I only bought 5 locos all year - 2 of which were Accurascale 66s. I'd pre-ordered 66779 Evening Star early 2023 and when it arrived I was just blown away by it. The most perfect out-of-the-box new loco I've ever bought - it looked fantastic, had a top-quality feel and it ran perfectly straight from the box. Lifetime warranty and only £169. A joy to receive and a reminder of what the experience of buying a new locomotive should be. So pleased with it that I ordered the EWS liveried 66171 - and it was exactly the same enjoyable experience. It's a very positive reflection on our hobby as a whole that this is the standard of model locomotive that can be produced. Bravo Accurascale. Got the Hornby Class 67 Pullman pack as a present and I still rate the 67 loco as a hidden gem of the Hornby range and the Pullman coaches some of the most beautiful ready-to-run coaches in my collection.
Thanks for sharing that. As mentioned in the video, the ACC 66 shows the benefit of a 2nd generation model - very refined, issue free for most buyers. The Class 67 is a very decent loco and has been for years I would say. Hornby know how to do Pullman coaches.
Really good picks and honourable mentions, 2024 has seen some large forward leaps in what’s possible in model railways. I’m fascinated by them but I don’t have any of my own, which is probably a bit weird, but I’ve no wish for any. Vicariously railway modelling is enough for me and your channel, the way you show and review models is definitely a highlight. All the best for 2025!! P.S. with such leaps forward seen, I wonder if the Class 66 holds up for the decade with six more years of innovation? Certainly interesting to see.
Thanks for that. Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the ACC 66 stacks up in a few years time. I think the issue I'm seeing is the increasing cost curve, so while the 66 may be surpassed, it will likely be by a much more expensive model when the time comes. It can also be difficult compare diesel and steam models.
My favourite models would be Accurascale Class 66, Cavalex Class 56, Bachmann 25 and 30, on the coaches the MK2B had I known how good they were I’d have purchased more. Completely agree that the heavily discounted Hornby MK3 and some of the retooled HST are great buys
Thanks for sharing your picks Stephen, the Cavalex of course but the Bachmann's 25 and 30 are interesting. The MK2Bs were special alright. Looking forward to adding some 2Cs. I got both the Platinum Jubilee and Midland Pullman HSTs/MK3s discounted and am pleased with both.
Hello again. HNY. Excellent models one and all in your 2024 list. Couldn't argue with the Top 5. My finger hovered over the "buy" button for Restormel Castle more than once (and even today, I have an opportunity to buy it at that mid-£80 price you mentioned from Rails, so who knows??), but I eventually went for Pendennis Castle, in retro GWR livery, which cost me a little more. I also bought a Heljan 33 for £99 from Kernow. My other bargain buys include an Accurascale Manor for just over £100 in their recent sale, and a Hornby Std 2MT from Kernow, also at just over £100. A couple of very keenly priced Bachmann 37s from Kernow were also purchased. Perhaps my favourite buy was the newly-tooled Hornby 9F at £149.95 from TMC. There were a few others, including a new but old tooled Bachmann B1, but at £85 it was too tempting, as was a new tooled V2 bought for £140 at the NEC show earlier in the year. Looking forward to enjoying more of your excellent content in 2025.
My best model of the year the Bachmann Class 117 dmu finally available in BR Blue, the sound is very realistic. Very pricey at £485 though. Bargains of the year: Heljan Class 33 at £105, and the stunning Heljan Class 07 at £99. Thanks for the videos, keep them coming.
Thanks for that Ian. I haven't seen much feedback on the Bachmann 117 so glad that has worked out for you. The newer Bachmann pricing can be a bit on the high side so this could be one to watch for when it starts to get discounted. The Heljan 33s and 07s have become real bargains alright.
Another great video and looking forward to 2025. The class 66 is to modern for me but it is a really good model, well deserved first place. Enjoy the new year.😊
Very informative as always eugene, i think your choices are very respectable! Just got the accurascale class 66 in freightliner, and i agree with your rating in every way! Id love to get one of the heljan 57s too :) i dont think ive commented on your videos before, but im subscribed and have been for a while!
Happy new year Eugene 🎉 Price apart, my favourite has to be my Hornby blue/grey HST set. Coming in next, my Heljan 33/1s and 33/2s. I also picked up a Cavalex 56 and Accurascale 37, they are great models, but I love 33s and Valencia engined 125s. Just can’t get my hands on a 33/0😢 Would love you to post a tour of your layout…it looks great, especially the bridge/viaduct 👍🏻
Many Happy Returns. I would have had the Hornby Blue/Grey on alright as I've enjoyed that model, but the Exec livery version with the TXS sound just shaded it. The B/G livery for the HST livery is just so iconic. Some other great models on your list as well. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent Eugene another excellent session from you and look forward to plenty more in the forthcoming year. Well yes Accurascale did do it for me and delighted it came top although how did you rate the 37 from Accy, im very happy with mine. Ah would like you to cover the Cavalex 56 some time this year. For me its right up there with the Acc 66.Would like to hear your thoughts on it. Finally your thoughts on the Accurascale 92,did they settle in for you? Wishing you a great New Year, all the best cheers Nick.
Hi Nick, thanks for that. The ACC 37 is was top of my list for last year and I haven't had time with the Colas version I got this year due to a whole load of models dropping at the same time. The Cavalex 56 was probably my standout gap. My retooled HST purchases this year soaked up my budget. After some initial grief, my Acc 92s appear to running fine and I guess ACC have provided warranty assurances should problems occur so less concerned about them now.
Yes, I will put my hand up on the Cavalex 56. A 56 just wasn't on my hit list this year and purchasing a model purely for review purposes is expensive and I don't have a local model shop to help out unfortunately. Thanks for sharing your top locos.
Happy New Year, model of the year for me personally was the Rapido Jones Goods, perfectly executed in form and function with the only caveat being the evil drawbar arrangement.
Eugene, another great video, & agree on the Accurascale Class 66. It's my favourite model/purchase of 2024. Looking forward to the Class 60's in coming months from both Accurascale and Cavalex. Preordered a couple from both. Battle of the 60's lets see which is the best. I was not as impressed with the Cavalex Class 56 as I was the Accurascale Class 66 so my money is on currently on the Accurascale model. I am sure others may have a differing opinion on this. Let's wait and see! Best bargin of 2024 was a Hornby Class 67 EWS livery 67016 the full all singing version which I got for £90 brand new. I really like this locomotive in real life and equally like the model. Also, I picked up a Bachmann Class 08 think it was around £70-75. brand new. It was the orange G&W livery version. Looking to make the move into DCC in 2025. Any advice as to the way I should go would be appreciated. I would like to go full DCC sound after watching your video's and other on YT. However, I cannot afford to chip my entire collection with sound decoders and speakers (My currently collection stands at around 90 diesel locomotives and 40 DMU's). Also some of the models date back 25 years or more so probably not worth chipping some of these locomotives. Looking forward to watching more of your videos in 2025 and wishing you a Happy New Year.
Hi Jonathan, Many Happy Returns and thanks for sharing your picks. I had an earlier Class 67 EWS which I was happy with. In terms of DCC, I haven't spent a lot of time checking out the latest systems so worth checking TH-cam for such videos. I have to admit to being a fan of Hornby's HM7000 system. The decoders are more modestly priced than their ESU equivalents and I love the user experience. Even without DCC, these can be used on a DC system in Bluetooth mode. They are broadly compatible across all vendors though you do lose some of the lighting functions on the newer more complex models. You'll still need DCC in the long terms but any TXS decoder investment won't be lost and you can still use Bluetooth control on a DCC layout. It's probably worth auditing your non-DCC stock to consider whether to keep and chip or replace. I went through this process a number of years ago and once I could get a viable newer replacements I made the move over a few years (watch for the bargains!)
@EuviRail I am looking at the NCE system as this would seem to be fairly simple and easy to expand and suits my needs. Read mixed views on the Hornby decoders and like the look of the ESU decoders, but as you said, they are expensive compared to others. I've already started auditing my collection and earmarked a lot of stuff to go in the next month or so. There are new versions of some of my older models like the Bachmann Class 158. I have 12 at present and probably paid only around £50-£75 for these back on the day and find it difficult to justify £270+ for the new version. Also, Bachmann has not re-released all the liveries I have and have not released a 3 car unit. I'm definitely going to move over to DCC this year. I just need to get my head around the financing of it.
Hi, happy new year to you and your family, I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Cavalex class 56, it was developed from the ground up and has a superb factory sound, thanks for sharing.
Many Happy Returns. It was definitely on my mind but the scope was models I had first hand experience with. It's probably the standout candidate that's not included from the feedback I've seen on it.
Hi Peter, it was on my mind for sure but I could only include models I had first hand experience of. Thanks for raising it though as a valid candidate.
@@mccarronfamilybut you are still the MD of a competing company, irrespective of whether your bought one or not. People will still see you as the MD. And the fact you, and one other person who has links with you, seem to mention the bogie discrepancy at every opportunity on multiple platforms suggests that you have an agenda. Are your models perfect? No they are not. So let it go move on and give the comments a rest, it’s tiresome.
Thank you so much Eugene for this channel and all the tremendous effort you put in to every episode, it's really appreciated.
Kind regards, Julian
I agree👏
Here here all the way.
Thanks Julian.
I only bought 5 locos all year - 2 of which were Accurascale 66s. I'd pre-ordered 66779 Evening Star early 2023 and when it arrived I was just blown away by it. The most perfect out-of-the-box new loco I've ever bought - it looked fantastic, had a top-quality feel and it ran perfectly straight from the box. Lifetime warranty and only £169. A joy to receive and a reminder of what the experience of buying a new locomotive should be. So pleased with it that I ordered the EWS liveried 66171 - and it was exactly the same enjoyable experience. It's a very positive reflection on our hobby as a whole that this is the standard of model locomotive that can be produced. Bravo Accurascale. Got the Hornby Class 67 Pullman pack as a present and I still rate the 67 loco as a hidden gem of the Hornby range and the Pullman coaches some of the most beautiful ready-to-run coaches in my collection.
Thanks for sharing that. As mentioned in the video, the ACC 66 shows the benefit of a 2nd generation model - very refined, issue free for most buyers. The Class 67 is a very decent loco and has been for years I would say. Hornby know how to do Pullman coaches.
Really good picks and honourable mentions, 2024 has seen some large forward leaps in what’s possible in model railways. I’m fascinated by them but I don’t have any of my own, which is probably a bit weird, but I’ve no wish for any. Vicariously railway modelling is enough for me and your channel, the way you show and review models is definitely a highlight. All the best for 2025!!
P.S. with such leaps forward seen, I wonder if the Class 66 holds up for the decade with six more years of innovation? Certainly interesting to see.
Thanks for that. Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the ACC 66 stacks up in a few years time. I think the issue I'm seeing is the increasing cost curve, so while the 66 may be surpassed, it will likely be by a much more expensive model when the time comes. It can also be difficult compare diesel and steam models.
My favourite models would be Accurascale Class 66, Cavalex Class 56, Bachmann 25 and 30, on the coaches the MK2B had I known how good they were I’d have purchased more. Completely agree that the heavily discounted Hornby MK3 and some of the retooled HST are great buys
Thanks for sharing your picks Stephen, the Cavalex of course but the Bachmann's 25 and 30 are interesting. The MK2Bs were special alright. Looking forward to adding some 2Cs. I got both the Platinum Jubilee and Midland Pullman HSTs/MK3s discounted and am pleased with both.
I agree those class 66's are just so good.👍
Thanks John. Yes, the ACC 66 ticks all the boxes.
Hello again. HNY. Excellent models one and all in your 2024 list. Couldn't argue with the Top 5.
My finger hovered over the "buy" button for Restormel Castle more than once (and even today, I have an opportunity to buy it at that mid-£80 price you mentioned from Rails, so who knows??), but I eventually went for Pendennis Castle, in retro GWR livery, which cost me a little more. I also bought a Heljan 33 for £99 from Kernow.
My other bargain buys include an Accurascale Manor for just over £100 in their recent sale, and a Hornby Std 2MT from Kernow, also at just over £100. A couple of very keenly priced Bachmann 37s from Kernow were also purchased.
Perhaps my favourite buy was the newly-tooled Hornby 9F at £149.95 from TMC. There were a few others, including a new but old tooled Bachmann B1, but at £85 it was too tempting, as was a new tooled V2 bought for £140 at the NEC show earlier in the year.
Looking forward to enjoying more of your excellent content in 2025.
Hi Stephen, some excellent bargains there that you can be happy with. Thanks for sharing.
My best model of the year the Bachmann Class 117 dmu finally available in BR Blue, the sound is very realistic. Very pricey at £485 though. Bargains of the year: Heljan Class 33 at £105, and the stunning Heljan Class 07 at £99. Thanks for the videos, keep them coming.
Thanks for that Ian. I haven't seen much feedback on the Bachmann 117 so glad that has worked out for you. The newer Bachmann pricing can be a bit on the high side so this could be one to watch for when it starts to get discounted. The Heljan 33s and 07s have become real bargains alright.
Happy new year EuviRail.
Many Happy Returns
Another great video and looking forward to 2025. The class 66 is to modern for me but it is a really good model, well deserved first place. Enjoy the new year.😊
Thanks for that feedback.
Yes 66001 my first 66 from Accurascale and wow! Thr box art is part of the reason i bought it! Stupid yes i guess so.
Excellent. I'm sure Accurascale will be happy with the job they did on the packaging then! Thanks for sharing.
Very informative as always eugene, i think your choices are very respectable! Just got the accurascale class 66 in freightliner, and i agree with your rating in every way! Id love to get one of the heljan 57s too :) i dont think ive commented on your videos before, but im subscribed and have been for a while!
Thanks for that. I'll be covering that Heljan 57 in a few weeks.
Happy new year Eugene 🎉
Price apart, my favourite has to be my Hornby blue/grey HST set. Coming in next, my Heljan 33/1s and 33/2s. I also picked up a Cavalex 56 and Accurascale 37, they are great models, but I love 33s and Valencia engined 125s. Just can’t get my hands on a 33/0😢
Would love you to post a tour of your layout…it looks great, especially the bridge/viaduct 👍🏻
Many Happy Returns. I would have had the Hornby Blue/Grey on alright as I've enjoyed that model, but the Exec livery version with the TXS sound just shaded it. The B/G livery for the HST livery is just so iconic. Some other great models on your list as well. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent Eugene another excellent session from you and look forward to plenty more in the forthcoming year. Well yes Accurascale did do it for me and delighted it came top although how did you rate the 37 from Accy, im very happy with mine. Ah would like you to cover the Cavalex 56 some time this year. For me its right up there with the Acc 66.Would like to hear your thoughts on it. Finally your thoughts on the Accurascale 92,did they settle in for you? Wishing you a great New Year, all the best cheers Nick.
Hi Nick, thanks for that. The ACC 37 is was top of my list for last year and I haven't had time with the Colas version I got this year due to a whole load of models dropping at the same time. The Cavalex 56 was probably my standout gap. My retooled HST purchases this year soaked up my budget. After some initial grief, my Acc 92s appear to running fine and I guess ACC have provided warranty assurances should problems occur so less concerned about them now.
Shame you missed out with the Cavelex class 56, at the start of the year.
That goes has my No1 with the accurascale brush 2 has No2
Yes, I will put my hand up on the Cavalex 56. A 56 just wasn't on my hit list this year and purchasing a model purely for review purposes is expensive and I don't have a local model shop to help out unfortunately. Thanks for sharing your top locos.
Happy New Year, model of the year for me personally was the Rapido Jones Goods, perfectly executed in form and function with the only caveat being the evil drawbar arrangement.
Many Happy Returns and thanks for sharing that. It's good to hear feedback on models I didn't cover but which warrant praise.
Accurascale's class 66001 and secondly heijan's class 58001
Excellent choices.
Eugene, another great video, & agree on the Accurascale Class 66. It's my favourite model/purchase of 2024. Looking forward to the Class 60's in coming months from both Accurascale and Cavalex. Preordered a couple from both. Battle of the 60's lets see which is the best. I was not as impressed with the Cavalex Class 56 as I was the Accurascale Class 66 so my money is on currently on the Accurascale model. I am sure others may have a differing opinion on this. Let's wait and see!
Best bargin of 2024 was a Hornby Class 67 EWS livery 67016 the full all singing version which I got for £90 brand new. I really like this locomotive in real life and equally like the model. Also, I picked up a Bachmann Class 08 think it was around £70-75. brand new. It was the orange G&W livery version.
Looking to make the move into DCC in 2025. Any advice as to the way I should go would be appreciated. I would like to go full DCC sound after watching your video's and other on YT. However, I cannot afford to chip my entire collection with sound decoders and speakers (My currently collection stands at around 90 diesel locomotives and 40 DMU's). Also some of the models date back 25 years or more so probably not worth chipping some of these locomotives.
Looking forward to watching more of your videos in 2025 and wishing you a Happy New Year.
Hi Jonathan, Many Happy Returns and thanks for sharing your picks. I had an earlier Class 67 EWS which I was happy with. In terms of DCC, I haven't spent a lot of time checking out the latest systems so worth checking TH-cam for such videos. I have to admit to being a fan of Hornby's HM7000 system. The decoders are more modestly priced than their ESU equivalents and I love the user experience. Even without DCC, these can be used on a DC system in Bluetooth mode. They are broadly compatible across all vendors though you do lose some of the lighting functions on the newer more complex models. You'll still need DCC in the long terms but any TXS decoder investment won't be lost and you can still use Bluetooth control on a DCC layout. It's probably worth auditing your non-DCC stock to consider whether to keep and chip or replace. I went through this process a number of years ago and once I could get a viable newer replacements I made the move over a few years (watch for the bargains!)
@EuviRail I am looking at the NCE system as this would seem to be fairly simple and easy to expand and suits my needs.
Read mixed views on the Hornby decoders and like the look of the ESU decoders, but as you said, they are expensive compared to others.
I've already started auditing my collection and earmarked a lot of stuff to go in the next month or so. There are new versions of some of my older models like the Bachmann Class 158. I have 12 at present and probably paid only around £50-£75 for these back on the day and find it difficult to justify £270+ for the new version. Also, Bachmann has not re-released all the liveries I have and have not released a 3 car unit. I'm definitely going to move over to DCC this year. I just need to get my head around the financing of it.
@@jonathanmillar1975 Best of luck Jonathan, not an easy task. The time fore replacement comes to all railways eventually be they real or model ones!
Thanks. The new hornby br 125 intercity are the winners for me
Excellent. It's a great model. I didn't want to have too many HSTs on the list but I've enjoyed having the iconic B/G livery version on the layout.
Agree with the reduced Heljan class 57. Picked up the same one & renumbered it to a DRS example. Exceptional bargain!
Thanks for that.
Hi, happy new year to you and your family, I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Cavalex class 56, it was developed from the ground up and has a superb factory sound, thanks for sharing.
Many Happy Returns. It was definitely on my mind but the scope was models I had first hand experience with. It's probably the standout candidate that's not included from the feedback I've seen on it.
Hi
I think the Cavalex class 56 should have been mentioned as this is a superb model all round, sound, running etc.
Hi Peter, it was on my mind for sure but I could only include models I had first hand experience of. Thanks for raising it though as a valid candidate.
Cavalex class 56.
Model of the year.
@@mccarronfamily should you really be denigrating other companies models publicly as Accurascale MD out of interest?
@@mccarronfamilybut you are still the MD of a competing company, irrespective of whether your bought one or not. People will still see you as the MD. And the fact you, and one other person who has links with you, seem to mention the bogie discrepancy at every opportunity on multiple platforms suggests that you have an agenda. Are your models perfect? No they are not. So let it go move on and give the comments a rest, it’s tiresome.
@@mccarronfamilyWhat 1mm is a fundamental flaw? When you get locos with small diameter wheels.
Best model of the year for me was undoubtedly the Cavalex 56s. I bought two of the first batch and have 3 of the second ones on order.
Thanks for sharing.