Dapol's Modern Marvel | New Class 68 | Unboxing & Review 

The best name on one of the 68s is 'Felix', as it is named after the station cat at Huddersfield.

Got a class 68 from the first ever batch. And never had a part fall off nor any issues with running. Shows that these are well made and good value.

I really hope that other manufacturers (hornby) take note, especially when it comes to price and quality. Well done Dapol.

I’m relatively new to the hobby but already have 3 of these locos in the different liveries! Such good value for money and highly detailed. Run then on DCC and have no problems whatsoever. Coupling are a bit annoying but that’s all I can fault it for really. Have you seen one of these in real life? The engine sound is incredible!

I don't now why but the tiny emergency break glass fire alarm, was so impressive to me, that they included it, it looks prefect as well, I just wasn't expecting that much detail.

I really like the livery of this one. The wheels also look pretty cool with that sort of dotted design around them.

I have the Dapol Class 68 as well. I have 68032 (I wanted a TPE one so I can use it with Accurascale Mark 5a coaches when they eventually release). Always thought the detail was brilliant. I bought mine factory fitted with DCC and I have had no problems with the performance. I can get incredible slow speed performance as well. I don't remember having problems with the couplings (I haven't used mine in a couple of months) but I do remember them always being better than those on the Hornby Railways Class 67 which I know has couplings that seem to sag quite a bit. The biggest problem I have with my Class 68 is one of the detail inaccuracies which I have on my model. The first half the 68s were actually built by Vossloh before Stadler bought them and they gave a little Vossloh logo on the front as well as Vossloh Makers plates and this has been correctly modelled by Dapol. The later builds of Class 68s lost the Vossloh logos on the front as they built by Stadler. I know that when I bought my 68 Dapol had tooled for this as they had made a plain Blue DRS logo without this logo and with Stadler makers plates, as on your model. But annoyingly my 68 which is a Stadler built loco has Stadler makers plates on the side but it still has the Vossloh logo on the front. Anyway very pleased to see a review of what I think is a brilliant loco shame to see you found some performance issues.

I think the detail is good for what you're paying for. That coupler height is comedic, though. Easy enough to fix, though. Sure is a great looking piece of kit.

Great loco, I work with DRS and having worked on 68s for a while now I was really surprised how accurate Dapol managed to make this. Top marks and great model, might have to get a TPE livery one aswell though, this looks lush 🤣

A splendid "SPLENDID" nameplate! I may be in Canada, but that's a great looking locomotive. Love that silver on black roof detail... extremely sharp! Those wheels are awesome... "1ST Company" is the name of our mass-transit owners as well. BN switcher 912 @ 25:37 seems the odd locomotive. John Condolences to your nation, Long Live The King.

I have several of these Class 68’s and very happy with them. Also had the coupling hook flick off on occasion but converted to Kadee couplings a while back and just had to adjust the trip pin height to cater for the droopy nem pocket and don’t have issues anymore. Another great review Sam

Good morning Sam. I've just come across your channel. Many thanks for such a great review. I am just starting to look into model rail reading myself. For a long time I was wanting to go US model railroading specifically modern diesels. To me they just looked amazing over European locos. However despite the sheer daunting amount of info around I still found myself hesitant to jump in. Based more on wanting to get it right. It suddenly occured to me that living here in the UK and being able to see railways and operation right here was so much better. I was then slowly coming round to the idea of British modern freight rail roading. Having seen many time the class 66 and 67 locos running I've been more convinced than ever that I'm making the right choice. Now this absolute beauty the Class 68. I'm going N gauge myself with space and I just love the scale. I hope to learn a lot from your channel as my venture begins. Dapol is most certainly my loco of choice for quality and price. I'm definitely going DCC. I'd really appreciate any advice from your side for a complete newbie like myself.

I painted the control panel in the cab and it shows up - so something could have been done. I have 5 now - the best diesel locos I have. No problems with couplngs and runs like a dream - slow speed excellent - but all mine are DCC, four of them running with sound - 2 TPE; 2 DRS and one Scotrail

Even though its shortcomings, great to see a great detailed, modern loco' being priced so well. Nice one Sam. 👍🏻

very helpful review and great quality work as always thank you sam!

Glad you finally got one ! I still think this is amongst the best in diesel models at the moment and I do have the Accurascale Deltic . It runs well out of the box . The decoration is superb . Agree on couplings but I have to say when it is coupled to whatever you are pulling it seldom uncouples . I have a DRS Compass one and TPE “Brutus” just waiting for the Accurascale Mk5s to run with it with it . As I said I think these are very good , they run well and do anything I need of them .

Love mine. Most of what I have is split equally between pre and post nationalisation steam, with a smallish group of diesel and electric but as these run close to where I live, I really fancied one. It’s absolutely brilliant, only using it on DC at the moment as well

This reminds me of certain trix model. Those models are simply amazing…. Blows any models out of the water.

What a stunner! Great review! Thanks for sharing!

Great value locomotive, some minor issues, would say though it’s ok. Great review, accurate details. Another excellent video.

I love my N gauge 68 in the Chiltern Railways livery. One of my favourite locos in the collection. It's an absolutely fantastic model. Waiting for the coaches to be released for it! I'm so glad to see your review and opinion on the 00 one. Dapol have generally great consistency for a reasonable price these days. Love what they do.

Got two of these, by far one of the best ever locos Dapol has made, the quality, finish, detail, performance all of it. Just wish they were more consistent with their other locos.

TransPennine used the Class 68s on push-pull trains on their Manchester-Huddersfield-Leeds line, with a driving trailer coach at the other end (which had a cab that actually looked quite like the 68 cab). I live near the Calder Valley line (Manchester-Halifax-Leeds) and TransPennine trains sometimes get diverted along the Calder Valley. I took photos of 68 025 'Superb' storming through Hebden Bridge with a push-pull train in 2023. However, the livery didn't look quite the same - very similar, but the blue round the cab (a sort of sky-blue on the model) seems a lot darker. Also, it had had its name removed at some point, as did 'Splendid' and the other TP locos. TransPennine stopped using their 68s in August 2023 and put them into storage. One reason I heard was that there had been complaints about the noise of the locos !

So glad you got around to this one!

The real full size class 68 run from Scarborough to York Sam, on the Trans Pennine Express service. TP built a maintenance centre in Scarborough costing 9 million but suffered complaints from residence from the noise from the locos during the night on testing before service. I live 3 miles from the Scarborough to York line and the dull droning noise from this engine can be heard, it's very strong. I hope the model is quieter HAHA. Love your reviews best wishes to you.

I have 68002 “Intrepid” in the DRS compass livery, one of the crown jewels in my collection

hey sam great video, I think dapols decoration is always good but it feels like they struggle with derailing problems let alone mechanism and couplings and this is coming from a bachmann fan

Finally the class 68! Lovely video Sam!!!!

These models run fantastically well on DCC. I can get it to go at a scale 0.2mph reliably according to my speed measuring software.

Love these, nice video as always

Oh looks great, hopefully i can get one as the tpe 68’s run through my town😀

I have 'Destroyer' in TPE livery as she was the first class 68 I worked alone as her conductor. However my model runs fantastically on DCC and I've not had any problems with her. I'm just waiting for the Mk5A carriages to go with her next!

Lovely video sam

I saw the Chiltern Railways one of these at Marylebone Station on Sunday as I was on my way to the P2 Loco Roadshow. The 68 was at the 'country' end (DVT at the other end) because (as informed by a train driver pub mate that evening) the 68s have a very powerful Caterpillar engine which makes a loud old school rumble. It was placed at that end to save passengers having to tolerate the noise as they disembarked and walked past it to the station exit. To me that shouts, great, go get a decent DCC sound decoder for this model.

Hi Sam Nice review not bad for the money, All the best Brian 😃

Yeeeeeees SAM IS REVIEWING MODERN TRAIN STUFFS :) please do it more we would get bored of more steam locomotives

We have a dapol class 68 and it's probably the strongest loco we have along with the accurascale class 92. They are the only two locos we have so far that will seperate from their magnetically coupled rake by holding the head of the rake and just driving away slowly. 😂. Dapol offer great value.

Fantastic video I have got 68 031 Felix I personally don't let it run with any other stocks I have got Mark 5A Coaches on order so my 68 will mostly run with those Coaches

I haven't watched it yet but I know you'll love it. I have had mine for 4 years and never regretted it.

I have the same livery but different loco I think during the first batch and I have been really pleased with mine.

Awesome video today Sam beautiful modle really wanna get one

Accurascale have got a Transpennine full coach set coming in September for the Class 68. It’s got lights and everything else you now expect from Accurascale. I’ve had mine on pre-order, to go with my Dapol Class 68, for a good while now.

Saw this loco in Scarborough train station over the 6 weeks fantastic engine to see In person

I have two of these and I really like them. I have pre-ordered the coaches from Accurascale

I spotted a diesel locomotive today right here in Lancaster going through Lancaster Train Station (my home town and my home town's train station) and the locomotive was a brown locomotive.

So amazing diesel engine review!

Most of the NEM pockets seem to droop which is why these couplers are low. There should be some way to pit a shim under the coupler to bring it up to the right height. Thanks for the video Sam good review once again.

I got the Chiltern railways livery of this model as my first dapol model. I'm very happy with the purchase. I just wish there were more metal parts on the outside. It feels slightly plastic in some places but for the price this is to be expected really

Very good I saw this locomotive before it's the Nova 3 the class 68 with the TPE coaches called the Nova 3 does the service between York and Scarborough plus it will soon do the service between Cleethorpes and Liverpool lime Street or Manchester Piccadilly via Sheffield

I like the unique shape it has along with the livery

Really good Review Sam! Dapol seems to have done a great job on this model, I'll certainly be picking this up.

I have two of these in N gauge as they're my absolute favourite diesel in real life. So really excited to see you reviewing this!

It's SPLENDID you've reviewed one and mine is amazing and love it reasonable great runner and the option of the different lighting settings on DCC thanks again for the video

I can’t lie and don’t participate in the hobby. I do however enjoy this channel and your reviews. Just brilliant

This is one of dapol best OO gauge locomotives, I have had my DRS one which is 68003 Astute for quite a few years now and originally had it as a Christmas present, it’s one of my best diesels, good to see you finally review one of these.

Hi Sam, you didn't spot what I didn't spot, until putting mine alongside Brutus, now with new motor and running perfectly ..... Want to know what you missed? Grabrails at the bottom of the windscreens each end - they're MISSING !! There was an 'open return' option which I'd missed, receiving mine after the 31AUG22 deadline. Check out the RMWEB / Dapol / Class 68 thread. I'm putting the screws on Rails and Dapol to see if they'll at least send me replacement rails, and I'll glue them on myself. A lovely locomotive ruined by Dapol's lack of QC, and ... well, I'll know if they do assist before I start throwing any mud!! I hope they do - not my fault they stuffed up!! Al.

you need to send the body back to dapol and have the end grab rails fitted at each end. had the same with my splendid

Another good video. In the future if you are looking for a US diesel locomotive the EMD SD40-2 was a largely popular locomotive in the US and Canada with 1000s produced form 1972 to the mid 1980s with many still in used and others that have been rebuilt. The older Athearn Blue box model from the 80s are good, however the detailing is lacking compared to todays models but solid runners and easy to work on. Still possible to get New old stock Blue box Athearns.. Blue box because the came in a blue box. There are more modern models of the locomotive also available. Just a idea.

I was thinking it and Joe Eason came very close to writing it. 'His' Class 68 detailing is spot on. Both couplings work complete with sprung buffers interior lights, working horn complete with Ilkley Moor melody and he has got plenty of torque with 71,000lbf of tractive effort!🤣

Best reviews on RU-vid.

I have one in the same livery. I bought it because Accurascale is doing the TPE Mk5 coach set something that you might like

9:31 interesting going back in time. Great review none the less

Dapple made an error with this & felix - missing cab rails on the windscreen! They did offer to update the body shells if you returned them.

Awesome video Sam!! The locomotive Is great with just a few minor problems but overall I would say its pretty decent.

You need to take a look at the Bachmann class 90. Probably one of the best models made in the last few years. 5 stars in everything (except maybe the price)

Dapol have been on fire this year. I'm modeling N scale so I can't really get stuff like this but man you are tempting me to sell all my earthly possessions and dedicate myself entirely to the way of the train

Hi Sam, have you ever thought about getting some Australian locomotives in your collection? Australian Rail Models (owned by Hornby) releasing the famous 3801 and I would love to see a detailed review on it with your format.

This goes fantastic with Accurascale's TransPennine Express Mk5a Coach Pack

Very neat model, I thought it was a acs-64 when I I first saw the thumbnail lol

I've acquired one of these recently. It has a slight droop to the coupling, but not as bad as Sam's version.

Had one of these for a year and a half now, and it's easily one of my favourite models. Had a look over where the detail is catching on the bogies of yours and not an issue with mine. I agree that the clip on assembly of the models body/bogie chassis is not great (but I think that's true of a lot of modern tooled diesels/electrics) and the coupling hook on mine also droops at the rear(?) end. After I saw it getting caught on points and such I just cut half of the lower half of the hook off. Never had it ping off like yours did though. Never the less, for the price compared to the (at the time) Bachmann LMS 10000/DP1 diesels this far outclassed either of them in pretty much every area and is a really great model, imo. Cheers Edit, of course the next time I run the thing, the front coupling hook pings off never to be seen again within 5 seconds. Ha

I have just been and looked at my five 68s and not one of them has the coupling that low. They have a shroud around them that keeps it up. Yours does not seem to have that shroud, does it?. I love them. Never had an issue or a derailment. Also with that coupling I run it with Hornby and Bachmann stock. I do not run Hornby and Bachmann mixed. Different heights on the couplings give me no end of issues.

You should look into getting the 5 MK5a coaches that go with this loco. See these consists all the time in Manchester

35:56 I see two re-reviews and a a certain recent hornby loco there Sam ;)

Hi Sam I have two in n gaged I have not looked at in has much detail as you but it amazes me how the n gage seams a lot better than in oo you would think that a bigger model would look a lot better I have no problems with couplings it makes me scratching My head both mine runs really well

Excellent review as always Sam. Shall I re-send the email with the video suggestion?

very nice loco although i'd need to spray the turquoise area with createx candy as it is far too light , over all though i want one

Nice one. I see these every day. I like Brutus.

You had me at radius 1!

I love the TPE livery on the 68s..

Awesome video Sam's trains

Hi sam ! I love your videos please make more tank engine reviews pls also the prices has been going up since last year, so much Locomotives are expensive so alot if people cannot afford model trains it's sad my mom cannot buy food : (

People will finally have something to run with the Dapol TPE Class 68 when the Accurascale Mark 5A coaches arrive in November

Hey Sam have you heard about the Queen? She has passed away unfortunately 😔

I have one in DRS compass livery but due to some family shit it’s missing it’s front buffers, missing nameplates and accessories Still amazing non the less

Fantastic locomotive with fantastic livery. Looks like Syd Mead took a '80s VCR and filled it up with diesel while some vaporwave enthusiast spraypainted it with Fiji bottled water. N scale pls!

Hi sam thanks for covering the 68 I have mine four years now and paid less than 100 pounds for it, no problems with coupling as my one is higher up also the details are not catching the bogies, torque is not an issue as I have no gradients and dont pull unusually long trains ,very happy with it 👍

I will keep on waiting for the BR class 28, and OO9 gauge models and a OO9 layout.

The irl class class 68 is even more beautiful in person

I'm really envious of that Gaugemaster you've got there. I'm still using the trusty MRC 800 Tripak, which (I think) is a product of the 1980s.

I own this model in drs livery and it is one of the best i own

The finger on the front waiting for it to slip is going to be less reliable for testing "torque" as the heavier weight will press the wheels tighter to the track, meaning it needs more power to get the wheels to spin. A proper torque measuring tool would be more beneficial. That could be the reason for a poor crawl as well. Admittedly this one was lacking at very slow speeds, but the slow speed is enough to do controlled coupling and these locos are not really designed as shunters. I totally agree on the coupling though. Even on the low cost end, couplings should work

Would be good to see a follow up to this review for the Accurascale Mk5 "Nova 3" full consist

I absolutely love the is loco I love how loud they are 😂😂

Very enjoyable vid Sam as usual. I do think you were a tad harsh on the final score but at the end of the day it’s your opinion based on your experience. I have one of the DRS compass liveried ones and it’s a fantastic loco in my opinion. I’ve fitted it with sound and a large basey speaker and I did a video on this which you can check out if you’d like to. The coupling issue is famous for the 68s however is easily solvable by cutting off the bottom of the hook. Shouldn’t need to do it really but atleast it’s easily solvable. Best thing I would say about these locos indeed is the price especially in this day and age. I bought mine second hand for £130 DCC fitted which is an amazing bargain. The new ones are also very well priced and it just shows and unreasonable the prices from the likes of Hornby and Bachmann are. Dapol really are good at showing how easy it is to produce a high quality model at a reasonable price. All the best to you bud and look forward to the next one 👍

I love BN ho scale engine in the background. 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

but one question, what are your thoughts on the new coming class 92 from accurascale

Question for Sam: Are you ever gonna plan on touching the diesel/Electric locomotives from the US?

Well what can I say? Splendid remains, erm, splendid! Together with Brutus, a motor change had been required - Splendid on her 2nd, Brutus the older locomotive on her 3rd motor! I do notice generally with Dapol locomotives that they 'warm up' - they speed up slightly after a 'couple of loops' and the 68's can reach a reasonable turn of speed. Al.

The class 68 is my favorite