It never ceases to amaze me how different British railway designs are from the American ones that I'm familiar with. I've learned so much from watching your channel. Thanks.
3 years after this video I have just picked up a second hand Bachmann 32-400 Class 25/3 in BR green. It too run very smooth straight out of the box. It also looks good.
Not a shabby price for a great model really. These smaller diesels I’m a fan of. Such a great runner as well. I’m looking forward to the newer model coming out and will have to get one. All the best Clint
Great review of a cracking little diesel. On the strength of this review I went and bought one from Rails of Sheffield. Added a DCC chip and it's a fantastic runner and looks superb. It's now one of my favourites
The class 25 has to be the cutest and best looking deisal in my opinion I need to get one for my layout and after watching this I want one even more Thanks Jordan
That's a very impressive loco Sam, clearly showing that the performance is just as important as having every nut and bolt accurately represented. As I've sad before, all this attention to detail in modern locos is fine for close inspection, but when running on a layout, your eyes can't see that much of the detail, and it's the performance that stands out...Rant over...Bob
That locomotive shown at 15:34 is neither a Class 23 nor 29. It's actually a Class 22, though incidentally Heljan did make a model of the 23 or 'Baby Deltic'.
Iv had a Bachmann 25, 37, 40 and for about 15 years. All were brilliant runners and still are. Only thing I think that would make them better is lights. All came with crew in the cab and were DCC ready. It pains me to see Bachmann’s pricing these days. In the early 2000s they were well ahead of Hornby on Quality and value on my opinion, especially with there diesels.
Bachmann Class 20 32-34A is the best runner I have come across. Quiet and unbelievably smooth. My favourite Diesel and one I would love you to review. Nice review Sam.
It certainly is very impressive and even now holds up really well. I love that they actually included a crew with it; they ought to do that again. The upcoming Class 25 by Heljan does indeed show the kind of detail they could strive for when they produce their new version and as can be expected they would strive towards taking full advantage of DCC. It's amazing what a difference details being picked out in later iterations can make especially in the case of the Hattons 66. When the Hattons Class 66 came out; my goodness everything just stood out. The Undercarriage and all catches the eye. Just shows what separate fittings can do. If they play their cards right and match the performance of this 25 if not exceed it. We'll be on to a winner.
Hi Sam, I have Five. Two 24s in blue and two 25s in blue, none DCC ready and all bought new for under £60. The fifth is a 25 limited magazine edition in a reddish/orange livery which I bought second hand, unused and still wrapped, with all its accessories and etched name plates, through my friendly model railway shop at the time. The person selling it had seen on the inter=web that they were going for £300 and was expecting the shop owner to pay him that. Well that was not and he'd send it back. He needed money for a project he wanted to do, so I offered him the magazine subscriber's discount price and he snatched my hand off. They are all the best runners that I have and, just for a test I ran them all together, with all of my coaches, and only stopped when my "Gaugemaster" hand-held controller got uncomfortably hot. Although ten carriages make up a long train om most model railways, it is not really long in full size. In steam days the "Royal Scot" was thirteen coaches long. Good video Sam. Regards, Alan.
I’ve got one of these old class 25s. Paid £30 for it second hand and it’s by far my best loco! Runs beautifully and nicely detailed. Quite tempted to get another one.
A friend bought one of these for a colliery layout we have as he wanted to show workings up to the 60s and I ended up getting the Tamworth Castle model after I heard the story of it. I think I may of mentioned Tamworth Castle in a previous class 25 review.
@@SamsTrains I had a later version with working lights. :-) still in the old style packaging! I also had a sound version in BR Blue which again... Was amazing! Think my Bachmann diesel fleet was Classes 08, 25 (x2) 37 with sound, and 47 with Sound. All these models were top notch detail for the age!
The Bachmann class 25 has to be the best runner I've ever seen. i have my class 25 in BR blue livery (with the arrow logo) and have two headlights on top in place of the number box. I guess mine one is a bit newer version of this one since it was in a sliding package and ice box instead of EPS packing. The locomotive comes with a 21 pin DCC socket and have provision to install speakers inside. After i installed a 8 pin DCC with a 21 pin adapter I can control the lights (2 headlight and two red rear lights, both are LED) and it feels like it's gliding on the tracks. No noise and the crawl is absolutely bang on. I picked that from amazon in showroom new never used condition at 50-60 GBP(for some special discount on that) and for me it's the best purchase I've ever made.
@@SamsTrains yeah it is a much newer one. the motor is same like the one your locomotive have, with two big flywheels. but I never dared to open or try to open the bogies and see the gear-bearing mechanism.!
The old Bachmann Rats (class 24/0, 25/1, 25/2, 25/3) all use the same chassis and mechanism, which even today is a brilliant piece of kit. The trouble with it is the body shape. The cab windows, front and side doors, headcode boxes and dome to the roof are all compromised, the telltale is that the arc of the top of the cab front windows is far too flat. The chassis also is compromised, the black plastic moulding is far too wide which means there is no pronounced step under to the actual chassis like on the real thing, and the less said about the fuel/water tanks the better. Its a very good model for its age, but its ripe for improvement, plus the old tooling was probably close to worn out in any case. I seem to recall the last run of these retailed at £110ish with Hattons usual discount.
Ahh duly noted - that makes sense! You're right - superb even by modern standards! Thanks for the info - that's what others have been saying too! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I have to say this is more like the experience I have had with all My Bachman locos, I’ve got a class 37 a Class 3 tank, a class 4 tank and a jubilee class with built in sound, all of them have very high detail and all are excellent runners, in fact my class 37 was still surprising me 2 years after I got it when I realised it had built in cab lights and head and tail lights which automatically change when you switch direction considering I brought it for £75 second hand and it was dcc fitted best perchase I ever made for my layout.
In North America, there was Bachmann Cheap, Bachmann Spectrum and Bachmann Plus. The Plus was very beefy for power but not as detailed as a Spectrum. Ya got a choice of three ranges of motive power/detail and paid accordingly. John Canada
Oh yes, the Bachmann 25 👍😊😁❤️. I had two (as I mentioned elsewhere) and they are truly magnificent aren't they. I'm rather nervous about the upcoming new release as I'm concerned they might have cheaped out somewhere in order to make it competitive whilst still incorporating the extra detail etc. The cost of that previous mechanism must've been considerable. I think they designed it first before even considering the rest of the model - which is probably why they lacked etched body grills etc.
I bought one of these new for £33 back in 2004 (although mine was a blue Class 25/3, numbered D7667). Feels almost criminal to have got such a good locomotive at that price - especially since it's still running well today, a full 16 years later!
Hi Sam, the 25 is a great runner. But the most surprising smooth runner for me was the Hornby super detailed 08 shunter. Never have a seen a loco run so slow and smooth.
Bo-bos are beautiful things. I have no British ones (trust me when the right one pops up I will!) but I do have an Australian Bo-Bo, a P class in a beautiful red/blue passenger livery. If you were curious give it a look! She was pulling a massive rake of wagons at my model train club recently.
TheRetroCrowe I love a good Bo-Bo for their versatility and usually somewhat more fancy looks. I have an idea of what I’d get for a British Bo-Bo. Aussie Bo-BOS in model form do exist but are less common; I’d say the P class is one of the more regular ones
my favourite diesel by far - a few weeks ago I have been contemplating (saving dosh !) to get a second, second hand one off ebay at a bargain price - now you've done that review i have NO CHANCE ! :)
Guess U got a real "workhorse" there! I remember back in the 80's the "RAT" (or the unofficial workhorse) of every modellshow was the BR 110 (Bo'bo') and the BR 120 (Co'Co') locos , both by Gütsold , u could hear their "screaming" by the entrance; they were affordable, strong, and reliable; both were in production for over 30 years! In the 90's Roco came out with nice diesels with similar "advantages" and the locos u could see everywhere were the V 100 (Bo'Bo') and the BR 132 "Ludmilla" (Co'Co'). The 2000's was ruled by Piko's "Hobby" range: very cheap Bo'Bo' diesel, and electric locos, with all wheel drive and pickup, average detailing (full plastic, with some separate parts, and a large weight inside), working lights, and most of them were even DCC ready, for only 50-75£ NEW!
I have the Hornby class 25 in BR green and I think it was built around the same year. The only thing that let's it down is the traction tyres and the old ringfield motor, maybe you should do a video on upgrading one to the modern hornby Railroad motor set up
I think it deserves more points, bit harsh on your mark downs I think. Great to see it's a powerful machine, just like the real thing, they were often refereed to as 'gutsy' because they performed much better than they should have done on paper. The Midland region men were very upset when they were replaced by class 31's, a single machine was often entrusted to the Derby - Llandudno summer holiday trains in the late 70's, early 80's, which were a minimum load 9, sometimes more.
Nice review Sam ! I got 2 of these class 25s. One was a bargain £40, which was a returned stock from Bachmann at Warley. And would highly recommend one to all.
Hi Sam. The Class 25 is beautiful!! what a score for 57 pounds. It is good to see a diesel and the detial could be better but it is a great runner. Hope you are keeping well. I am looking forward to the next life stream!!!. Cheers Liam.
You really are so good at producing these sort of videos. No wonder you have such a popular channel. Power to your train film-making elbow Sam. Laurie.
Another great classic model review and I like to see more of these done by you Sam. Tho lacking lights I am sure a little bit of re-modeling this with lights and head code box would be simple enough to do for a mod project. As I have mentioned before, out of the Type 2 Sulzer locos Sutton's Locomotive Works/Rail Exclusives have made a marvellously packaged super detailed Class 24 which you should get Sam. If not I can let you have one of mine to do a review.
I paid Hattons just over a £100 for a DCC-fitted version with DCC controller and full train set when it was first released. I figured it was much cheaper than buying a DCC locomotive and controller separately. Oddly, low-speed running isn't that good (on DCC anyway, have never tried it on DC). I was advised to snip the RF capacitor but don't want to risk damage to an otherwise mint example by removing the body.
Hey Sam! Please do a video on how to replace and old 0-4-0 motor with one of the new 0-4-0 motors that are geared down for all the novices like myself who want some cheaper smooth running tank engines!
Another suggestion for a review..... The top 10 passenger diesel locomotives you own! This would probably help me out alot as that is the sort of locomotive I am looking for next!
Sam, I am a bit off Bachamnn Products because they black listed our Hattons Hobby Shop by refusing to supply them with any new products :-( ... They are trying to bankrupt Hattons to "teach them a lesson" it won't work if other Model Train retailers support Hattons and Boycott Bachmann Products. What Bachmann Industries did to Hattons they can and will do to any other British Hobby shop...... My all time favorite is the Class 20 Bo Bo Loco....Thank you for your fantastic Model Train Reviews
Yes it's a shame they decided not to supply Hatton's any more - seems a bit of a slimy way to compete in my opinion! I'm very glad Hatton's didn't back down! I don't want to boycott Bachmann - I think continuing to honestly review their products is more powerful! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
A beautiful model Sam. I do like 'Rats' and that is a fine example. Nice to see your Class 20, my all time favourite, near the turntable. (Odd one out, the Class 50.) Thanks for a super review.
This must be the European version of Bachmann's Spectrum range. I have several 2000s era Spectrum items, and goodness gracious are they great (if anyone cares to see one in action, I've got a video on one). The 2000s were probably the best of times to be buying Bachmann stuff, I must admit it's a very good investment (even 10-20 years later!) and would reccomend that everyone at least tries one. I know Bachmann is better known for being a cheap company, but these are probably its magnum opus. If you don't get one, that's fine by me, but you're gonna miss out on what Bachmann can be at its best.
It was a weird time for DCC as both Hornby and Bachmann never put on the box that the loco was DCC ready. It seems it is only locos from around 2003 and I have had two of the same loco one had DCC and one didn't really bizarre.
Yeah I've noticed that too - maybe they weren't certain that DCC would take off? It's a huge selling-point these days of course! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
I might have an idea of how you could extend your O gauge shelf layout around the room, by attaching some brackets to the trusses (I can somewhat tell your train room is in a kind of attic), please let me know what you think of the idea
Bought one of these new around the time, no I idea how much I paid but it would have been a big purchase for me back then! I've always thought it was my best runner too 👍🏻
Excellent review Sam of an absolutely stunning model. As you say its unbelievable that the model is from the early 2000s. While i was watching your review i could not see anything that could make Bachmann re-tool this model. I would like to see you review the new one when it comes out. Before that though why don't you review Bachmann's new class 24/1 which has just been released. Keep safe and take care, regards Gary.
Great video - and I have both variants of the Bachmann 25 and they are super runners - as you rightly point out. I must take up the question of the other green engine identified as "either a 23 or a class 29, I think they're one and the same - and the 29, is that a rebuild of 23's or vice versa, either way it's one or the other..." Well, no. it is an easy mistake as the numbering of pre-TOPS locos is a bit of a dark art. Basically the North British Locomotive Company built 2 classes, the 63xx diesel hydraulic for the Western Region which became Class 22 under TOPS which is what the Dapol model is, and is the one you have, but they also built a diesel electric which became Class 21 and was later modified to become Class 29. The 22 is not a Bo-Bo as all wheels are driven from the central hydraulic unit so is actually a B-B and the 21/29's used in Scotland were in fact Bo-Bos having traction motors on each bogie. Phew, got that of my chest! How where's my early video of the green 25 I did some haulage tests with - I'll make it front vid on my channel if I can dig it out!
Thanks very much John - glad to hear yours are good runners too! Yes you're right actually - that is correct I think! Many thanks for all the info, Cheers, Sam :)
Yes I’ve got a couple of 24s which probably share the same mechanism as the 25 . Lovely mechanisms . I wonder if the lo wish price of the new model is because there’s competition . Hmmm? Not sure 3hat the issue was , but I know folk don’t think it’s too accurate . Might have something to do with the nose rake .
The Bachmann class 25 is a very good loco, however the fault with it is the cab window frames are the wrong size - compare with the photo of the real thing. Since this is the 'face' of a diesel it is a critical problem. I have seen a layout in Railway Modeller where a Bachmann class 25 had had the cabs removed and swapped with Hornby ones. On the class 25/3 it looks worse. Therefore, this is why there are new models from Bachmann and Heljan in production.
Excellent review of the Bachmann BR Class 25 Sam 👍👍 The details of this model is not bad, but basic. I would like to get a Class 25 with updated details as I like to get some fantastic diesel locomotives in my collection. Speaking of diesels, I’ve just bought two online and they are the Class 37 from Bachmann and Class 67 with three wagons. I also bought two steam locos and they are the GWR 1361 Class & LSWR B4 tank locos.
Its hard to say which is better, the 25 or the 37. I've got 3 bachmann 25s (one blue /1, one green /3, one blue /3), all the later 21-pin ones with lights, and they run fantastically. But then I have 11 bachmann 37s (a blue split headcode /0, a blue centre headcode /0, a large logo /4, 3 drs /4s, an ew&s /4, a colas /4, a metals sector flush nosed /5, a transrail centre headcode /5, and a petroleum sector flush nosed /7), all 21-pin again with lights, and they too are fantastic runners.
I bought a green 25/1 earlier, for £50 posted, but I didn't think to check the reference number to see if it had lights or not. Turns out its this exact model, so maybe I'll fit lights myself (my 45 also needs lights), or I could hide it as the 2nd loco while double heading. I love running my rats, they just take any load I put behind them (up to the sensible limit of around 100 wagons. Whereas my hornby 60 took 120 with ease...)
Hi Sam. Another enjoyable video. That is a good loco and it will be interesting to see what the new version is like. But I can't see it being much better and knowing Bachmann, it will be almost double the price. Keep up the good work and I really enjoy your channel. Chris.
Thanks very much Chris - yeah I can't imagine how much better it could possibly be, except with lights and perhaps more accuracy! Thanks for watching - Sam :)
H I've got the later 1 can't fault it in fact all my Bachmann deals worked and are working well.my 47 and 20 were just as good as the 25 . 37 not so but now has an esu chip with life saver sorted. Now that could be a good vid conspiring chips.
oh lovely a diesel, always good to see these even if they are common, mind you at that price your be able to have at least one on your set, if not two to putter around shunting or pulling couches,
Spooky! Was just thinking of Bachmann 25s the other day and was going to suggest you getting one as they're brilliant. I have one in BR Blue with sound and I love it! Great video Sam always love to see diesels as much as steam :)
Hi Sam I was wondering if you could do a hornby Duchess of Hamilton review I have and it’s a really good runner at fast and slow speed I think you’ll really enjoy it!
Hi Sam, greetings from South Florida! I really enjoy your videos. I bought this locomotive when I visited the UK back in 2005. I recently serviced it to remove old grease and apply new grease. When I removed the gears I didn't pay attention to their positioning, and when I reinstalled them I realized that the gears might be helical. Are they in fact helical or regular? The locomotive runs well but it has a bit of a "growl", which I didn't hear when I watched this video. I'm wondering if I need to reinstall the gears to eliminate or reduce the "growl". Many thanks! ...Anthony
I love the livery, and you're right that few things in rail modeling are better than a loco that runs well fresh out of the box! BTW, will you be having a Diesel Month like you did last year?
haha absolutely Sharky - it's astonishing isn't it?! Nahh - I haven't done a diesel month for years - it didn't go down that well! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
Great Video as always. If only Bachmann gave all their locos mechanisms like this. Just wondering if you saw my email last week. If you're not sure on the issue I mentioned in the email, then no worries :)
I agree Dom - this is just superb! I'm really behind on emails unfortunately mate - completely inundated! Drop me a comment if you like - I'm still up to date with those! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)
If you read some of the comments on the brm forum, you would think these are a disaster body detail wise! Personally not my fav loco, but for a diesel, i like them. Ive got the cl 24 version
Sam'sTrains thank you Sam. I always try my best. I have had to do another video that I have just uploaded because for some reason RU-vid are turning off my comments on videos but the other video explains all of that. From Ryan
Isnt the warship a co-co not a bo-bo? Otherwise fantastic video, i remember having one of these back in 2003 and being amazed at its quality and smoothness with the flywheel and weight as you said.
I have a bachmann class 55 from this era and it's detail is as good as this huge fly wheels great detail and just solid runner I love mine. Now I know their are other model like it I might have to add a few to my collection
