I got one of these in weathered BR blue for £55 and was offered two more prestige condition for £50 each, they were technically second hand but none had never been opened because the man who had bought them sadly passed before he ever had the chance. It is an absolutely stunning model and I’m so glad I bought it!
After supper with a coffee and Sam’s Trains, wonderful. Really looks the part Sam. Quite impressive actually. The only thing we never get our head around is why OO often omit lights. What the German brands already did in the 60s is providing them even in the tiniest lamp casings, solved through light tunneling. It’s really no rocket science, but there you go. This out of the way, it seems great quality. Pick-ups do look on the very flimsy side though with one tiny contact point per wheel, not all too convincing. It’s not only about contact points. Quality surface pick-ups also add up to an electric fielding effect for helping conductivity very much more reliably. We’ve had that experience with a steamer stalling too easily. Turned out that a ~3 mm (cleaned) contact surface area on the pilot wheels’ axle wasn’t touching firmly enough whilst all other wheels had clean but rather flimsy contacts. An electronic scientist told us about electric fielding, optimum contact surface area and why it’s important. So those 3 mm were vital. Well, that’s just our experience. On the other hand, you don’t want too much drag either. Certainly looks fantastic Sam. Had it been fitted with directional running lights we would have no problems at ~100 - 120 GBP. But it does look and run fantastic overall. Fair review.
haha thank you very much! Yes much more impressive than I expected - thing is most manufacturers do fit lights these days (except still Hornby for some reason!) The pickups are actually spot on - very reliable after running in! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The colors look very similar to Mavis from Thomas & Friends although she’s based on a different class. I like the black with the yellow accents for this locomotive!
Decent review Sam looks like a great little locomotive, odd livery to me though but then again I haven’t seen an 03 in NCB, if I was to get one I would probably go for BR blue.
This was the first loco i bought during lockdown when i rekindled my love of this hobby, and my experience has been much the same - amazing loco, i am SO happy with it. Sam, please could you have a look at the new Bachmann 2MT tank? I’ve just got one and it seems equally as fantastic, really superb runner and good detail. I think its important to continue to show everyone and some “other” manufacturers (ahem…) that there are still fantastic models out there at a reasonable price!
Oh wow - sounds like you made a very good choice there then - it's wonderful isn't it? I will look into the 2MT at some point - I'd be very interested to see it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Black and yellow is very striking many a sports and racing teams used similar liveries (Minardi Grand Prix as example used black yellow and white for many years). Oh what a nice little loco, always good to see what Sam uses as benchmarks, helps with contextualizing scores.
I’m so glad you have reviewed this loco…… I’m even more pleased yours keeps cutting out too. I thought it was just mine doing this. I have dcc from factory and it’s very frustrating when it just goes silent. Well done Sam 👍🏻
Hi Sam i bought from a collection in i think around 2010,it was what is still now dcc fitted, only it was 6 pin then but in the same tooling as now. It was a collectors pack and included two 03's! Both br blue only one was the conical chimney and one was the flower pot alternative, there were and are still two versions available. They came in their individual boxes which came in a single box, think 504 were produced and think i paid then 120.00.!! Never really run them, but should do, the motors may have seized with lack of running! A brilliant review from you and cannot rate them highly enough enjoyed, hope your well regards Nick Redshed.
Nice review, prices like these are amazing in times like this in modelling, I will 100% buy this 03 shunter in the NCB livery as coincidentally I am modelling a small NCB layout in around Era 7, with exceptions.
A good review of a lovely little model, even if the body tooling is a good fifteen years old! I bought the NSE-liveried 03179 from Modelzone in 2011, I think, and I now have four of them. It's good that the body tooling still stands up, and it still seems perfectly good for a loco which is run a fair bit. Fiddly detail is for display models! I think that the history of the body tooling is that Kader originally did the Class 03 for Mainline, and then used the same tools, slightly modified, for the Class 04 - both with split frame chassis. Then, when Bachmann reintroduced the 03, they produced new tooling for it, which is the current body. Oh, and my four are good runners and, if anything, the gearing is even slower. Given that the real thing had a top speed of about 28mph, it's not an issue!!
Thanks John - I was very impressed by the level of detail, given it's not a new tooled loco. Thanks for sharing - yes you'll be right - this can't be the original Mainline moulding! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
As I've said before, I really appreciate how rigorous and methodical your review process is. As someone preparing to, but not yet back in the hobby, it's an education in what to look for and expect from the current state of model manufacturing. ★★★★★ for your care and thoroughness.
A great little Class 03 NCB loco from Bachmann. Well build for accessibility and maintenance with clean lining livery. I like the detailing though the handrails could have been metal all around. Some of the best parts on the loco is the safety grill behind the cab footsteps, the Radiator Filler notice finely printed on the front, and the inclusion of Driver and Lit Cab detail, (Hornby 37 Cephus has none at this price). It is a wonderful looking shunter that runs very well, minus the stalling that should disappear with running in. A complimentary review Sam and thanks for sharing this wee gem of a model, tempted to buy one myself now.
!!!! I got one of these for my birthday a month ago, and was so pleased with it! Was genuinely surprised by the cab lights and absolutely loved the running of it, got it in the same livery too so it could coincide with my NCB S100 ;)
Excellent video as always. I found out that you should clean the wheels even with new engines. A lot of times there is oily residual on the wheels threads. I use paper towel and alcohol laying on a piece of track to clean them and it does wanders to the pickup. Cheers.
I am not a diesel lover but I do have two! A Bachmann 45/0 to pull the CMX track cleaner, and my 03 (£93) to work a coal yard. Yes, I am a Steam lover but this 'mini gronk' really ticks the boxes and gives so much pleasure, that I quite often load her up and sit back and admire the little beauty. Top marks Bachmann for the 03 Bachmann! Also the 45/0 is a peach and ohh I love running her to. Such a good and reliable engine (with lights), also sitting well with the Steam Loco's. A great review Sam, credit where credit is due, eh?
My local railway museum has the last 03 built. The chap who runs it uses an 04 to push-pull a couple of old carriages for the visitors. I think it has one of the largest collections of rail stuff. Even got our old signal box from our village station.
Looks great and seems to behave as such. I remember watching the Norwich 03 pilots wheels spinning pulling the London stock out to the sidings, or sliding to a stand when breaking! I think there are some of these to be seen at Mangapps Farm? Good video. Thanks. BR Blue or Green would be very useful, as well as industrial.
Sam, What I do like about Bachmann is that when they do fit proper bearings to there locos they are with a square outside profile that stops the bearing rotating in the frames unlike the Hornby bearings that are circular on the outside profile which relies on the keeper plate clamping the bearing .
The mainline 03 and the original bachmann one did have different chassis. The mainline one used a ringfield pod motor (like the collett goods, not the ones built into the chassis like the j72 and rebuilt royal scot), the bachmann one used a can motor inside the split chassis (as per the majority of bachmann's split chassis locos did, like the hall and v2 and b1 and lord nelson and rebuilt/unrebuilt royal scots). I believe the 04 was tooled based around the 03 chassis, although obviously at a later date. As far as i know, the DCC ready ones would be this new tooling only (but I could be wrong, like I'm sure mine has the more standard older motor). I have one, D2011 in plain BR green, and it's a fantastic little runner. Cuts out a little on DCC, but I don't have a stay alive in it, and it's so smooth and well detailed. But over the last few years, Bachmann have updated most if not all their 6-pin locos to have the next18 socket, because it's objectively better. No other chassis modifications other than swapping the DCC interface. Which makes one wonder, why have hornby stuck with 4 and 8 pin for so long, only going for 6 pin recently? I use the £100 rule too, although mine is, if it isn't something tooled in the last 5 years, I won't pay more than £100 for it.
I've had my sound version of this for about 5 months now and it has been superb, only downside is that it isn't very fast. Obviously geared for shunting alone.
When you told us the RRP, I immediately said "that's it?!" Not because the quality suggests that it should be higher (that is true though), but because that is the same or a similar RRP to the Graham Farish N gauge version, and can be picked up for much cheaper at retailers; there are no longer any Farish locos for less than £100 brand new, the only locos below that mark are the Terriers and possibly 57XXs from Dapol.
Yes, I have one of these (and a P6), they are both fabulous as you report in your video(s) and that is why I bought them (both) and I applaud your review(s), thank you very much indeed :-)
I got one of the first release of these from the dying days of Modelzone for £40! £40!!!! They have indeed upgraded it a little since then but it is still one of the best locos I have.
Excellent review Sam! I was wondering if we'd ever see you review the NRM edition flying scotsman in Wartime Black livery that was released around 2016 I think? Anyways that would be nice to see.
Nice smooth running little shunter. Value for money. Becomes rare these days except for 'sale or bargain' offers like my handsome and smooth running Hornby O1 for 79£. We keep our eyes open ! Thanks for sharing this honest review Sam. Always a pleasure to watch ! Kind regards, Filip
Great video. You cannot go wrong with the 03, truly excellent little locomotives and an unsung hero of the Bachmann range. Particularly nice in this smart black livery I might add.
I saw a few videos that the Reaing, Blue Mountain and Northern got their Reading railroad T1 4-8-4 #2102 back up and running again, also another idea for an N gauge layout, you should make it where it can be placed on top of you work bench and can be tipped up or folded up to store away when not in use, because it looks like your work bench would be big enough to accommodate an oval of N gauge track
Hello Sam, I purchased one of these when Palitoy/Mainline first launched it all those years ago(in BR Blue and numbered 03382) it was good then, but actually that same loco is still doing stirling service now on my small layout. I still have the box for it too. Obviously a better model, better tooling and better and motor now from Bachman, but my point is, this was good back in the days of Mainline and still is IMHO Great review.
Great review Sam, just purchased the same loco a few days ago and dcc fitted it, was really easy to do my Hornby select dcc controller perhaps doesn't like the choice of dcc chip i have (Bachmann 36-567A, next 18 loco decoder with brake button function) and tends to cut out and not move a lot in lower speeds across points I'm thinking adding a stay alive capacitor would solve this issue, my favourite features so far are being able to turn the cab light on and off and getting a good slow crawl with loaded coal waggons handled hauling 8 fully loaded coal wagons perfectly
Thanks for sharing Andy - yes I can see it being very easy, as there's plenty of room and good access to the socket! Some sort of stayalive would definitely help - mine cut out a bit too before I ran it in! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam How are You? Yeah I just bought one of these recently & I was slightly blown away by it, I wasn't expecting it to be this good. didn't expect it t have a cab light either, the only major down side I would say personally is that the steps on the side are pretty fragile. I has a scary moment were one was touch the counter weight but it was easily sorted. Overall a silver lining loco for as I've has issue with 2 other Bachmann coreless motor locos recently so it was just nice to get one that worked. the Precedent & double fairlie both had motor troubles :( Keep up up the good work Sam and I'm looking forward to the next review :)
I'm great thanks, how are you? Glad you got one too - you can colour me blown away too - much better than expected! Appreciate the kind words, Cheers, Sam :)
The last Bachmann I had was a split chassis V2. She was actually a very good runner. I might look at their current offerings to see if anything appeals! Thanks for a great video Sam!
Yes the split-chassis locos were good runners... I'll admit that... it's just when the blasted axles fail, it's a complete nuisance... and it always happens too, sooner or later! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Really good looking engine . I like this engine and I am not a big fan of Bachman but I would buy one of these if I can find one . I think it has a good price. I like the way it performs and it’s looks . I really like the livery.Great review as usual.
Great review, but considering the I can't find the model under £111 quid at TMC just a couple of hours after you've uploaded the model, I would suggest it is not value for money for the rest of us compared to the £98 you paid :)
While Bachmann is still expensive, it’s honestly quite crazy that Bachmann and Hornby have switched places in terms of the one we dunk on because of their price.
Hi Sam, nice review and wow at last we see what we should be getting, Very well done Bachmann. I wonder if a non polarized electrolytic cap of say 100uF or even maybe 47uF would act an electronic flywheel?
This British Railways Class 03 Diesel Shunter Locomotive Is A Bit Like Mavis The Diesel Engine From Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends. Thanks Sam'sTrains Mate. X
I’m glad that Bachmann is trying to prove me doubting them wrong. If Bachmann makes models like this for the rest of time that’s as good as you could want
Hi Sam. Just a thought...do you clean the track when you do crawl tests? Especially near the express points. Nice video. You are producing decent professional videos nowadays. Well done my friend
Is mine in BR green a good model ? As seen here, it is ! Looks nice, good build quality, nice features, top quality drivetrain, easy to open and, most of all, excellent dynamic qualities. If I might, I would have as critics the absence of a flywheel and the engine that is slightly overspeeding for my taste, but that is just my opinion, and removes nothing from the overall excellent quality of this engine. Well, Sam, if you can test a class 08 by Bachmann, a BR4 version is expected soon, that would be nice. Hope they have the same level of quality on their 08 !
Fun fact! The class 03 shutter is actually the basis for the Thomas character Mavis. The only difference being that mavis has a cow catcher and side plates. Amazing video as always Sam, I’ll see you in the next video! :D
Hi Sam I've been watching for a while but I'm now trying to redo my layout. Unfortunately my original track got really badly damaged. So what do you suggest to "start" with (starter sets,locos,ect.) Thanks
Sounds awesome Nathan - sure, a starter set is a good idea if you're looking to start from scratch - one of the larger Hornby sets would be good, one with points, as they use nice 3rd radius curves that suit all OO engines! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I got a BR Green one with the 6 pin DCC scoket, and the 'normal' motor, it was reduced at my local Model Zone model shop. (Do you Remember Model Zone?) I really would like a BR Blue one, but the price is outside my rules for tiny locos!
Excellent review of one of the best diesel locomotive shunters in model form Sam 👍👍 I’ve got one in Network Southeast livery and it run nicely, but a little noisy.
I'd say it sure is one of the best true! Yours sounds lovely - and yes I noticed mine was a little noisy, but runs just fine! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
When will their be BR class 28? Also, when will their be OO9 scale layout? I also wonder why neither Bachmann, Hornby, or any other OO scale manufacturers have made the LMS class 7f 0-8-0.
Hey Sam I noticed that you haven't done an old loco for a while My suggestion for a review is a bit different A jouef class 40 It can go round quite tight corners and is 4 wheel drive with a 5 pole mother and if done right it can be a decent model I've noticed jouef class 40 had been disregard and I think it should be more well known Best regards Luke
From what I've seen, the only external difference between the 03 and the 04 (Mavis) is a differently shaped exhaust stack. But yeah, put on a cone instead of a cylinder and paint over the NCB lettering, and there you go!
Sam, a couple of year's ago you did a £2 v £27 motor comparison to show why £27 was a rip-off. Given that many manufacturers motors are poor (but I note you like the cordless on in the 03, how about sourcing a decent but reasonable motor to replace the rubbish supplied ones? Loving your reviews, best ones available
Hi Sam. Yes I think it’s a great locomotive. I do like the NCB liveried locomotives, simple but effective. Price is ok, and the model is great, like the pulling power. The Dock shutters and private ones are often the most reliable, and often better cared for by the companies. Great review. 😇
As i understand it, the old mainline tooling was converted to 04 shunter. This is supposed to be an all tooling when they introduced it. Sorry if i've repeated what someone else has said
Yeah I think you're right - this is definitely not from the original Mainline tooling - it's completely different and much more detailed! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
got one of these for my 12 Yr old birthday as wouldn't pay for an 08 but it is an excellent performaner and a great all round loco excellent review as usual
The 03 was completely retooled around 2010, and fundamentally its decent...ish. The body and general detailing is fantastic, but I'd actually cast a bit of a downer on this model. I've had no end of problems with the pickups on mine, it was reasonable on DC but always a little stuttery. When I DCC fitted it though, it completely crapped out with any form of momentum programmed in. Even with a stay alive capacitor fitted (which doesn't fit due to the chassis design so it intrudes the cab), its barely useable. Its a solid 8/10 for looks, but its performance even with a stay alive fitted is a 4/10 at best. Its a nice paperweight.
Very interesting - if from 2010, presumably yours has a different chassis to this? Doubt they were fitting coreless motors in 2010! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains Fundamentally its the same chassis, the only difference is the motor cradle was altered to take a smaller (coreless) motor in order to provide room for sound, this change was announced in 2017 and delivered around 2020ish. The PCB was also changed to next18 but uses the same screw mounts as the original 6 pin PCB. Otherwise its exactly the same model, although mine was factory weathered and released around 2018...and yes the overspray weathering on the wheels made it so much worse!!! But even after stripping down and cleaning everything its never been good at low speed running; its great with power hard wired to the 6 pin socket, so its not the pre-coreless motor at fault. Its down to the the naff pickups.
@@SamsTrains My Hornby 08 is fantastic. Unless you want to fit a DCC decoder, then that is where it falls flat on its face! As there is very little room, for a decoder even a direct 8 pin one, god knows who designes them, but simply having a DCC socket does not mean that a decoder will fit inside the thing! The detail is top of the mark, and my example runs really well. I also have a couple of Bachmann 08s, one of their first batch without DCC socket, and a later one with a DCC socket, again like the Hornby one i have not managed to fit a decoder and get the body back on. The space inside has not been thought out.
Do you ever feel inclined to add external lighting or sound to your models? I realise it would be a departure from the review nature of your channel, but a "Pimp-my-loco" video, or three, would be interesting, especially if they were "easy wins".
I'm looking for this exact version of the locomotive for a project I'm working on based on the titfield thunderbolt, set in Ireland. I was also inspired by a series known as "Over the Hills", made by one of my favorite youtubers, Angry Welshman Productions.
I know they're a bit more, but if you can manage to get a hold of another O Guage loco (for a decent price). I would love to see another review for a loco in that range!
