Model Railway News | Nov 2023 | Major Rapido Steam Announcements 

Re the Stirling Single, What needs to be remembered is that a large proportion of the ‘huge mark up’ which applied to the first release went directly to the Railway Museum at York / Shildon to help them conserve the loco ogives in the national collection. Rather different than it just being pocketed by a retailer or a manufacturer and given that first batch had no trouble selling in spite of the high price it raised more money for a very worthy cause than a lower priced general release would have done.

Highlight for me was when Sam forgot to mute on the outro and you hear him say “ah, I will do” as if someone off camera asked him if he would like a brew. 😂 love it!

Great to see Dapol investing in themselves. They are a great manufacturer but can be a bit 'hit and miss' and the misses are usually because of silly things like derailments. So good on Dapol and looking forward to seeing what they do next

hi Sam ,great video at last we have the southern railway/BR booster locos, i remember them as a child pulling in to Newhaven in sussex. 20002 was painted in blue but did not have a red buffer beam, then the clowns at BR went and scrapped them in sept 1969, even 20003 got the chop which was a slightly different shape;all in all these locos were great, pure Dr Frankenstein design in side

We're always laying back watching the news Sam, with a coffee and biscuits; always so relaxing. Good heavens, a mountain of news this time. We were wondering if Rapido is just not swamping themselves in their own success though, referring to their recurring rather very serious manufacturing quality issues. Loads of new items is wonderful but can they keep all the processes from A to Z tightly under control... By the by, we have taken delivery of the Märklin Flying Scotsman... What can we say; absolute perfection all the way, zero issues and nothing looks too chunky at all, e.g. the rods are exactly spot on, etc. It's fully featured of course, far beyond the current norm on the OO market, all metal incl. the tender. You're going to faint over the price though... € 489 🤣 But that's consistent excellence by M for you, and made in Germany/Hungary. Years ago, already in 2015, I've been advising companies to review outsourcing to China on certain sub-assemblies. Many then already started returning some. However, with Germany's economy in harsh weather atm, some things are actually returning again to China, India and Vietnam, but it very much depends on the products (margins, market risks, etc).

Beckton Gas Works also used locomotives that were far lower. They were made by Neilson in the late 19th century.

The Port of Par bagnalls look amazing, and very reasonably priced too! £237 for the twin pack is definitely tempting. And so great to see the Stirling Single back! Probably the only loco I would ever consider spending £212 on, as it’s quite possible the most beautiful model train ever produced. Also quite tempting. (And much better than paying close to £600 on ebay for one!)

Seems like it's finally time for you to add the Stirling Single to your collection.

Awesome to see a model of a Stirling Single being released, I've been wondering why there haven't been more models of that locomotive.

Highlight for me is the renaming of the Hornby Visitor Centre as The Wonder Works which is rather apt as when I buy one I wonder if it will work.

Rapido seems to be knocking it out of the park. Really putting the other companies on notice! Love it!

I knew this video was coming. I saw Rapido’s announcement video on their models, and was excited.

Thank You for the update. That’s a nice looking new Star, Swiss style lathe and bar feeder setup. I’m running Citizen Swiss lathes here in the States. Love to see the machining coming back domestically!

I have two of the W & U coaches - one in BR crimson, and the other in BR brown. They are lovely models - I don't think you'll be disappointed, Sam.

Hi Sam, great to here Dapols new wheel production in the UK, shame others can't do the same. keep up the good work Sam, regards Baz in Shropshire

Rapido really did go all out with their announcements this month. Nothing there for me as a Western Region guy, but then the Small Prairie and B-Set they announced a while back already has me covered, so it's nice that Southern and LNER folks get their day in the sun. That said, hopefully Rapido or Accurascale have a 14xx in the works - a modern redo of one of those is something I'd shell out for...

Kernow Model Center have dropped an update on the GWR Steam Railmotor with product samples of the different liveries which look fantastic. They plan to have them in the UK for shipping between Christmas and New Year which will then end the over 7 year wait for this model to be released. Can't wait!

Nice grapeshot from Rapido ! I'm only speaking about the ones I'm interested to, the O1 is ready to be a nice model to buy at a justified price. I already have the Bachmann C class (got her for around GBP 105 by TMC), I hesitate on this one. The J52 is on my list right now ! I'm interested in the Bagnalls, I would certainly buy one single, they are so corny that they are a must-have for me ! And another lowmac... I'm waiting for your test before buying one. Potentially worth a buy, but I want to be sure. The Y7 is promising, and on the top of buy to-buy list.

Can't wait to see the Bill & Ben customs someone will inevitably make.

Excellent reviews. Nicely paced and informative.

Thanks Sam, so much going on in the hobby. Amazing choice but still pricing some out I feel. I love Rapido's rolling stock and still have a few on pre-order. That 94xx is tempting as I get more attracted to early BR livery. Amazing at £140, the price I recently paid at Olivia's Trains for an unlined black 4575 (which I love). Cheers. Dave

I work for the bluebell and I have to admit the C is better than the 01 no.65 because they are the same but 65 is newer built in 1909 but 65 has its tender frames which is a PAIN to clean around

@SamsTrains The SR grey booster was its initial livery as introduced under wartime conditions and not for photographic purposes.

I do enjoy these model news videos. A couple of bits of info/thoughts. This is not Accurascale's first foray into O gauge as many seem to have forgot the humble HUO hopper that was their first product! Really happy to see the Stirling return and credit to them for tooling up the variation on the tender. Much better for the 1930's / early preservation era!. The Jones Goods to all intents and purposes is painted into improved engine green! I believe there is some debate as to whether this is correct for it's early years but has worn it from 1959 and is accurate for then onwards at least regardless of whether it originally wore it. Fantastic news from Dapol about the wheels. I do think it's something we'll see more of as the cost begins to rise in part due to wage increases across the board in China. I still think it's be a while until we see large scale locomotive production but certainly for simpler wagons and perhaps standard coaches like Mk1's it can make a lot of sense.

A lot to look forward to. Rapido in particular have me drooling despite myself. I actually just ordered Hornby spare wheels to swap for the ones on some of my Dapol wagons. I like their wagons in most cases, inexpensive and quite sturdy. Derailments typically occur with vans when being reversed over points or just moving across points and always in the middle of a goods train. I look forward to seeing what improvements the company makes.

Thanks for the updates. Extra voice overs at the end of the video??

Hi Sam. Reference the EFE Rail SR Booster locos. My BR green 20002 arrived today and interestingly on the back of the box is a KMRC logo and it says distributed on behalf of Kernow Model Rail Centre by Bachmann Europe Plc. So there you have it. Must be a Kernow. 🤔 Really nice loco by the way. Saw the real one at Norwood Junction many years ago so it was a must have. 😃

Hoping you’ll be reviewing Dapol’s new B4 0-4-0 tank engine, just received mine this morning in the LSWR dark green and for my first ever dapol loco I’m blown away, only one gripe with it that you’ll probably pick up but it’s an extremely small one. Won’t give away too much details but holy cow!

Some really good updates here Sam, one particular model I’m excepted about is the rails/heljan 18100 gas turbine locomotive which has finally seen some more progress on it, the Stirling single is a welcome return and might look at seeing if I can get the locomotion models one, speaking of them one recent model I got from them this month is the V2 Green Arrow and it is one of the best models I have bought recently, I also picked up a silver A4 to go with the silver jubilee coaches I got which I have told you about before.

Begnall 04 Port of Par Saddle tanks are finally here. Besides Bill and Ben. The Stirling Single has been around for limited time but never thought they will be back. O1 no 65 on Bluebell is finally having a model. Great!! Rapido has finally got engines that needed to have modeled.

Re EFE / Bachmann and the SR loco, Based on info elsewhere (including stuff published by someone who has nothing to do with Bachmann but has had lots of involvement in the model) it’s fairly clear the proposal originated outside of Bachmann and like everything else in the EFE range Bachmann are merely acting as the distributor. The fact that it’s sounds like a significant improvement over previous EFE locos in terms of price / quality / value is simply down to those behind it making the necessary decisions to achieve that end.

Awesome video today Sam really can’t wait for the sterling single

Hi Sam, it's been costly for me with an O1 and of course Booster on order, 😅 good on Dapol, really needed doing

Good comment there Sam, about some manufacturers doing 'all liveries possible', and Hornby just doing a couple. I just can't see how Hornby's attitude makes sense. Both the big two are already taking a (justified) hammering in prices too, and I can see then losing out big time to the newer manufacturers.

That SECR O1 got me excited. The potential for contrast between a good model and a poverty stricken railway in the 'East Kent Railway' livery is also quite fun.

I’m both glad and kind of selfishly disappointed that Rapido is making a Port of Par 0-4-0ST, because I have a 3D printed version available on Shapeways lol

Those new Rapido steam locomotives look amazing. I hope you will review each and everyone of the new locomotives on your channel Sam.

Awesome video Sam's trains

The person who came up with improved engine green used to work for the highland railway and some say it’s a homage to his old job

I’m very excited for these new models, and I’m thinking I’ll definitely be preordering the Bachmann 94xx and Rapido O1 (I might order a few of the other ones too!). I do think the prices this time around are a bit silly though, especially from the O1 and Sterling Single, but that’s just my opinion. Also, the SECR livery isn’t a great excuse for the O1 being expensive, as all the liveries cost the same, and to say that justifies the crazy high price would mean that the Bachmann 812 was good value, because of the Caledonian livery. That’s just my opinion though, and you can feel free to agree or disagree! Always enjoy these news videos, so keep them coming!

I think prices have just run away and Bachmann in particular. I bought 5 of the DB Cargo Lobster wagons because I collect modern. I got them home and for the first time I got them out of the boxes and thought "what have I done?". They cost me £50 each and if I had looked at them out of the box before buying I would not have bought them. I will not go near those HRA despite them being my era and what I run. How the hell can they be £70 each?. The lobsters should have been no more than £30 and these should be no more than £40.

It would be neat to see a British maker do the Furness railway/LMS pressed steel car co 45 ton hoppers. There was 12 total (2 made in Pittsburgh, 10 copies made in house under license) and ran from 1899 to 1970. Just more unique stock to catch a eye on your ore trains.

I really want a Stirling single model. They are absolutely gorgeous

Good video Sam , a pity none of the main producers don't make more TT or G scale models .

Some Lovely new Loco's & Rolling stock there Sam!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

Oh cool, its really nice to hear that a company is bringing manufacturing back to the UK. I've worked in that sector before making prototype parts for product design, and it always saddened me a bit when you would always here the 'and now it's a go in china'. I've used a similar automated and auto feed lathe like that before too, amazing machines. :)

Stroudly was the CME for both the Highland and LBSC railways, so the "improved engine green" just migrated.

Sam: You forgot your Hornby rant !!!!!!!!

Worth mentioning that Rapido are also doing another run of the original version Stirling Single with the full size tender for Locomotion Models. Which is fantastic, that version is literally going for £500+ on eBay.

Fantastic vid Sam, love the look of that O class in SECR! Apparently Hornbys BR 88 is due out soon - which version did you order?

Will you be doing a bonus’ news episode to catch anything announced at Warley next weekend

I'm not really aware of a lot of model train news, have the Furness K2s been released yet?

i always think production over here is beneficial as it creates jobs in local communities contributing our economy rather than foreign production

The O1 is one I'd like - probably in early BR black to go with the rest of my Kentish-style light railway stock...

9:08 That little train Pack reminds me Of a Little Old Tram Engine And His Coach, i don't no why 🤔

LOVE THE NEW INTRO

As a one time production engineer who got paid off at 50 because everything started getting 'stuff' made cheaper overseas I am 100% behind Dapol. Never really sure of the economics though as I can buy a quilted jacket made down the road from me, in Yorkshire for £150 or made in Vietnam for £300!

Rapido's winter announcements stand in stark contrast to Bachmann's, for me at least. 3 out of the 4 locos were a definite must for me, with just the new Stirling Single being a maybe, since I already have the large tender version. Oh and the Rapido W&U tramcars are beautiful and well made. I've only receive the Titfield Buffet Car version so far, since I'm also waiting for the J70 train packs, but the Buffet Car was wonderful. Very free running, placed it down for a second on the floor while I was unpacking it, and it turns out my floor isn't quite level, as the coach actually accelerated across the room.

Sam, your reaction at 15:08 states it all.

Rapido W & U coaches, lovely detail, but.... For the price should have internal lighting, the clear lighting bowls under the roof on each balcony end would look great, if they actually lit up! Also the balcony ends are a bit fragile, one of mine parted company with the main body when pulling the coupling out of the NEM pocket! Still lovely though.

Nice news roundup Sam.Well done Dapol you do make lovely item's just some are a bit ropey.But good on you for doing something about it :)

I’m probably gonna get the SECR 01 when I can it looks quite nice tbh

Just a complementary note about Dapol : great move for the to tackle the two recurring problems they have : worst coupling on the market and axles you sometimes need to replace. They do the opposite of a head-in-the-sand approach, and go ahead at full steam to solve this. Gutsy, and it will pay dividends shortly, I love it !

yep..some interesting new gear coming up...cheers...

Hi Sam, Good review, good things in the pipeline, sounds like Christmas is on its way 😲 All the best Brian 😃

Stirling looks good. Nice to see the Southern Booster loco in BR blue. And Dapol put money in to sorting some of its problems out. No news out of Hornby? Still probably trying to work out what went wrong with the TT range.

Love the look to camera at the price of the HRA hoppers 😂

Yo, Rapido was on FIRE with those announcements!🔥🔥🔥 I know plenty of people will be happy with the Bagnall STs, but I’ve been wanting a Stirling Single for so long. You can bet your bottom that I’m going to get one! Hope you get one to review, Sam. Between this and the upcoming Y7s, Rapido is becoming my top dog in the business. EDIT: I have no idea why I thought the Buckjumpers were being made by Rapido, guess I completely forgot about AccuraScale 😅

GREAT VID SAM. I LOVE THE PORT OF PARS IM GOING TO BE LOCO CREW ON JUDY THIS CHRISTMAS WICH WILL BE FUN.CANT WAIT FOR MY MINI ONES TO ARRIVE

The Bagnall saddle tanks would make a nice O-gauge model .

I've got my Port of Par twin pack on pre-order. My dad has a photo of my sister Judy standing in front of Judy when she was on static display. As I have family in Par this is one of those "have to have" things.

I’d definitely buy one of the Port of Bar engines… if I could even get them here in the States. Apparently, it would have to run by midgets. I can only guess this thing was rather limited in the selection of rolling stock it could haul for the same reason it’s so short and squat; namely flat wagons, and 3-4 plank wagons. Maybe a Loriat. I hope Sam reviews one of these when they’re on the market. 😊

Does any manufacturer make an RTR OO locomotive

The SR Booster loco looks pretty interesting

Great news dapol are moving manufacturing back to the UK!!!

The EFE Rail range allows Bachmann to partner with other suppliers to either use existing / older tooling (and as such should be considered when reviewing such models) e.g the KMRC Adams o2 or Beattie Well tanks and distribute such models though all the Bachmann retailers or obtain new tooled models though such partners who carry out the research, development and project management of production for these newly tooled models such as the recent LSWR Covered vans and now the Boosters. The specification has been clearly and correctly stated and also indicates the quality, that does need to be unsubstantively doubted for these new models. @SamsTrains

Rails of Sheffield have an exclusive Rapido J52 in a Doncaster works livery.

Hi Sam- yet another month when things seem to get announced that I had no previous idea I wanted! Those Port of Bar tanks though.. lovely looking models. As an aside, I had wanted to ask you a few questions about modelling/tools. I couldn’t find your email anywhere, and messaged your page on FB instead - only to get the automated response suggesting I email 😅 would you be so kind as to comment it below so I can get in touch? Either way, hope you’re keeping well as winter sets in! -Chris

Apparently Dapol Toplight cities due out soon as well !

We're getting Bill and Ben's basis

Alfred and Judy are the ones I’m looking forward to the most with the exact reason being the facts you said about them

My father owned the W.M.J.E.A. No. 1 Ruston shunter for a while.

One more suggestion you should put Judy name plates on the yellow Alfred so that you can have proper Bill and Ben colors

I absolutely love the Model Railway News !!!!!!! Maybe you can make this tri-weekly instead of monthly ?

It's a great time to be a railway modeler. 😊

I really hope one day we get a Brighton Baltic, wouldn’t that be magnificent?

AWESOME NEWS FROM DAPOL> The UK deserves to have domestic model railroad manufacturing and you can rest assured that the British made trains will be of superior quality!!!!!

Hi Sam love your videos and all reviews they help me choose if I should buy a loco

The O1 looks great. Might pick it up

Please do a review on the o gauge 88ds. Please, pretty please

Rapido are about to double their profits! After seeing photos and videos of the trix/marklin flying Scotsman, I can conclude that it’s rather off… the cylinders and cab are far too small, many details and overall proportions are off, but some small details are great(slide bars especially, the lamps are s scale abominations). The question is, why go to the trouble of small details when major ones are so poorly scaled. I think it may be enough to prevent any further British ho models from selling in the future…

You didn't mention the new TT120 Wagons from Peco.8 in all.

That bogie hopper was how much! (your face said it all) Dapol are bringing a HIA out for £80 to be available for £68 at retailers and its 0 gauge!!

What the betting that hornby will bring a railroad plus j52 out maybe with or without a bit of rebooting

Me in the last year: Alright, I've been saving responsibly for the past few years, maybe this can go towards a new rent or a new car? Rapido: Interesting ideas, unfortunately, here's a Stirling single

I'm looking forward to the Stirling Single😁😁

Do love a loco in photographic grey👍

Hi Sam ,great video, haven't any seen for a while, What I cant understand is ,in these days of high priced Electric, Gas & Food we all pay ,who has about £200 spare cash to buy a New Loco every month ? ? ? I looked on Rails. Hattons ,Model Rail Direct, Websites and nearly all their advertised stock says "On order" or "Sold out on Pre order" all they seem to stock is 2nd hand Locos, which could be more trouble than they are worth if your'e not a Model Engineering Wizard ! Is there problems in Chinese Factory's ? Why so Expensive ? Are there any Manufacturers who make Model Rail Stock in UK ? Cheers Sam

"Photographic" grey on the J52 also included World War 1 repaints, quite a high proportion of the fleet. On firebox lighting, why is it necessary for this to go off at least 4 times as frequently as it would on the prototype even if the driver was trying to push the fire out of the chimney by overworking the engine?

Alright Sam, I reckon the fan demand for you to get an Alfred and Judy pack is going up thanks to this announcement.