Oh no, Sam !!!!! I'd convinced myself that I didn't need this. Then you come along, and now it's a must-have. 😮😊 Please apologise to my bank balance. 😂
Sounds like a good project Sam, whack in a coreless motor, 3D print a few bits and bobs - and you have a motorised version... you know you want to do it!
Watching Sam'sTrains is peak when you have a cup of tea (Yorkshire is the best, try me) and some biscuits. and a peanut butter sandwich to go with :) Love your vids Sam!
The plasser blue and white cranes are still in use today. Hauled one onto a worksite last weekend. They have a top haulage speed of 45mph so they make freight trains a class 7 when one is in the consist.
I believe one of these appears in the Scottish film, 'Comfort and Joy', starting Bill Paterson from 1984 in a a scene where he follows an ice-cream van under a railway bridge. It is hauled by a class 37 in the movie.
As you mainly saw these cranes in the consist of an engineering train I think making it powered would have just created problems as it would be fighting with the train locomotive if they were not matched perfectly when running almost certainly causing derailments. Nice model.
Yes true - my thought would be to have a gear on a shiftable shaft to allow you to engage or disengage the drive - I'd love to have a go at it some time! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains An Axle hung motor, like how a lot of people in CLAG do it would be ideal and easy to implement. go have a look and you'll see how amazingly simple it is.
I haven’t bought this particular model, but the T3 is absolutely gorgeous, and will definitely be mine for the club layout!! It’ll have DCC Sound and will therefore not only look good, but sound good!!
To use as a stand-alone runner you might be able to fit one of the ultra small tram bogies available on Ebay. They are self contained though, so you would not be able to disconnect them to allow the crane to be towed. That would add another GBP30.00 or so to the price though.
then he'd drop performance to 2 stars because those motor bogies are generally not very good at creeping or slow running, which is what you'd need for this prototype 😬
EFE is in serious business. After having started with a rehash of old Heljan tat, they are ramping up the quality/price ratio. I have some rolling stock from them (last bought : GWR 10 tons bloater, great model, I have the GWR and the BR), and they really do a good job. This model is a good example, minus the lack of a movable boom and cabin, but you have the price for it. Seems EFE Rail is going to be specialized in oddball models... Good thing for everyone !
The new EFE Rail Plasser Crane is very nice and the quality of it is top-notch. It is really a shame that it is not motorised and its arm is not posable. Still, it is reasonably priced, it performs well on the track and it is a pretty good model Sam.
I bought the two yellow departmental versions. I'd have willingly paid more for working lights. The version I most wanted was the Balfour Beatty and this is now available for pre-order and may be out for Christmas.
Hi Sam.Not been a railway modeller for many years but still look forward to and enjoy your reviews. Hope you dont mind if I suggest you do a series of videos where you update the scenery on your layout as its clear that its now in need of an update.....
Sam, I'm here to tell you that motorising this would be a piece of cake using CLAG style axle hung motors, which would allow the mechanism to be easily backdriven, so you could still easily have it in a train too. Thanks as always.
In my personal opinion giving it 2 stars for detail is a little bit harsh id say 3 stars at the minimum. The only issue having it self propelled would be compromising details and or the drive system fighting to syncronside speed on a pulling loco for example. Another thing these were only self propelled on site or in yards not the national network
I agree with you Sam, it's tough finding a model with everything . Can you imagine a self propelled DCC with all the functions enabled made out of metal. North of $2500
A gorgeous piece of kit really. The detail seems lovely to me, and honestly, as rare as it is, id argue that the 2 stars is unfair - i think it deserves more like a 3.5! and the painting of the wasp stripes are beautifully crisp! It would've been very cool to see it motorised though. Its a shame the hattons one never arrived, but i think manufacturers have possibly made the old hattons locos and rolling stock much better ( eapecially the 66 ( which in hoping for for christmas!), as well as the p class. Great video as always sam!
Thanks Jack for sharing! As far as I know this is nothing to do with the one Hatton's announced, besides being the same prototype of course! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains ahh, that's a fair point, I sort of meant that efe has released the model of the prototype, as you say, that hattons were going to release, and I think this is probably as good as the hattons one wouldve been!
Hi Sam, A great video and I have been thinking about this model. There is a white Balfour Beaty version of this and now you have convinced me to order one. As it happens I have just received a Balfour Beaty Catering Coach in a dark blue livery. As you say a good price at about £70 odd pounds. Regards from Ron 🚂👍😃✔️🚂
I think it would be fun to see you try to make a simple driven bogie truck for this. You would probably only need one driven axle with the smallest motor. That is such a nice looking model, I wouldn't care if it moved at all: Just park in on a siding and admire it!
Very nice crane indeed, such a shame it’s static but it’s the 4th one I’ve seen in 00 gauge in 40 plus years, to be fair the Bachmann 45T Ransom & Rapier model is the very best British model crane I have seen, EFE Rail could have done so much more with this model but they didn’t, it is what it is and it will sell very well, hopefully another British manufacturer will produce a crane to better this very soon, very in-depth review.
Just took a look at this. Indeed, my first thought upon being told that the real life Plasser Crane was motorised, was "how do you fit standard model railway propulsion systems into this?" Even if it was achievable, the effort required would result in this being a LOT more expensive. Ditto being able to move the crane. Making one of these models at HO/OO scale that works like the real article would seem to me to be a truly ferocious model engineering challenge, even if you use slimline coreless motors. As for adding DCC to it ... er, somehow, I think not. A fully working OO scale 12T Plasser Crane model would be a model engineering tour de force - and would be accompanied by an engineering tour de force price. You would probably be looking at Fabergé jewellery money to make that a reality! Especially if the decorations and separately fitted parts were kept. Oh my ... after watching your video on model loco mechanisms, I somehow think a standard mechanism would NOT fit into this.
If you check out what Viessmann have done with their Robel models you will see it’s achievable but costly, a manually extendable jib with up and down movement and a rotating cab would have been a great addition, a self propelled model would have pleased many more models, only one bogie needs to be driven like the Bachmann Windhoff MPV, hopefully other British manufacturers will join the party with a more functional model in the future.
A very fair assessment Sam. It would have been nice if the crane could be positioned into other modes i.e. moveable jib/ working lights etc Overall it’s a lovely well detailed model, I’ve gone for the BR engineering yellow & it too is a fine addition to the layout. Cheers John b😎
I was very excited when I saw the thumbnail for this video on your site assuming this was powered. It is not the Trix HO Digital Type 100 Crane, and a Type 817 Boom Tender Car Set with DCC (SOUND) that would cost more than 3 to 4 times the money if it were still available (not self-propelled) nor is it the Viessmann HO Scale Robel railway Maintenance Vehicle self-propelled AC/DC Auto Car with articulated crane for about $300 but like the description said they are HO. I may have missed something, but I can find no self-propelled OO scale cranes. With that being said, I do like the look of this car, and it does look interestingly good going round the layout. Great review, Jersey Bill
Thanks Bill - yeah sorry for the disappointment there! A self-propelled crane is something I'd really love to have... the possibilities would be endless! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Sam maybe you can add another line to your scoring 'Specification" as you showed this crane was high on Detail but low on Specs. Keep up the Great work i live acros a park from Plassar in North St Marys NSW Australia
Nothing else from EFE this year? Swanage Railway have announced a model of their T3 to come from Kernow/EFE and orders being taken for the first batch through the Swanage Railway website!
I ordered one of the yellow versions and received this last week. However, since seeing your video wish I had ordered the Javis one now. Would have been good if they had released the BB one first as I would have ordered that.
Surprising interest in this. The main use I can see is sitting in sidings and looking out of period for steam era running. Quite an expense for that purpose or even hands on toy train players staging wrecks.
Hi Sam. A good-looking piece of kit, expertly reviewed, as always. In order to deal with the "Detail" dilemma, have you thought about dividing this category into ""Features/Innovation" & "Decoration"?
I really like the look of this, would look good with my industrial setup I think. The lack of power doesnt bother me so much, the retailer price is most Id be willing to go for if that was the RRP.
Sam if you want to see something spectacular along a similar there, Viessmann make the 2631 H0 ROBEL track motor car 54.22 LEONHARD WEISS - so 1:87 scale DCC controlled and Sound fitted, it costs about 450 Euros though, Self propelled,, Sound Fitted, Lighting fitted, Oh and a working crane it actually rotates under dcc control with the arm raising and lowering in I believe afixed pre designed pattern as it rotates - you can find clips of it on youtube
Definitely a compromise, but it does make for quite an eye catching piece of rolling stock thanks to all the printing, paint application and separate detail parts. When it comes to properly articulated, self propelled cranes, the sky is the limit, though. The Roco HO one with all the bells and whistles costs something like 700 pounds, though for that money, it's fully DCC fitted and you can even control it with an app and Playstation gamepad.
Great review and a very impressive model. I do wonder if too much weight in wagons and coaching stock is a good idea. I recently purchased a OO9 Bachmann Gloucester coach and it is so heavy some locos struggle pulling it in a train.
The technology exists to make this model self propelled, Nothwest Short Line have manufactured a product called PDT ( pretty darn tiny, really) this was produced in two versions one axil and two axles. These allowed you to create trolleys and other small models with open bodies without the motor being mounted inside and quite unrealistically visible. I have to agree with you on the inability to “pose” this model as “working” as a drawback.
I have pre ordered an efe d600 nbl warship in n gauge. you should review that sam! quite expensive but it's a fairly niche model really and only 5 in real life.
Having read other comments I think it's important to put it into context here. Given the real things cannot be self propelled on the mainline and need to be towed to worksites, the vast majority of users of this crane will be as an item of rolling stock. Granted some people would like to build dioramas of work sites which is great, but there are already working cranes available for that if that's your thing. But a detailed more modern crane to go with many of the more modern engineers wagons is not something that we had until now. I'd have personally been disappointed if it had been motorised and then another £100-plus more expensive. Agree that perhaps a poseable jib or working lights might have been a better compromise.
Alternatives to give power for movement, power vans as used with Airfix plastic locos in the day, or, powered full DCC Kibri RailMotion Low side wagon (sorry €309.95) but can be used to move any unpowered equipment. Alternative crane again Kibri fully posable Telescopic Guttwald GS 100.06 (slightly bigger then Plesser) as a plastic kit with steel ball weights (€85.95) or fully built (€150.95). Again not powered but all the good stuff can be moved if you build it right. Could also require a wagon load with various spreader beams and lifting tackle to suit most jobs including recovery.
Personally I don't think this is a model i will be trying anytime soon. For a non motorised unit that is so limited when compared with the potential for what it could be, i just can't justify the price. If i see one discounted even more then i might consider it. Nice to see EFE upping their game though and producing quality, well detailed models.
Looks a very nice model. But i think there may have been a few missed opportunities . But that would have put up the price . And if you could run it on its own this could be a issue when running in a p/way train. So i can see why efe has made it the way they have .
I think Sam needs to add a rating for “Features” that would be applicable to rolling stock; this would replace the “Pulling Power” rating for locomotives. Then Sam could give it 2 stars for Features, and the deserved 4-1/2 to 5 stars for detail. That said, I’d probably give this 4-1/2 stars for Detail, 4-1/2 for Performance, 4 for Quality (because of the one wonky, unattached railing.), and 4 for Value. I think that would be a bit more fair…. 😊
The problem with that is some rolling stock just don’t have features… the only possible feature for an open wagon let’s say would be sprung buffers… imagine what people would say if 1/5 of my score came from sprung buffers… So I think for rolling stock lumping features in with detail is the right thing… I have been thinking about adding it in for locos though!
@ - well, that’s certainly one. Another could be if the buffer beams are detailed, or if they come with screw-link couplings. Do they have proper metal bearings? How about a load (for open wagons, or a lo-mac), or openable doors for vans? How about a manual that shows you clearly where the parts in the accessory bag go (if it has an accessories bag)? Even the Dinorwic slate wagons, though simple, at least came with a load, and two varieties; one flat, and one with a fence-like side. And, for coaches, do they have interior lighting, or well detailed interiors that you can easily add figures to. And, for both, how about proper NEM couplings?
Honestly the model is probably better as is. The gaps introduced while making parts rotating or telescopic would make it look kinda crap and toy-like. Same for flexible connections and whatever would be used for the main cable, the string used on the bachmann crane looked pretty naff and betrayed how small the model is whenever a part is allowed to shake around loose. As for motorising, you could probably have a go at trying to fit all that into the space in CAD. Not just the motor but where a separate running chassis would integrate within the cosmetic chassis. There does not appear to be one continuous block of internal space to allow for it in the on-deck equipment, gaps and limited height do not lend themselves to an upright coreless motor like in a railcar. Nor a stage of reduction gearing as these were very slow moving while trundling along yards and worksites. Others have brought up that on the network these were hauled around and that slow mechanism would be fighting whatever was pulling it. And yeah you know 2 stars for detail looks silly and reflects a flaw in your rating system more than it does punish a model for not having imagined features.
Dang.. would of bought one if it was motorised but with it been not motorised then I won't bother. But you also have to remember that the crane would be sat around in real life for 90% of the time so can see why it wasn't motorised. Just like the Hornby steam crane. Oh well..I'm sure there will be someone out there who will pull one of these apart and motorise it
In my opinion , considering that the crane is fixed , £50 would be enough. Like one guy called Sam's Trains would say , for this price I would expect at least the moveable crane. I could pass that it can't move on its own , but for sure I can't pass the fixed crane.
I am not worried about the lack of an ability for this to power itself. Less ideal is the lack of it to be able to pose in any kind of operating mode. It does look good though.
Interesting. I personally think that £90 rrp for a crane without a moving jib or any sort of lights is a bit much, and £50 would be more reasonable. However, given Revolution's Caroline inspection saloon has a £160 rrp and is probably equally as detailed but with all the lights, it makes the £90 for the more basic model seem decent. Still, this model could've been fitted with directional lights and a cab light, a DCC socket and switches to turn the lights on and off. I would be interested to see if someone else would create one that has a drive mechanism plus a motorised jib rotation, jib extension, and hook lowering feature. But, that'd make it more like £400, which no one in their right mind would pay for a 00 model of this size.
Yeah I think so too - the RRP is pushing it... £50 I'd be extremely impressed with this! Yep, with all the bells and whistles you'd be looking at double the price most likely! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
A question for anyone. I’m highly thinking of getting into Hornby TT next week with a train set and, extension pack and rolling stock. As its smaller scale is the track difficult to put together?
See Sam's vid on how he built his TT layout. Did not seem at all difficult. Although supposedly Hornby have fixed the geometry problems with the curved sections. However Hornby seem not to acknowledge there was ever a problem that needed fixing.
9:25 is what I came for and no pose-ability on the crane very quickly shoved the prettiness and detailing of this car into the "too pricey sin bin". Shame, it looked so promising from the images.
You mentioned coupler height at one point. I don't know if there's anything like this for OO / NEM standards, but for knuckler couplers in HO, Kadee make a couple different coupler height gauges. They're most useful for if you're adding couplers to old rolling stock or adjusting them, but it would do the job to check rolling stock and loco knuckle coupler heights. Trainworld has them for around $7. On this model, I did notice some gaps between different parts in the close-ups. Is this noticeable to the unaided eye?
The tension lock couplings that UK modellers call NEM are not NEM at all but do largely use the NEM standard coupling pocket. NEM from Mainland Europe are a model railway standards organisation that do have published standards for the pocket dimensions and things like wheels and track. The tension lock coupling is a perfect example of how sloppy the UK is with standards with each maker having a slightly different version of theirs and some having different versions in their range. Sometimes fitting a different version to the front and back of a locomotive. All this leads to poor coupling performance due to incompatible dimensions, or sloppy mounting, by different manufacturers. I am pretty certain there are no published standards for UK tension lock couplings leading to this dogs breakfast sloppy approach. The closest to a standard was when Triang invented the tension lock coupling about 1959 and sold a combination stock re railer and coupling height gauges. These metal Triang Mark 3 couplings worked well since the were all uniform and mounted at the standard height. However the late seventies trend to smaller looking couplings by other manufacturers started the trend to incompatibility but got praised by non users for looking smaller. One of the reasons many change to Kadee couplings for UK stock is the published standard dimensions used with them and printed on every pack. Hope I do not get snarky remarks from UK types defending the mish mash approach to standards.
Very interesting Plasser Crane - i usually get along very well with Crane models - But for this, i guess that was a great choice and the paintjob looks intact - :)
At that expensive price, it should be motorised, and the crane should be able to move. Should be no more than about $20 (about £10.22) I would've gave the value of no more than half put of 5.
Haha this would’ve been amazing at £10, but that’s not realistic - it’s a highly complex new model which will have cost a lot to research, tool, and produce. I agree the RRP is too high, but the price paid is about right I think!
Oh no, Sam !!!!!
I'd convinced myself that I didn't need this.
Then you come along, and now it's a must-have. 😮😊
Please apologise to my bank balance. 😂
I used to work with these back in the late 80's.
They were often used in pairs as they could then load 60 foot track panels onto Salmon wagons etc.
Sounds like a good project Sam, whack in a coreless motor, 3D print a few bits and bobs - and you have a motorised version... you know you want to do it!
£76 for all that detail - and some manufactures want £40 for a GWR Toad break van.
Watching Sam'sTrains is peak when you have a cup of tea (Yorkshire is the best, try me) and some biscuits. and a peanut butter sandwich to go with :) Love your vids Sam!
haha sounds amazing - have a good evening my friend!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains You too Sam! Can't wait to see your next video! :D
Yorkshire tea is the only tea worth drinking lol
The plasser blue and white cranes are still in use today. Hauled one onto a worksite last weekend. They have a top haulage speed of 45mph so they make freight trains a class 7 when one is in the consist.
I believe one of these appears in the Scottish film, 'Comfort and Joy', starting Bill Paterson from 1984 in a a scene where he follows an ice-cream van under a railway bridge. It is hauled by a class 37 in the movie.
Oh excellent - thanks for this I'll have to look that up!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
As you mainly saw these cranes in the consist of an engineering train I think making it powered would have just created problems as it would be fighting with the train locomotive if they were not matched perfectly when running almost certainly causing derailments. Nice model.
Yes true - my thought would be to have a gear on a shiftable shaft to allow you to engage or disengage the drive - I'd love to have a go at it some time!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Mine sits on a sideline so not bothered it’s not got a motor, I expect most people have a shunter to move it about anyway?
@@SamsTrains it seems to be a challenge in the making ?
@@SamsTrains That idea would be great for any locomotive actually!
@@SamsTrains An Axle hung motor, like how a lot of people in CLAG do it would be ideal and easy to implement. go have a look and you'll see how amazingly simple it is.
I haven’t bought this particular model, but the T3 is absolutely gorgeous, and will definitely be mine for the club layout!! It’ll have DCC Sound and will therefore not only look good, but sound good!!
To use as a stand-alone runner you might be able to fit one of the ultra small tram bogies available on Ebay. They are self contained though, so you would not be able to disconnect them to allow the crane to be towed. That would add another GBP30.00 or so to the price though.
then he'd drop performance to 2 stars because those motor bogies are generally not very good at creeping or slow running, which is what you'd need for this prototype 😬
@@chompette_ Didn't know that. Thanks for info.
I saw this thing in an email this morning. Good timing
Delightful and uplifting - and the crane's not bad either.
haha too kind Michael!
EFE is in serious business. After having started with a rehash of old Heljan tat, they are ramping up the quality/price ratio. I have some rolling stock from them (last bought : GWR 10 tons bloater, great model, I have the GWR and the BR), and they really do a good job. This model is a good example, minus the lack of a movable boom and cabin, but you have the price for it.
Seems EFE Rail is going to be specialized in oddball models... Good thing for everyone !
I think so too - different again from the DJM and Heljan tat isn't it? Yep the bloater is another fantastic example!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The new EFE Rail Plasser Crane is very nice and the quality of it is top-notch. It is really a shame that it is not motorised and its arm is not posable. Still, it is reasonably priced, it performs well on the track and it is a pretty good model Sam.
Thanks Bryan - yeah pity it can't do more, but wouldn't fault the way it looks at all!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I think this piece of rolling stock looks pretty cool! It has a lot of detail to it, and as always. Great videos Sam!
I bought the two yellow departmental versions. I'd have willingly paid more for working lights. The version I most wanted was the Balfour Beatty and this is now available for pre-order and may be out for Christmas.
Love that intro music. Such a good vibe.
haha yeah - tried to find something with a 70s vibe!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hi Sam.Not been a railway modeller for many years but still look forward to and enjoy your reviews. Hope you dont mind if I suggest you do a series of videos where you update the scenery on your layout as its clear that its now in need of an update.....
Sam, I'm here to tell you that motorising this would be a piece of cake using CLAG style axle hung motors, which would allow the mechanism to be easily backdriven, so you could still easily have it in a train too. Thanks as always.
In my personal opinion giving it 2 stars for detail is a little bit harsh id say 3 stars at the minimum. The only issue having it self propelled would be compromising details and or the drive system fighting to syncronside speed on a pulling loco for example. Another thing these were only self propelled on site or in yards not the national network
I agree with you Sam, it's tough finding a model with everything . Can you imagine a self propelled DCC with all the functions enabled made out of metal. North of $2500
A gorgeous piece of kit really. The detail seems lovely to me, and honestly, as rare as it is, id argue that the 2 stars is unfair - i think it deserves more like a 3.5! and the painting of the wasp stripes are beautifully crisp! It would've been very cool to see it motorised though. Its a shame the hattons one never arrived, but i think manufacturers have possibly made the old hattons locos and rolling stock much better ( eapecially the 66 ( which in hoping for for christmas!), as well as the p class. Great video as always sam!
The p-class?
@@Gatherleymodeller., I don't want the p class, but accurascale has re released the p class under its name, but it was originally hattons who made it
Thanks Jack for sharing! As far as I know this is nothing to do with the one Hatton's announced, besides being the same prototype of course!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains ahh, that's a fair point, I sort of meant that efe has released the model of the prototype, as you say, that hattons were going to release, and I think this is probably as good as the hattons one wouldve been!
Some of my friends at the model railway club have purchased this model in its latest form, AND added a driven bogie and motor.
They should’ve made powered ones as well as non powered ones so people had the option. Wonderful model though!
8:07 - you should screenshot this moment Sam, then print it out and add it to the wall! stunning shot!
Thank you so much!
Hi Sam, A great video and I have been thinking about this model. There is a white Balfour Beaty version of this and now you have convinced me to order one. As it happens I have just received a Balfour Beaty Catering Coach in a dark blue livery. As you say a good price at about £70 odd pounds. Regards from Ron 🚂👍😃✔️🚂
I think it would be fun to see you try to make a simple driven bogie truck for this. You would probably only need one driven axle with the smallest motor. That is such a nice looking model, I wouldn't care if it moved at all: Just park in on a siding and admire it!
It would really be fun - I'll have to give it a go some time!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Very nice crane indeed, such a shame it’s static but it’s the 4th one I’ve seen in 00 gauge in 40 plus years, to be fair the Bachmann 45T Ransom & Rapier model is the very best British model crane I have seen, EFE Rail could have done so much more with this model but they didn’t, it is what it is and it will sell very well, hopefully another British manufacturer will produce a crane to better this very soon, very in-depth review.
The same branch of Bachmann has also introduced a T3 steam locomotive in 00 gauge.
Just took a look at this.
Indeed, my first thought upon being told that the real life Plasser Crane was motorised, was "how do you fit standard model railway propulsion systems into this?"
Even if it was achievable, the effort required would result in this being a LOT more expensive. Ditto being able to move the crane. Making one of these models at HO/OO scale that works like the real article would seem to me to be a truly ferocious model engineering challenge, even if you use slimline coreless motors. As for adding DCC to it ... er, somehow, I think not.
A fully working OO scale 12T Plasser Crane model would be a model engineering tour de force - and would be accompanied by an engineering tour de force price. You would probably be looking at Fabergé jewellery money to make that a reality! Especially if the decorations and separately fitted parts were kept. Oh my ... after watching your video on model loco mechanisms, I somehow think a standard mechanism would NOT fit into this.
An small HO/OO tram powered bogie might be suitable. They are available on a certain popular auction site.
If you check out what Viessmann have done with their Robel models you will see it’s achievable but costly, a manually extendable jib with up and down movement and a rotating cab would have been a great addition, a self propelled model would have pleased many more models, only one bogie needs to be driven like the Bachmann Windhoff MPV, hopefully other British manufacturers will join the party with a more functional model in the future.
@@StormmyStormmy ... Just too a peek at this ...
£400? Yikes. Wasn't far off with my comment about Fabergé jewellery money!
I think this is a model that perfectly demonstrates why you need a features category, that detail score was correct but harsh
A very fair assessment Sam.
It would have been nice if the crane could be positioned into other modes i.e. moveable jib/ working lights etc
Overall it’s a lovely well detailed model, I’ve gone for the BR engineering yellow & it too is a fine addition to the layout.
Cheers John b😎
Sam is there any chance you could review a cavalex model please.ive heard great about them
I was very excited when I saw the thumbnail for this video on your site assuming this was powered. It is not the Trix HO Digital Type 100 Crane, and a Type 817 Boom Tender Car Set with DCC (SOUND) that would cost more than 3 to 4 times the money if it were still available (not self-propelled) nor is it the Viessmann HO Scale Robel railway Maintenance Vehicle self-propelled AC/DC Auto Car with articulated crane for about $300 but like the description said they are HO. I may have missed something, but I can find no self-propelled OO scale cranes. With that being said, I do like the look of this car, and it does look interestingly good going round the layout. Great review, Jersey Bill
Thanks Bill - yeah sorry for the disappointment there! A self-propelled crane is something I'd really love to have... the possibilities would be endless!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
*coughs in Harvey TTTE*
Sam maybe you can add another line to your scoring 'Specification" as you showed this crane was high on Detail but low on Specs. Keep up the Great work i live acros a park from Plassar in North St Marys NSW Australia
Nothing else from EFE this year? Swanage Railway have announced a model of their T3 to come from Kernow/EFE and orders being taken for the first batch through the Swanage Railway website!
The T3 is amazing - can't wait for that - but it won't be this year!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I notice it’s called a YOB!! Not a particularly nice classification for it, but never mind!! It looks a wonderful model.
I ordered one of the yellow versions and received this last week. However, since seeing your video wish I had ordered the Javis one now. Would have been good if they had released the BB one first as I would have ordered that.
Surprising interest in this. The main use I can see is sitting in sidings and looking out of period for steam era running. Quite an expense for that purpose or even hands on toy train players staging wrecks.
for a few moments i thought this was a christmas themed wagon because of the strong red colour
Hi Sam. A good-looking piece of kit, expertly reviewed, as always.
In order to deal with the "Detail" dilemma, have you thought about dividing this category into ""Features/Innovation" & "Decoration"?
Sam you gotta check out rails they have 2 dapol vans for £19 it’s the prefsol wagons 2-pack only. £19.05 at rails
I really like the look of this, would look good with my industrial setup I think. The lack of power doesnt bother me so much, the retailer price is most Id be willing to go for if that was the RRP.
Sam if you want to see something spectacular along a similar there, Viessmann make the 2631 H0 ROBEL track motor car 54.22 LEONHARD WEISS - so 1:87 scale DCC controlled and Sound fitted, it costs about 450 Euros though, Self propelled,, Sound Fitted, Lighting fitted, Oh and a working crane it actually rotates under dcc control with the arm raising and lowering in I believe afixed pre designed pattern as it rotates - you can find clips of it on youtube
Very nice crane not trying to force or anything but you should try some kato ho metra trains their very good!
Definitely a compromise, but it does make for quite an eye catching piece of rolling stock thanks to all the printing, paint application and separate detail parts. When it comes to properly articulated, self propelled cranes, the sky is the limit, though. The Roco HO one with all the bells and whistles costs something like 700 pounds, though for that money, it's fully DCC fitted and you can even control it with an app and Playstation gamepad.
Great review and a very impressive model. I do wonder if too much weight in wagons and coaching stock is a good idea. I recently purchased a OO9 Bachmann Gloucester coach and it is so heavy some locos struggle pulling it in a train.
The technology exists to make this model self propelled, Nothwest Short Line have manufactured a product called PDT ( pretty darn tiny, really) this was produced in two versions one axil and two axles. These allowed you to create trolleys and other small models with open bodies without the motor being mounted inside and quite unrealistically visible. I have to agree with you on the inability to “pose” this model as “working” as a drawback.
Another you tuber, did a kind of review on this ,and it's very good model from what he said.
Yep - they did a great job overall!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I have pre ordered an efe d600 nbl warship in n gauge. you should review that sam! quite expensive but it's a fairly niche model really and only 5 in real life.
I've got 1 of these as I'm a FASTLINE fan.
haha fantastic!!
Awesome video Sam
Thanks Brian!
@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam 😊
should checkout Self-propelled Walthers American Crane w/DCC lights and beacon, as it does everything like the Real thing does.
Having read other comments I think it's important to put it into context here. Given the real things cannot be self propelled on the mainline and need to be towed to worksites, the vast majority of users of this crane will be as an item of rolling stock. Granted some people would like to build dioramas of work sites which is great, but there are already working cranes available for that if that's your thing. But a detailed more modern crane to go with many of the more modern engineers wagons is not something that we had until now. I'd have personally been disappointed if it had been motorised and then another £100-plus more expensive. Agree that perhaps a poseable jib or working lights might have been a better compromise.
You could add something like a Stanton Drive from NWSL (here in the USA). Do not know if something like that is offered in the UK.
Alternatives to give power for movement, power vans as used with Airfix plastic locos in the day, or, powered full DCC Kibri RailMotion Low side wagon (sorry €309.95) but can be used to move any unpowered equipment.
Alternative crane again Kibri fully posable Telescopic Guttwald GS 100.06 (slightly bigger then Plesser) as a plastic kit with steel ball weights (€85.95) or fully built (€150.95). Again not powered but all the good stuff can be moved if you build it right.
Could also require a wagon load with various spreader beams and lifting tackle to suit most jobs including recovery.
Good job reviewing this product as a very detailed rolling stock, and totally not a crane ^^'
Personally I don't think this is a model i will be trying anytime soon. For a non motorised unit that is so limited when compared with the potential for what it could be, i just can't justify the price. If i see one discounted even more then i might consider it. Nice to see EFE upping their game though and producing quality, well detailed models.
Looks a very nice model. But i think there may have been a few missed opportunities . But that would have put up the price . And if you could run it on its own this could be a issue when running in a p/way train. So i can see why efe has made it the way they have .
I think Sam needs to add a rating for “Features” that would be applicable to rolling stock; this would replace the “Pulling Power” rating for locomotives. Then Sam could give it 2 stars for Features, and the deserved 4-1/2 to 5 stars for detail. That said, I’d probably give this 4-1/2 stars for Detail, 4-1/2 for Performance, 4 for Quality (because of the one wonky, unattached railing.), and 4 for Value. I think that would be a bit more fair…. 😊
The problem with that is some rolling stock just don’t have features… the only possible feature for an open wagon let’s say would be sprung buffers… imagine what people would say if 1/5 of my score came from sprung buffers…
So I think for rolling stock lumping features in with detail is the right thing… I have been thinking about adding it in for locos though!
@ - well, that’s certainly one. Another could be if the buffer beams are detailed, or if they come with screw-link couplings. Do they have proper metal bearings? How about a load (for open wagons, or a lo-mac), or openable doors for vans? How about a manual that shows you clearly where the parts in the accessory bag go (if it has an accessories bag)? Even the Dinorwic slate wagons, though simple, at least came with a load, and two varieties; one flat, and one with a fence-like side. And, for coaches, do they have interior lighting, or well detailed interiors that you can easily add figures to. And, for both, how about proper NEM couplings?
It's definitely food for thought - thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I love all of your cool loco's
It looks good but it's no much use if it's not pose able or self propelled. Great review, God bless
Yeah my thoughts too - pity about that!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
You maybe able to use a black beetle motor bogie to power it.
That would be cool - it's something I might try to do some time!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@SamsTrains or try to make 3d printed bogie I think you could do it.
May I suggest a “functionality” measure to cover sprung buffers, lights, flickering fire glow etc. then “detail” can focus exclusively on just that?
What kind of crane doesn’t have a rotating and flexing boom? What a rip!
That's so cool sam
Thanks Justin!
Honestly the model is probably better as is. The gaps introduced while making parts rotating or telescopic would make it look kinda crap and toy-like. Same for flexible connections and whatever would be used for the main cable, the string used on the bachmann crane looked pretty naff and betrayed how small the model is whenever a part is allowed to shake around loose.
As for motorising, you could probably have a go at trying to fit all that into the space in CAD. Not just the motor but where a separate running chassis would integrate within the cosmetic chassis. There does not appear to be one continuous block of internal space to allow for it in the on-deck equipment, gaps and limited height do not lend themselves to an upright coreless motor like in a railcar. Nor a stage of reduction gearing as these were very slow moving while trundling along yards and worksites. Others have brought up that on the network these were hauled around and that slow mechanism would be fighting whatever was pulling it.
And yeah you know 2 stars for detail looks silly and reflects a flaw in your rating system more than it does punish a model for not having imagined features.
Sam what did you do as GCSEs? I have mocks this week 😢
Ooh good luck with your mocks - I'm sure you'll do excellent! My options were music, creative media, drama and D&T!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I can defend the high detail but I can defend your detail score
Not everything irl has a satin finish on it tbf
True, but full gloss can look over the top if the whole model is done in that finish
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Dang.. would of bought one if it was motorised but with it been not motorised then I won't bother. But you also have to remember that the crane would be sat around in real life for 90% of the time so can see why it wasn't motorised. Just like the Hornby steam crane. Oh well..I'm sure there will be someone out there who will pull one of these apart and motorise it
In my opinion , considering that the crane is fixed , £50 would be enough. Like one guy called Sam's Trains would say , for this price I would expect at least the moveable crane. I could pass that it can't move on its own , but for sure I can't pass the fixed crane.
I am not worried about the lack of an ability for this to power itself. Less ideal is the lack of it to be able to pose in any kind of operating mode. It does look good though.
Looks like a decent model. It's just a shame that the jib is not movable or posable.
I think so too - even if it was the right decision, still a shame!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I nearly thought it was a locomotive for a second.
Reasonable price indeed, considering Hornby charge 34 quid for an ancient Christmas wagon.
Interesting. I personally think that £90 rrp for a crane without a moving jib or any sort of lights is a bit much, and £50 would be more reasonable. However, given Revolution's Caroline inspection saloon has a £160 rrp and is probably equally as detailed but with all the lights, it makes the £90 for the more basic model seem decent. Still, this model could've been fitted with directional lights and a cab light, a DCC socket and switches to turn the lights on and off.
I would be interested to see if someone else would create one that has a drive mechanism plus a motorised jib rotation, jib extension, and hook lowering feature. But, that'd make it more like £400, which no one in their right mind would pay for a 00 model of this size.
Yeah I think so too - the RRP is pushing it... £50 I'd be extremely impressed with this! Yep, with all the bells and whistles you'd be looking at double the price most likely!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Its all RRV work for relays now, do them all the time
The first ad is a Thomas aeg
So it’s a shunter that doesn’t shunt
A crane that doesn’t crane (boom doesn’t extend or swing)
And lights that don’t light up
No thank you
Will you be doing a video on Bachmann Rebecca
Great video sam, hope you and chloe are well :)
Thank you Jack - yes we are mate, hope you are too?
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@SamsTrains yep, I'm great thanks!
Which end of that thing is the front?
Are you going to the model railway exhibition at the NEC on the 23rd and 24th of November ?
Yes we are!
How is Chloe Sam?
She is fine thank you!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
A question for anyone. I’m highly thinking of getting into Hornby TT next week with a train set and, extension pack and rolling stock. As its smaller scale is the track difficult to put together?
See Sam's vid on how he built his TT layout. Did not seem at all difficult.
Although supposedly Hornby have fixed the geometry problems with the curved sections. However Hornby seem not to acknowledge there was ever a problem that needed fixing.
It's an interesting model, but hang on, it doesn't rotate, elevate on extend the jib? Even the ancient Hornby model did 2 of those...
9:25 is what I came for and no pose-ability on the crane very quickly shoved the prettiness and detailing of this car into the "too pricey sin bin".
Shame, it looked so promising from the images.
Why does it look like there is a hole in the middle of the yellow part at the front
What does it do
Nice Crane - Pity it hasn't got a Motor or the Crane Parts don't move in / out or swings around 😐🚂🚂🚂
You mentioned coupler height at one point. I don't know if there's anything like this for OO / NEM standards, but for knuckler couplers in HO, Kadee make a couple different coupler height gauges. They're most useful for if you're adding couplers to old rolling stock or adjusting them, but it would do the job to check rolling stock and loco knuckle coupler heights. Trainworld has them for around $7.
On this model, I did notice some gaps between different parts in the close-ups. Is this noticeable to the unaided eye?
The tension lock couplings that UK modellers call NEM are not NEM at all but do largely use the NEM standard coupling pocket. NEM from Mainland Europe are a model railway standards organisation that do have published standards for the pocket dimensions and things like wheels and track.
The tension lock coupling is a perfect example of how sloppy the UK is with standards with each maker having a slightly different version of theirs and some having different versions in their range. Sometimes fitting a different version to the front and back of a locomotive.
All this leads to poor coupling performance due to incompatible dimensions, or sloppy mounting, by different manufacturers.
I am pretty certain there are no published standards for UK tension lock couplings leading to this dogs breakfast sloppy approach.
The closest to a standard was when Triang invented the tension lock coupling about 1959 and sold a combination stock re railer and coupling height gauges. These metal Triang Mark 3 couplings worked well since the were all uniform and mounted at the standard height.
However the late seventies trend to smaller looking couplings by other manufacturers started the trend to incompatibility but got praised by non users for looking smaller.
One of the reasons many change to Kadee couplings for UK stock is the published standard dimensions used with them and printed on every pack.
Hope I do not get snarky remarks from UK types defending the mish mash approach to standards.
Very interesting Plasser
Crane - i usually get along very well with Crane models - But for this, i guess that was a great choice and the paintjob looks intact - :)
Thank you! Yep the paint job looks spot on to me!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Why is Bachmann selling Gordon for almost $200 when eBay sellers are selling him for less than $150?
Happy surprise day!
Thanks Kenji, you too!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Self propelled within a work site.
Would not run as a train I it's own right unlike a tamper, TRAMM or ballast regulator.
It looks like more of a Turkey than a Crane.....well l suppose it is getting near Christmas.
hahaha!
Put your own motor in?
When I get time I might give that a god!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Tbh for DC its better this can be hauled by locos
Yeah that's true - I'd love to design a disengage-able drive for this though... I'm sure it'd be possible!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
A shame that you can not pose the jib. So not sure that's worth the money!
At that expensive price, it should be motorised, and the crane should be able to move.
Should be no more than about $20 (about £10.22)
I would've gave the value of no more than half put of 5.
Haha this would’ve been amazing at £10, but that’s not realistic - it’s a highly complex new model which will have cost a lot to research, tool, and produce. I agree the RRP is too high, but the price paid is about right I think!