Hi Sam, I think I found the odd one out. Is it the J15, because it's a 0-6-0 tender engine not a 0-6-0 tank engine. Does that mean I get a free cookie lol :) Cheers Jasper & Willow
I absolutley love my J50, I bought it a coulple of years ago on the strength of your original review! Managed to get a decoder in without removing that tank weight too!
I had a look around the Oz sellers of this loco. It's price in Australia is between $165 to $180 AUD and thats expensive. BUT and this is the huge BUT all the sellers have it as OUT OF STOCK. So this has me asking was it ever in stock? Are items set up on website sales as a lure to the online shop?? But my point is considering the financial trouble Hornby is in if the stock is available how can they make money? Sad to see on what was looking good the very low and awkward rear coupler.
Hey Leo, agreed, hopefully Hornby will bring this back for a reasonable price. To be fair though, I’d honestly pay $165 AUD for it though, as if you do the conversion from Pounds to AUD, £1 is currently $1.90 Australian. It’s too bad the AUD to Pound Conversation is ridiculous right now, so hopefully that improves. I live in Canada myself, and last time I did on order to the U.K., the conversion £1 was about $1.50 CAD, but now it’s more like $1.70. The world we live in is crazy…
I do hope the pre-grouping trend continues. The beautiful variety of locos, rolling stock, and liveries allows for far more visual contrast, and many of those locos were still around during grouping.
I picked up one of these from a dealer for £70 at the Alexander Palace show this year. He was selling quite a few, all which seamed to be boxed and new old stock. I think it is a brilliant loco and well worth £70.
I've recently fallen in love with this engine myself. I've always been a fan of the more...odd looking British loco's like the Wainwright H class as an example, and this fella takes the cake for me. I love it.
Small world. I recently picked up this very same J50 second-hand from Clark Railworks, alongside an A2/3 Pacific to boot. In terms of model quality, that's like going from one end of the spectrum right to the other.
Hornby's J50s are amazing models, i chose the BR departmental one so that it would stand out amongst my other BR locos. By the way, i dont think the prices did go up. Got mine December 2021, and at the time the rrp was still £74.99, might have went up after that, but it definately hadn't went up when i got mine
@@SamsTrains 10:46 - LBSCR E2: I’m so thirsty. I don’t think i can get to the harbor without more water. 10:56 - “Aah! Just what i need, J50, a good long drink.” 11:02 - “I think I feel good as new now, J50. I think I can race Camelot around the railway. 11:08 - Camelot: “Goodbye, J50 and E2. Take care!” 11:12 - LBSCR E2: “Well, perhaps nothing! Come on J50.”
Fun fact: The Rev. W. Audrey actually wanted Thomas to be based on a J50 (As it was what he based his model on him as a gift for his son) but the illustrator Reginald Payne being a southern Londoner decided to base Thomas of an E2.
Inspired (lured) by your channel I've just had a spending spree on LNER locos & coaches. I've also hauled my older locos out of the attic & I see that my Lima J50 cost 7 pounds 64 pence new. I must get some track laid.
Hello Sam. I've got the 1970s/80s Lima version! I guess that's where Hornby got the original idea to update/renew the tooling for model you have? Mine still runs OK but is not overly-detailed. If I didn't have the Lima version, I'd definitely buy one. Can't resist a Gresley loco...!
Now there is a thought, Hornby owns Lima these days did they retool the Lima 😮 is it really a Lima underneath, god forbid 🤦♂️ I actually like the Lima
Hi Sam, a general point, if I may. If you look at your vid circa 19 min the track-level profile view shows a distinct droop to the rear NEM pocket. To me this is a real and near universal issue with British locos, and does not arise with, for example, my Roco German tank engines / 6-wheel coaches. I wonder, is there a standard for acceptable NEM droop, or lack of? If not, should there be? And is there something British outline manufacturers could do about it? It is a real problem if you use knuckle couplers. BTW I always look for your review before I buy a new engine. Best regards, Bill.
I actually got a Pre-Owned J50 from Hatton's last winter and I couldn't be happier. Very weighty, smooth as silk when running, and looked great. Given that I couldn't find them anywhere else I jumped on the chance to get one. So happy I did, he runs the goods on my lil branchline loop now
All very well Sam and this J50 is a worthy runner but what about the new Rapido 15XX? I don't feel like buying a 15XX until I've seen your response and I know others feel the same way too. Cheers 🙂
Always looking forward to a next review Sam 🙂 She certainly looks very nice for the RRP back them. Excellent runner as well. Pity about the imperfections at the back caused by the packaging. One thing we couldn't wrap our heads around tbh, without any intention of wanting to be snarky or anything, is why Hornby did hold on so long to open motor armatures. From continental perspective that's something from many decades ago. Was/is there an advantage we aren't aware of? It seems to us that it would very much vacuum in dust and grime. But there must have been a reason for it. Was it mainly cost, or something we are oblivious about...? Cheerio.
Sam, can you keep the original videos up, after the loco has been re-reviewed? It's interesting seeing how the hobby advanced and how your opinions change.
I tend to remove them, just because I prefer people to find the latest reviews rather than the dated one... this way the videos on my channel stay up to date! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrainsyou could turn the videos to “people can only watch if they have a link “ so list them in your channel description, but when you search for them they won’t show up! Just an idea, great video as always Sam!
@@SamsTrains, I shall continue To wait Patiently for when you finally do The Heljan BR class 28 Review and when you start dabbling in the realm of OO9 Scale.
@@SamsTrainsMaybe create a playlist with all the older ones, and add into the title that they are also older ones so people know there's a newer one, whilst others can watch the old ones still for the sake of watching them
Hornby sell pre-2006 tooled Airfix kits under the 'Vintage Classic' sub-brand including many kits from the 60s and 70s and they sell very well at prices slightly below newer, more detailed, better finished kits. Model makers appreciate the honesty so don't feel ripped off (Airfix is unique amongst companies to do this). Perhaps if Hornby put some older toolings into production at sub £100 (lower detail and R&D costs already recouped so possible) and clearly marked them as 'Vintage Classic' locomotives they would sell very well.
It's fascinating to think that if a certain collection of books with a bright blue tank engine had been illustrated per the author's requests it's likely this review would instead be on the E2, with the J50 actually being the more popular and still constantly produced model today.
Going loco Sam? I watched a guy in US with 2 N guage locos pulling 200 + wagons....have you ever done a maximum test on all locos? Would be an interesting video perhaps...cheers.
The OG Thomas himself! The J50's are real lookers, aren't they? Great review as always Sam, would definitely love to see one in a pre-grouping livery. Wonder what this would be like with an HM7000 decoder, if it's possible to fit one? Also, please do consider reviewing a Hornby Dublo model, would love to see your objective take on the range
Hey Sam - I have the same Loco but the only differences are :- R3405 & it is No. 585 & mine came in "The Sovereign" Range - "The Station Pilot" Train Pack & cam4e with 3 Wagon... 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Personally I'm not a fan of the look of sloping side tank locos, but that aside, this is a real quality looking item. With your excellent close-up camera work to show us the finer details, I'm well impressed with the finish and fitments. That is except for the rear end; a shame about that lower row of moulded in lamp brackets and the well dodgy NEM coupling pocket. A shunter needs spot-on couplers. You should have tested the height conformance of the NEM pocket with one of those Symoba gauges (from DCC Supplies) !
It’s surprisingly modern looking for something that came out 110 years ago. It has the look of one of the last steam engines just before everything went diesel.
Hi sam, I've been watching your videos for about 7-8 years but now I finally bit the bullet and started designing an actual layout. Its an expensive hobby and I never really got around to it until now. Doing the classic 6x4 loop layout but it will do do just run my trains round. Keep up the amazing content!
Good video Sam I have a similar problem with the couplings on my hornby mark 1 I fixed it by replacing the dove tail connector seams some of the dove tail connectors can come bent from the factory or are damaged with use
Yeah I think I have some MK1s from Hornby that do that too... they drop out quite a bit! I think I fixed it by just glueing them in! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
yep..great (and heavy) little loco...mine is the early BR logo type weighs 274 (!!) gramms and is a very good runner....love it...also it cost me even less than yours, only a few years ago from hattons...so all good.....😅
Love this review, it’s a real shame Hornby’s value for money doesn’t match up to this anymore. I’d love to see more up to date reviews of old ones you’ve done in the past! I think it would be nice if you did a fresh review on the Bachmann Jubilee “Falkland Islands” it’s the nicest model I own and I’m curious to see what it’s strongsuits are when compared with the modern Samstrains rating system
Hey Sam, as an American, where do you recommend I buy British locomotives and rolling stock? Additionally, which brand makes the best wagons and coaches (at least in your opinion)? Thanks! -Matthew, an amateur collector
That's tricky! Your best option would be to find a retailer in the US that stocks British models - I understand there's a few that stock Hornby etc. For other British brands, you'll have to find a British retailer that offers the best postage price - I know Hatton's is pretty decent for that, as they ship overseas all the time, but well worth doing a comparison between a few... try The Model Centre, Model Railways Direct, or Kernow! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi sam. Im trying to start up my own model railway channell and I would love to know how you get your newton readings for the locos, If you could point me in the right direction I would be greatful 😁
I can't remind the price of mine, bought in 2019, but it seem I paid her around GBP100. For the decoder, I've bought a 8 pin Hatton's socket-only decoder, I did not have fit it yet, but it seems this kind of decoder might fit without removing the weight. Anyway, the model is superb, the level of detail and the quality is still on to by today's standards. the drivetrain is excellent, better than some actual models, not overgeared, and with good performances. Sole problem : the couplers on your own. I can"t remember if this was the case on mine, I was not looking at that in 2019, I decided to go all Kadee far later. Might have not been a problem, but I would check this. It has to be corrected in case of a reissue, and you can put a next-18 socket where the 8 pin one is. A good candidate for a reissue in my opinion, I might be tempted by a BR version if so.
Yeah that would sound about right for 2019. Very interesting about the decoder - where abouts does it fit? It sure is wonderful - and a brilliantly simple design too, that's true. Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains The decoder's components sat on a small PCB soldered over the 8 pins, and roughly 1/2mm broader on all sides as the socket itself. It's like a DCC ordinary plug, but with everything you need to have a real PCB. Rails of Sheffield also have some like this, I might even have bought one from them, can't remember...
Has there been anything new in TT scale and have there been any updates on your TT scale layout, it's been a while since we last seen anything about that
Nice video Sam very good camera work as usual as always I am really enjoying your lovely reviews and camera work keep it up I am really looking forward to seeing your next review I hope you get a nice loco Also when is your next video going to be on RU-vid bye for now Philip
@@SamsTrains I think both 'Lima' and 'Mainline' did versions back in day It wasn't until I much later that I found out that they together with another popular LNER model the Sandringham's (Footballer's) were extinct 😪
Id be so absolutely delighted to see you reveiw N scale locos (i am personally running N scale) your reviews are so comprehensive, and your honesty is very helpful! Thanks for the fun Sam!
I do actually like the Lima because you can pick them up cheap and say what you want about the couplings at least Lima managed to get them at the right height. I agree the Hornby looks better though but in contemporary Hornby money this loco would be 150 quid no doubt (and flawed).
Nice to see it has a powerful skew wound motor, that coupling is a lot more than a little off, needs packing underneath IMO. I personally would not put up with that.
Hey Sam, the reason why this engine is so popular, is because this very tank engine was supposed to be Thomas the Tank Engine! I know, crazy right? Well, that’s what Awdry wanted him to be, but ultimately stuck with Reginald Payne’s illustration instead. Sort of.
Great video. The J50 was a highly recommended model then and now. I notice often that you have a lot of models in boxes. And wondered if they all had been reviewed. The one’s not boxed are old models or secondhand ones without boxes. Great selection Sam. 🎉
these "looks back: at locos are just an attempt at filling air time. You do a good job of covering up this, so I guess some of your viewers don't care, but it is very obvious to regular subscribed viewers.
