A pity that the couplings and light weight let this down, Sam. I wonder if you got a bit of a dud model? If I were to buy this then I would probably put a weight or two inside it (assuming the roof is removable) and, if necessary, try and gingerly adjust the couplings to as close to the correct height as possible. I was pleased that it was such a good free roller though. Best, Pete.
It could be a dud affected by heat or something, but that coupling mount does seem really flimsy. Sam reviews models as he gets them, and that is fair. After all, he buys them and this is a brand new out of the box first hand experience. For me, the detail would make it worth while and I would likely fiddle with a little heat to reform the coupling mounts, but this is not something that should be needed our of the box
@@EsotericArctos Yes, all that you say is true. Like you, I would use a little heat to try and get the couplings level, but they should be level straight out of the box.
I think the coupling is the major let down here. It is like they are deformed by heat or something. It almost makes this wagon as reliable as the Egg Vans. You may be able to fix the coupling by heating the sliver of plastic and reform it so the couplings are level instead of pointing up. That said, when you buy something brand new it shouldn't need modifications. Such a shame as it looks great and obviously has great wheels and bearings.
At 11:13 in the video you can see the gap between the arm and bottom of the van opening and closing as you flex it. Just wondering if you could push a thin shim in there to keep the coupling at the correct height.
It is a great looking wagon but will need a bit of an individualized touch to get it rolling properly. For starters, to take the body shell of the frame and add a flat 5gm weight or fluid lead beads and glue to the inner plain centrally in the wagon. The level of the couplings could be addressed by using a hot-air gun to heat the NEM socket sprig attached to the wagon. This may soften it a little to bend it down to a horizontal level, to then remove the heat and hold it there until it cools and hardens again to stay in that position. Alternatively add and glue plastic card to hold the NEM level to the underside of the wagon to the top of the NEM coupling socket. One shouldn't have to do this from new if the quality control was good at the factory. Sam the latter may cure your egg vans from being trouble trucks too.
sam as these will be injection molded, the material will soften with heat. got a hairdrier, or borrow mum or sisters one warm that thin bit for awhile and it should bend easily, a quick dip in cold water will freeze it in place, hope this helps, Roy
Another good and detailed review. I'm so thankful for my modelling skills, the prices of ready made rolling stock is ridiculous! I enjoy building wagon kits and I have to say the satisfaction I get and the enhanced detail I end up with for half the price of a made one is brilliant. Perhaps the price rises will see more modelers ?
Any time you compliment a hill test, I have to compare it to the ali express gondolas. This got far, but the ali express wagons still beat it by an entire foot of rolling distance. An admirable effort from the GER 10 ton van, but El Cheapo's gondolas are still the reigning champs for rolling distance among your fleet.
Great looking wagon, but I could see the couplings being a problem from the outset. They are not straight so the wrong height which is a very disappointing development coming from Oxford. Maybe you should try the chain links to see if it at least stays on track.
Reminds me of some of the Con-cor N Scale rolling stock that I have in my collection before they were modified; lightweight, prone to some uncoupling, and some derailments on points. After said modifications (adding additional weight, better trucks and couplers) they became regular runners. Bit of an annoyance when someone has to do additional work to get "ready-to-run" rolling-stock working properly.
Truly excellent review Sam. I am an experienced BR(GE) modeller, and have also heard that the brake gear has been fitted incorrectly on at least some examples BTW. Try another wagon, another time with a different livery, just out of curiosity? I haven't got mine yet (I already have two D&S whitemetal kit versions which are certainly not lightweight LOL) but really looking forward to them. I don't mind having to add weight and adjust the couplings.
I have an Oxford Buxton Lime wagon, which initially had similar derailing issues. It only happened if I tried to merge it into a train with the large tension locks however. Counteracted that by putting it into a NEM tension lock freight rake and it has been fine ever since.
I bought the LNER liveried version of this, when I took it out of the box, the brake gear on one side fell off. No glue on it whatsoever.🤦♂️ No problem with the couplings though. 😉
Just had another thought. Obviously, converting every single one of your 00 vehicles to 3-link couplings would be a total nightmare. However -- what about committing to convert all of your pre-grouping stock? That would be significantly more do-able. Plus, it would 'compel' you to run proper pre-grouping-only trains. And for those times when you get too excited to stop, you could make a 'converter' coach or wagon with a 3-link coupling at one end only.
Take the couplings out Sam, then check the NEM pocket height using the Symoba height gauge. We can see the moulded pocket is sloping uphill, but the gauge, even if under a bit of force to pull the pocket down to the correct horizontal attitude, will confirm whether the sliver holding the pocket has warped during mould cooling of was moulded out of NEM specifications in the first place. I know the NEM height spec only allows a 0,5mm varience from the nominal.
What I find with derailing rolling stock is that you have several loops on your model railway, some are reliable and some not. I have always been able to use all of my rolling stock on at least some of my loops by trial and error. I suspect I could use this wagon somewhere. Looks great and cheap too. Should get at least one. Derailing also depends on the pulling loco. Some locos are rock steady and cause less derailment.
I know Im an American modeler but the first thing I do when getting new cars/wagons is weight them to NMRA standards if they are underweight and put new couplers on so everything is correct according to the coupler gauge and all the same couplers. Weight plays a big part in how well a string of cars run, as a general rule in model railroading you either have to weight the cars so they track better no matter where you put them in a string or you stick the lighter stuff at the rear so it doesnt derail. I feel like maybe the NEM standard over there is maybe a bit too problematic also. Ive noticed even on some "higher" quality British stuff I have, that some couplers are body mounted and others are truck mounted, here in the US you dont really find newer models that dont have body mounted coupler pockets, its easier to fine tune coupler heights, I think, on the US models. Maybe its time for you guys to find a different mounting solution and maybe a new couple type all together. The current hook and loop style works fine if they are mounted correctly but I dont care for how they look personally. Id like to get more prototypical looking couplers for all my British models, even if that means making my own. Good video though man keep it up.
Fingers crossed - they're still good value after this last 10% increase... but another increase would definitely change this :/ Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Nice van, sensible review and very nice discrete coupling mounts, unlike the huge, clunky fitments from other 'top' providers. Although, your review found the coupling arrangement may require a modicum of adjustment ---- bending ---- in order to correctly function with other items of rolling stock -- not exactly the best way to keep your punters happy. I view my railway at eye-level, it is up on a shelf (at eye-level) so I like uncluttered, discrete coupling arrangements -- that function properly.
This should look really nice along side the egg vans!
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Well done Sam and thank you, I've just ordered 3 x Oxford Rails Pilchard Wagon BR Black DB990092 I hope they don't have the same issues, cross fingers.
First problem I see, is the couplers pointing upwards. Seems the supports had been warped on the assembly line, and I hope it is not on purpose. If you can bend them to have the couplers horizontal, that might help with the overall rolling ability. As far as I have seen, you might be able to do some tinkering with the NEM couplers fixing point. It's sad for Oxford Rail but, for me, it is a blatant no-go. I can solve this with an universal Roco adjustable height, but it shall not being done. Honestly, send it back to the reseller. Such an issue is a manufacturing defect, period. And that's a pity, it's a very good looking and decent-priced van (a Roco van is around GBP 25, and I've just bought a Brawa swiss van for GBP 33). I'm not a period 2 addict, so I can skip this one on my shopping list. you can add a dozen grams with a wheel balancing mass glued inside, but shoddy couplings à la Dapol, like those ones, no thanks. By the way, the picture of the same model on the Rails of Sheffield website shows the couplers perfectly horizontal... Ask for a replacement, this one shall have not left the factory with such an awfull manufacturing defect !
You could try puting some shims between the floor and the bar for coupling. I know you shouldn't have to do that with a new model. I do agree oxfords wagons do tend to be good & very good value.
I quite like these wagons for the price, I was watching JK's review of these releases from Oxford, and from what I could see of the GE Wagon she was holding the couplings were straight, you may have got a rogue model? her's were sent to her by OR for review. But the coupling does look week, and has all the hall marks of a design flaw. Good honest review Sam!
Thanks for sharing - I personally prefer to buy my review models as a customer, rather than allow a manufacturer to send them to me. Would *you* send a model to a reviewer without checking it? I wouldn't! My approach guarantees that models are representative of what the public will receive as customers. As always, I'm sure some/many examples do have straight couplings, but ask yourself which reviewer was most likely to have the most representative review sample? Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Looks great in the box, but this is why we need your careful and unbiassed reviews. The weight is terrible. Recommendations are for 1g per mm of length over buffers -- and if a loco can't haul a properly-weighted train then it's the loco's fault, oure and simple. Regarding the dodgy couplings, from what I can see on the video you might have some success in straightening those wimpish mounting arms if you superglue some strips of 20 thou styrene sheet vertically against the arm fronts, if you see what I mean. If the strips are EXACTLY the right length they should hold the actual couplings down to the correct height, and they should still be removable from the NEM sockets. As to the livery, I find it difficult to believe that the GER painted wagon ends a different shade of grey to the sides. I don't have any specialist info myself, but on the Net sources say just grey sides and ends Maybe Oxford Rail knows something I don't, but to me it looks like a failure in the production process. A silly and avoidable failure.
I'd call the flimsy bit of plastic holding the coupler a design flaw. It's way too thin to come exactly as it should during molding. I'm pretty sure none of these wagons have working coupling. That's probably why they're supplying the chain coupling as a free bonus.... Too bad. Did looks good. The doors looks like made from multiple separate pieces, but it's not the case. Really impressive.
Hi Sam, it appears that the couplings on your example may be an anomaly. Jenny Kirk reviewed both it and the two other Oxford GE/BR van releases and the couplings were straight and level from what I could make out, hauled by the N7.
Thanks Andrew - this is why I prefer to buy my review models as a customer... allowing a manufacturer to send them to me just isn't my style... not to mention the pressure to be positive, or else risk not being sent more in the future! As always, I'm sure some examples do have straight couplings, I have no evidence that they're all like this! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
GreT review as always I think modelers will weather and work the van to look used; and they'll weight it. I weight all of my rolling stock so they won't derail or come off the track. Oxford do a good job quality for price wise.....Bachmann might want to take 📝 note😏
Box vans and open wagons need to be at least 32-35 gm to run satisfactorily in a train. Found out by experience over several years. Couplings need to be lined up to others to ensure they don't cause de-railment.
All 4 of mine have the couplings off the level. They do not couple well to each other (or other items as Sam found out). A small bit of old credit card wedged under the floor got them level.
About weight, if you cannot lift the lid and put some ballast inside, how about rolling a strip of lead around each of the axles. You shouldn't have to, I know.
sadly every thing gone up in price ... but nether less nice review.... always love seeing what new over in the UK market... im just waiting on the Kato OO9 narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway 0-4-0TT in a thew months... to add to my HOn30/OO9 layout .....
Hi Sam. I have considered getting back into the hobby as we are moving soon (hopefully) but the hobby is getting overly expensive for low quality items so I am definitely reconsidering it, its amazing they can get away with selling this stuff. Love the channel, still think the wagons you made are better quality and more value for money than most of the stuff being produced by so called quality manufacturers.
I've got 2 on the way.... will be interesting to see what the quality of the coupling is like on the ones which come my way! On a side note... anyone recommend a preferred method for extra weight in a wagon for smoother running over points etc?
Glad to see that even tho it is mostly molded in the details are still decent. it is rumored that even El Cheapo was interested in presenting this one, alas Alibaba's 40 thieves stole his sole mustache and he had to look for it in the impoverished part of town. Ouf trying to get correct locomotive to van combination is something that should be indeed reserved for, lets call it, budget conscious lines of models, i would not want it in something that costs more than a fiver (in UK money of course). i would say it is likely both couplings and weight, if it was heavier it'd sit firmer maybe even lead into its coupled companions. if it had decent couplings it would be less likely to go off the rails for little jog, tho the weight would still likely kick the vagon up anyways. Personally i value mechanically sound basilica anything to its design, i subscribe to assumption that its easier to pain up things than to fix, for example, couplings or even entire chassis.
Holy moly, when the RRP on this seems like a bargain (compared to the rivals), it’s time to think about reverting to UK production for some price stability and free of international transport costs…
haha I don't think so - it'd cost much more to manufacture in the UK, and the quality would drop *dramatically* while British workers catch up on generations of experience in China! Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains that’s not entirely true. Peco sell there track for less than hornby and Peco is made in Britain. As for your quality argument as some one that works in manufacturing your very very wrong. The market that demands the highest quality is Japan, and they will only buy the contact lenses made in the uk. I work for an American company and they have factory’s in several country’s. Here in the uk we are the highest cost to them but the best and most consistent manufacturer. Which is why in the last two years we’ve had the highest investment of all the sites. There is no reason at all why uk manufacturing would be less quality, price would be more but not by much.
Not even possible. Molds can be imported to China, but cannot be exported. One then would have to redevelop all tools at least 10x the cost compared to China. As for @Sam'sTrains, do take note that factory workers in China aren’t loyal to any company. A 30% change of workers each year after Chinese New Year is quite common, and for 10 Yuan more elsewhere, they just leave without any notice. Generally speaking, they give rats about the product and company. Experience is very relative and easily replaced in this case. This is the main cause of most Chinese manufacturing defects.
@@lindaoffenbach depends where the mould was manufactured. Are’s are designed in US and Uk and manufactured in either the US or UK and sent round the world to the sights that need them.
@@sloppyfadge9565 Molds for Chinese toy manufacturers as well as for model trains made in China: molds are manufactured in China, whilst CAD done outside. No way to export those out of China; can really forget that.
I'm interested in knowing what the new Rapido gunpowder vans are like if you are planning to review them? It is crazy how manufacturers still can't get couplings etc right.
As Rapido mentioned in a recent video, sometimes the factory takes it upon itself to make "improvements" even after samples have been approved. Even the importer doesn't know sometimes until the products arrive!
Id preordered this - certainly is an odd fault the couplings being a little to high and I think Ill be adding some weight into mine too. Also plastic buffers are a bit lame. Shocked to see this review so keep them up cheers Sam
It looks a nice wagon, shame about the coupling but I think that's the mounts being wonky (not the thin pockets being bent), based on the closeups shown. I'll have to get one or two, when I don't have a dozen preorders due imminently... I look forward to seeing your review of the oxford Pilchards which have also arrived at the same time.
I got a vintage sar train set for my birthday yesterday Its south African coaches and a south African refrigeration van Im just waiting for the loco now
I do know what it's like to buy rolling stock new or used that have less than ideal couplers. One that comes to mind are "McHenry" Couplers which look like "Kadee" couplers but can be and usually are junk out of the box. They're the type of coupler tht if they work great if not get rid of them but then it cost more money on an already pricey piece of equipment. Never an ideal situation to begin with and I'm sorry your new wagon wasn't perfect. Maybe the next one will be between hopefully. Until then cheers mate.
I just got my GE van and the problem with the coupling is more serious than in the review. The NEM pocket is too short (same with the pilchard wagon) if you try to convert to Kadee couplers (tension locks are awful), even the shortest NEM coupler no.17, has too long a shank so the coupler moves backwards and forwards in the pocket. Oxford just need to make sure their NEM pockets are long enough and NMRA compliant which on these two wagons they are not. Somebody dropped the ball.
Kind of nice looking for a railway wagon. Just wondeing what it is with something that ought to be straightforward as getting the couplings right, seems to fox the model makers? Should be the same height, not drop off, or droop.
Accurascale are selling a Hopper not van - BR 24.5T HOP24/HUO Coal Hopper - Exclusive to their site - looks STELLAR - £25 INC p & p - Sam please check it out....
Not sure if anyone has suggested this already - but at 11:20 it looks like you could pack between the support rod and the wagon floor rather than bending? Thanks for the videos.
Well, it looked fine at the very start, specially the grey-ish / off white seems to be spot on actually. We did have some hopes until we noticed the couplings… Noticing those we said like… “oh dear, well there we go…”. Your ratings are interesting. Effectively out of the box unusable, not even speaking about a rake of these… Performance still 3 stars as well as quality? Should both not be just 1 on each for the effort? On the positive side, it is rather decently low-priced indeed and one could always add weights and try to rectify the couplings. However, from an objective point of view and actually Ready to Run, your score seems a tad generous we think. Can understand though that a proficient hobbyist might be able to mend it, but that's not the way to think. Value for Money: 1 star.
Hi Sam, Yes looks a nice wagon, But, why can't they make things that is fit for purpose, they look the part but you need to use them, All the Best Brian 🤗😎
TASTY - Oxford do some neat kit and it's well priced. The 'Hornby Factor' hasn't ruined them (yet).Shame this Oxford could be the first......Dapol Egg Vans....ah the memories.
The Hornby wagons coupling slopes down. If you turned the Hornby wagon around it would be ok. Another reason why these types of couplers are useless. The American style knuckle type are the best. Do you know that a lot of British Modelers around the world use the Kadee or equivalent
Does the "G" letter look strange to anyone else? Doesn't match the image on oxford website. Looks more like "CE". Maybe it stands for Coupler Expeller haha
bit too kind Sam. if I had the van the detail wouldn't compensate for the weight and coupling issues. it would drive me mad and the van would stay in the sidings and look nice
Unlike many TH-camrs, you have a happy knack of balancing detail and entertainment, which is the main reason I enjoy most of your videos.
A pity that the couplings and light weight let this down, Sam. I wonder if you got a bit of a dud model? If I were to buy this then I would probably put a weight or two inside it (assuming the roof is removable) and, if necessary, try and gingerly adjust the couplings to as close to the correct height as possible. I was pleased that it was such a good free roller though. Best, Pete.
Decent idea mate
It could be a dud affected by heat or something, but that coupling mount does seem really flimsy. Sam reviews models as he gets them, and that is fair. After all, he buys them and this is a brand new out of the box first hand experience. For me, the detail would make it worth while and I would likely fiddle with a little heat to reform the coupling mounts, but this is not something that should be needed our of the box
@@EsotericArctos Yes, all that you say is true. Like you, I would use a little heat to try and get the couplings level, but they should be level straight out of the box.
Weight isn't the problem, it's the poor moulding that's warped the coupling bar...
I think the coupling is the major let down here. It is like they are deformed by heat or something. It almost makes this wagon as reliable as the Egg Vans.
You may be able to fix the coupling by heating the sliver of plastic and reform it so the couplings are level instead of pointing up. That said, when you buy something brand new it shouldn't need modifications.
Such a shame as it looks great and obviously has great wheels and bearings.
Hey, you should put those bent heljan couplings in!
They droop down, while the pocket slopes up, so they may balance themselves out
At 11:13 in the video you can see the gap between the arm and bottom of the van opening and closing as you flex it. Just wondering if you could push a thin shim in there to keep the coupling at the correct height.
wow what a brilliant score, i love this van. it will go great with your GER n7. great video sam keep it up my chap.
It is a great looking wagon but will need a bit of an individualized touch to get it rolling properly. For starters, to take the body shell of the frame and add a flat 5gm weight or fluid lead beads and glue to the inner plain centrally in the wagon. The level of the couplings could be addressed by using a hot-air gun to heat the NEM socket sprig attached to the wagon. This may soften it a little to bend it down to a horizontal level, to then remove the heat and hold it there until it cools and hardens again to stay in that position. Alternatively add and glue plastic card to hold the NEM level to the underside of the wagon to the top of the NEM coupling socket. One shouldn't have to do this from new if the quality control was good at the factory. Sam the latter may cure your egg vans from being trouble trucks too.
Thanks for yet another great video. Just received mine from Hattons this morning. Very pleased.
sam as these will be injection molded, the material will soften with heat. got a hairdrier, or borrow mum or sisters one warm that thin bit for awhile and it should bend easily, a quick dip in cold water will freeze it in place, hope this helps, Roy
Another good and detailed review. I'm so thankful for my modelling skills, the prices of ready made rolling stock is ridiculous!
I enjoy building wagon kits and I have to say the satisfaction I get and the enhanced detail I end up with for half the price of a made one is brilliant.
Perhaps the price rises will see more modelers ?
Try using a heat gun on the plastic before you bend the couplings that should prevent snapping at least.
Yeah good idea,buy a wagon and then repair it lol
Any time you compliment a hill test, I have to compare it to the ali express gondolas. This got far, but the ali express wagons still beat it by an entire foot of rolling distance. An admirable effort from the GER 10 ton van, but El Cheapo's gondolas are still the reigning champs for rolling distance among your fleet.
Great looking wagon, but I could see the couplings being a problem from the outset. They are not straight so the wrong height which is a very disappointing development coming from Oxford. Maybe you should try the chain links to see if it at least stays on track.
PS: Reminds me of my childhood when I had to regularly fix weight and coupling problems on Triang/Rovex/Triang-Hornby kit.
Reminds me of some of the Con-cor N Scale rolling stock that I have in my collection before they were modified; lightweight, prone to some uncoupling, and some derailments on points. After said modifications (adding additional weight, better trucks and couplers) they became regular runners. Bit of an annoyance when someone has to do additional work to get "ready-to-run" rolling-stock working properly.
Truly excellent review Sam.
I am an experienced BR(GE) modeller, and have also heard that the brake gear has been fitted incorrectly on at least some examples BTW.
Try another wagon, another time with a different livery, just out of curiosity?
I haven't got mine yet (I already have two D&S whitemetal kit versions which are certainly not lightweight LOL) but really looking forward to them. I don't mind having to add weight and adjust the couplings.
Sam, you'd best get that winter cough sorted, it may be contagious especially with some of the new Bachmann and Hornby models around
I have an Oxford Buxton Lime wagon, which initially had similar derailing issues. It only happened if I tried to merge it into a train with the large tension locks however. Counteracted that by putting it into a NEM tension lock freight rake and it has been fine ever since.
I bought the LNER liveried version of this, when I took it out of the box, the brake gear on one side fell off. No glue on it whatsoever.🤦♂️
No problem with the couplings though. 😉
Just had another thought. Obviously, converting every single one of your 00 vehicles to 3-link couplings would be a total nightmare. However -- what about committing to convert all of your pre-grouping stock? That would be significantly more do-able. Plus, it would 'compel' you to run proper pre-grouping-only trains. And for those times when you get too excited to stop, you could make a 'converter' coach or wagon with a 3-link coupling at one end only.
Sam has problems coupling his 0 Gauge 3 link couplings. Don't think he'd go for it in 00 Gauge. 😁
I know it's not your bag but bachmanns 009 range of wagons are incredible for detail and reasonable pricing too
I have heard that actually - one day I will start trying 009!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Take the couplings out Sam, then check the NEM pocket height using the Symoba height gauge. We can see the moulded pocket is sloping uphill, but the gauge, even if under a bit of force to pull the pocket down to the correct horizontal attitude, will confirm whether the sliver holding the pocket has warped during mould cooling of was moulded out of NEM specifications in the first place. I know the NEM height spec only allows a 0,5mm varience from the nominal.
I bought the latest tank wagons, the Oxford fitting is not the standard NEM fitting it does not take kaydee couplings without modification
Nice to see another manufacturer in the spotlight
haha that's true David! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
What I find with derailing rolling stock is that you have several loops on your model railway, some are reliable and some not. I have always been able to use all of my rolling stock on at least some of my loops by trial and error. I suspect I could use this wagon somewhere. Looks great and cheap too. Should get at least one. Derailing also depends on the pulling loco. Some locos are rock steady and cause less derailment.
I know Im an American modeler but the first thing I do when getting new cars/wagons is weight them to NMRA standards if they are underweight and put new couplers on so everything is correct according to the coupler gauge and all the same couplers. Weight plays a big part in how well a string of cars run, as a general rule in model railroading you either have to weight the cars so they track better no matter where you put them in a string or you stick the lighter stuff at the rear so it doesnt derail. I feel like maybe the NEM standard over there is maybe a bit too problematic also. Ive noticed even on some "higher" quality British stuff I have, that some couplers are body mounted and others are truck mounted, here in the US you dont really find newer models that dont have body mounted coupler pockets, its easier to fine tune coupler heights, I think, on the US models. Maybe its time for you guys to find a different mounting solution and maybe a new couple type all together. The current hook and loop style works fine if they are mounted correctly but I dont care for how they look personally. Id like to get more prototypical looking couplers for all my British models, even if that means making my own. Good video though man keep it up.
Dapol Egg Vans: "Finally, a worthy component"
haha I don't know about worthy - I feel like this is still much better than those... at least the wheels are decent ;)
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Let’s hope and keep fingers crossed, that despite Hornby’s ownership. Oxford keep their prices some what reasonable
Fingers crossed - they're still good value after this last 10% increase... but another increase would definitely change this :/
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
8:18 Triang had metal buffers when Adam was a lad before Hornby thought we wouldn't mind plastic.
Hornby aiming for profit over quality
I go to the national railway museum in York during the school break 😄
Nice van, sensible review and very nice discrete coupling mounts, unlike the huge, clunky fitments from other 'top' providers. Although, your review found the coupling arrangement may require a modicum of adjustment ---- bending ---- in order to correctly function with other items of rolling stock -- not exactly the best way to keep your punters happy. I view my railway at eye-level, it is up on a shelf (at eye-level) so I like uncluttered, discrete coupling arrangements -- that function properly.
This should look really nice along side the egg vans!
Well done Sam and thank you, I've just ordered 3 x Oxford Rails Pilchard Wagon BR Black DB990092 I hope they don't have the same issues, cross fingers.
Great video as always Sam.. nice looking wagon there
Pity you can't do something in n gage sam need someone like you to give
T
The manufacturers a wake up call
First problem I see, is the couplers pointing upwards. Seems the supports had been warped on the assembly line, and I hope it is not on purpose. If you can bend them to have the couplers horizontal, that might help with the overall rolling ability. As far as I have seen, you might be able to do some tinkering with the NEM couplers fixing point. It's sad for Oxford Rail but, for me, it is a blatant no-go. I can solve this with an universal Roco adjustable height, but it shall not being done.
Honestly, send it back to the reseller. Such an issue is a manufacturing defect, period. And that's a pity, it's a very good looking and decent-priced van (a Roco van is around GBP 25, and I've just bought a Brawa swiss van for GBP 33). I'm not a period 2 addict, so I can skip this one on my shopping list. you can add a dozen grams with a wheel balancing mass glued inside, but shoddy couplings à la Dapol, like those ones, no thanks.
By the way, the picture of the same model on the Rails of Sheffield website shows the couplers perfectly horizontal... Ask for a replacement, this one shall have not left the factory with such an awfull manufacturing defect !
You could try puting some shims between the floor and the bar for coupling. I know you shouldn't have to do that with a new model. I do agree oxfords wagons do tend to be good & very good value.
I always enjoy your slippers
I quite like these wagons for the price, I was watching JK's review of these releases from Oxford, and from what I could see of the GE Wagon she was holding the couplings were straight, you may have got a rogue model? her's were sent to her by OR for review. But the coupling does
look week, and has all the hall marks of a design flaw. Good honest review Sam!
Thanks for sharing - I personally prefer to buy my review models as a customer, rather than allow a manufacturer to send them to me. Would *you* send a model to a reviewer without checking it? I wouldn't! My approach guarantees that models are representative of what the public will receive as customers. As always, I'm sure some/many examples do have straight couplings, but ask yourself which reviewer was most likely to have the most representative review sample?
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains
Right On!
Looks great in the box, but this is why we need your careful and unbiassed reviews.
The weight is terrible. Recommendations are for 1g per mm of length over buffers -- and if a loco can't haul a properly-weighted train then it's the loco's fault, oure and simple.
Regarding the dodgy couplings, from what I can see on the video you might have some success in straightening those wimpish mounting arms if you superglue some strips of 20 thou styrene sheet vertically against the arm fronts, if you see what I mean. If the strips are EXACTLY the right length they should hold the actual couplings down to the correct height, and they should still be removable from the NEM sockets.
As to the livery, I find it difficult to believe that the GER painted wagon ends a different shade of grey to the sides. I don't have any specialist info myself, but on the Net sources say just grey sides and ends Maybe Oxford Rail knows something I don't, but to me it looks like a failure in the production process. A silly and avoidable failure.
I'd call the flimsy bit of plastic holding the coupler a design flaw. It's way too thin to come exactly as it should during molding. I'm pretty sure none of these wagons have working coupling. That's probably why they're supplying the chain coupling as a free bonus....
Too bad. Did looks good. The doors looks like made from multiple separate pieces, but it's not the case. Really impressive.
Hi Sam, it appears that the couplings on your example may be an anomaly. Jenny Kirk reviewed both it and the two other Oxford GE/BR van releases and the couplings were straight and level from what I could make out, hauled by the N7.
Thanks Andrew - this is why I prefer to buy my review models as a customer... allowing a manufacturer to send them to me just isn't my style... not to mention the pressure to be positive, or else risk not being sent more in the future! As always, I'm sure some examples do have straight couplings, I have no evidence that they're all like this!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
GreT review as always I think modelers will weather and work the van to look used; and they'll weight it. I weight all of my rolling stock so they won't derail or come off the track. Oxford do a good job quality for price wise.....Bachmann might want to take 📝 note😏
Box vans and open wagons need to be at least 32-35 gm to run satisfactorily in a train. Found out by experience over several years. Couplings need to be lined up to others to ensure they don't cause de-railment.
All 4 of mine have the couplings off the level. They do not couple well to each other (or other items as Sam found out). A small bit of old credit card wedged under the floor got them level.
About weight, if you cannot lift the lid and put some ballast inside, how about rolling a strip of lead around each of the axles.
You shouldn't have to, I know.
Could you please try some european trains? From Roco or somethung like that they have greta passanger cars.
Sure! I would like to do more of those soon! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
The score doesn't reflect the coupling issues, I think a 1 star performance would have been in place.
sadly every thing gone up in price ... but nether less nice review.... always love seeing what new over in the UK market... im just waiting on the Kato OO9 narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway 0-4-0TT in a thew months... to add to my HOn30/OO9 layout .....
Hi Sam. I have considered getting back into the hobby as we are moving soon (hopefully) but the hobby is getting overly expensive for low quality items so I am definitely reconsidering it, its amazing they can get away with selling this stuff. Love the channel, still think the wagons you made are better quality and more value for money than most of the stuff being produced by so called quality manufacturers.
Go N Scale and buy Kato. I've never had any problems with them.
@@Poliss95 Thanks for the tip I will check them out.
hmm. 15 gram's is what I put in kit built. my clients have no complaints, the dodgy couplings might have something to do with it.
I've got 2 on the way.... will be interesting to see what the quality of the coupling is like on the ones which come my way!
On a side note... anyone recommend a preferred method for extra weight in a wagon for smoother running over points etc?
Glad to see that even tho it is mostly molded in the details are still decent.
it is rumored that even El Cheapo was interested in presenting this one, alas Alibaba's 40 thieves stole his sole mustache and he had to look for it in the impoverished part of town.
Ouf trying to get correct locomotive to van combination is something that should be indeed reserved for, lets call it, budget conscious lines of models, i would not want it in something that costs more than a fiver (in UK money of course).
i would say it is likely both couplings and weight, if it was heavier it'd sit firmer maybe even lead into its coupled companions. if it had decent couplings it would be less likely to go off the rails for little jog, tho the weight would still likely kick the vagon up anyways.
Personally i value mechanically sound basilica anything to its design, i subscribe to assumption that its easier to pain up things than to fix, for example, couplings or even entire chassis.
Nice little wagon, pity about the couplings
A fair review Sam, perhaps more use to those who are happy to make the modifications .
Holy moly, when the RRP on this seems like a bargain (compared to the rivals), it’s time to think about reverting to UK production for some price stability and free of international transport costs…
haha I don't think so - it'd cost much more to manufacture in the UK, and the quality would drop *dramatically* while British workers catch up on generations of experience in China!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains that’s not entirely true. Peco sell there track for less than hornby and Peco is made in Britain. As for your quality argument as some one that works in manufacturing your very very wrong. The market that demands the highest quality is Japan, and they will only buy the contact lenses made in the uk. I work for an American company and they have factory’s in several country’s. Here in the uk we are the highest cost to them but the best and most consistent manufacturer. Which is why in the last two years we’ve had the highest investment of all the sites. There is no reason at all why uk manufacturing would be less quality, price would be more but not by much.
Not even possible. Molds can be imported to China, but cannot be exported. One then would have to redevelop all tools at least 10x the cost compared to China. As for @Sam'sTrains, do take note that factory workers in China aren’t loyal to any company. A 30% change of workers each year after Chinese New Year is quite common, and for 10 Yuan more elsewhere, they just leave without any notice. Generally speaking, they give rats about the product and company. Experience is very relative and easily replaced in this case. This is the main cause of most Chinese manufacturing defects.
@@lindaoffenbach depends where the mould was manufactured. Are’s are designed in US and Uk and manufactured in either the US or UK and sent round the world to the sights that need them.
@@sloppyfadge9565 Molds for Chinese toy manufacturers as well as for model trains made in China: molds are manufactured in China, whilst CAD done outside. No way to export those out of China; can really forget that.
Its a shame that the coupling aren't good but I thought the N7 was banished to Cyprus after putting coal in the tea instead of sugar.
I'm interested in knowing what the new Rapido gunpowder vans are like if you are planning to review them? It is crazy how manufacturers still can't get couplings etc right.
As Rapido mentioned in a recent video, sometimes the factory takes it upon itself to make "improvements" even after samples have been approved.
Even the importer doesn't know sometimes until the products arrive!
Hiya - @ 1:21 - I didn't know that - that Hornby now owns Oxford - does the box got the Hornby Logo on it now??? 🤔🚂🚂🚂
Id preordered this - certainly is an odd fault the couplings being a little to high and I think Ill be adding some weight into mine too. Also plastic buffers are a bit lame. Shocked to see this review so keep them up cheers Sam
I mean yeah, the couplings are a bit flimsy, but it's great value for money
It looks a nice wagon, shame about the coupling but I think that's the mounts being wonky (not the thin pockets being bent), based on the closeups shown. I'll have to get one or two, when I don't have a dozen preorders due imminently...
I look forward to seeing your review of the oxford Pilchards which have also arrived at the same time.
Hi, how about buying a Dapol wagon kit, much more pleasing knowing you have built it your self
You know some of the best videos involve derailing rolling stock XD
haha thank you!! xD
Awesome video today Sam so tempted to get a rake of them
Great review 🚂🚋🚃🚋🚃🚋👍
I got a vintage sar train set for my birthday yesterday
Its south African coaches and a south African refrigeration van
Im just waiting for the loco now
That sounds fantastic - what a great birthday present! Good luck on the loco search! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Has Oxford heard of NEM standards?
I do know what it's like to buy rolling stock new or used that have less than ideal couplers. One that comes to mind are "McHenry" Couplers which look like "Kadee" couplers but can be and usually are junk out of the box. They're the type of coupler tht if they work great if not get rid of them but then it cost more money on an already pricey piece of equipment. Never an ideal situation to begin with and I'm sorry your new wagon wasn't perfect. Maybe the next one will be between hopefully. Until then cheers mate.
Please post some reviews of Accurascale rolling stock
I just got my GE van and the problem with the coupling is more serious than in the review. The NEM pocket is too short (same with the pilchard wagon) if you try to convert to Kadee couplers (tension locks are awful), even the shortest NEM coupler no.17, has too long a shank so the coupler moves backwards and forwards in the pocket. Oxford just need to make sure their NEM pockets are long enough and NMRA compliant which on these two wagons they are not. Somebody dropped the ball.
The NEM standard covering coupler pockets is their number 362. The length of the coupler pocket in H0 (and probably 00) should be 7.1 mm
Kind of nice looking for a railway wagon. Just wondeing what it is with something that ought to be straightforward as getting the couplings right, seems to fox the model makers? Should be the same height, not drop off, or droop.
Accurascale are selling a Hopper not van - BR 24.5T HOP24/HUO Coal Hopper - Exclusive to their site - looks STELLAR - £25 INC p & p - Sam please check it out....
Not sure if anyone has suggested this already - but at 11:20 it looks like you could pack between the support rod and the wagon floor rather than bending? Thanks for the videos.
Yeah sure - that might be a smart move - thanks for that! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Well, it looked fine at the very start, specially the grey-ish / off white seems to be spot on actually. We did have some hopes until we noticed the couplings… Noticing those we said like… “oh dear, well there we go…”. Your ratings are interesting. Effectively out of the box unusable, not even speaking about a rake of these… Performance still 3 stars as well as quality? Should both not be just 1 on each for the effort? On the positive side, it is rather decently low-priced indeed and one could always add weights and try to rectify the couplings. However, from an objective point of view and actually Ready to Run, your score seems a tad generous we think. Can understand though that a proficient hobbyist might be able to mend it, but that's not the way to think. Value for Money: 1 star.
OWNED
sam, u can do ur own 3d printed couples and test? and i think the van/wagon is to light and u have to put in a weight or some goods in the van/wagon?
Nice van
Thanks Oliver! :D
Hi Sam, Yes looks a nice wagon, But, why can't they make things that is fit for purpose, they look the part but you need to use them, All the Best Brian 🤗😎
You should have compared the weight to a Sam's trains box wagon
haha that's true - I'm not actually sure how much mine weighed!!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Never mind the van, where can I get a loco like that one you were using?
10T...
Is that Tonne of SI or Ton of the Imperial system?
So amazing
I hope this won't constantly derail. remember what happened when you ordered those LMS egg vans?
Some things are just not worth the wait but this wagon kinda is
Also did you know there's a such thing as a 7 pole motor (in varney model trains)
Sam you should do a review on the bachmann collet goods, 4mt 2-6-0, Hornby 08 just saying
Cheers Willow & Jasper
You're right - I still need to do those! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
TASTY - Oxford do some neat kit and it's well priced. The 'Hornby Factor' hasn't ruined them (yet).Shame this Oxford could be the first......Dapol Egg Vans....ah the memories.
Absolutely - and Hornby don't seem to have ruined them as you say, which is a great sign!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Looks like the egg vans got some competition! :D
haha I don't think these are worse than the egg vans - but the couplings/weight are very frustrating! :(
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
My bachmann jinty still clicking I took off all the rods and there is no click. But I put pressure on it and there is no clicking
Ahh - good test though - at least you now know it's the rods - does each wheel turn freely while the rods are off??
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Great job 🚂❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
The Hornby wagons coupling slopes down. If you turned the Hornby wagon around it would be ok. Another reason why these types of couplers are useless. The American style knuckle type are the best. Do you know that a lot of British Modelers around the world use the Kadee or equivalent
I think the egg vans might have a friend in this one cause it likes to derail too
haha very much so, lol! Wonder if the banana vans are the same? ;)
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Imagine someone taking that derailing van for the Flying Kipper, it’s not gonna be good for Henry’s train!
Hey dude pls run a 2-8-8-8-2 erie triplex
I don't have one sadly - though I wish I did!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrains how about you run a train as long as possible with all your union pacic engines
good vid on your channel thanks lee
can we see more 5 tune motors
Wow so buying one!
Awesome! They do look very good! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Does the "G" letter look strange to anyone else? Doesn't match the image on oxford website. Looks more like "CE". Maybe it stands for Coupler Expeller haha
I looked at some photos of Great Eastern locos and rolling stock and it matches the model.
bit too kind Sam. if I had the van the detail wouldn't compensate for the weight and coupling issues. it would drive me mad and the van would stay in the sidings and look nice