New Bachmann Class 37 - A worthy contender for the Diesel crown? 

The opinion battle has been between the Bachmann 37 and the Accurascale 37. Both are potentially excellent models. Given that every thing about these two are very similar, the critical deciding factors for the DCC sound fitted models are: 1. The quality and usability of the sound, as in the sound file and speaker responses. Pros; The Accurascale has an EM1 speaker for bass and a sugar cube for treble which sound fantastic together. The Bachmann sounds good too with its built in twin speakers but its lacks the same bass rumble as the Accurascale. Cons; Apparently on the Accurascale the impedance of their speakers is compromised, either because they used the wrong impedance rated sugar cube speaker with the EM1 in series or, as Richard at Roads and Rails suggests, the circuit board design was wrong, wiring the two speakers in parallel. In series wiring adds speaker impedances and in parallel divides the impedances. The ESU decoder used accepts 4 to 8 ohms impedance and it is calculated that the parallel wiring on the Accurascale 37 is equalling around 2 ohms. This will cause the sound amplifier circuit to cut out or even blow the decoder. Both of these failings are widely reported on social media and YT. Even Accurascale themselves advise lowering the output speaker power from the decoder by changing CV63 from 192 to 150 in an attempt to remedy the problem. Lowering this CV63 leaves the sound rather quiet though... Hmmm! Not good. The Bachmann has no such reported problems and the volume is loud. 2. The usability of the sound file. The Bachmann sound file to me is generally better and more flexible. Accurascale's automatic flange squeal on corners is a excellent addition. Bachmann don't have this feature. 3. Lighting: Accurscales's directional lights are deeply recessed so can be hard to see, they are not particularly bright either. They are set on max from the factory. There have been lighting failures too where they either work intermittently or pack up altogether. I have personally experienced both of these lighting failure issues. Their illuminating driver's dashboard is a nice feature that Bachmann don't have. Bachmann's directional lighting is generally better, brighter and more visible. 4. Built in stayalive. Accurascale have this feature built in to their circuit board and Bachmann do not, or even have an option for one. However this also seems to have issues charging and working consistently. 5. Ease of access. Accurascale's have a lift off magnetic roof section for ease of decoder fitting. The body lifts off easily too as it is held on by clips. This is better than Bachmann where screws are still used and no lift off roof section. Accurscale now have chassis fitted bogie chains too which no longer cause a problem when removing the body. 6. Weight Accurascale is heavier. 7. Bodyshell and fitted parts fragility. Bachmann's tends to be far more robust, generally solid. Accrurascale, although better than previous models, still has parts falling off or easily knocked off and lost. 8. Motor Accurascale's is stronger pulling, with bigger flywheels but has serous reliability issues! The motors across their class range are liable to fail after a short amount of time, sometimes within an hour or so or after 10 hours combined use, it's random. This is another major problem. The symptoms usually start out as erratic running, speeding up and slowing down. This can lead to a hot motor, excessive current load drawn on the decode, causing it to fail or cut out. The problem is actually caused by the motor's commutator gaps clogging, causing a partial sort circuit across the motor's induction windings. It is possible to clean them out and rectify it, but it's rather a fiddly process and only recommended for the electro mechanically able/competent/qualified. Bachmann's generally is smooth and reliable, although they have had similar motor failure problems in the past. 9. Price Accurascale RRP £269 Bachmann SXF RRP £379 Accurscale 37s are hard to acquire unless pre-ordered. If buying new after the release the dealer/eBay prices are usually well over £300, as much as £400! Bachmann 37s are easily available but at full RRP, more expensive. However, because of sluggish sales many retailers are heavily discounting them, making them a similar price, or even cheap than Accurascale's 37. Between 30% and 45% discounts are offered if you keep your eyes peeled. 10. Customer Service With Bachmann you are at the mercy of your retailer. If buying direct from Accurascale, they have been to date giving excellent customer service; which is possibly their saving grace given the issues and amount of returns. Accurscale also offer points on their direct website purchases, applicable for future discounts on purchases. Accurscale's new stock alert system on their website is hopelessly too late in communicating the email notice of new stock, meaning they'll probably be sold out again before the email is even sent, rendering their alert system utterly useless!

This was an excellent presentation. Your enthusiasm is infectious and I look forward to viewing your future reviews.

Great choice of Class 37, can't go wrong with Departmental Grey

Thats a terrific model mate,sounds great too. Good luck with your continuing modelling journey.🇬🇧

A very nice model and one of a few that retained round buffers .

Great video ! I have a Bachmann 37 on order having sent my faulty AS 37 back ( see Chadwick review) to be fair to AS their model has a stay alive, better sound and comes in a fabulous package - really special- until it stops 😵

I know the grin at the sound, even though I have an older 37 ;)

wuaooo Wonderfull congratulations

Brilliant model, and so on theme for your layout! You can tell you're proper chuffed with it 🤪

What a fab Christmas present, looks and sounds amazing. I hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it. I am more Era 5 so my class 37 would have to be two tone green. Happy new year too you and all the best for 2024.

Love the video, great again. And like the fact that Bachmann even thought about filling up the diesel tanks, looking at the gauges.

For a first review that was great, from here you'll only get better and better. Happy New year

Bachmann 37s are great, especially the recent offerings

We used roll up newspaper stuffed into the side windows to stop drafts in the winter whilst working coal trains in Nottinghamshire UK❤

It’s a great review. For my own money, I tend to go with Bachmann. They’re not always the absolute last word in detail (compared to Accurascale mainly), but the balance between detail and robustness is possibly slightly better thought through. I’ve never had cause to complain about a Bachmann diesel. Now, their steamers on the other hand; they can be a very, very tricky area. They’re just not great at manufacturing a steamer that runs really smoothly. Quite shonky. And I have a few.

Great review and what a beast the 37 is.

Great video and review, it’s a fantastic model. I got the Colas livery 37 for Xmas with the working fan and I’m blown away with mine.

What a beauty! I have an Accurascale 37 on preorder but this Bachmann version is pretty hard to beat. I do love Class 37s, it's a testament to their amazing design that I was still able to walk to my local station to watch one thrash through in 2023, over 60 years after the first examples were made! And the sound of a 37 coming through a tunnel or low bridge is pretty epic. Excellent review as well, very well written, planned, edited and produced - I've subscribed for more. Great background as well for the intro, that poster is lovely and I admit I'm coveting that amazing number plate you have on the wall. Do you model South African railways at all? I'm quite fascinated by the Avontuur Railway - I used to cross the old tracks when I stayed in PE.

The orange roof stripe denotes safe working height when under overhead power lines

I believe that the small circular decal near the nose represents the emergency off handle.

Dounreay is an experimental nuclear testing facility that examined the feasibility of a fast breeder reactor design now closed down and site is being decommissioned.

Not a big diesel fan, but do have a few in the BR green or blue liveries and they are also by Bachmann sadly none with sound. Nice review!

I had to Google to find out what a spirax valve was! One of the better sounding locos but still sounding tinny to me.

Hi, very good review of a great loco, I have a few older Bachmann class 37 loco’s and they run extremely well, this later type looks great and has the potential of a working fan that you can add if you haven’t got the deluxe version, the Accurascale class 37 has it’s plus points but a non working fan on such a great loco is a negative for me, I have a couple Accurascale class 37’s in my collection, no working fans in them until 2025 if we’re lucky, for those whom don’t care about this then that’s ok, I do care because I have a Bachmann class 47 with a working roof fans and it’s awesome, I hope to get a working fan model Bachmann class 37 in the future hopefully it will be a re-released network rail yellow livery model or a DB Schenker red livery model that no other manufacturer has produced, after all it is a real livery, thanks for sharing.

Well you are a lucky guy. It seems the Accurascale has even more detail, but the Bachmann comes close and has a optional operaterating rooffan. But almost Eur.400,- for a Diesel is a bit over the top. The only diesel that is priced even higher is ESU's class 218 but that has active smoke. Happy New Year!

Nice presentation mate. I’ve had Bachmann 37s since they were first introduced in 2003, and they have continually upgraded them. The sound is good but not quite as good as accurascale . The bit that really lets it down is the crappy snow ploughs - using the NEM coupling boxes to fit them in means you can’t put full pipe detail on the buffer beam - a lazy solution they haven’t upgraded. Incidentally I’m not sure what you mean about “ new packaging “ , as Bachmann has been like that for about ten years I’d say 😊

The Bachmann 37 is painfully exquisite, only really beaten within their own range by the class 47. I would say that between the Bachmann and Accurascale 37s, the Accura model edges it, primarily on the sound package. That is the big downfall with the Bachmann 37, the distortion on the slightly poorly specified speakers towards the upper end of the locomotives thrash and is something their 47 doesn't seem to suffer. My Bachmann 37s have the round speaker slightly padded with some black tack to ease the rattle, but still have to have the volume backed off somewhat to get the best out of them. Next step will be to replace the factory speakers, because the one Accura 37 I own quite simply annihilates the new Bachmann 37 in this department. The snowploughs are best not mentioned and swept under the carpet. They stick out way too far as they should tuck below the buffers rather than jut out, and that spoils the look of the model. They need some work and modification, but can be mounted in a way where you can use a coupler if you dissect them and remount the side plates to the bogies using brass rod leaving the NEM pocket free to take a coupler.

Very good video: Sam's Trains-esque, which is no bad thing, as he is the best reviewer in RU-vidLand IMO, with EuviRail close behind, especially for more modern models. Here in the UK, the arrival of the excellent Accurascale 37s had the effect of forcing Bachmann to reduce the price of their models, which had become crazily expensive. So now there are two very stunning, competitively priced options when it comes to 37s. Both real-life & model 37s are a favourite of mine, as I grew up in the South Wales coal mining valleys, where they seemed to lurk behind every curve in the track! Their excellent route availability and power were ideal for the operating conditions. Like you, my first love are steam locos, but I also have a collection of diesels, the main attraction being the diverse liveries available, as unlike steam locos, there's not much to see from a moving part perspective when running. So HNY to you, and I look forward to watching more of your videos in 2024.

Once you go sound you cannot go back to silent movies!

Can i ask you where did you get your posters from thankyou.

Soo dis jy wat die sound fitted een gekoop het!😂😂, het ook een wag net vir n sound chip🙈