You know, Sam, you could’ve given that digestible paper to Bullman. He’s a loyal companion to your railway and deserves a tasty treat for being pushed and pulled around the track as much as he is.
Y know … we need a N scale bullman ! A N scale wellwagon and a tiny 3d printed bill to sit on top of it and held with some glue dots ! It would be so fun to see .
To be fair, if the answer to "How does he perform on his first run?" had been "Catches fire, races round the track out of control, derails and ends up laying on his side on the carpet with Bullman looking at him", he would still have achieved good accuracy.
yeah, but the n scale one does its job better. The 00 James face has eye holes that are too big, a smile that would impress the Joker, and cheeks that have a bit too much Botox.
I'm an HO enthusiast but I can appreciate N scale. I did tune into the TV show a couple of times to see Ringo at his new gig, but I can't say who is who as far as the locomotives and characters. With that being said I relinquish my opinion of the look of James to your expertise, but I do think it is a good runner so great review. Happy Holidays, Jersey Bill
Hi Sam, I really think it is about time you bought and reviewed the "300 page Full Color Combined Bachmann & Williams Catalog", if only to once and for all, cure yourself of your debilitating affliction 🙂
Wishing you a merry Christmas Sam! Can't believe you actually posted on Christmas Day. Also, I was recommended your video on Bachmann vs. Hornby models from 4 years ago today. Maybe you should do a comprehensive breakdown of all the manufacturers today, because we have come a very long way since that video was made, and Hornby and Bachmann (ESPECIALLY Hornby) have changed a lot.
I can't wait to see gordon, percy, Emily and toby reviewed My tip, get both Emily's coaches for her, and get a henrietta for Toby as it's their specific rolling stock Also as for other things that would make a good review, dapol make a pack of 4 maunsell coaches, and would be great for your larger engines, anyways, great review as always!
Great review, the final score felt maybe a tad harsh to me but he still stacks up well with other N gauge engines. Would love to see reviews of the other N gauge Thomas characters from you, Percy with his 0-4-0 wheelbase would be interesting, and I've heard conflicting reports about the new Emily model so that would be interesting to see as well. Gordon looks pretty amazing to me at a first glance, better than OO by far. Keep up the stellar work!
I love these N scale reviews and can't wait for more! :) Regarding James' missing lamp: The only engines that ever had a permanent lamp in the early seasons were Thomas and Toby. Percy picked one up later, but I'm not sure when it became permanent. Otherwise, engines only had lamps for night scenes. It wasn't until Season 17 that everyone got the "mineral wagons" lamp Thomas has. I learned recently Bachmann is basing these toolings off of their Season 13 renderings (the first completely CGI series), thus why James is lacking one (as well as Gordon and Emily if you pick them up).
Hope you can get to reviewing Percy, Gordon, Emily, Toby, Diesel and Paxton when you get around to them. But hopefully by then, you’ll be just in time to catch the next N-Scale release from the range. Following Gordon is my boy HENRY!!! And while I’m at it, I know I have to quote this since this is exactly what James would say whenever he is to haul goods: “DIRTY trucks from DIRTY sidings!!!”
Hey Sam, recently found your channel and subsequently got back into the hobby! I picked up the N scale J94 Austerity Saddle Tank by EFE Rail the other day and so far it seems like a lovely little loco! That’s in addition to the Western Rambler set you reviewed about a year ago. Thinking of dipping into the Thomas & Friends range a bit once my layout is a bit more established, N scale in general just has a lovely cozy feeling to it
That’s why I love kato n , Sam pure quality and runs perfect ! Every time , n may be smaller than ho oo , but I feel the overall quality is way better , plus can have a bigger layout with lees space
By now, I accept that Bachman does a good TVS James, with the Hornby James being closer to the RWS in comparison. This is a further improvement over the 00 gauge Bachman, good review and Merry Holidays and Happy New Year to you and yours, Sam
Other than the big side rods and the face, I think this is one of the best N Scale Thomas engines (totally not biased) but I prefer the Tomix N Gauge James a little more. Would like to see some Tomix reviews in the future along with other N Scale Thomas stuff. Good video and Merry Christmas!
You must be saving your viewers some serious dosh and post purchase disappointment. Your reviews are SO thorough. 👏👏👏 Have you ever seen Von Ryan’s Express? It’s a cracking movie. I watched it yesterday and was wondering if it would be possible to recreate model railway wise? I would love to see you meet that challenge. 👍
Hi Sam, great video. I disagree with James's origin ,I believe he is based on the D&SER/GSR/CIE K2 class no.461 (Beyer Peacock 1922). Rivet counters will be quick to point out that it's the wrong gauge (5'3") but artistic license prevails. No.461 is preserved in running order although I believe it is undergoing a boiler overhaul at the moment. The lead pony axle was added at the design stage to reduce the axle load. 0-6-0's were derailing due to weight (that part of the story is true). Hope you had a great Christmas & will have a happy New Year. Cheers; David Barnes.
My guess on the flywheel problem in the HO/OO models is because they decided to put an eye mechanism in, seen a few people put custom faces on them and they look so much better
Great video, Sam 👍. James is definitely one of the Bachmann N scale Thomas range's best models. I would recommend that you look at Percy next along with the Troublesome Trucks. Spoiler alert, Percy continues the trend of being an amazing runner. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎄.
I beg to differ … I got a Percy today for Christmas from my mom … From a official seller not eBay and brand new too . He ran for about a hour and a half before stopping … picked him up of the rails and checked him … everything in check and all dandy on the outside and brand new so didn’t have anything wrong looks wise … and he can’t be damaged cuz he was brand new I place him back on the rails and he moves a bit fowards and stops … from there the same in reverse I don’t quite know what’s up with the model but I don’t think it’s anything good .
@MaxwellTheTrainFan It sounds like you have been unlucky in that you have a bad model. It sometimes happens. The best advice I can offer is that you get it replaced. The model should still be under warranty, so it shouldn't be a problem to get a replacement. I've had my N scale Percy since Bachmann released him and Thomas together, and both run as smooth as the first time I ran them. Good luck with your Percy 👍.
@@RG-Models86 oh … well that’s the plan then ! I mean I have a tomix Thomas and he runs perfectly … had him for a year now … So I guess a Percy replacement is in order ! Thanks for the advice
Merry Christmas,Sam,and may you,and yours,have a splendid New Year ✨️! Side note,when I saw James,I thought he was,a renegade GWR Aberdare,as that type of wheel arrangement! One can be wrong,once in a while!! Merry Christmas! Thank you 😇 😊!
Several years ago I bought the Tomix version brand new from Japan for £200 pounds. They look pretty much the same to me, but I have not opened them up to see. They still run beautifully. I wonder if Bachmann bought the tooling for this. The difference between what I bought from Japan is it included James and two coaches, Thomas with Annie and Clarabel, Gordon and coaches and Percy with troublesome trucks, all for £200! It just shows how much in cost these have risen. The grandchildren love them and certainly they are robust as long they are treated as a model and not a toy!
Decent review Sam, didn’t think you would be uploading today with it being Christmas, it looks like a decent model, for me James was always a weird character especially when it came to his real life basis and how it was just an 0-6-0, it is though more reasonable when you know that James description says he is an experimental loco.
Have you ever looked at one of the catalogues? I guess not. I have ordered many thousands of dollars of items from it, the hyperdetailing options are amazing. Nothing quite like it in the UK sadly :(
🔴🎵🎶 "He's the really splendid engine with a bright red coat!" 🎶🎵🔴 I've always loved James. He's such an entertaining character with an excellent design, and he's from Lancashire just like me, so I'm definitely a little biased.
Sam . Try a 4F Fowler . I have one and it’s proper good Tender pickups All wheel drive Nice detail Sturdy Can reverse Runs smooth Good quality Nice printed detail Lots of separate details In short it’s a really good model to own . Got it today for Christmas thanks to my grandad and it runs perfectly . If I could recomend a model it’s this one Grahamfarish N scale it is . I got mine from eBay brand new I think there is still another on there if you want to get one . Good James review . Also amazing overall ! There’s my model suggestion for you too !
I think the faces on the HO models are based on the Model series (at least the ones that came out in th 90s/2000s), and the N scale ones are based on the CGI animated series.
for the HO models they used old promotional drawings as a basis for Thomas, Percy, James and some rolling stock such as Annie and Clarabel and as a result really need some updates
Trainworld is the best place for N scale Thomas! And as far as I know the N scale range is identical in the UK and USA. No differences like with the 00 range
You should have a look at the "Graham Farish 371-013A Class 08 13269 BR Green (Early Emblem) Diesel Shunter" if you want to see some amazing N gauge performance (pricey though).
Amazing review sam I just got my first bachmann n scale thomas locomotive and it's gordon are you ever going to review on an American n scale locomotive?
Hi Sam, what do you usually use to clean loco wheels? Recently I've discovered the Tomix track cleaner I'm using can take the silver coating off the wheels and expose the brass underneath, that can't be good... Thanks.
You know what they say, the more they use the molds, the cheeped the products become, I hope that’ll happen with the N scale Thomas range, just so it’s more available to even more people who just want something nice to have for the hell of it.
Can I possibly suggest reviewing Gordon or Emily next as still new and not many people seem to have reviewed them and from what I've heard Emily doesn't have a flywheel so I'm very curios to know what her performance is like
Although I'm a Yank in HO, I was an N gauger 25 years ago and a member of the Belmont Shore MRRC.. So I like to look at it occasionally.. I don't care for locos with faces on them and think they're something for tots only..But I'll stick this out as Sam is interesting to listen to, plus curious as to just how this runs compared to the old N stuff I had before even 5 pole or corless motors existed. Unless there's a version without the face, I suppose a modeler could saw/slice it off and make a smokebox door, if it's worth it.. I will never understand why real locos of that era didn't have headlights, which the US locos always sported. And the train is a British invention ! How could those small lanterns have lighted up the right of way far enough ahead at night or in tunnels ?
James' T&F model didn't have a lamp except when he was running at night. Only Thomas and Percy have them permanently, and Percy's model only got his lamp permanently in Season 6, although has it most of Season 5.
Hello Sam - I've got James The Red Engine, by Hornby - The OO Version - he is Tender Driven version thou...but sadly - he doesn't work for some reason why??? 🙁 But on the Plus side - his does appear in every Video that I do - just like your Bullman appears in your every Video!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂
Bachmanns HO eye mechanisms usually ruin the faces due to the design restraints. If they just ditch those and replaced those with weight, that would improve the whole range by miles.
Merry Christmas Sam, to you and your family, i love Thomas and his friends, even at my age but if you had told me before this review and the previous one that n gauge would be better than the oo one's, i don't know if i would have believed you.🤔
I still can't tell if these are new models, or a rebrand of the Japan Tomix models. Apparently the tomix stuff is oversized for british N scale locomotives
While I fully agree with you on *most* of your critiques (of which were Really Useful as I don't own the model myself), I feel like criticizing it on not being DCC ready is a little unfair. While they do seem to be leaning more into quality serious models with the N Gauge range, the models are still directly based on a franchise aimed at children. The most likely scenario these models are going to be in is either collections by long time fans of the show, or to pop up on pre-existing N Gauge layouts for the owner's children. DCC just wasn't exactly a priority. Although I do agree, the tender is just wasted opportunity.
Sam, I may have said this before..The front truck/bogie is the 'pilot truck'..A rear truck under a cab is the 'pony'...And, yes, very nice runner.. A shame and so odd the driver spokes being fake and others not..For that reason alone, if I were in Brit-N (nice pun, huh !) I wouldn't buy one; just too toyish looking..
Not an n scale dan myself, but this is really cool to be fair! Btw sam, I got the accurascale 66, it's incredible but I found a problem- the kinematics coupling didn't work properly and so wagons derailed - did you have any issues with it? Awesome video sam!
You know, Sam, you could’ve given that digestible paper to Bullman. He’s a loyal companion to your railway and deserves a tasty treat for being pushed and pulled around the track as much as he is.
Y know … we need a N scale bullman !
A N scale wellwagon and a tiny 3d printed bill to sit on top of it and held with some glue dots !
It would be so fun to see .
To be fair, if the answer to "How does he perform on his first run?" had been "Catches fire, races round the track out of control, derails and ends up laying on his side on the carpet with Bullman looking at him", he would still have achieved good accuracy.
One thing to note about the faces Sam is that the OO James has the model series face while the N scale has the CGI face. Great video as always.
i think it is the other way round
yeah, but the n scale one does its job better. The 00 James face has eye holes that are too big, a smile that would impress the Joker, and cheeks that have a bit too much Botox.
@@flipschwipp6572came here to say that too
It was a bit off though (based off some promo art, that was used for most of the toy line in 2002)
bachmann is a mostly american company so their main TTTE engines are HO scale
I'm an HO enthusiast but I can appreciate N scale. I did tune into the TV show a couple of times to see Ringo at his new gig, but I can't say who is who as far as the locomotives and characters. With that being said I relinquish my opinion of the look of James to your expertise, but I do think it is a good runner so great review. Happy Holidays, Jersey Bill
Are you a time traveller?
I just got my first HO locomotive For Christmas today.
Referring to thomas as "Ringo's new gig" in 2024 is crazy😂
@@superbrown8315 No but I am OLD.
@@SJO-e5n Well, I was there in my formattable years during his first gig.
Hi Sam, I really think it is about time you bought and reviewed the "300 page Full Color Combined Bachmann & Williams Catalog", if only to once and for all, cure yourself of your debilitating affliction 🙂
Exactly!
I think a 300 page book might give him severe indigestion let alone sore teeth... 😂😂😂
Wishing you a merry Christmas Sam! Can't believe you actually posted on Christmas Day.
Also, I was recommended your video on Bachmann vs. Hornby models from 4 years ago today. Maybe you should do a comprehensive breakdown of all the manufacturers today, because we have come a very long way since that video was made, and Hornby and Bachmann (ESPECIALLY Hornby) have changed a lot.
N scaler here since the days of Lone Star 000 scale. Glad to see you looking at the "Normal" scale!
Honestly the n scale thomas line is really well done, and I think it deserves even more attention!
Thomas and friends wouldn't be complete without our one and only James.
Merry Christmas Sam.
I can't wait to see gordon, percy, Emily and toby reviewed
My tip, get both Emily's coaches for her, and get a henrietta for Toby as it's their specific rolling stock
Also as for other things that would make a good review, dapol make a pack of 4 maunsell coaches, and would be great for your larger engines, anyways, great review as always!
I've never been so early to the video. Keep up the good videos man👍🏾
Great review, the final score felt maybe a tad harsh to me but he still stacks up well with other N gauge engines. Would love to see reviews of the other N gauge Thomas characters from you, Percy with his 0-4-0 wheelbase would be interesting, and I've heard conflicting reports about the new Emily model so that would be interesting to see as well. Gordon looks pretty amazing to me at a first glance, better than OO by far.
Keep up the stellar work!
Excellent! I will watch this on my iPad in bed tonight as right now I’m being festive! 🎄👍
I love these N scale reviews and can't wait for more! :)
Regarding James' missing lamp:
The only engines that ever had a permanent lamp in the early seasons were Thomas and Toby. Percy picked one up later, but I'm not sure when it became permanent. Otherwise, engines only had lamps for night scenes.
It wasn't until Season 17 that everyone got the "mineral wagons" lamp Thomas has. I learned recently Bachmann is basing these toolings off of their Season 13 renderings (the first completely CGI series), thus why James is lacking one (as well as Gordon and Emily if you pick them up).
Hope you can get to reviewing Percy, Gordon, Emily, Toby, Diesel and Paxton when you get around to them. But hopefully by then, you’ll be just in time to catch the next N-Scale release from the range. Following Gordon is my boy HENRY!!!
And while I’m at it, I know I have to quote this since this is exactly what James would say whenever he is to haul goods:
“DIRTY trucks from DIRTY sidings!!!”
Awesome video Sam merry Christmas to you and Chloe
Hey Sam, recently found your channel and subsequently got back into the hobby! I picked up the N scale J94 Austerity Saddle Tank by EFE Rail the other day and so far it seems like a lovely little loco! That’s in addition to the Western Rambler set you reviewed about a year ago. Thinking of dipping into the Thomas & Friends range a bit once my layout is a bit more established, N scale in general just has a lovely cozy feeling to it
That’s why I love kato n , Sam pure quality and runs perfect ! Every time , n may be smaller than ho oo , but I feel the overall quality is way better , plus can have a bigger layout with lees space
By now, I accept that Bachman does a good TVS James, with the Hornby James being closer to the RWS in comparison. This is a further improvement over the 00 gauge Bachman, good review and Merry Holidays and Happy New Year to you and yours, Sam
JAMES THE RED ENGINE: (WHISTLES) SPLENDID! HEEEEERE’S JAMES!
Other than the big side rods and the face, I think this is one of the best N Scale Thomas engines (totally not biased) but I prefer the Tomix N Gauge James a little more. Would like to see some Tomix reviews in the future along with other N Scale Thomas stuff. Good video and Merry Christmas!
That smoke box doesn’t look great.
Merry Christmas, Sam. Lovely review to watch on Christmas Day. Thank you.
Splendid red small engine :0
Merry christmas sam :D👍
Merry Christmas Sam, I’ve been looking forward to this review!
You must be saving your viewers some serious dosh and post purchase disappointment. Your reviews are SO thorough. 👏👏👏 Have you ever seen Von Ryan’s Express? It’s a cracking movie. I watched it yesterday and was wondering if it would be possible to recreate model railway wise? I would love to see you meet that challenge. 👍
Thank you so much! No I don't think I have - might need to check that out, thanks!
Thanks for watching - Sam :)
You won’t regret it. It’s a classic. Great cast. Great action and LOADS of train content. 👍
Hi Sam, great video. I disagree with James's origin ,I believe he is based on the D&SER/GSR/CIE K2 class no.461 (Beyer Peacock 1922). Rivet counters will be quick to point out that it's the wrong gauge (5'3") but artistic license prevails. No.461 is preserved in running order although I believe it is undergoing a boiler overhaul at the moment. The lead pony axle was added at the design stage to reduce the axle load. 0-6-0's were derailing due to weight (that part of the story is true). Hope you had a great Christmas & will have a happy New Year. Cheers; David Barnes.
My guess on the flywheel problem in the HO/OO models is because they decided to put an eye mechanism in, seen a few people put custom faces on them and they look so much better
Great video, Sam 👍.
James is definitely one of the Bachmann N scale Thomas range's best models.
I would recommend that you look at Percy next along with the Troublesome Trucks.
Spoiler alert, Percy continues the trend of being an amazing runner.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎄.
I beg to differ …
I got a Percy today for Christmas from my mom …
From a official seller not eBay and brand new too .
He ran for about a hour and a half before stopping … picked him up of the rails and checked him … everything in check and all dandy on the outside and brand new so didn’t have anything wrong looks wise … and he can’t be damaged cuz he was brand new
I place him back on the rails and he moves a bit fowards and stops … from there the same in reverse
I don’t quite know what’s up with the model but I don’t think it’s anything good .
@MaxwellTheTrainFan It sounds like you have been unlucky in that you have a bad model. It sometimes happens.
The best advice I can offer is that you get it replaced. The model should still be under warranty, so it shouldn't be a problem to get a replacement.
I've had my N scale Percy since Bachmann released him and Thomas together, and both run as smooth as the first time I ran them.
Good luck with your Percy 👍.
@@RG-Models86 oh … well that’s the plan then !
I mean I have a tomix Thomas and he runs perfectly … had him for a year now …
So I guess a Percy replacement is in order !
Thanks for the advice
@@RG-Models86 new subscriber for helping me ! You deserve it .
@MaxwellTheTrainFan No problem. I'm glad I could be of some help.
Thanks for the subscription 👍.
Merry Christmas,Sam,and may you,and yours,have a splendid New Year ✨️! Side note,when I saw James,I thought he was,a renegade GWR Aberdare,as that type of wheel arrangement! One can be wrong,once in a while!! Merry Christmas! Thank you 😇 😊!
Merry Christmas Sam.
By the way, This Christmas, I got my own Model Locomotive (+ Rolling Stock + Track & Controller).
Awesome video today Sam wasn’t expecting the Bachmann n scale James what a wonderful modle and merry Christmas to you and your family and chole
Sam, offer is still there to borrow the whole Tomix Thomas range to compare vs your Bachmann Thomas locos.
Several years ago I bought the Tomix version brand new from Japan for £200 pounds. They look pretty much the same to me, but I have not opened them up to see. They still run beautifully. I wonder if Bachmann bought the tooling for this. The difference between what I bought from Japan is it included James and two coaches, Thomas with Annie and Clarabel, Gordon and coaches and Percy with troublesome trucks, all for £200! It just shows how much in cost these have risen. The grandchildren love them and certainly they are robust as long they are treated as a model and not a toy!
The Tomix versions are completely different. They are also completely over scale. The bachmann version is 1:160
Merry Christmas Sam! 🎅🎄🎁
Merry Christmas Sam, I hope your having a great one so far.
Merry Christmas from Jasper & Willow
This Bachmann n scale James is amazing
Decent review Sam, didn’t think you would be uploading today with it being Christmas, it looks like a decent model, for me James was always a weird character especially when it came to his real life basis and how it was just an 0-6-0, it is though more reasonable when you know that James description says he is an experimental loco.
Have you ever looked at one of the catalogues? I guess not. I have ordered many thousands of dollars of items from it, the hyperdetailing options are amazing. Nothing quite like it in the UK sadly :(
Merry Christmas Sam and James
🔴🎵🎶 "He's the really splendid engine with a bright red coat!" 🎶🎵🔴
I've always loved James. He's such an entertaining character with an excellent design, and he's from Lancashire just like me, so I'm definitely a little biased.
Merry Christmas Sam!. Hope you got everything you wanted.
Are you going to do the new TT120 class 66 soon ??
James looks great. Do Annie and Clarabel look a bit oversize compared to Thomas?
This Bachmann James looks good bro
Sam . Try a 4F Fowler . I have one and it’s proper good
Tender pickups
All wheel drive
Nice detail
Sturdy
Can reverse
Runs smooth
Good quality
Nice printed detail
Lots of separate details
In short it’s a really good model to own . Got it today for Christmas thanks to my grandad and it runs perfectly . If I could recomend a model it’s this one
Grahamfarish N scale it is . I got mine from eBay brand new I think there is still another on there if you want to get one .
Good James review . Also amazing overall ! There’s my model suggestion for you too !
HO/OO Or N?
@@Caden-z5dN scale …
He already has the hornby and Bachman OO versions .
So the grshamfsrish N scale one .
@@MaxwellTheTrainFan Oh, I Didn’t Realize, Thanks For Correcting My Goldfish Brain.
@@Caden-z5d ehh it’s fine
And don’t insult yourself ! Your perfect just the way you are
Anyone is ! And remember that for the rest of your life !
@@MaxwellTheTrainFan Thank You Man, I Know I Don’t Have A Goldfish Brain. But Still. Just For That +1 Sub
Hey Sam can you check out t gauge? It’s even smaller than N scale
I was about to get James n scale for Christmas but I had to get it until my birthday. Oh, and also, happy yesterday Christmas
As a newbie to n scale i think he looks amazing!
New TT120 class 66 next or the new green 08.?
I think the faces on the HO models are based on the Model series (at least the ones that came out in th 90s/2000s), and the N scale ones are based on the CGI animated series.
for the HO models they used old promotional drawings as a basis for Thomas, Percy, James and some rolling stock such as Annie and Clarabel and as a result really need some updates
You should incorporate some n scale lines with your big 00 scale layout!
The N scale Thomas models are so much better than the OO ones and James’ red livery is perfect considering this video came out on Christmas!
Trainworld is the best place for N scale Thomas! And as far as I know the N scale range is identical in the UK and USA. No differences like with the 00 range
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
You should have a look at the "Graham Farish 371-013A Class 08 13269 BR Green (Early Emblem) Diesel Shunter" if you want to see some amazing N gauge performance (pricey though).
Merry Christmas Sam
Merry Christmas Sam! Id rather have a proper loco or set over the Brio travesty, so I hope this was the redemption of train Christmas for you!
Merry Christmas fellow train fans from the USA! 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🎄
Ok .. Percy and Gordon should be next in line I feel !
Them or Emily ! Enjoy your day sam .
I wouldn't necessarily say you were harsh. It just seems to me that you liked the model a lot more than your score suggests
This looks nice I need this Bachmann n scale James
hi sam can you just get that digest catalogue and review it please? maybe it's not that bad! train catalogues are often quite nice to look through.
How are these models so good? Nice one Sam!
Amazing review sam I just got my first bachmann n scale thomas locomotive and it's gordon are you ever going to review on an American n scale locomotive?
I would like to see a review on the n scale gordon in the future, just a suggestion, no rush
Hi Sam, what do you usually use to clean loco wheels? Recently I've discovered the Tomix track cleaner I'm using can take the silver coating off the wheels and expose the brass underneath, that can't be good... Thanks.
Lighter fluid is good.
You know what they say, the more they use the molds, the cheeped the products become, I hope that’ll happen with the N scale Thomas range, just so it’s more available to even more people who just want something nice to have for the hell of it.
I wonder if you can use James as a basis for a 3D Printed N gauge Mogul?
Can I possibly suggest reviewing Gordon or Emily next as still new and not many people seem to have reviewed them and from what I've heard Emily doesn't have a flywheel so I'm very curios to know what her performance is like
Nice Christmas review 😊
Ahhhh yes, a splendid red engine joins Sam’s Train layout just in time for the holidays 🤩
I got mine for 154 aud which is 76 pounds so the prices seem to be a lot better in Australia and could you review Emily and Gordon please
Are both the US and UK models at the same scale? If 1:160 then itll look small against uk stock.
Although I'm a Yank in HO, I was an N gauger 25 years ago and a member of the Belmont Shore MRRC.. So I like to look at it occasionally..
I don't care for locos with faces on them and think they're something for tots only..But I'll stick this out as Sam is interesting to listen to, plus curious as to just how this runs compared to the old N stuff I had before even 5 pole or corless motors existed.
Unless there's a version without the face, I suppose a modeler could saw/slice it off and make a smokebox door, if it's worth it..
I will never understand why real locos of that era didn't have headlights, which the US locos always sported. And the train is a British invention ! How could those small lanterns have lighted up the right of way far enough ahead at night or in tunnels ?
Hey Sam, I've heard news that bachman has just realised brand new Thomas and friends models which are Stanley and Rebecca, will you buy them?
3:30 Why!?
That motor is the reason this model runs so well!
I think so too!
The way it runs, it's worth every dime.
Here's James!!!
3:30 You should review one of those for the 1st of April 😉
You should take a look at some of Kato's Japanese steam locomotives in N Scale.
6:14 the OO or HO James has the model series face while the N scale has the CGI face
James' T&F model didn't have a lamp except when he was running at night.
Only Thomas and Percy have them permanently, and Percy's model only got his lamp permanently in Season 6, although has it most of Season 5.
I think Sam needs to put those Bachmann cards that you get with every locomotive you buy from them in a blender.
Great review Sam and merry Christmas next n scale model can you do Percy?
I might try to get one of these Sam, although I wouldn't pay that much for him.
Merry Chrismas from Jasper & Willow
Are these in "true" 1/160 N scale or in the typical British 1/148?
Hello Sam - I've got James The Red Engine, by Hornby - The OO Version - he is Tender Driven version thou...but sadly - he doesn't work for some reason why??? 🙁 But on the Plus side - his does appear in every Video that I do - just like your Bullman appears in your every Video!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂
What controller are you using? That is an incredible crawl!
Bachmanns HO eye mechanisms usually ruin the faces due to the design restraints.
If they just ditch those and replaced those with weight, that would improve the whole range by miles.
Great review as usual. Do you know if the OO-9 Thomas engines are as good as the N gauge ones? Cheers Stu
Merry Christmas Sam, to you and your family, i love Thomas and his friends, even at my age but if you had told me before this review and the previous one that n gauge would be better than the oo one's, i don't know if i would have believed you.🤔
I still can't tell if these are new models, or a rebrand of the Japan Tomix models. Apparently the tomix stuff is oversized for british N scale locomotives
How would you rate the digest size of that card now that you ripped it apart instead?
While I fully agree with you on *most* of your critiques (of which were Really Useful as I don't own the model myself), I feel like criticizing it on not being DCC ready is a little unfair. While they do seem to be leaning more into quality serious models with the N Gauge range, the models are still directly based on a franchise aimed at children. The most likely scenario these models are going to be in is either collections by long time fans of the show, or to pop up on pre-existing N Gauge layouts for the owner's children. DCC just wasn't exactly a priority. Although I do agree, the tender is just wasted opportunity.
Maybe the disc wheel were for extra weight. Try to open your mind.
the 00 Thomas Percy and James were Bachmann's first Thomas and friends models
Sam, I may have said this before..The front truck/bogie is the 'pilot truck'..A rear truck under a cab is the 'pony'...And, yes, very nice runner..
A shame and so odd the driver spokes being fake and others not..For that reason alone, if I were in Brit-N (nice pun, huh !) I wouldn't buy one; just too toyish looking..
Not an n scale dan myself, but this is really cool to be fair! Btw sam, I got the accurascale 66, it's incredible but I found a problem- the kinematics coupling didn't work properly and so wagons derailed - did you have any issues with it? Awesome video sam!