My grandfather’s local station in southwest Wales was served by a GWR railmotor and would actually pull goods! He was a farmer and there are photographs of it pulling a his cattle wagon to market!

@howardrisby9621

5 ай бұрын

Pre-grouping, some of the Valleys lines had their own designs, one such featuring a 6 wheeled engine unit..... unique in the UK Mr Churchward's approach was (as always) based on empirical data, having arranged to borrow and test an earlier unit from the LSWR. The resulting GW railmotors lasted noticeably longer than pretty much any other 1st gen railmotors. Only one from this first flowering (from the old Lancs and Yorks) made it into the nationalised era, succumbing during 1948 without being renumbered. Not bad, given the last of the 2nd generation (1920s Sentinel pattern, widely used by the LNER) didn't last much longer. The actual engine of the GW railmotors (i.e.cylinders, valves and valve gear) formed the basis of the design used on the 1923/4 pair of three (!) VoR 2-6-2T locos and with the original drawings not being run to earth in the archives until just before the replica motor unit's construction, very nearly got reverse-engineered as the solution for the amazing reconstruction.

@onedimensionaldave8147

5 ай бұрын

Are these photos online ?

@napierpaxman

5 ай бұрын

Love it! :D :D

@stephendavies6949

5 ай бұрын

Those photos would be true period pieces.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Wow that's fantastic - some potentially cool modelling opportunities there actually!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I like how Kernow was able to make a unique Loco/coach. It looks great and it rides very smoothly.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely! And it's very smooth indeed :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@tooleyheadbang4239

5 ай бұрын

Althougy it's only unique because the other ninety-odd were scrapped!

The cab roof shutter does slide. they are just a little stiff. Interior lights are at a brightness to represent the gas lights of the prototype. With the door handrails being attached in real life to both the body at the top and the foot steps that are part of the chassis at the bottom it was a necessary need to have them unclippable from one end to remove the body to represent them properly!

Ordered mine in 2014 when it was first announced - finally received Jan 2024 - still, well worth the wait!

@liamgough6520

5 ай бұрын

Wait, they've been in production for that long?!

@jimkemp3142

5 ай бұрын

Yep. It has taken all that time.

@Romit12

5 ай бұрын

It's like Avatar 2. Isn't it?

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad you liked it - super impressive isn't it?? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@jaym2381

5 ай бұрын

I seem to remember it was a DJM commission by Kernow at first, so I'm willing to bet there was some legal stuff that took a while to sort out.

Did you notice that it contains a supercap. These means even on dc the interior lights stay glowing for a while at station stops. Don't forget these were originally gas lit so the dull brightness is correct. Cheers

@SDD3204

4 ай бұрын

Yes. Good points. It seems today that now that pure bright white LEDS are available, such yellow light history is being forgotten.

Kernow are to be congratulated for persevering with this model and overcoming many problems to produce a lovely and fascinating model.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Yeah absolutely - it’s a very unconventional design… they handled it great!

Rode on it at Didcot, certainly a unique machine. The amount of strength the driver needed to operate the controls from the auto coach end it was hauling to compensate for the slack in the whistle rope and regulator was incredible 😊

@steamfandan9682

5 ай бұрын

Had a go at driving the real thing also helped with coaling as well

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Ahh fascinating - can only imagine… they need quite a shove even when operated directly!

@BrokenIET

4 ай бұрын

@@steamfandan9682How do you coal these things? Pretty sure the water comes through the little trapdoors on either side above the rear driver, but how do you coal it? Just shovel it in by hand? Surely not..?

@steamfandan9682

4 ай бұрын

@@BrokenIET that's exactly the method Having helped coal Steam rail motor No 93 the coal bunker is located in the cab above where the power bogie is located ( Underneath the windows and run full width of the footplate ) the boiler has to be removed as a separate unit

My favourite oddity about these railmotors is they couldn't be fired on the move, so the fireman would have to stoke up a good fire at the station and hoped it would last to the next station.

@RonCooper-nl4pn

5 ай бұрын

I was wondering where is the coal bunker ! Now thanks to you I know that there was no coal storage on the locomotive. I wonder if Sam knew this if he did then why not mention it on his review ? Regards from Ron 🚂👍😃

@GrahamMuz

5 ай бұрын

There are three coal bunkers located just beneath the front windows in the engine end. They could be fired on the move with due care and anticipation of the trackwork ahead.

@RonCooper-nl4pn

5 ай бұрын

Thank you Graham for enlightening me regarding coal storage on this Locomotive. Regards from Ron

Even as an American I’m keenly tempted to buy one and make a British island layout!

I worked on the real thing to finish off my apprenticeship at Llangollen Railway back in the day. Such a lovely locomotive and the model is fantastic. Well done with the review 👍

I really like it. Although as an exception I prefer the GWR Crimson as the preserved no. 93 example. I think it is a competent model for a fair price, especially as an exclusive. Should I buy one, I will most certainly buy the sound fitted version and leave it for my repair shop should something stop working because I ain't taking this apart again if it involves six clips and detailing to be removed. It looks very attractive and with two coaches, as you have demonstrated, it is a beautiful consist here. I didn't expect a review so soon after release. Excellent, I must say 👍👍

One nice touch on the Kernow site is a diagram of the loco showing the livery marked up with all the RAL colour codes. The Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen is a worldwide standard. It can be cross referenced with the Munsell system. Hornby occasionally post up similar diagrams on their website.

Glad to see Kernow are improving! They are a good retailer, so seeing their model making improve, it’s good to see. Seems to be a lovely model!

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

True! And they sure are a good retailer - never had anything but a good experience with them! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@stephendavies6949

5 ай бұрын

Yeah. Like Kernow. Bought a few locos off them recently.

I had the pleasure of riding on and photographing it at Llangollen in 2013 before it was moved to GWS in Didcot. Wonderful experience and I’m absolutely delighted at the model which arrived last week. I got the excellent Steve Johnson at Grimy Times to fit the accessory pack

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Ahh fantastic - must be quite an interesting one to ride! Glad you were happy with yours - fantastic aren't they! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I totally like Steam Railmotors, they are a unique design of loco that's overlooked by several train fans.

Ok this video had me worried for a second: I've got a couple of these on pre-ordered and I wasn't even aware they were in stock. Apparently though Kernow have over 3,000 orders for these and they're working their through in payment date order. Unfortunately it looks like I'm quite far down the list since I paid for mine in Jan 23 and most paid for theirs in Nov/Dec 22, so hopefully in the next week or two I should receive mine. Would have been nice to get an email saying that they had arrived and orders were being processed, rather than finding out via KZread. Cracking video, seems like a lovely model.

I had already seen a review of a rail motor in crimson lake livery and that reviewer seems to be more impressed than you - apart from having to unclip the door handrails! I also don't think he mentioned anything about a stiff bogie so perhaps you were a bit unlucky? Nor do I remember anything about pipes etc being too short. For a DC loco to have internal & directional lighting as standard is surely a good step forward?

What a captivating model and prototype Sam. We have nothing to add to your review. It is a very fair and well done job once again. Room for some quality improvements by Kernow indeed. The realm of super fine-scale models on the other hand is evidently an invitation to issues and challenges as well. Extreme fragility of such models is one thing. Design-engineering choices, and high precision of manufacturing and assembly are of course added requirements. Overall, a most fascinating model. In need of some quality attention yes but an enthralling model. Cheerio.

@andrewdking

5 ай бұрын

Linda, I've noticed you often refer to yourself as WE. Who is this we, a German club or something ?

@lindaoffenbach

5 ай бұрын

@@andrewdking Oh hi. Us/We are us as a married couple, lol. Both of us are in the hobby, although he does all the technical things. I'm into modelling of scenery myself. Not in a club setting but we have started a layout a few years ago. We did discover Sam's Trains as well when we started, and strangely enough our passion has little to do with OO. Our fondness is Märklin (H0) with models from the 1970s onwards. We try to integrate old-new, and analogue-dcc which can be challenging at times. However the Märklin system has always been extremely consistent, coherent, and compatible since the 1960s. It's one of the oldest and continuous (truly) premium rail model companies as well; absolute historic focus on durable flawless quality and very high innovation. However we've also converted one Hornby Peckett (Daphne) to M 3-rail. Sam's Trains is very entertaining though and provides an insight of the OO market and British history of rails.

@andrewdking

5 ай бұрын

@@lindaoffenbach OK, I'm aware of your love for Marklin, but not Pecketts. They are lovely and I have three including Daphne (with an h 😁)

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for both of your comments! Yeah they could improve improve it if they wanted, but overall it's just the job! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@1471SirFrederickBanbury

5 ай бұрын

I'd say that the solution to fragility is to make those parts out of brass or steel. I havent seen many well made brass locos that are that fragile, but plastic on the other hand, breaks whenever it feels like it. Engineering resin is good for that too, as it is incredibly flexible while not being overly rubbery.

I find the goofiness of the rail motor so charming, they basically stuck a vertical boiler 0-4-0 in a coach body and just threw it into service, a very great western thing todo lol

@howardrisby9621

5 ай бұрын

If you think that one looks odd, the contraptions run by the GNR and the L&YR (to name but two) will really blow your mind. Myself, I love the weird Sentinel railmotor bought by the Southern to operate the Devil's Dyke Branch ..... very Jules Verne!!

@davidmolin8944

5 ай бұрын

@@howardrisby9621 very interesting i'll have to check em out

@asteroidrules

5 ай бұрын

​@@howardrisby9621Were those the ones that were basically an 0-4-0T permanently hitched to a coach that had no front bogie?

Bought the preserved version at £189. Stiff rear bogie, thanks for the tip. No glue marks 1:05 1:05 . No Kerr Stuart builders plate but then no idea if there is one on the real thing. Have not run it as the track is buried under boxes currently. Lining is superb. Loco end steps nice and level. The underside was the first part i looked at and was impressed it would have been nice for the brake rodding to be fixed, nah wouldn’t work, make the rear bogie stiffer still. In the light i have can’t see any interior detail however you showed it well and it looks good and accurate (I guess) pity there was not a drivers jacket hanging on the back wall and bag on the floor. I am pleased you did not complain about the 0 gauge lamps as apparently could not have been made smaller due to bulbs not that small any other lighting method would have been very messy. If mine runs as good as yours then I will be a very happy person. I will run it on my Chesham branch when built, there is always a chance it could run there on a Sunday service day in reality. A nice balanced critique. Nice to have met you on the last day of the last Warley and apologies to your partner for not acknowledging her, very remiss of me. Just to park, get in and buy a snack, all i could afford, and two drinks. Total cost 63.61 gold bars. I had nothing more to buy anything there. Good riddance to an expensive location, just like Telford. I look forward to your review of the Ellis Clark Stanier class 5 should you get one or are loaned one. Best regards, graham

I love this model, I've seen the same engine in a book before and have always been interested in it! good to see the companies making such unique engines!

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! I agree - I think these unique engines always build so much interest! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Fun Fact! Since it was basically a self propelled auto coach, It was auto train fitted as well.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Yeah absolutely - fascinating stuff! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Fascinating model of an innovative prototype. Almost tempted. Cheers Sam 🙏

I just like imagining a coach whistling 😂

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

haha exactly - what a strange situation!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@coolbeansgaming7095

19 күн бұрын

If they had a Thomas character like that this should be a recurring character trait for them.

I really love this model Sam, It's such a very interesting & unique locomotive. I'll probably get one of these for sure, although if I can find it for a good price. Cheers Jasper & Willow

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

It's super interesting isn't it? Can highly recommend :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

I've got the boring brown one deliberately because it will be the least popular (just to be different). Its DCC sound, but so far I've only powered it using a 9V battery across the wheels, just to check it functions - it did. It is indeed very delicate & picking it up, one has to check the door hand rails are still in-place when you put it down again. I was dissapointed with the roof piping, like you say its just moulded & the eye goes straight to it. Maybe the price was mounting with all the separately fitted parts, so Kernow had to compromise to stop it going over £200 in the basic DC version ? The other year I mentioned to Kyle at TRS Trains whether it could be fitted with his water vapour steam system, but probably not. It would look brilliant it he could achive it. Now it actually exists in the flesh, I'll have to ask him again. Sam, do you know who actually manufacture it for them ? Also, ModelU already do a crew & passenger set (two separate items) specially for this model, which I already have procured (not cheap), so more fiddly painting reqd & body removal to fit them :(

This is similar in appearance to a doodlebug, though those used gasoline (petrol) engines, not diesel. That was their downfall as if they wrecked, they often became a big fireball as the flammable gas leaked and caught fire. These rail motors are also similar to RDCs; those use a diesel engine to power a small generator just like a modern diesel-electric locomotive, but the diesel engine was on the roof, covered by a shroud to protect it from the elements. Like these rail motors, they too had limited pulling power; often only one extra coach to meet passenger demand. I think a few RDCs were converted (or built) to haul mail or freight, and they were used by short line railroads to haul passengers to/from work where they couldn’t justify the cost of a full passenger train.

@phillipmackay1536

4 ай бұрын

Correction on the RDCs, They are not diesel electric, they are diesel hydraulic - diesel motor driving through a torque converter transmission and the engines are mounted under the floor like any other diesel railcar. The roof pods house the engine radiators.

Finally. Its good to know this is a good model. Good detail and also runs well. Cannot wait to get mine. The only thing Kernow slipped up on is not producing the trailer to go with it as seeing Videos of the railmotor running at Llangollen it just would have completed it for me.

My version arrived yesterday and it is impressive I have the sound version. You did an excellent presentation and I am sure the locomotive will be a success. Cheers

This railmotor is fantastic. Gorgeous prototype and also a beautiful model! There were some "Dampftriebwagen" over here in Germany, but most if not all of them were much smaller and had only 2 axles. This GWR Railmotor really makes me want to build a British 00 layout! 😅

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Tom - ahh those sound interesting - are there models of those by any chance? haha go for it!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@tomscameras

5 ай бұрын

@@SamsTrains Märklin (AC) / Trix (DC/DCC) made a model yes. I am not sure if they're still on sale today. It's called the "Kittel" Dampftriebwagen ... it's tiny compared to the Kernow Railmotor, maybe half the length I would guess! And yes, a few more videos of some gorgeous vehicles like this railmotor (or that beautiful GCR Class A5, I totally fell in love watching your review) will get me going for it one day! :)

This video was uploaded on my Mum’s birthday. She loves the railmotor and really enjoyed this video! Cheers, Oliver

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Ahh fantastic that's good to hear - happy birthday to your mum! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

This looks soooooooo cool ! Something different and really nice looking! One for the shopping list for sure!

A very nice and unusual model. I'd really like a model of either the GNR or L&YR railmotor - these were even more unusual

Awesome video today Sam really interesting modle might have to get one

Mine arrived yesterday, what an amazing model! Runs perfectly. Not having heard that Kernow were developing this vehicle, I was most pleasantly surprised when you reviewed it. Interesting to have a model of such an unique vehicle.

Honestly if it was possible, I bet a railmotor paired with an autocoach might've been the dream suburban train in the steam days.

Wow! That is the most interesting model I saw in the entire hobby! Thank you Sam, I didn't knew it even existed! Cheers :)

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

It's a really interesting loco for sure - one of my new favourites! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

This is what you want out of a model, I am overwhelmingly enthralled by the contrasting panel work & painting. Maybe I am bit too obsessed with it on a model, but when it looks like it's come out of the NRM at York it is good. I'll leave the drooling there. Thnx for the video.

Another great review. Great looking model. I wonder how long that roof stayed white in service!

I did not know this was even a thing before today, now I want one! I love weird things, so this is right up my alley!

For those of you who keep track of such things, “Pogo Pins” are a new entry in your Sam’s Trains Bingo Card 😂 Only gesting of corse. A nice review of an interesting prototype. If you ever get a chance to visit the Bekonscot Model Village, there (excellent) outside model railway has one of these that appears from time to time, or at least they used to. Best

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

hahaha very much so! And thanks for the tip - I'll have to look into that! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Interesting looking. I love it. Its kinda like a lima with seats in the main power unit

Its a nice model.When I looked into the demise of the full size Railmotors a while back there seemed to be a huge number of issues not least the only place you could reliably put coal in the firebox was when they were stationary meaning palls of smoke in the stations. They rattled so much that steam leaks were commin and drivers were given an extensive tool kit to do repairs on the move. As they got older they spent long times out of actuon under repair and of course it meant both the power plant and the coach would be out of use. Would love to have a ride on the preserved ine though.

I went for the all-over brown version. It’s a beautiful model.

A lot of these railmotors ran in the South Wales Valleys between Cardiff and Pontypridd, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil. There are so many photographs of these locomotives.

Went on this whilst it was at the Churnet Valley Railway a few years ago....beautifully rebuilt / restored.

An extremely useful review as I've been considering whether to purchase one since Kernow first announced it.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

That's lovely to hear, glad you liked the review! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

As nice as it is seeing Kernow stop rereleasing DJM toolings and making really cool stuff like this, I'd kill for a DJM GWR 14xx rerelease right about now. Gettin real sick of the ancient Hornby 14xx being the only one available

Excellent review of a lovely model Sam! I took delivery of one today and it's gorgeous! Beware of the chimney cap falling off when opening the box and the Valve Gear Scrolls on the power bogie scraping platform edges. (Update - Changing the Valve Gear Scrolls to the smaller ones from the detail pack solved the platform edge issue). As advertised, the model is not so happy on 1st radius curves.

Yes Finally a Great Western rail motor will be great addition to my layout especially if I modelling a Great Western Theme layout

Awesome video Sam's trains

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Brian!

@briandesens144

5 ай бұрын

@@SamsTrains you're welcome Sam's trains

The new Kernow Model Railways GWR Railmotor looks very nice and I do like this. Of course there are some things which Kernow should improve on the GWR Railmotor model Sam. Overall, it is a pretty good model and it has a pretty good coreless motor in its mechanism.

Looks magnificent! Time to order a DCC version. The lining in incredible!

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Really hope you enjoy :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

@henriknilsson7851

4 ай бұрын

@@SamsTrains I will offer comment on how this works on DCC. The sound should be fun.

I've been waiting to see a model of a rail motor for a long time :D

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

I know!! Amazed it's taken this one, but this one was worth the wait! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Sam its worth taking a photo of the exploded view. Zoom in you will probably be surprised at the detail visible. I often do that when trying to see whats going on especially in motorcycle diagrams.

Looks beautiful

I only have a one official Kernow exclusive model at the moment and that is the GWR D6xx Warship but I am tempted by one of these, they are such interesting looking things and in model form they look even more interesting, a good review overall Sam.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Ahh interesting - that's not one I've tried, but this is very decent! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

That's an excellent livery, although I'm not used to seeing the GWR Railmotor in anything other than maroon. I've had this thing in Train Simulator for many years, but she's only supplied in one livery (that being maroon, as seen on the preserved No. 93). Incidentally, and from what I gather, some of these railmotors were actually converted into autocoaches in real life.

That's good timing. Jago Hazzard just released a video where these were discussed. Very cool!

Not sure how fast this actually is in scale speed, but a really good crew could probably get one up to 45mph without a load at a push. Planning on getting one (probably the Maroon one with Severn Valley Railway destinations) and am now looking forward to it! Great video as always! Edit: I got it! It took more than 2 hours in each direction before it ran smoothly, but once we got there it runs like butter. Now just to get one of those Dapol auto-trailers when they release!

I love when new manufacturer comes with something new to market and does well unlike mmm mmm heljan

Interesting loco and good review. God bless

Ordered mine with sound. The detail and finish are amazing. My 6 year old Digitains sound fitted Bachmann 009 Baldwin, as this model is, cost more. So, a "bargain" ? I hope somebody does a nice North Eastern petrol/electric railcar. I have ridden in both, which are stunningly restored. A must do when visiting lines when they are resident and running.

The motor in the motor is wonderful

I only knew about this Railmotor because the crew did some training in Switzerland on another operational steam motor here. CZm 1/2 of SBB Historic

wow, a good Kernow locomotive, never would've guessed we would see that!

@steamfandan9682

5 ай бұрын

No 93

Here in Australia, we have a type of steam rail motor. But instead of it being a coach with a steam loco inside, it’s a tiny steam loco with a coach built into it. We have a preserved example, affectionately known as the coffee pot

I model in N Gauge, but i have a few 00 bits as well. This loco/coach/Auto-coach being as good as it looks, makes me so tempted to buy one! Don't know why? it just does!

The railmotor has always been my favorite type of GWR engine.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Ahh fantastic - they're certainly unusual! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Amazing model sam

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Justin! :D

Lovley review. Certainly an unusual thing! Wondering if you'll review anything cavalex? Like the new 56 that's coming out. I belive they are a relatively new company.

Hi Sam. I have just ordered one from Kernow on your recommendation

Try stripping-down and rebuilding the Acc's Manor!! That fiddly and Tight two-wire plug in the boiler is an absolute "B" for Bananas! Watch for parts pinging off and don't forget to clean the glue off before resetting...and you think the StPwrdC is difficult! 🙂

1. The chimney - since it is easily removable, there would seem to be an opportunity for someone with a lathe or 3D printer to produce s replacement part. 2. Several manufacturers make figures that can be installed ae passengers and crew 3. 3 man crew? Driver, fireman and Guard? 4.

I love that chocolate an cream color scheme

If you have 2 R2 curves with one reversed it can cause problems for some longer models. Same with a tightening radius curve after a turnout. My Roco VT 12.5 DMU has very long cars and in reverse it would derail on that type of track layout due to a lack of weight in the middle car. It took a lot of lead weights inside to stop that happening.

Sorry I was so late Sam: I was rather busy, Great video still!

GW Railmotors feature on Jago Hazzard's video this evening too, but in maroon.

What a great choice for a review, and also for the supporting cast. The "Great Western Way" wasn't always about standardisation and uniformity. As I understand it, they were designed primarily to compete with the threat of trams. £189 is a bit steep for me, but I'll keep an eye out to see if Kernow reduces it in the future, as it is GWR, of which I am a big fan.

Lovely model.

igreat revdeal for a review. The red 'oil' lamp looks huge much larger than proto type! amazing miniature valve gear Not sure what it does at the terminus when hauling extra coaches!

Have you tried the Heljan NER railmotar car… lovely pre-grouping loco similar back story, rails always seem to be having them at 30/40% off atm

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

I haven't! It does look cool though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

Interesting model enjoy 👍😊🤩😎

lovely model of a steam railcar.....would be nice to see one from the North Eastern Railway....i'd consider getting a good model of those....

Odd one out: The Manor on the freight train

Hey Sam, nice video. I'm looking for a grease that is electrically conductive to lubricate the pickup bearings on my Rapido 16inch Hunslet. Do you have any suggestions on what to buy?

I find it so funny when you were testing the crawl that I said pretty darn good in real life, and then you said it too like two seconds later in the video. That is just hilarious 😂.

@SamsTrains

5 ай бұрын

hahahaha when you've been watching a bit too much Sam'strains? ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

It was probably really dirty and hot to sit near the front the floor staned blck from ash and coal, but it also probably had excellent heating during the winter. seeing as some were converted to autocoaches I imagine it wouldn't have taken much work to turn a pair into functional steam multple units. the controls are already set up for it you'd just have to extend them and add a joint between the cars.

i watched some parts twice - a steam powered doodlebug. First model i've seen worth every penny/pence.

On overall aspect, good to excellent, a good start. For exploitation, does she runs fine ? Well, she does. And thanks for the tip on the carrier bogie ! One thing that amaze me, in the negative sense of the term, is why on Earth did they conceive the opening of their engine to do it by taking apart the chassis ? Due to the position of the decoder socket, just have the roof maintained in place by one screw at each extremity passing through the whole height of the locomotive in places invisible or difficult to see (or clipped if nothing else can be done) would have made the opening far more easy ! Why did nobody at the drawing board think about such a simple solution ? I'll see next month if I buy me one, very tempting to get one !

Sam. You refer to valve gear scrolls. They are the bogie mounts. On the real thing the bogies were attached to the sole bar using the 'scrolls' . Due to the valve gear, the power bogie had to be mounted from underneath.

It is pretty much the UK's version of the American Doodlebug! I love it!

Will you review Hornby’s 1451, I got mine today it’s pretty good

B+ from me. I love it! Looks so unique.

Holy 💩 yes!

Hope they make the other railmoters from other railway companies

It has a coreless motor: see the Lubrication section on page two of the Owner's informatiom sheet.

33:54 nice behind the scenes noise

Aw, the history didn’t tell us how many still survive today

Weird! I never knew there was a steam powered coach!