Oxford Rail Adams Radial Tank | Unboxing & Review (Motor Fails on Camera!) 

IM GONNA GET CROSS AND SMACK IT! 👋 -Sam'sTrains 2019

Just me or does that seem a really high rating for something with a damning failure in that motor

Love the grace, dignity & design of this Victorian Locomotive. I also think the greyhounds were a classic of Victorian design

Well, I was kind of tempted by this. But the motor issue is a huge no no.

The first Atlantic wheel arrangement locomotives were 4-4-2T, effectively 4-4-0 tender locomotives developed into a tank design with a trailing single axle added to provide support and balance for the extra weight of the water tank and rear coal bunker. 4-4-2 tender locomotives came later. Whether tank or tender arrangements are used for the consumables, they are both Atlantics!

What an unbelievable pretty and well detailed model loco for this price! Thank you for your videos and greetings from Germany (where simply ALL model trains are unbelievable expensive and their producers seem to be greedy - regardless of the consequences...)

Sam, thank you so much for what you do for the train community!

Hi Sam, great video as ever. I have an LSWR one I picked up second hand for £40, so if ever the motor fails I won’t be too put out having to replace it. The other problem with the bogie is the NEM pocket catches on the buffer beam on changes in gradient. It’s a shame about the rear pony truck, but it’s worth remembering this was Oxford’s first attempt at a loco. Nice choice of odd one out by the way ;) given that modified versions of the C1 were built by the LBSC.

Hi Sam, Fantastic review,thank you. So refreshing to find impartial,thorough and scientific evaluation in railway models. Given your liking for pre-grouping,steam locomotives with die-cast chassis, gorgeous lining and beautifully applied details. It is also a dependable runner and on offer in retailers around the century mark. Great value IMHO.

Probably in my top ten. Just classic and beautiful

That is a VERY beautiful engine. I have the Southern Radial tank, and like you, I too have had problems with the motor. Oiling it every so often helps keep it cool and prevents it from over heating too much, and it runs great. But I've had to do A LOT of fiddling with the motor and pick-ups to get it working right.

One of my favorite models just has a certain charm to me thanks for the video

I have probably done things the wrong way round because I have not built my circuit layout yet and I have purchased the trains I like first. I went to a fair and purchased a Bachmann Midland 1F which luckily you gave a good review. I also purchased a Oxford Adams Rail Black BR 30582 because I fell in love with it the detail is second to none. I paid £65 for it so it was cheap. I was told the dealer bought up 10 of these bankrupt stock and it was the last he had. He did take it out and tried it and it ran ok. Having watched your review I’m a little worried that I may get motor problems, but your advice will help me be cautious with it. It is such a cracking model I will still be happy with it. I will do the modification with the front spring and cut it down to help it run on the track better so that’s a positive. Thanks for all your advice and keep up with the great videos.

These things had a pretty long working life! A few were used of the Lyme Regis branch until the 1960’s, I think! There was simply nothing else that could round the corners while having the power.

Such a great review Sam. So eloquent and informative. Two points, and forgive me for not having trawled through all the other responses. One, as a point of interest. It is my understanding that after being taken out of service to put into storage and brought back by British rail to run on the line Regis line where they did very successfully. Secondly, a question. Is it not feasible simply to buy a cheap replacement motor. I love your reviews

Just modded the spring, transformative - thanks Sam. The new olive version 3520 seems ok with a dcc chip. My layout is designed for short shunting & not a loop so I can’t see if extended running makes the motor hot.

Any plans to review the kernow Model railway Centre Adams O2 class tank engine?

Beautiful model Sam! I heard the preserved examples overhaul requires new wheels and a new boiler barrel or entirely new boiler! I hope and wish the Bluebell will overhaul the engine sometime!

I have the BR black oxford rail version of this and it's pretty well detailed. I haven't run her yet but I might need to do the modifications first to prevent the issues. Although Oxford might have updated the motor as this model of yours might have been in stock for a while without the updated motor

Great video Sam it looks good in that green but I don't know whether to get one with the problems with the rear axle and now motor problems

Good review Sam Yes it is an Atlantic, other railways which had 4-4-2T's, the GWR. NER, GCR, GNR and NBR to name a few (and most pre grouping railways built some), refered to them officially as Atlantic tanks. Anway, great model, and not often you see a loco in the livery of one of the small independent 'light' railways. Same about the mechanical issues. Still its a learning curve for Oxford Rail Jon

We've got a Southern Black version and have never had a problem with the motor, however the chassis problem persists, might have to try your fix

Hi Sam, Mine is now more than 3 years. A DCC-sound version. I modified the rear axle and front bogie and she is a good runner. I also had correct the speaker vibrating in the housing. Well RTR ...Ready To Repair. Not a strong puller dough. Sorry yours is defect. Maybe change the motor - not that difficult. Good luck & greetings.

Hey Sam, funny story. I was out in Glasgow for my birthday, went down to a pizza hut and had a nice lunch. When I leave 7 FIRE TRUCKS are parked outside the Poundland nextdoor to the pizza hut. The fire alarm was ringing and I saw everyone evacuating the building. Up above, there was scaffolding on the building. Apparently the scaffolding at the top had collapsed and fell into an open window with a candle inside! So I just walked across the street and bought the book ' Loco Spotter's Guide ' from Waterstones like nothing ever happened! -JJ

Hi Sam! Mine, in Southern livery, hasn't had motor problems. Lucky, since returning items from the US to the UK can cost quite a bit! Thanks though for the spring tip. Mine wouldn't go over a 60 deg. rail crossing.

Atlantic? They were a development of the 4-4-0 tank locomotives designed by Adams for the North London Railway. They had very little coal capacity and the LSWR design was a modification with trailing wheels are to support the extended coal bunker.

Wish I had watched this prior to purchase.Bought as birthday present for someone from Kent. ,On the big day tried running it in. Moved very slowly then failed to move at all with a distinct smell of burning and the body of the loco was hot to touch. Missed the 14 day return as I had bought it some weeks previously. The on line retailer said they would contact Oxford and I can send to them for fixing? I do not have expertise at all but I think there is a fundamental design flaw that is not fixable.

24:21 M7: ha you've lost. Adams Radial Tank: come on motor

I have literally put my BR Black one on my layout about an hour ago and straight away it barely moves at all. It looks lovely but I think I will have to get it repaired.

I had the Southern livery version with sound, factory fitted, and had no issues as far as I can remember. A little bit of wheel slip is about the only issue I had.

I love your reviews Sam. They're well produced, very fair and insightful. But I can't help but feel if this was a Hornby or Bachmann model with the same motor problems, you would of marked it well down on the ratings. 100% we should support smaller companies they make great models like Oxford Rail though. I myself bought the OR Dean Goods off the back of your review and love it. Keep up the good work.

Hi Sam I got one those radial tank locos love i also had to modify it. could ask you about the Hornby m7 in your video dose it have a spring on the rear bogie .

8:02 This Famous Locomotive Adams Radial Tank From The Bluebell Railway Is Also Appears On Sheena Easton's No.1 Hit Single Morning Train 9 To 5 Back In 1981. Thanks Sam'sTrains Mate. X

Oxford Radial Tank: *exists* Motor: I’m about to end this man’s whole career

Had a good laugh at the way you described its inadequate running. Well done mate.

At the start of this review I was going to buy one Sam. Now I've seen it, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. As a customer, you shouldn't be thinking "I hope it'll be alright". I've a O R Dean Goods and wouldn't pull you out of bed either. Great review though, alll the best, Terry.

I've had a BR Black Adams Radial for a while myself. Unfortunately, the motor gave out after a single running session. It didn't slow down. The motor just seized and it never worked again. I hope Oxford works on the issues with these engines, as they add quite a bit of grace to a layout in my honest opinion. My BR Radial is, unfortunately, a static engine in my roundhouse until I can fix the thing myself, or swap the motor for a new one.

Received the Southern version of this last Christmas. It has run like a bag of spanners since I first took it out of the box. Bad smell of burning oil, hot motor, barely moves under 70% power, stops on some points. Will trim the spring one day but I have lost the will to live with it. Great looking loco but everything else is bad.

Lovely looking loco, just wondered is it DCC ready? and are there any sound chips for this?

I had a few issues with my dean goods pickups when I got it. Seems oxford have a few teething troubles occasionally. Might be worth eventually fitting a new motor? One of your own choice

I have one in the preserved green livery which I got for just £66 at a model rail exhibition, they are exquisite looking models. So far I think it is still running ok but I will be keeping a close eye on it. I may consider your tip with the front bogie as I have already worked a bit on the rear pony wheel. I removed the rear wheels which had a minimal springy action and with a small round needle file took a little more material out of the axle slots. It was really the tiniest of amounts as there isn't much to play with just taking the top of the curve flush with the plate the springs are in. This was enough to cure an issue at a start of an incline giving the wheels a little more spring movement. Out of curiosity how do yours run with the gauge master controller?

Hi Sam. Regardless of weather they are a tank or a tender locomotive, the wheel configuration of 4 4 2 is generally known as atlantics. so the adams radial tank is an atlantic tank. it's the same with the Gresley A5s which are pacific tank engines, which have yet to appear on the model railway seen, but maybe time will tell. And you say don't put more than 2 coaches on her. but from what I can establish from the sounds of the steam age sound effect cds and cassettes which you use to get, and I believe there are a few floating round on Amazon, the most that the radial tanks would pull in they're operational years is 2 coaches any way. so it would make sense pretty much. It's a shame that this particular radial tank and it's elder sister is suffering from motor issues, but if I remember correctly, this was 1 of Oxford rail's products, and they were finding their feet at the time. maybe some time in the future they might re-issue the radial tank with an improved pole 5 motor or something. after all your latest dean goods locomotive worked fine did it not? so it is a possibility. good work on those videos.

What shall I say... indeed a beautiful and very detailed model.

Thanks for the tip about the pony truck and its spring. I will do this on mine, I'm expecting it to arrive this friday. Hope I would not have issues with the motor, but I've got mine for GBP 64 at Hattons (Southern black model), so, I can take the chance... Anyway, it seems that it is mostly a quality issue on the batch of motors they had bought. If it would be an innapropriate mecanism, that would affect ALL the production batch, and not some locomotives at random. It is my opinion and I may be wrong but, now, I know what to look for in priority (get a box of paper handkerchieves next to me to be able to proper smell if mine is ok or have the same perfume as a forrest wildfire after five minutes of running half throttle) when I would run mine on my test track. I'll be back in a few days to let you know if I consider my copy ready for service or good to cross the Channel a second time directily down to Liverpool. Crossing fingers now !

Hello Sam. I had the same motor problem with a Roco locomotive. Did you try to clean the commutator and the brushes? Sometimes the oil is going there and causing problems.

30583 needs not just an overhall but a hole new boiler. So the loco is well and truly nackered. Love your vids mate ceep it up

You can grind a litte bit the housing of the rear axle to make it sit a little bit higher from the tracks

Went for the Hornby wartime black model. Very pleased with it.

Excellent review of the Oxford Rail ‘Adams’ Radial tank Sam 👍 I feel sorry for you as they are really great models of ‘Adams’ tank to run on your layout and they keep on stopping & slowing along. What I think you should do is to buy a Hornby version to see the different between the two and you should buy it at Warley exhibition and do a reboot video to see what is your impression. I myself got a Oxford Rail ‘Adams’ Radial tank which is the one on the Bluebell Railway but in LSWR livery and it runs fine(as shown in my video of the model), but I have to take your word for it as I don’t want any fire on my boards and now I given it a limited run on the layout.

I've eventually got my hands on one of these with the 2 small Wagons ........Hornby HM2000 = hot motor buzzing and crawl. Bachmann train set type comfort= fast with loads of torque. Is this loco fitted with coreless motor that cannot work on feedback type pulse DC controllers? Did you find out what type of motor they have Sam? Cheers!

Looks great! Good work.

Technically the motor didn't fail. Fantastic review Sam! Two words: Diesels please!

Which of the 4 and 6 wheel coaches that hattons is releasing would you buy ?

well even if it fails it's pretty to look at so you could stand it parked half way in a shed and I know you'd rather have a loco running but what is one to do if the motor goes?

prices might of dropped in the uk but in NZ their still 360nzd thats quite alot for a dcc ready loco but out of the adams radial tanks im tempted to see how a hornby radial would compare??? but on the plus side oxford do make beautifully detailed models and i love how finely detailed they are with only 1 issue which is the coupler seems to slip out of the dove tail socket but im sure is does not compare to the lovely N7 tank

I just bought one of these at a model train exhibition today, any word of Oxford rail have fixed these issues on the newer ones?

Would it be possible to retrofit a better motor into it to test whether it is a motor issue or some other flaw with the power conversion or the mechanism?

Is it possible the wiring is to blame? The starter motor in my forklift used to get hot and slow right down till i replaced the earth cable. Perhaps the cabling is too thin, has a bad connection or is broken internally causing the jerking and heat. Seems like its a top class model. Surely its a simple fix

Can you change the motors on many engines for stronger dipole?

Finally I always wanted this to be reviewed.

My new favorite loco you reviewed appearance wise

It was all the reported problems that prevented me from buying this....otherwise it's a beautiful engine.....Oxford Rail has certainly learnt from this in that they are producing fantastic models....love my N7.....thanks Sam....

I have a br black radial from Oxford. Haven't had a single issue with her and my track is in appalling condition at the moment

1) Is it possible to drill a small hole down the funnel in order to have more ventilation to the motor? 2) Is it possible to put a tiny fan inside of it next to the motor so it can at least cool the engine a bit? 3) BEAUTIFUL loco! It’s just let down by its motor, which is a shame. And great video too!

I'd like a BR one but lack funds - other priorities. About the motor... could you change it? What are the issues in a model?

I had a look, the axles appear to be like that on the one preserved at the bluebell railway.

I have seen the Adams tank in the EKR Green at the NRM, she isn't in the best state at the moment. I was going to get an Oxford Adams tank, its a shame the motor gave way. I bought a hornby br black version instead. Thanks for the info! - TSF06

Just as a daft idea... Have you tried running these locos on a pure DC rather than a feedback/PWM controller. I know that coreless motors are unsuitable for use with PWM/feedback controllers. Would it be worth a try?

Since the Robinson A5 is called a Pacific tank engine, I think it’s safe to say that this can be called an Atlantic tank engine

Change the motor? Apparently, they are fitted with a 5 pole motor (saw this on the Oxford Rail website). Hope that helps. Best, Pete.

I have the Southern 3520 version and have had all of the same problems, so I modified model to overcome the wheelslip only to find very slow running. Dismantled and took out the motor only to find it was very stiff and not free running, took out the brushes and one had broken up inside. still trying to find spare brushes and wrote an email to Oxford Rail, no reply yet.

I have the very same one its a lovely loci and looks great with those coaches

Hi sam just a quick question the affiliate link for hattons you always have in your descriptions. If anything is bought using this link do you get a percentage? So then would this help support your channel ?

Very enjoyable viewing over Sunday lunch. Will not be adding Oxford Rail, to my collection of nearly 200 OOs locos.

If it's really not the motor but its mechanism, modify it? Other locos haven't the problem so spares for them could be used?

What a shame Sam, that such a beautiful model has these running issues...should be such an easy thing to fix....Great Review...Bob

I do think that it’s wonderful but can you spot those seam lines? Great review btw :)

Really nice looking train there. I fancied an Adams Radial myself but I'm not going to get one because of the motor problems and I don't want to risk it

It's cool how the one you have got is the same number and livery as the one that is preserved

I only have the Hornby one and NO, u can see trough all the way under the boiler, and has no issues pulling 20 small wagons on flat! But I think the Oxford has the better cab detail, and pilot/pony wheel shape!

Not having one of these, so I don't know. What is the chance of changing the motor to a well known, reliable 5 pole type?

Why did you buy a second Oxford Rail Class 415 Adam Radial for? I have a Hornby one, R3335.

Sam, have you ever considered replacing / upgrading motors in locos that have weak / broken motors?

Hi Sam, excellent review as always but for a loco you cannot actually run, I think maybe you were a little over generous (IMHO) with 3 for performance. Surely a 1 or 2 at the very most? I would hope that Oxford see this and send you a new one FOC for all the hard work you do promoting their products. That would also allow you to review a newer version to see if they’ve ironed out these issues. Cheers!

Sam I have one of these and I bought it for 85 pounds and mine can pull four and goes perfectly is it only mine

Can't wait to see it pull some of the new Hattons 4 or 6 wheel coaches

im getting a second hand virgin voyager . please can you run yours next time you review a model . also when you fix the driving car what do you think of the detail and model ? more diesels please too

I hope Project Genesis eventually makes some East Kent Railway coaches to go with this engine!

Loverly engine, it's a great shame about the motor, I hope the problem is fixed. Its a shame the standard gauge engine hasn't run since 1990, I live very close to the bluebell, I would love to see it back. Well done great video 👍

Sam could it be that it responds badly to feedback controllers because i have one that shows similar problems on my hm2000 and i am afraid to run often for a fear of damaging it

Would you consider getting the Hornby adams radial tank?

It can be classified as an Atlantic as the LB&SCR built 3 types of 4-4-2 and those were classified as Atlantic tanks and as well as the GNR who built some of there own

yes it is an Atlantic, Atlantic is just the name of the wheel configeration, regardless of tender loco or not

Thanks for showing Sam. Sadly another Ready To Repair. I have one with sound and had to isolate the speaker plus the work on the front and rear bogie. Very nice model that needs added weight in the boiler. (See some reviews here on YT ) and then she becomes a rocket. Amazing how this goes in production and is commercialized with flaws in the mechanical design !! Mr Adam's is turning himself in his grave !! A real shame. Cheers, filip

I'm going to a train convention next month with around £100. Any suggestions for what objects I should look out for? Coaches? Buildings? Locomotives?

Hard to believe these faults were not detected during pre release testing, but cynically over looked in haste to get to market. You are generous in your assessment of performance and 72 pounds IS a lot of money for a model not fit for purpose !

Hi Sam hope your ok I bought my self a hornby jinty for 12.50 I would love a Adams radial

Hi sam It this stranger again I have the br black one I love the details with oxford rail stuff The N7 is wow a stunner This looks great runs poor am close to selling mine at this piont Am hoping the j27 is better Keep safe arp

Sam can you have a look at the motor on it and maybe do surgery and change out the orginal motor for a different one like for like if their is one see if that is the issue? Could be the fix were all looking for. Their strumming models and would be nice to have them working properly with a motor that is up to the task

Sam, send it to Oxford Rail and see what happens. Nothing to lose. I sent a Pendolino motor coach back to Hornby that I dropped and it got smashed. Guess what? Unbelievable, they replaced the body no charge! Same with Roco, damaged loco, repaired it again no charge. These locos were a few years old as well! Give it a try, nothing to lose?!