Hornby's Nicest Tank Engine? | Fowler Class 4P | Unboxing & Review 

I am pleased that you rate this model so highly. As a boy, it was one of my favourite engines in real life, and I remember them running south of Birmingham. They could put on a turn of speed and were very strong.

Huh. It's like the saying goes: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Loving the videos! They let me experience something I can't quite afford.

The Fowler 4p is honestly my favorite engine of all time and I’m glad you’re reviewing it in its best looking livery.

I remember that! It is the first Hornby model I ever had! Also, Sam, I recently purchased on the Hornby website a set called the Stay At Home Hornby Hamper - produced in order to cater to those staying at home during the Coronavirus, I imagine. It comes with a tank engine, three pieces of rolling stock, some track, and a controller, BUT GET THIS: It also comes with buildings, a station, people, some fencing, trees and grass! I thought you might be interested in reviewing this set.

When you mention reliability of the older models that is so true, I have a BR class 7 steam engine Iron Duke and a class 33, both about 40 years old and just about still run, and the majority of rolling stock I use is the same age, i have only and to fix the class 33 once with a minor issue.

Amazing quality for a model made in 2003! There is something to be said for simplicity, but this has enough detail for to be at least at par with modern releases. The performance is also incredible, and I think it exceeds expectations. The axels and the cab could be detailed carefully to match any loco made today. Your rating is spot on. 8.80 is maybe even a little harsh. Outstanding review.

That’s my favorite other than the E2

There are many variants of the LMS Fowler 4P 2-6-4T (Hornby produced both versions with and without steam pipes outside the smokebox) in which some members had two cab windows like the later Stanier designed locomotives. H.G. Ivatt was inspired by this design for the NCC WT Class 2-6-4T in which No. 4 is a sole-survivor.

You got a 1980 model with a faded builder's plate although it was made of brass and stamped, so a close examination should suffice to read it (best when viewed from an angle)

Big tank engines are always a favorite of mine

After first watching this I've just bought and 3-railed a BR one to run on hornby dublo track. It's a fantastic runner, really impressive! Pulls 5 old heavy tinplate coaches with ease! I've 2 XO3 motored earlier versions which are good but this is miles better. Thanks for the recommendation! I couldn't agree more!

I have recently acquired a 1990s built version.....runs surprisingly smoothly and quietly for an old ringfield motor....body looks pretty good too

Dads big fan of big tank engines, me and him love that one

I just finished filming this in a running session when you uploaded, although mine is weathered BR Black and the Railroad Version. I'm glad someone else also thinks about this as a "Backwards Pacific", I thought I was the only one! Blimey that modern RRP is expensive, mine was only £70 from a train fair!

Just found an old photo of LMS 2313, sister to this loco and the cab floor doesn't appear to be as unrealistic as people think. On the photo, from the bottom of the running plate to the cab floor is a smidge taller than from the top of the second step to the bottom of the running plate. The model seems to be about 15% taller than that, which is about the thickness of the running plate itself. Photos showing that detail seem to be rare, most are too oblique to clearly see the floor height.

great on the flat but i have the br and it tends to see saw on a 1 inch clime up from my steam yard by lovely to see it hauling a six coach rake

*watches this video Me: I need one of these *several hours later, sees one for sale on facebook Me: Mine! (Cost me all of £35, is a LMS lined black one)

I’ve got the BR version a bit older i got it second hand for £65 and is the best runner I have it’s so quiet and smooth and can pull considerably a lot of coaches. Very impressive.

One of my first Hornby superdetail steam locos. Must have been back in around 2004/5. Such a lovely loco. Remember the store I bought it from, unfortunately the owner died and the store is closed. £55 it cost me and it looks the same as the one in the video.

I have a BR black one from the 90s, looks exactly the same as the new one. I think a lot of the upgrades you mentioned happened back in the 80s/90s. Only thing this has that mine doesn't is the sprung buffers; they are metal on mine but not sprung. It's a really great runner to, one of the smother models in my collection.

I’ve got the old one and it has a ringfield motor in it… the cab floor is even higher as a result.

The first time I open your channel, I notice that this Hornby 4P does not struggle around that sharp radius near the station.

I have the older version and I made it DCC. It has had a bit of tending over time, but now with some weights added to the inside of the 'tanks' it really does run well. Still has that distinctive noise. Yours is quite a bit more sophisticated.

2300 . I was 10 years old when my mum and dad bought me that beautiful crimson lake L M S LADY. Happy days. Another quality video Sam.👍👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🚅

Hi Sam, I've got one of the nineties ones with the old chassis. What I found with them was the rear bogie was so floppy it would jump off the rails . I managed to solve it by fitting a spring around the screw to put downward pressure on the bogie. It's still a good runner even though its 25 years old! But that new version looks so much better.

I've just spotted this video and thought "hmmmm, I really am lacking in the tank engine dept". Before the end of watching this video I've ended up buying a DCC Ready 1947 BR black livery version! Thanks for reviewing! :)

Another locomotive that has a backwards wheel configuration is on the Canadian National 6060 which has the backwards wheel configuration on the Berkshire. The Berkshire is a 2-8-4 tender locomotive while the Canadian National 6060 has the same amount of wheels, although the wheel configuration is backwards on the loco itself. :P

Its only 89£ now a new one (and if the picture is correct it still has no NEM socket)! I have one too, but the reason I picked the maroon one, is do to this the only version with (or still has) all wheel brakes! Dough I only have 4 L.M.S. locos total (including the Pug) , without particular rolling-stock...

Very good I have many older triangle hornby locomotives and newer ones; excellent presentation.

I saw the title (haven't watched the video yet), this is one my favourite locomotives. I made a new chassis for some of my old locomotives / CNC job. Just lacks a painted cab and sprung buffers. The only locomotive I like more is the 4-4-0 Compound 1000. I know they are not up to modern standards when you look at them up close, but they're still amazing to look at. I hope they come out well in the review.

Watching this back to back with the GT3 review (I just ordered both and wanted to get some stats), they both have the same pulling power despite the 4P being almost half of the Gt3's weight. That's incredible!

More specifically, the real 4P's worked the former LTS (London, Tilbury & Southend) line, between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness (arguably the LMS's easternmost outpost).

That does look really good Sam. To answer your question about the newbuild, I read online and I believe the group building the New Patriot class are planning to build a new Fowler Tank engine after they finish The Unknown Warrior. Also, one of the odd ones out is... the BR Standard Class 4 in LMS Maroon (unless that is a LMS 2-6-4T, they are pretty similar).

I've often found British locos a bit oddly proportioned, given that I come from the land of Big Boy, but I really find this locomotive beautiful. The livery is beautiful, and the wheel config is pretty cool looking with the frame and body.

I'm really happy you reviewed this loco Sam, for only 89 pounds to get this loco is amazing, like you mentioned the pulling force is superb and the crawl is amazing. One of the best tank engines.

You frequently mention wheel-slip as though it should never happen but, as I understand it, wheel-slip was common in steam locomotives. Recently I was watching Breakheart Pass in which the star was, arguably, the steam locomotive (and train, in general) and it frequently experienced wheel-slip. I have see it in other steam locomotives as well.

My Favourite OO loco, i was bought one for christmas in the late 90s early 00s still runs great to this day. Although i now model N gauge so doesn't run often

Hi sam just to let you know it was a common thing in LMS locomotives to have unpainted axle ends for example the lms jubilee class is just one of the examples that has the unpainted axel so that feature on model is actually correct

The Fowler 4P is the basis of Arthur from the 7th Season of Thomas and Friends.

You know sam, I was looking into getting this engine. And seeing you reviewing it makes it better. Reason being is that in the thomas and friends range that same loco, those same initials, and that same paint job all represented a character named Arthur. For a loco like that is impressive, and I'm giving you thanks for reviewing him. Anyway enough of me rambling, love your videos as always.

A great locomotive Sam. In the US market that would be priced at $173.11 which is above average for a steam locomotive. That also looks like Arthur from Tomas in Friends. He was introduced in "The Spotless Record" aired in 2003 in the seventh season.

Excellent review of the Fowler 2-6-4 tank Sam 👍👍 I have got one in it 1980s box and it is very nosey, but I am thinking of getting the new ones in a train pack some time during this month. I would like to see a new build Fowler 2-6-4 tanks as they are the grandfather of the BR Standard Class 4MTs and as there is a Stanier & Fairborn 2-6-4 tanks been preserved, it would be nice to see the complete family tree of the 2-6-4 locomotive.

This doesn't look old to me. It seems reasonable for the age considering it's supposed to be super detailed. I like the modern features of this locomotive such as the sprung buffers, the livery application, and the mechanism. The things we would expect on newly released locomotives are hidden axles on the wheels, separately fitted parts on the body, a die-cast bodywork, and a better detailed interior. This doesn't look too bad as far! :)

The Fowler does originally date from 1980, but the model was completely revamped and may actually be a complete new model about 10 years ago . I have the original one , still nice to look at but mine has much more robust running gear . Yours is much finer .

Wow that's quite some swing at the back of the loco on those corners! 0:15

Such a beautiful class of tank locomotive. It’s a shame none of theme are left. I mean, we do have a similar loco, the BR Standard class 4MT, but it would be nice to see an LMS Fowler 4P locomotive get rebuilt.

Sam, I have this every model R2224 #2311 from new when it was released in 2003. It is one of my faves and I adore the LMS maroon and golden lining. Overall it is my top side tanked loco of the big four companies, other than the top notched tendered and streamlined Gresley A4s for designed body shape. Ratings for me would be 4.5 across the board with a half star just for the little improvements like the comments you made in this video. So yeah, a 90% near-perfect model of the Fowler 4Ps and I am so glad you did a review (more old stock reviews please) of this little magical wonder by Hornby. All I can say is that if you ain't got one then get one as they are a marvelous Hornby locomotive if not the best ever model they made 17 years ago (blimey I only started model railway collecting in 2000). Wow, where did the time go to during these 240 months, oh yeah met my future wife that year, got married, had one child, left work due to illness, lost a lot to the latter, then my marriage derailed two years ago, now ex'ed? Time Does Fly By Folks... so make the most of it when you can, especially now under the current (2020 for future readers) serious pandemic of the Convid19 virus (The modern-day T-Virus without the Resident Evil effect of dead bodies rising again to eat you... early days yet for that to happen (I mean no disrespect to any families that have lost a loved one with C19, but apologies (SORRY) if I have offended you))).

Sam, I am afraid that Speedy Pete's record may have been beat. At my train club, my brother's BLI H10 pulled 45 American freight cars up a grade, with no wheelslip. Pretty impressive for a 2-8-0. Maybe you should look at one.

Such a good model, funnily enough I received mine in the post this morning and now we have your review. Fantastic timing.

An updated release of this as no. 2300 is about to come out - it's now £189.99 RRP(!)

Just saw your reply to my comment Earlier - turned out it was the railways version, but it came without the photo so looks like railroad packaging

Great little engines. I paid £18.99 for mine LOL( boxed unused still). In the past when I did run one, great pulling power but mine ran better backwards. Going forward, the 2 wheel pony truck had a habit of derailing. Another great review.

Great review Sam it looks very nice I have an older version of one of these but it needs to have a complete chassis replacement because it has lost the linkage and doesn’t have a motor in it but hopefully it will work soon when I can get a chassis

Another great vid! I think that Hornby changed their designs after doing similar tests to the ones you did here and decided that the loco wasn't prototypical enough. The original would never have been able to pull 32 coaches. That must have been very embarrassing for them!

I don't have any LMS engines but if I were to get one this one would be on the top of my list.

Well deserved score for that lovely tank engine. With a little more die-cast it would be an astonishing model. Great review, thanks Sam.

I managed to get hold of some trains during my days in south africa so I've been working on a layout. The locos and track are from 1980's lima so it is rough to get them going... better than nothing I guess🤣

I find it impressive that this old 2003 locomotive manages to beat your Bachmann Class 45 although I'm not sure how old your Class 45 is.

That’s a really but really cool engine!! It’s so detailed and it’s so nice seeing it run on the track his wheels everything and the shape is so cool!

I have a black 5P by Wrenn with 5 pole motor. I do like the diecast....well....everything on the Wrenns. Happy Easter Sam.

Wow, such an old loco that actually kinda deserves the super detail sticker... impressive!

It might be worth considering some Airfix/GMR coaches to go behind it as they're pretty good and pretty cheap on Ebay. You could easily make a 6or 7 coach rake for about £50-75

Hey Sam. Love ur videos. Especially all ur steam locomotives and Thomas vids. I just realize that this locomotive reminds me of Author from Thomas and friends. But keep up the get work Sam. See u down the line buddy.

Ahh. Enjoyed the video. I hv the old 1980s 4p with its X03/04. Had to fix plastic axle & a wheel on one side to fix short out. 😅 but did get it to work. May be it was due to the very complex mechanism that had to be replicated in model form at that time...

That's a lovely thing sam, old is good I have many older stuff on my layout which gives me great joy, it's new stuff that breaks my heart, great review stay safe and keep up the good work 😊

I've always wanted a loco like this. I don't have many British tank engines. I only have a jinty and a v3. This look amazing

Hi Sam, great to see an 8 coach LMS maroon rake too. Lovely. Reminded me of the 5 coach Hornby rake I used to run years ago. Which reminds me of the old Hornby buffer height issue. How about you consider an article on this for us? This is where most of the 1980s stuff, and I think even the railroad now, set the buffer height at 2mm higher than scale. As I recall they did this to allow for the corseness of wheels and gear back then, but I think some of it still persists. Your LMS coaches look like mine did, which I'm fairly sure are too high. Would be great when you're doing Hornby reviews if you can mention whether the buffer height of the model is set correctly, or too high. Cheers, you have a great style, would not be surprised to see you on mainstream TV one day.

Beautiful looking Tank engine! I always liked the Fowler 4P, mainly because of thier looks.

I picked up a similar LNER one of these for about £99 at Rails of Sheffield, things beautiful

Good stuff, I should look into this I did not know they re-did it. Got one for my birthday in the 90s so not sure what version that was but I did love the lms red. Shame I can't get it to run smoothly now. Great review, was nice to see one of these.

One of my favourite locos in my collection it runs well and looks good with LMS coaches, I have fitted sound and lights with firebox flicker. Tempted to get another and renumber it.

Great improvement on the 80's model. My old model was a wimp and only coped with 4 coaches. I still prefer the Stanier Class 4.

10:04 Not to mention the hook is just left red and is part of the molding.

It's a shame the LMS Patriot Project decided not to new build a Fowler 4P tank (think we planned 42424 originally), we mainly need to focus on getting the Patriot done but they do seem like really nice engines

A fine locomotive Sam love the Maroon livery, I bought a B.R. Black one of these from around the same period as yours from a chap I worked with haven’t run it yet 😅

The performance is just spectacularly good looking

The Hogwarts Express is the odd locomotive out. Cheers STEIVE

Fine details are not something of the latest years, what some people tend to believe. I have two 35 years old Marklin steamers with details that can compete with todays models. Also in overall performance. I digitalized them and there is no difference with a new one of today. The big difference is CNC machining and probably 3D printing. This make it easier and cheaper to mass produce fine detailled models. And often also affordable as you have to place this ad-on details yourself. Back in the day, the 2 old Marklins i have were exclusive and expensive models for the collectors market. Now this models has become the standard. You see this with all the big brands.

Watching this review makes me think the 4p must of had a retool. Probably similar to the one for the A1s right now, although rather then a new running board it is added details and a remould of the roof for the hatch.

Kernow was selling them new for £67 recently. However, that was for the black BR version which isn't as popular as the maroon

23:14 The odd one out is some GWR locomotive in a fictional maroon colored livery. I don't see LMS on the tender at all.

I just love these but I've never had one...not yet anyway lol I must agree with you I think they are special and look amazing in the LMS livery.

i have the 90's version of this model and even despite the age its a brilliant model and really reliable

Hi Sam. Another Hornby triumph (notwithstanding it may not be the most recent of models). Great livery/paint job. For a moment I thought you may have forgotten one of your favourite bugbears - unfinished axle ends. Have you ever painted over axle ends (making sure not to apply too much paint to stop the wheels turning)?

Hi Sam. Indeed a fine loco. My top Hornby's are K1 - J 15. Similar smooth & quiet runners. My 3 Maunsell's start to have motor problems. One is dead now. I will need to replace them. Bad luck... Greetings

Beautiful model Sam! I contacted the LMS patriot group and they said it’s still anticipated to build a replica once the Patriot is complete!

My favorite train is the CRTN Class 2-4-0 steam locomotive.

This is a very nice model indeed and well worth the Hattons price of £89 although now Hattons selling a black version of the loco and 3 coaches for a decent £148.50

i thought these were older as i know my dad has two of the tanks verson all black but metal body n shell heavy things they are, might be there for 3 track rail oo guage but yeah this is a nice engine in that lovely princess red

Great video sam can not wait to see more videos like this. An absolute amazing loco. I really enjoyed hearing the history of the class. Enjoy your new locomotives. It's an amazing locomotive it has nice detail on and it runs very smooth. Take care

and the wait for hornby america to start selling these begins. along with the adams radial and Q1 as well.

Ha, I see you have just replied to my previous review comment as I write this one. I got one of these back in the mid noughties at an exhibition second-hand stall. My eyes were just drawn to its beautiful form and livery. It has to be the best looking large British outline tank engine. Mine has a vice though, the front pony wheels just keep jumping off the track. Just to lighweight I thought, though your's didn't seem to have that problem ?

That yellow reminds me of the yellow filling you see on some liquorice all sorts... I call it liquorice yellow.

Wow, it's astonishing what they can do to revitalise an old tooling with a little bit of thought! I don't really need one but my Patriot is looking rather lonely 🤔😅 Another great video Sam!

what a good old model from 2003! its even better than the heljan 1361. it shows how old stuff is better than the new models .sometimes good review !

Hey Sam what a super loco that is and as ever, very well reviewed. I've a Bachman Fairburn LMS 2-6-4T loco- maybe you could do a potential head to head comparison review sometime in the future ?? Regards, Terry.

Wow. I'm watching this at 3AM here in Australia, and as soon as you said the pulling power I knew I wasn't going to sleep for at least another hour xD

I have the exact same one and totally agree with you it is a great looking loco reliable as well.

There is a replica of 2424/42424 being built after 5551/45551.

As much as I prefer the Fairburn 2-6-4T, I can agree that the Fowlers are absolutely stunning