for the pickups from the wheels, and the other two are for the factory installed speaker in the tender.
I'm pretty sure there are only two wires connected to the tender - so just pickups - as the speaker is in the loco!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The speaker is in the loco.
Enjoyed your latest video. Thanks for sharing.
Good review there Sam! I have King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry currently on the way. Looks to be a nice loco can't wait for it! Cheers Joachim
Thanks very much - sounds awesome - hope you enjoy it! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam, great review. Can I make a polite suggestion? If doing the really close up shots of a models details, it might be an idea to give the models a dust with a soft brush, or puffer brush. It's just a keep noticing hairs and dust that of coarse look huge when zoomed in. Keep up the good work.
Neil.
You keep out doing yourself with these reviews, Sam!
You're very kind - thank you so much! :D
content idea: try 3d print working slip coach (like this great working brakevan)
WOW, I NEVER SEEN SUCH AGREAT ENGINE
Another fabulous review, thank you Sam👍
Bachmann is one of the best model locomotive manufacturers!! My V2 is an old model. Mine is actually ‘Green Arrow’.
I always liked this LNER locomotive! Especially that unusual 2-6-2 wheel configuration that it has! It’s almost like a pacific but with less front wheels.
Me too - it's a grand looking design isn't it? :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Beautiful engine, I find big steam engines so beautiful, and also, I tested negative for Covid yesterdays
Sincerely me
I don't really like Bachmann loco's because of those Thick siderods on so many of there models, while the older one may run less reliably and has less detail, the livery and siderods make it my preference for me as I run a dc layout
My BR green V2 just arrived today! I think my biggest gripe will be the plastic running plate
When it comes to the tender couplings, I can't help but wonder if the reason why the one you like a lot more isn't used elsehwere may be due to a patent somewhere.
Truth be told, I wish we'd abandon having wires and stuff inside the tender. I dislike tender-driven locos as it is, and I would generally like my tender engines' tenders to be interchangeable to a degree without having to go crazy with rewiring (say for example I wanted Fowler tenders rather than prototypical ones... or just wanted to re-enact a tender-swapping incident involving Scottish locomotives).
One needs to remark that there are problems with the Dapol coupling. Note this is a 'close coupling' on the Bachmann V2. Maybe not perfect but quite an improvement. Cheers.
I'm not sure - I don't think Dapol would have patented their coupling... I'm not even convinced it's patentable, even if they were willing to spend the money! Any mention of close coupling is nonsense in my eyes - I have other Bachmann locos with the old coupling design which couple 1mm or more closer than this does!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
For me it’s crazy to think that so many classes of engine were derived from the A1/A3 design. This loco (V2), the A4, the P1, etc.
V2 is a shrunken A3
A4 is a supercharged A3
P1 is a goods version of the A1/A10
Hi Sam, the DCC Sound-Fitted version famously has a small man who cooks a bacon 🥓, sausage and fried egg 🍳 roll on a shovel in the firebox for you each time you run it. Mmmm…. It’s almost worth the £2,000 it costs.
love the detail i am tempted to get this model. i would love if one day ireland gets some models made we had some lovely engines in ireland and id buy them up. be cool to see murphy models or irm models make one. also accurascale are making steam train models they are diecast i think they look real good
I have the Locomotion models exclusive Green Arrow version. I’ve had it running and it runs like a dream.