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Heljan O2/4 Tango Unboxing & Review (Worst Model Yet?)
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2018
- Heljan O2 Hatton's Summer Sale: www.hattons.co.... (Affiliate)
My review of the Heljan LNER 2-8-0 'Tango' O2/4.
Thanks for watching!
Email: samstrains@outlook.com
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Having worked on real steam locos, I can confirm that the handrails are _never_ that shiny!
That's good to hear mate - I thought as much xD
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Having worked as a crucifer, who holds metal on many Sundays, I concur! Metal always tarnishes unless you're wearing squeaky-clean gloves. We sure don't!
Considering the handrails are polished when the locomotives undergo maintenance, they're generally fairly shiny when leaving the maintenance yard regardless of whether they stay that shiny or not
Amazing how such a infamous loco has become largely forgotten after a certain tank engine stole its thunder...
haha absolutely, lol! ;D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
17:15 best part of the "sprung buffers" the whole front bends with it in total
haha I know - it's such cheap thin plastic ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
When the wheels spin. It looks satisfying.
It certainly does!! :D
It takes 2-8-0 to Tango! I just picked one up pre-owned, with DCC for £75, and it's an excellent model in regards to detail and running. Mine had a full complement of handrails, but had one lamp iron broken off (probably by it's previous owner). It's also very accurate to the prototype (with the incomparable Tony Wright in the design credits). I really love my model - perhaps they have made a number of improvements to the model since the first release. I am now grateful for your bad review - I am sure it has helped drive down the market price.
This loco is very attractive , especially profile , I love the way the running boards sweep up and then down to cover the drivers . 16:58 superglue bonding to the oil left by the fingerprints , not just fogged , but crusty feeling too . Yes gloves need to be worn !
Yes the prototype was lovely, Heljan just made a mockery of it with this model :(
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
10:36 the window reflection is terrible, it looks like loose cling film
haha it does actually! I never noticed that! xD
Lol
Your videos are helping us through this difficult time ❤ thank you
That's great to hear - my pleasure! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam'sTrains I agree, it’s because of said difficult situation that I’ve decided to get into model trains again, and your videos are helpfully informative :)
That’s nice.
I’ve got to bring out my model trains back too!
"Flush tender" wasn't a description. It was instructions for what to do with the loco.
Wow. I thought Hornby makes some sloppy locomotives. But I had no idea Heljin can make something much worse. Especially to a Gresley locomotive. If it was an A4, I would die in absolute shock.
haha oh yeah - Hornby locos are 50x better than this... I bet Gresley is turning in his grave ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
The most honest review of anything i have ever seen,no punches pulled which is good unlike the loco
Very glad you appreciated that, thanks for your kind support!
Cheers,
Sam :)
What a fantastic review. Love your honesty, calling a spade and spade, not a shovel.
haha thanks mate - I try to be as honest as possible when it comes to reviews!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Hi Sam, really good review - thanks! It's a shame really with this loco. My Heljan Beyer-Garratt commissioned by Hatton's has some of the same issues, the strange (unpainted?) body especially. Being half Danish I am able to tell you a little about Heljan as a company so you know why there is a tendency for producing models with 'issues'... Heljan was started by a former police officer in the fifties who named the company after his two children, Helle and Jan; hence HelJan. For years it produced building kits of, well let's say 'limited' quality for the European market, Danish prototypes figuring most heavily in their assortment. Then in the nineties they started making kits for the American market as a subcontractor, mostly for Walthers and Cornerstone etc. These were far better, being true to scale and quite crisp but still had some issues such as bad instructions, some fit issues etc. And then in the late nineties/early 2000's they expanded to become a maker of model trains proper. First for the Danish market and then, sort of strangely, the British. They actually made some rather nice Danish locos such as the DSB Litra P and Litra E. Underlying the often mediocre quality of Heljan is, I would say, a philosophy of non interest in the model business combined with a degree of ineptitude. This in turn is, I think, translated to the production stage and hence you have your Tango. Heljan at one time produced what was supposed to be a synagogue for the Israeli/American market in HO, modelled on an American prototype in New York under the brand name Binyan. Being low on cash, Heljan somehow decided to sell some of their stash off cheap 'under the counter' without knowledge of the Israeli gentleman who had financed the model. My father bought two examples and kitbashed the two front halves into an English manor house. When he and I were at the Nürnberg Toy Fair in 2004 he told the owner of Heljan that you could easily fit two fronts together so making a new kit out of these parts would be an easy matter and to great benefit for them as they would be able to market it in Britain and other places. It met with no response except to say they weren't interested.... This disinterest is what is wrong with Heljan unfortunately! Best, Joachim
Hi mate,
Sorry to hear your Garratt had similar issues - it's really not acceptable! Thanks very much for the interesting info on Heljan, much appreciated!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Boy, this locomotive is a disgrace to the 02's. I really love that class--fun fact: they were the first class Gresley built with his 3 cylinder set up based on his earlier 01 class--and I have to say this locomotive seems like a complete nightmare. I'm sorry you had to spend your money to warn us Sam. I'll keep following this to see if Heljan respond to you. I certainly hope you just got a bad model from a bad batch. I personally think they should send you a replacement model for free. Hopefully your next model is better. :)
25:19 LMS 8F 29:05 GWR 3000? (I know it's a former ROD loco, but Swindonized)--hope we can see that and the O4 Doublehead in the future :) 29:17 LMS 8F 29:30 LNER Q6 is the odd one out 29:40 S&DJR 7F
Thanks Patrick - yeah looking at the class they look fantastic - shame this doesn't do them justice! Not at all - I'm glad to take one for the team and expose these - it will certainly be interesting to see whether Heljan have any response!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Patrick Webb yeah same/btw I'm a boy just using my mums account/through my phone at a wardrobe😂😂LOL
Sam'sTrains hey Sam Tyler here,using my mums account we've had a little contact in the past😊👍 loved the review but the model isn't the best I've seen I mean Helena shouldn't even be aloud to make the engines because of the crap qualities they have, anyway you said we could suggest an engine to use or review and that got me thinking of the stanier class 5 I think it would make an excellent addition to the railway and would be a lot of fun as the stanier class 5 is a strong traffic mixed engine mainly for shunting and pulling
Sam'sTrains heljan*********
@@carolinereeves3188 same hear my name is Stefan
Dapol and Bachmann: Overall good, despite some 3-pole motors on Bachmann locos.
Hornby: You can freeze it, drive it across the country, squeeze it through some insane curves, pull the skin off your rice pudding, and it's still going.
Heljan: Packaged to the moon and back but it still came busted.
"...as though it smelt something up in the air..."
Best quote about a smokebox handle
haha thanks mate - I thought people would like that one xD
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I saw the thumbnail and was like it's so nice it looks like a good model,how wrong I was
EDIT:I did not expect this many likes thanks everyone who liked it
haha absolutely - not very often I have to be critical, but I had to be here!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam'sTrains your ratings weren't to harsh they were to nice quality 2 value 1 power 2 slow speed I must agree
A scathing review Sam, but rightly so by the look of things. I did notice that although bought as a new Model, the wheels on both the loco and tender looked as though they's done some considerable running..a practice I've see some Retailers doing by running the locos on their own display layouts and then re packaging them and selling them as new. Doing this may be the reason why so many parts were broken or missing...Just a thought...Regards...Bob
Hi Robert - yes this loco had been running before the review; I always run-in my models, so that they're in top condition before review! The surface of the wheels seems to attract dirt more readily than other wheels though! It's very possible - but I'm fairly sure Hatton's don't mess around like that!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Point taken Sam, I didn't know it was from Hattons, and it looked as though it had done some running, hence my comment based on my own experiences in the past.....Bob
The exposed axles used to be pretty common here in America. It wasn't until the 2000s when they went away on models.
Customer: why are you charging so much for a poorly built cheap locomotive?
Heljan: handrail shiny!
This model only good for scrap. Why is it so expensive .
Agreed! And absolutely no idea - no good reason as far as I can see!
Cheers,
Sam :)
I see you've got a 02, is he vagrant by any chance?
Dudley?
@@FreighttrainDaniel1225 Duh
ahhh i get it
No wires from tender to loco ... Actually I like to see them - representing the water feed pipes, train brake pipes, and so on. What always strikes me as toy-like is the big gap, not covered by a fall-plate, even if the gap is inevitable with the need to get round second-radius curves. Still, thanks for a brave and very useful review.
Thanks for sharing David, yes that's very reasonable actually!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
What a shame as the model looks so good from a distance. I imagine the poor quality control explains the very much discounted price. I think perhaps the only reliable way to buy one is to have it out the box first. Not always an option especially if you want to take advantage of the lower price. Perhaps another manufacturer will step up. One final thought Rails, who normally try to price match Hattons, have them at £147 ish. Could it be that Hattons have bought a load of seconds?
Thanks Gareth - I agree, from a distance this looks reasonably good! Very true - if you could take a look first, you could select a decent one!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
32:30
Swimming: 5/5
haha yeah!! ;D
The texture looks like the inside of my banjo!
haha does it?! xD
Australian Fan would like to say that I do enjoy being able to clearly understand your comments as you review/comment. As our real life steamers were British made and of similar outline your comments are very meaningful. I model in Gauge "O" NSWGR outline of the 1900's and hope you can review some ETS (CZ made) Locos which are also in UK outline and as ETS make for ACE trains they are good quality metal bodied & well detailed. Thank you for your impartiality in your reviews. Bryan.
Heljan: exists
Sam'strains: I'm going to destroy this man's career.
Hey Sam! Just saw this video whilst working my way through the collection of reviews! In lights of the shoddy pulling power on this compared to the Hornby video of the Ruston pulling power, it got me wondering about if you could use the Ruston as a benchmark for pulling power... I bet it would take far more up the hill the O2! Thanks for the awesome videos!
That's a great idea Jack - I'll think about how I could do that! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
31:55 - 31:58 He's there again!
haha well spotted! :D
Funny how my rivet counter friend (not really friend but I've known him for a while, actually a long while now that I think about it) got this model, it was the first model he bought in years and then I see you saying it's the worst model yet haha. Glad you made this video before I decided to buy my own!
haha! Did your friend like his then? If so, he must have gotten lucky! No worries mate - definitely one to avoid I think!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Thanks for taking the time to consider my comments. Admittedly, the only review I looked at before purchase was from Hornby magazine (Oct 2016) which was overwhelmingly positive, in fact the reviewer(Mike Wild) ended his piece with ‘An impressive model packed full of detail’. I happen to possess a Hornby 8f, purchased about 16 years ago, and placing the two models side by side I would reckon that they are about equal regarding finish and detail. I think your ‘toy like Comparison is a bit unfair. As for the mechanism, my model has excellent low speed performance and performs comfortably with a five coach train or goods of similar length -this being the maximum my layout can accommodate.
Incidentally, I was not being critical of Hattons, their customer service is excellent and puts John Lewis to shame. I was simply pointing out that even the best run businesses can make the occasional error. In summary I agree with you that the model is not worth £180, but that at £84 it is a bargain.
Despite the issue over the Tango, I find your reviews highly informative and entertaining and long may they continue.
Thanks Pete, no worries - if you enjoy the model, then it's done it's job!
I've noticed that too about the magazines - they often glaze over the inadequacies of the models - perhaps because they rely on the manufacturer to send them samples to review, and want to keep them sweet?
Thanks again for the comment, and have a very Happy new year,
Sam :)
Magazines are a thing known as "Access Media" where they get special access to new models and pre-release stuff in exchange for sugar coating all their reviews. It is the same in the film world, videogame world, you name it, and the smaller the field the bigger it is, often taking actual money as well as flights and special trips. It is often only cost effective for them to be corrupt.
UA-cam has a lot of it too, but there has been a crackdown on not specifying it is a paid review. Sam on the other hand tends to just buy his models so he is free to review them fairly.
thanks for the heads up, i now know to never get a model from Heljan...
I'd definitely recommend checking reviews before purchasing from them!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Great review of a not so good model. That is the reason Hatton's is selling out all 7 available versions as bargain 100 GBP under list price for 89 GBP.
Thanks a lot Norbert - yeah this has to be the reason for the massive reductions!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Excellent review Sam as per, and I’m not entirely surprised at all that a Heljan model is so shoddy, I have seen numerous reports for this model and a few others!
Thanks a lot Mike, yes I’ve heard a few similar Horror stories from them!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Btw, if you want a model with good build quality, decent detail, high power, you should get the premium black 5 which also has the best slow speed. :)
Ahh fantastic - I'll look that up, thanks a lot! :D
Cheers,
Sam :)
For such a crappy model, it really is a pretty train
Same. I have a soft spot for 2-4-0's and 0-4-0's.
15:54 you have caused confusion and delay
haha!! xD
I also purchased this model from Hattons at the reduced price. The model had no issues, pulls 30 wagons with no difficulty on code 75 rail and hand built track. I have a number of freight locos in BR black, this loco blends well into the rest of the fleet. I think it would be appropriate to return the model to Hattons .
Thanks Colin, that's good to hear - clearly my layout isn't a 'proper' one - and the slight slope does limit how many wagons mine haul - but this is consistent across all of my reviews! I'd overlook one or two minor breakages, but everything was wrong with this, so I decided it'd make an interesting review!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
It might not be quite your thing, but it would be neat to see a build series or follow up video on improving this.
haha! If I was skilled enough, I certainly would do that! I know people who are though - so I guess I could ask! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Hey Sam this is even worst than the DJM's J94
Hey Kallum - yes I think it actually is!! :O
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I've seen a lot of good reviews for the DJ austerity tank.
@@almostkentish3042 its DJM not DJ btw and i had one of the tank engines and i sent it back for a refund and got my money back.
@@almostkentish3042 its DJM not DJ btw and i had one of the tank engines and i sent it back for a refund and got my money back.
Is that....Dudley???
Yes
It seems like some of these companies now just drag a figure out of thin air and expect everyone to be grateful that they've been allowed to buy one but I have to say of all the reviews I have watched from yourself that's the most depressed you have ever appeared. Not to worry I'm sure there is a good one just around the corner. I'm with you on the ethical point of view, as you say somebody would be rather upset if their pride and joy got a right hammering on quality and running order. Keep up the great work Sam. All the best Frank
Thanks for the comment Frank - I agree, they take their customers for granted, which they shouldn't do!
Definitely - I could never do that to someone kind enough to send something in!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
When you get off the carpet I might take you seriously. Good sound and video. Trains are way cheaper in the UK than they are in Australia. Carpet really.
Thanks Miles - the carpet layout is a big attraction for young modellers, so I'm unlikely to move away from it any time soon. I've run my trains on carpet for over 5 years, and (if I say so myself), I've never seen another working collection in such good working order. If it's done properly, running on carpet is no problem - and I have over 500 videos to prove it!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
You are underrated you should have a million subscribers
If I were the consumer, I would suggest keeping the money and put it towards getting your leaky roof fixed or the windscreen wipers on your car replaced.
Or anything else for that matter - this should be the last thing people spend their money on xD
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
my first thought after watching this video was that my cousin (aged 11) got given a hornby smokey joe for his third birthday, it was £10 second hand from hattons, i serviced it before we gave to him as a family and its been through hell by model train standards, hes has now sadly despite my best efforts lost all interest in trains and not suprisingly i got given his collection of a couple hornby sets and some railroad wagons, plus smokey joe, i tested it and it ran without any issue, a little squecky but i soon sorted that, id choose smokey joe over this 'top of the range' heljan loco. great video as always Sam, keep them coming haha!
Thanks for the comment! Yes it's incredible how much stick those 0-4-0s can take without busting - such a shame the expensive models can't get to that standard!!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I'll compliment Heljan for their colour print in their note/info papers
Yes, they can at least produce decent paperwork ;)
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Ex works condition so the handrails would be 'bright metal' as they did not want drivers hands being ripped open. In use we were initially issued with cotton waste and later clothes which theoretically could be laundered. The s..t you get on the handrails both in steam and diesel days was incredible, some of course waste from the lavatory stock. So at least a part would be reasonably clean.
I see David, thanks a lot for clearing that one up!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam: "we're going to have a laugh at this locomotive"
Me: "hahahaha oh the review hasnt started yet"
Oh yes indeed ;D
I really must congratulate you on this video. Like you say when you think how much these models cost and would've been even more had it not been for Hattons slashing the price you would expect a model to be of reasonable quality. I certainly would've sent this back for a refund. If Heljan watch this and sincerely hope they do they owe you not only an apology but at least a replacement or money back. Makes you realise how good Hornby, Bachmann etc are and as you said in your video you could get far better loco's for far less. Well done Sam & come on Heljan please reply!!
Thanks a lot Richard! I decided I'd take one for the team and review it rather than sending it back, but this was easily poor enough for a refund! We'll have to see what response Heljan has to the video, if any, but it would be appreciated! For sure - we don't know how lucky we are with Hornby, Bachmann and Hatton's!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
A lovely looking model, but Heljan may need to go back to the drawing board when it comes to steam locos. Fantastic review as always, Sam. :)
Thanks Eddie - yeah that sounds like a good idea... or just stick to diesels, who knows?
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
You should get a Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0, and also for when you get the Bachmann Thomas and Friends narrow gauge trains, you should get either the Bachmann N scale World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack or the Bachmann Figure 8 Track Pack, main reason being is that they made the narrow gauge trains to run on N scale track, also with both track packs you should get a controller for either one you get
Ooh sounds good - I'll definitely look into getting one of those, good idea! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
If you stuck a decimal point after the 1st digit in the 185 pounds then you'll have a very well priced engine!
I agree - let's face it, it can't have cost much more than that to produce ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Did Heljan ever get in touch about this model?
@31:55 Ah Bullman
:)
I love your video Sam, I love to see what the deal is before I commit to buying a Toy Train or a Video Game to be honest. Excellent look at this Heljin Train, I am sure there are better models but This Tango Class was a shame. :(
haha well spotted! Thanks a lot for that mate, really glad to have been a help!! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam'sTrains Your welcome, your channel is always a fun one. Plus very informative too.
There’s a fan character of Thomas based on this class: Dudley
Sadley , they confirmed that he was scraped , non of the class survived 😢 unlike bear said : i feel some simphasy for him
@@TheLuckyJ11 yep
I’m making a video about Dudley very soon.
@@joshuaW5621 cool
Hi Sam, I also purchased one of these when they were on sale a few months ago. Fortunately mine was fine with no missing or broken bits. There were also no finish issues other than the bright hand rails but I can live with those. It ran well but as you say it wasn't keen on second radius curves. I thought for £89 it was a steel. If I had received a loco in the condition you did I would have immediately sent it back for a replacement. I don't think the quality issues are just with Heljan. I remember a few years ago receiving a brand new Hornby P2 special edition that I had preordered. There were glue marks on the body. The motion (plastic) had broken and been re-glued. It was terrible. I thought it may even have been a return that they had tried to repair. I returned it only to be told there were no more available, not good, got my money back. I sometimes think a lot of these issues are down poor quality control and to the individual personnel in the factories who assemble them. When one model can turn out perfectly ok and another (like yours, so poor) it has to be a factor.
Hi Peter, that's very good to hear - there have been many complaints of poor quality on those, so it sounds like you were lucky!
Ahh sorry to hear that about the P2 - I was quite disappointed with the quality of those too!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
China..
I don't think you were harsh. My friend hated 45 so he chucked his n gauge model out of the house window and it didn't survive
haha blimey!! That's a bit extreme!!!! :O
The best part of this review is the video. I do not have an 01 yet and I already know which make it is not going to be. I know you bought it to do the review, so you did the best you could. I on the other hand would of not even tried to run it. It would have been back in the packaging and in the post next day. I would not of blamed the seller, but I would of asked for my money back including the return postage or I may of bought something else. Martin. (Thailand) I know this is an old video, so things may of c]hanged. (Not)
haha thanks Martin - yeah ordinarily I would have sent this back - but my purposes are a bit different to most; to make videos!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
This truly makes me sad that I lost my kit built O2/2 after the Romford motor failed. Any desire to purchase one from Heljan promptly left me the when the running plate proved that the buffers are not the only sprung part on their O2s! 🙄
Inaccurate it may be Sam, but perhaps you’d create a decent model by mounting the body shell to a Wrenn 8f chassis (assuming the body survives being transferred that is).
Ahh sorry to hear that Scott! Nice idea on the body swap, that's very interesting!!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The Heljan 1366 Class is actually really nice and so much detail it’s worth it to give it another chance.
Ahh that sounds good, I’ll definitely look into that!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Loved the review, although I know you apologised for sounding bitter, but honestly I would of loved to hear you Really tear this thing apart, it’s an absolutely ridiculous price for such a Soddy model, it’s failed all the boxes
Thanks so much Poke, yeah I really did feel like tearing it apart to be honest xD
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I think that I should point out that at 4:33 it said in the paperwork that "This highly detailed model in 1:76 scale contains many individual parts and as such requires careful handling to avoid damage." Just think about that for a moment.
Very true - though in practice, no handling was required to cause the damage - it was pre-damaged on arrival!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
@@SamsTrains No, I was talking about how they were telling us to be careful despite the fact they themselves couldn't keep the thing together. Also, you're very welcome, I really enjoyed the video.
Great review Sam.....open and to the point....I hope all manufacturers take not....have to admit at being a little disappointed over the last twelve months on how prices are creeping up and yet in my last three purchases quality is not..... ....
Thanks mate - yes I do try to be accurate with my reviews! Absolutely - it's all going in the wrong direction isn't it??
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Just viewed this loco still on offer at £89 on Hatton's, but as you expect, I turn to your reviews before going any further. Just as well, hey. Thank you Sam.
That's good to hear Philip - there aren't many models I can't recommend, but this is one of them!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Wow
This is new level of bad fro a model train...
really enjoyed the video Sam!
I agree - shockingly poor isn't it?!
Merry Christmas - Sam :)
Hi Sam and everyone else reading this. Does anyone else remember those magazines that came with a model loco on a plinth, I think they were called 'the great british locomotive collection' and they were cheap in price but they more or less fell apart as you opened the box. the finish/quality on this loco reminds me of those. i think that sums this up pretty well.
Thanks for the comment! Yeah I remember them - I've heard how poorly made they were as well.... and you're absolutely right, this is exactly like those, just 100x the price ;)
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
The quality of this model reminds me of that of the Great British Locomotives Collection that was around a few years back, except they were static models in a partwork magazine that cost 7.99 a pop so the quality wasn't really a problem. In a near £200 ready to run locomotive, it's horrendous.
I agree - it's very similar to those in terms of the finish... ludicrous really!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Don't be silly LNER doesn't mean steam anymore it means the modern ECML Now. Fabulous video!
haha that's true actually - soon it won't mean steam any more!!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Fair comment Sam,
I do wonder how old she was prior to Hattons getting shot of the stock cheap? I've known a couple of folks who have had similar problems with Heljans quality control, both steam and diesel locos, and a google of 'Heljan quality control issues' throws up THOUSANDS for results, all saying what your saying. And be thankful you didn't payout £250+ MRP for the Garrett!!
Apparently over recent months Helja have been seeking to recitfy the problems and are seeking new manifactures to replace the chinese factory thats been doing the shoddy work, but I don't know if any of the new batches have hit the UK yet or what condition they are in. Fingers crossed for an improvement!!
One thing about the livery and handrails... I see she is modeled as allocated to March depot in Lincolnshire, and that shed had a reputation for turning out very smart locos, even the frieght haulers. This included shiny hand rails (the linkage is going to look a bit mucky anyway) and they used to wax polish the paint work, giving the engines a sort of satin finish, something no other model company has attempted to reproduce, so marks to Heljan for that... but then take them away again for the non prototypical gluey finger marks on the boiler sides!!
Have a great weekend
Jon
Hi Jon,
Yes I wonder this too - I'm not sure exactly when they were released originally, but it's not much more than a couple of years ago at the most! I'm very glad I avoided the Garrett - I've been tempted in the past!
Ahh that's very good news - fingers crossed that their new products are much better then! Very interesting about the March depot - they could very well have been high-shine then?
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I hope I'm not the only one who noticed the uneven hand rails near the back of the tender. I'm not sure if that was part of the real locomotive's design or not, but it caught my eye. (21:12 on the far left side of the rear of the tender) And no, I'm not talking about the the single hand rail on the very back of the tender that was falling off then repaird, I'm talking about the two handrails on the sides of the tender that are close to the rear.
If you mean the rear handrail, then that's the one that I had to repair (albeit badly) - It wouldn't have looked that way normally!!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam'sTrains no no, I'm not talking about the hand rail you fixed, I'm talking about the hand rails that are on the side near the rear of the tender. The right side hand rail is longer than the left side hand rail.
Nice review Sam. Shame about the quality problems. As far as I'm concerned in the realm of the 2-8-0 nothing comes close in capturing the spirit of this type of loco as my ancient very heavy Hornby Dublo 8F. Apart from that huge motor in the cab and after some serious weathering and detailling she still looks amazing. ..
Thanks Robin, ahh yes those Dublo ones really are superb - love those!!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I don't know what British practice is but on this side of the Atlantic, the "pugs" are called "stations" or sometimes Standoffs".
Ahh interesting Ken - I've not heard that before!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Crikey me Sam, I'm worried you'll be getting a Solicitor's letter after this review! but if it's your opinion, way to go!
It is my opinion - and further more, I show all the faults up close - I'm clearly not just making it up! I'd welcome a solicitor's letter - I could do with the money!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
That’s a fair review in my opinion, Sam and it’ll be interesting if you hear from the manufacturer. With the paint not being gloss and not being matte, sounds like a satin finish perhaps? Either way doesn’t belong on a loco!Looking forward to a 10/10 review of something else next time 😆
Thanks Anthony - yeah it will be very interesting to hear from them!! Is satin the right word? Maybe so! Ooh yeah - I'll have to do a good one next time!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
“Fit for the bin” definitely!
Shocking!
haha for sure ;D
Cheers,
Sam :)
Re. the handrails: I don't think the question is as to whether they should be gloss or matt. The question is whether or not they should or should not be painted. Ex. works they would be gloss - gloss paint. Weathered, they would obviously matt the more usage the locos got. What the handrails would never be is polished unpainted bare metal - they would always be painted as per the body colour.
Thanks very much for putting it like that - you're absolutely right!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Hey Sam as i heard through the grape vine that Heljain have made new models of the GNR O2 ''tango'' 2-8-0
P:S: do you have any advice for someone who's not so experienced with model railways.
The life like 0-4-0 switcher that retailed for like 30.00 I had over 10 years ago could pull more than that if I added a traction band lol and that's American rolling stock which is basically 2 of those little 4 wheelers
Wow thanks for sharing - if only they were that price these days!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The term for that finish is "satin", and it's normally used for tabletop gaming models or to remove the gloss on large-scale display models (like battleships). Heaven only knows what it's doing on this.
Ahh yes I'd say satin is definitely the right word - thanks for that! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sorry, did no one notice he got to speak to TardisRescue? Lucky man, Sam, he’s a pretty good TTTE fan media creator, you might get inspiration from him for your little Thomas shorts!
haha yeah he's my good friend from school, so we do have catch up sessions some time - he's great at what he does!! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Sam, have you thought about pre-ordering the Heljan class 45 that has only just been released
Yes! I am thinking about that - it should be awesome! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I don't mind the linkage and connecting rods being dulled down. If they are too shiny the look toy like, old mainline locos and the like have that issue. The hand rails are definitely wrong, no steam loco had that bright handrails. As for the rest of the model ... shocking. JUST SHOCKING. (On a side note a heavy tender will just reduce the pulling power of the loco as you're pulling the extra weight as part of the loco and not rolling stock! And she does struggle to pull....)
That's fair John - I suppose they do look more subtle this time! Yep, overall not at all pleased with this one!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
good underwater performance though
How shoddy the detail is on this model makes it look like Hornby locos from the 1970s when I was a child, which isn't something you expect nearly 20 years into the 21st century. From what i can gather from model railway magazine reviews Heljan seem to put way more effort into the O gauge range, because all the magazines rate Heljans O gauge models as being the best there is. Look forward to the next video regards, Gary.
haha - it really does look like a 1970s model with a painted cab... awful for nearly £200!! Ahh sounds good - I'll have to look at some of their O gauge stuff online!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
revisiting this review and nowadays Hattons want £169 for this !
Between Flat and Mat I think is called Satin. I don't think Satin Black was a common color back in the time of this local motive.
Yes I think you're right, thanks for that! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
The Heljan packaging looks pretty minimal when there is no information about the locomotive class and the name of the locomotive. Its just a plain blue and red and white with the Heljan logo on the packaging. At least their is some information about the locomotive in the box.
Yeah that's right - it's a touch boring isn't it?? :/
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Well Sam, you done it again. U found the best train for your collection
Oh yeah - pride of place for sure ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
First the p2s got rebuilt and now this. This is the work of Edward Thompson!!
haha!! I'm sure you're right!! ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I've bought 2nd hand models on ebay for far less than 89quid and in far better condition... you buy cheap 2nd hand you expect a few glue/repair marks or a few loose or missing details. But brand new this is insane
haha me too mate - it blows the mind really, I couldn't believe it!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
It's coming back!🤓
A lot of wheel slip in that beginning bit.
A taste of what is to come.
haha absolutely - awful machine this one! ;D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
If you'd have gone to the store and got it there then you would have been better able to determine if you wanted it based on how it performed or what it looked like and whether you wanted a model that had it's paint weathered or not. Airfix had fairly good model railroad locomotives and rolling stock regardless of whether you consider them toys or models and are collectors items especially the older models.
Hi Sam, I read on the web that a vinegar soaked cotton swab can remove super glue vapor fingerprints from a model, hopefully without harming the paint.
That might be worth a try - thanks for the tip! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
It may do good being weathered and parked on an unused line as an abandoned engine. LOL!!!!
Scrapping would be too far though.
However I did like that 1 2-8-0 you had parked on a siding outside of a shed, that was a beauty.
haha yeah - that's about all it's good for, lol! ;D
Ahh yes - now that one is much better! :D
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Quotes from Henry, James and Gordon from Thomas And Friends describe this model’s price tag and quality:
James: ‘disgusting’
Gordon: ‘disgraceful’
Henry:’despicable!’
haha they're not wrong!! ;D
Everyone who repairs or services electronics and small mechanics should learn how to property handle these small connectors, and at best also how to identify them, where to order replacements and how to fit them. Connectors have come a long way towards much better, but people need to keep it with the changes.
Yes that's true Soren! Thanks for sharing :3
Merry Christmas - Sam :)
one thing that is strange is that the driving wheels have exposed axles while the front wheels don't, so it's not even consistent
haha that's a very good point actually - very strange!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)