Sam, the reason you’d never seen anything from the company before is because this is, I believe their first ‘non soft-toy’ toy. They used to be known as High resolution Designs, but rebranded in, I think, 2020. They mostly do stuff based on British stuff, like Harry Potter, the London Underground, and buses, but they used to sell soft toys of the thunderbird vehicles from the (actually pretty great) 2015 reboot. They also do JCB, and a couple of British WW2 planes
Honestly, for a cheap-ish Christmas present for a kid who likes trains, this looks pretty good though, nothing super complex, just a simple track, and an iconic train
My God! This took me back to the late 1940s when I received my first ever train set - one of the Ever-Ready London Underground train sets representing a 3-car Bakerloo Line set. It came with a large circle of 3-rail track and a satisfyingly chunky battery box/speed controller that housed a whopping great 6-volt (?) lantern battery. Sadly it succumbed as toys often do to my then cavalier relationship with toys, hey ho! It was put aside when I received the Hornby Dublo Duchess of Atholl set that was to lead me into a lifetime of model railway happiness! Great days! Oh, and yes, of course it Is Counted as electric if it's battery operated! It sure as hell isn't steam or clockwork
This reminds me of a Tomy train set that I had back in the '90's, looks to be a decent set for the price that's being asked for and a fun way to get kids started in the hobby.
The "train pause" point really looks like a Tomy component. My brother had the first generation with big blue plastic track but the newer Tomy dos look better than it once did--but not quite a model. Fun toys.
@@johnm.withersiv4352 I also had a Tomy Trains set, the HST set with the automatic” three way point. Hours of fun! Especially when I later added the fright train, car carriers and log terminal. Managed to run two trains on that set with only very occasional collisions!
@@johnm.withersiv4352 It really look similar, too bad for the one featured on this video, the catch mechanism on the train chassis doesn't exist so the train can't stop. Tomy, more accurately, Plarail, did released "Plarail Advance" series that have trains in much smaller scale, more or less the same scale as N-gauge, still with fair amount of details and run on one side of the standard Tomy tracks. It's great fun and feel a bit more like "model trains" (it's halfway between toy and model), but they discontinued.
As a serious railway modeller this toy train set doesn't appeal to me at all but, the child in me (I'm 62) is really excited and I would love one of these sets just to play with. I think that everyone should hold on to a little bit of childhood and go off the rails sometimes!
Haha allow a Londoner to provide some insight: Those posters on the back wall are real TFL posters! I see them every day on my way to work!! They’ve clearly licensendd them, very cool! The speaker sounds are recordings from real metropolitan line tube trains. The “horn” is the door opening noise! Very recognisable.
This is a great way to gauge interest in young kids before you go out and spend a couple of hundred quid on a proper train set they never use. So kinda cool. The train itself is naff but with the points, the tunnel, the station, the sound... plenty to grab a young child's interest I reckon. So not bad! Plus mostly indestructible!
This is basically a British version of a plarail set and I kind of love it for that. Given that if Plarail did make this the plastic would be better and the doors and windows would be sculpted instead of stickers, but I got to give them props for copying the homework of one of the best toy trains around.
Plarail ES series would like to have a word with you but yeah, it would be better, but sadly Plarail made only Japanese trains now, plus a few Asian trains, and Thomas.
I’ve recognized the designs of these locomotives along with the track from a brand called Power Trains. I remember having one of these similar sets when I was a kid. There’s a variety to choose from whether it’d be steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, bullet trains, rolling stock, and more! Also, I’ve seen that particular train before in the Train Sim app for mobile devices, it looks great!
Its a train whats not to like. Not a bad price for a first set for someone. In my advanced old age I would buy one for the grin factor. Also to annoy the clubs rivet counters.
A pretty good little train set for someone who might be interested in the hobby. I remember your review of Hornby's battery operated Paddington train set. I think you said it didn't do anything for Hornby in relation to their actual electric train sets and models and couldn't see the point of marketing such an article. That really can't be said of this set though. It would be a nice Christmas present for any girl or boy who might be interested in trains. Thanks. Best, Pete.
I would say the Paddington set is far better value than this nonsense, the windows and doors aren’t stickers, and you do get quite a bit for it, such as the platform and tunnel. The train looks far better, with proper wheels and flanges and lights. This tube set just feels cheap and I’d rather spend the £50 on a Hornby Mark 3/4 coach.
Delightful little set and, cheaply made some of it may be, at least it worked and went round and round with minimal fuss. I can’t help but love the noise going through the tunnel. This day and age the price tag is fair enough, some kids (and parents let’s be honest) would be all over this Christmas morning 😊
As a fan of the London underground, I found this video brilliant. I have been deciding whether or not to get this train set and your detailed explanation has given me all the answers I need to decide. Thank you so much.
With the Bachmann S-stock model from the London Transport Museum retailing at a scorching £595, I don't think you went far wrong with this purchase! The Bachmann offering looks just as cheap as this thing. No interior lights and an insane price tag! I hope you and Chloe start a family soon and that there is a little one to play with this set and carry on the family tradition! Thanks for uploading.
Very enjoyable video Sam. Nice to know that you can still buy a toy train set. I thought the 'sound machine' was very realistic too, just like the the real thing!
Wonderful production values; thank you Sam. I think the only thing you didn't quite "get" about this product is that it is a toy based on "LONDON ELECTRIC" which is why the word electric appears on the box; the description relates to the way that The Underground is powered by electricity.....NOT the toy train-set. (Don't include my comment in the "being mean" category of comments; I'm just clarifying what the suppliers intended when they used the word "Electric". Keep warm and well. Looking forward to your uploads for the rest of 2022. John x
Imagine the transformation with only a few LED lamps shining in the station and the rest of your attic in darkness. I think it would really fire the imagination!
Hi Sam, well for a start set for someone who may live and journey on the underground system it may be right up their street.. or someone who has an interest in the underground and wishes to be an underground train driver one day. Its a toy and if accepted as such does look fun. It has all the bits you really need. Few hours / days of fun then time to upgrade… a good video review. Enjoyable as always. Cheers Marc
For what it is, I think that this is pretty good value and whilst, as you pointed out, the quality is not great, it is a fun set and I would put it above the £20 ones in terms of value for money.
That's really not a bad train set. I love the station, it's a shame the train itself didn't have a little more care with the stickers but other than that, it's not bad!
Yeah, Sam it does looks like what you would expect from a Bachmann Silver Series Production!!! We thank you for your honest reviews which we digest when making our Loco purchases and please do not change your format as we do like you home layout and slippers! 😎
An interesting set which looks lots of fun for kids to play with. It might also be targeted at tourists where a battery is a better type of power and keeps it all self contained. Although just plastic and cardboard its ideal for young train fans and it would feel great when opening such a large Christmas present.
hi sam. yes indeed my eyes popped out with the title and the box of this set. when you mentioned batteries i said no problem can fit a motor and pickups . this all came crashing down when you showed the wheels and bogies... but for 40 odd quid would make an excellent present.
I bought this set for my granddaughter. I had the same problem as in your video. Couldn't get the train to stop at the station. The simple fix for this is to put a few layers of electrician's tape on the underside of the power car. This makes up the gap between the 'stop rail' and the power car and lifts the wheels to stop the train when required. It's trial and error to get the right amount of tape layers. I think we needed about six. Any kind of tape will do. Just use whatever you've got.
For a small child, I think this would be loads of fun. Especially if you could combine a couple of sets together. Plus the extra coaches. Though, I think that the engine might have a problem pulling all of them from the add-on set.
It looks quite nice actually. The track look like something I own. Actually it looks exactly like Powertrains track I believe it was called. I got a set of a diesel locomotive with a car transporter where you stop the train, drive the forklift into the wagon and lift the entire car carrier from the wagon onto the road and open the gates so the vehicles can get out and in again. I remember having huge fun with that. This set looks good as well for the price not too bad. I like these small toy train sets it's something I like to see around christmas time its a load of fun.
It’s so similar to the trackmaster Thomas train sets made by Mattel only the way the track snaps together looks a little different. It even looks like the Thomas & Friends trains with their little rubber cogged wheels could fit right on there!
I think you sun it up well, Sam. It’s FUN 🤩 for a young child Christmas Day it’s going to give hours of fun and perhaps spark an interest in model railways in later years. If not, what has the parent lost?
I actually had a similar London undergound set by powertrain which I think is what you have but not branded by them, I had fun with them back when I younger and still, have some of the track
Okay, yeah, it's branded as a toy and not a model. As a kid, I'd have loved this, because it's one of those things you never saw in train sets. The soundbox itself isn't too bad, but I think it's more you have to know the Tube to really know what the announcement is saying, as it sounds like the Bakerloo line with "This is a Bakerloo line service to . . ." But for a toy, it's neither more or less expensive than most sets out there, especially with things like buildings etc. Definitely just think of it as a toy, but not a bad toy for a young child 😊
This is not the first Underground set, I had an oval 3 rail track and red tin plate train in about 1950 - 53, also battery powered, but using a large lantern battery. Can't remember the make. Hours of fun. Good to see that the tec has changed so little in 70 ish years!
Interesting for young Londoners who should recognise most of the contents from real life. The posters on the station backdrop are common around the network as safety advice for passengers. The announcer system is quite realistic to anyone attempting to listen on a platform. I presume it's an official licensed toy.
Interesting how you can get away with a toy review like this and not be smacked down by a RUclips Kids flag. My channel has been destroyed by the relentless bot attacks. There's a very similar set to this based on the New York subway and sure it has sticker Friday issues as well
I always feel it's less about the subject matter, and more about intent and the way I pitch the videos. With stuff like this, my approach is to pitch these videos towards adults/parents, and my language/structure/analysis reflects that. Links me yours? How are you pitching yours? Looking at your 'Elephant in the Room' video, on first glance it looks more overtly kid-geared, opening with the skit, and the character voices etc... though interestingly that one isn't marked for kids, and loads of others like it aren't either! Very weird how this stuff works!
@@SamsTrains I've had this argument over and over related to a video looking at a toy made for children. But as I'm finding out I can no longer win any appeals and these are reviews that are aimed at the people who buy the toys. The system never tells you how they see a video as made for kids. The system completely ignore the 'general audience' style of video. I was even able to have a video that has swearing in it be sent to 'RUclips KIDS'. To me that said it all in how broken their systems are, there is no one actually reviewing content at the appeal process. If there is well their understanding of English and context is very poor. I found looking over Christmas trains is a guarantee to be flagged as 'Made For Kids'. One very common aspect to my videos getting flagged is it's the most popular content, it will either be age-restricted, demonetized because I look at a poo toy, or set as Made For Kids. Each flag is basically a nail in the coffin and the video gets neatly hidden away never to be found. This process has savaged my channel and it's basically now worthless. I do love my Partner Google for letting me upload to such an amazing video site.
In some ways,Sam,that's a reversion to the 1600's plate ways! Wheels in grooves,and wagon type wheels! The Paris Metro,probably has similar train sets,I know New York does! Anyway,any elementary student would get a kick out of it,and would be good,say up to the age of 10? After that,an elementary electric set,with a switching layout,for solving puzzles! Thanks for the rather different test,and comments! Thank you 😇 😊!!
Great fun vid. For kiddies we have to remember that the train set is NOT the only 'playtime' feature.. throw in their dolls, toy figures, toy cars, landscape features, farm set with animals and and ?!👀
Thank god! An underground train that isn't a green, slug-like, eldritch abomination. I still get nasty flashbacks of that one, Sam. How about 3-D printing some London Underground trains? That might be a fun project.
My bus. partners grand kids, both girls, love the toy train she sets out for them when they visit. Just a simple wind up train set goes around in circles. But adds to the magic of trains, they just visited the Severn Valley xmas special and really enjoyed it.
You should get the Lionel ready to play Polar Express set. It’s battery operated, but comes with a remote control and has sounds. Even I’ve been looking at that myself.
I saw these sets in Robert Dyas (Canary Wharf) at the weekend......and they were priced at £39.99 .......so maybe worth trying at any of their branches......if you'd like one....
Have one of these and agree it's alot of fun for both me and the kids. I am actually planning to include it under an OO gauge model railway at least as a short term underground railway so will see how well it Integrates.
I had those kind of trains, in Romania they were known as "Power Trains" or something like that. The train you have there is exactly like the original company made, but it is in a different color.
Hey Sam, great video! I have a video idea, what if you tried to 3d print some 00 gauge track, and see how it compares to other manufacturers designs. I understand you wouldn't be able to make it functional but it's just a thought.
Sam, I picked up the Hornby Playtrains set for about the same price off amazon recently, and to be honest, I am seriously amazed by the value, I recommend that you get the flash train set and check it out. We were so impressed we bought the entire playtrains range.
Can anyone help? Back in 1953 I remember enjoying a pressed steel upside down tray about 14 inches by 6 inches that had a 3/8 inch wide figure 8 slot cut in it for the track with 4 metal strip deflectors that act as points to make an oval outter. One end had plastic fittings to make a cutting and the other end had similar to make a tunnel that covered the C batteries and motor. It came with what was probably a tank engine and two coaches which were no more than 1 and 1/4 inches long. They were solid pieces of plastic with uni directional fibers, on the bottom, pointing to the rear. Immediately below the tray was a cardboard sheet that was oscillated by a cylindrical drive with an excentric axle. The effect was like a fast rug on carpet or a puppy who has been stroked in the wrong direction. The rolling stock moved on its own just like the locomotive and if turned round went in the other direction. It may have been Triang and cost in the region of £1-10s-0d. The base was durable but the motor and card traction had limited life so I cannot find reference to them now.
The packaging's graphics is very attractive, and from a distance, this toy train set looks appealing as well. To my eyes the stickers give a tinplate/litho look to the cars. As I write, this is $60.76 on the U.S. Amazon site. I would not pay that price, but if I saw it at a discount shop, it does look like a bit of a fun toy. I wonder it you could add grip tape or otherwise build up the station stopper-track piece to work more reliably.
Reminded me a bit of my old Tri-ang Big Big Train set. Had the "Blue Flyer" set - aka a Hymek in a sort of BR-Blueish colour along with a set of wagons and some very bright red track. Got the thing boxed somewhere...
Years ago, I bought a Walt Disney World Monorail set. It came with the piers and glide rails. Again battery power. But worked out to be HO scale additional track was available and certain "Landmark" buildings at Disney World were available in scale, The Contemporary Hotel, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, and Main Street Station at Disney World. They still produce one for Disneyland and Disney World they are close in size but just a tad more toy like, roofs open and they have character figures. Too bad you don't have Main Street Station to go with your Bachmann theme park cars. They are very close the Disney's "Nantasket Cars" the major difference being they are one bench shorter and Standard gauge Disney World's trains are 3 ft. Gauge.
I think an adult getting that as a joke Christmas pressie could have quite a lot of fun with that. Whilst the actual train isn't great the station looks quite good and the tunnel, points and station stop feature and quite a lot to it. Probably disappointed it isn't a "real" train set but still fun.
It looks like it's a rebranded powertrains set, There atleast was a whole line of them you could buy at target here in the states. There was a bullet train, 2 different american freight diesels and a steam engine, and they have several themes like military, construction, farming, i think there's one with a boat, and one with race cars. and they've probably come out with more since then. They come in sets, in locomotive+ cabooose packs or in like 4 or two piece rolling stock sets. Track packs, etc. It's an interesting product line.
I reckon I saw this set in the gift shop at the London Transport Museum Depot three weeks ago, but not sure how much they were selling it for. I did buy a single coach of an S Stock boxed as ‘London Underground Toy Train’ from The London Toy Companywhich I expected to be diecast, similar to a toy I used to have made by FEVA. However, it turned out to be completely plastic and made by Teamsterz (who I absolutely detest!). Nevertheless, it’s a very detailed toy inside and out, despite only have four real wheels and just bogey details moulded on the sides. Very impressed with the soundbox, I can confirm tje beeping sounds are the doors opening and closing respectively. Also interesting they chose an announcement for Baker Street, because I believe S Stock run on the Bakerloo line.
08:01 It says "An all station Metropolitan Line train to Baker Street" This is an announcement recorded from the actual train. The Metropolitan Line has express and all station services.
Also the description of the set is correct in that it’s a model of the London Underground which is electric. Clever wording to make it sound like an electric train set of course, but it’s a model of the London Underground electric trains.
One question I have about this, would you call early Tri-ang/Hornby Sets electric. The ones that had controllers included were usually battery controllers and I believe these were still known as electric train sets, correct me if I'm wrong. I know that you also had the option to buy a separate plug-on controller
I would because the power came from the controller which also had an option to make it mains. Also 70 plus years in some cases is a long time for toy trains. Some if my dad's old stuff is still rocking and rolling and looks pretty good especially rhe fleischmann stuff.
It looks compatible with Mattel Thomas and Friends. Some of the features like station wall and tunnel have decent play value too. Great for getting little ones into trains. Cheers for sharing!
Yes, it does look quite fun. One thing I thought they might have included was opening doors - but no! - a bit of a shame, as this seems to be one frontier that even Bachmann and Hornby have not tried. Many years ago I built a O-gauge carriage with opening doors - not wonderful - but they did work. Is that a project you might try with the 3-D printer?
I don't really like how the tracks only have one connector on each end and no track surface on the underside. This means you can't make S-bends, especially if you combine sets. Wooden track and Tomy's Plarail blue track do have one connector on each end and track surface on both sides meaning s-bends can be possible without adapter pieces. Hopefully they do make track adapters if they ever make other sets depicting the Overground, DLR, Tram, and Crossrail.
I think that set has a few things going for it. With the tunnel, station and points it has more play value than a simple circle or oval of track. For children who live anywhere with tube trains, it gives them a chance to own a toy version of the trains they see every day. I'm not a parent but I understand (and can, just about, remember from my own experience) that children like toys that reflect the world around them. Downsides, I think the unreliable means of stopping the train in the station could cause frustration. Parents may tire of the distorted "Mind the gap" announcements. I also think it's a bit of a shame that there's no practical way to have passengers who can get on and off the train. If I were setting up the track, I'd have the two loops opposite the station, so that your choice is either running the train in the open or through a tunnel but always going through the station; rather than the choice of running through the tunnel or station. It's nice that you can extend the train with extra carriages but would the limited options for different track layouts result in eventual boredom? It would be fun to combine two of these sets, so you have two trains, two stations (even if they're both Baker St) and two loops/tunnels. Managing the trains so they don't crash could prove interesting.
“Mind the gap between the train and the platform. This is an all stations Metropolitan Line train to Baker Street/Becontree.” I’m inclined to believe it was Baker Street, as Becontree is not a Metropolitan Line station, but in which case the full length train should be 8 cars, as Met line trains are 8 car S8 stock. Funny enough, if it was really Becontree (seldom see tube trains terminate there), the line would be District or H&C, and the train length of a complete set would be correct, but the announcement would be wrong.
This looks a little bit like the re-painted version of the “Scary Green Caterpillar” set ? (at least the train does) - or did it Morph into the caterpillar set later on ?
In my country there's also those things, except here they called it MRT (which is an underground railway in Indonesia) and had mostly MRT looking details. Quite decent for a cheap toy, though I wouldn't recomend it. But maybe the building here is a nice addition to your layout?
Very nice Sam I was hoping you would look at some London Underground stock :) and I think there’s an even better one made by Bachmann and I think it’s got DCC sound and maybe you could review that one if you wanted :)
Maybe I missed it but did you say what age group it's aimed at ? If its for very young kids then it will be fine but otherwise, surely it's better off going for a normal type train set even if its double the price such as Hornby's Santa's Express or Valley Drifter sets ? Also I note that Hornby's Flash Play Trains set is described as "Remote Controlled Battery Train set.
Sam, the reason you’d never seen anything from the company before is because this is, I believe their first ‘non soft-toy’ toy. They used to be known as High resolution Designs, but rebranded in, I think, 2020. They mostly do stuff based on British stuff, like Harry Potter, the London Underground, and buses, but they used to sell soft toys of the thunderbird vehicles from the (actually pretty great) 2015 reboot. They also do JCB, and a couple of British WW2 planes
Honestly, for a cheap-ish Christmas present for a kid who likes trains, this looks pretty good though, nothing super complex, just a simple track, and an iconic train
That's very interesting - thanks for the extra info!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
@@SamsTrainsjust thought the extra info would help anyone thinking of getting it
It's the company that made the Merseyrail plushies isn't it?
@@danielr.l.mccullough600 yeah, I think so
My God! This took me back to the late 1940s when I received my first ever train set - one of the Ever-Ready London Underground train sets representing a 3-car Bakerloo Line set. It came with a large circle of 3-rail track and a satisfyingly chunky battery box/speed controller that housed a whopping great 6-volt (?) lantern battery. Sadly it succumbed as toys often do to my then cavalier relationship with toys, hey ho! It was put aside when I received the Hornby Dublo Duchess of Atholl set that was to lead me into a lifetime of model railway happiness! Great days!
Oh, and yes, of course it Is Counted as electric if it's battery operated! It sure as hell isn't steam or clockwork
The coupler is actually from a real coupler. It is called CBC (Center Buffer Coupling) and is a very famous and good coupler here in India.
Nice WAP 7 pfp
sure looks alot like a knuckle bro
@@Planetrainguy CBC uses a knuckle coupler. We just don't call it knuckle coupler, we call it, well, CBC
@@saptaksarkar30468 ah I see.
This reminds me of a Tomy train set that I had back in the '90's, looks to be a decent set for the price that's being asked for and a fun way to get kids started in the hobby.
The "train pause" point really looks like a Tomy component. My brother had the first generation with big blue plastic track but the newer Tomy dos look better than it once did--but not quite a model. Fun toys.
@@johnm.withersiv4352 I also had a Tomy Trains set, the HST set with the automatic” three way point.
Hours of fun! Especially when I later added the fright train, car carriers and log terminal.
Managed to run two trains on that set with only very occasional collisions!
your right, does look trackmaster/plarail, heck even geotracks if your willing to that obscure
@@johnm.withersiv4352 It really look similar, too bad for the one featured on this video, the catch mechanism on the train chassis doesn't exist so the train can't stop.
Tomy, more accurately, Plarail, did released "Plarail Advance" series that have trains in much smaller scale, more or less the same scale as N-gauge, still with fair amount of details and run on one side of the standard Tomy tracks. It's great fun and feel a bit more like "model trains" (it's halfway between toy and model), but they discontinued.
@@HNBGamer I'm sure the prices for the discontinued "Plarail Advance" series of sets is through the roof as a result of that.
Hi Sam! I never get tired of watching the trains run on the tracks. It's just so much fun! Warm regards from the US
I was smiling all through the video...but the "Probably not to scale" had me in stitches.!))
As a serious railway modeller this toy train set doesn't appeal to me at all but, the child in me (I'm 62) is really excited and I would love one of these sets just to play with. I think that everyone should hold on to a little bit of childhood and go off the rails sometimes!
Haha allow a Londoner to provide some insight:
Those posters on the back wall are real TFL posters! I see them every day on my way to work!! They’ve clearly licensendd them, very cool!
The speaker sounds are recordings from real metropolitan line tube trains. The “horn” is the door opening noise! Very recognisable.
This is a great way to gauge interest in young kids before you go out and spend a couple of hundred quid on a proper train set they never use. So kinda cool. The train itself is naff but with the points, the tunnel, the station, the sound... plenty to grab a young child's interest I reckon. So not bad! Plus mostly indestructible!
This is basically a British version of a plarail set and I kind of love it for that. Given that if Plarail did make this the plastic would be better and the doors and windows would be sculpted instead of stickers, but I got to give them props for copying the homework of one of the best toy trains around.
Plarail ES series would like to have a word with you
but yeah, it would be better, but sadly Plarail made only Japanese trains now, plus a few Asian trains, and Thomas.
And this is American
Originally by Jakks Pacific and given a London Underground skin
I’ve recognized the designs of these locomotives along with the track from a brand called Power Trains. I remember having one of these similar sets when I was a kid. There’s a variety to choose from whether it’d be steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, bullet trains, rolling stock, and more! Also, I’ve seen that particular train before in the Train Sim app for mobile devices, it looks great!
I agree, I had a Power Trains Subway Set and it had the exact same moulding and tracks
I had power trains too when I was younger! Most fun I’ve ever had!
@@Vladimir-bu5ggomg I remember having the Graffiti subway! But I’ve also seen the other versions such as the tmnt version and the British flag set.
@@Vladimir-bu5gg I also had the euro bullet train. Kinda wish I had the dragon variant.
Its a train whats not to like. Not a bad price for a first set for someone. In my advanced old age I would buy one for the grin factor. Also to annoy the clubs rivet counters.
I had fun watching you having fun. So yes , it was fun.
Much Love
A pretty good little train set for someone who might be interested in the hobby. I remember your review of Hornby's battery operated Paddington train set. I think you said it didn't do anything for Hornby in relation to their actual electric train sets and models and couldn't see the point of marketing such an article. That really can't be said of this set though. It would be a nice Christmas present for any girl or boy who might be interested in trains. Thanks. Best, Pete.
I would say the Paddington set is far better value than this nonsense, the windows and doors aren’t stickers, and you do get quite a bit for it, such as the platform and tunnel. The train looks far better, with proper wheels and flanges and lights. This tube set just feels cheap and I’d rather spend the £50 on a Hornby Mark 3/4 coach.
Delightful little set and, cheaply made some of it may be, at least it worked and went round and round with minimal fuss.
I can’t help but love the noise going through the tunnel.
This day and age the price tag is fair enough, some kids (and parents let’s be honest) would be all over this Christmas morning 😊
As a fan of the London underground, I found this video brilliant. I have been deciding whether or not to get this train set and your detailed explanation has given me all the answers I need to decide. Thank you so much.
With the Bachmann S-stock model from the London Transport Museum retailing at a scorching £595, I don't think you went far wrong with this purchase! The Bachmann offering looks just as cheap as this thing. No interior lights and an insane price tag! I hope you and Chloe start a family soon and that there is a little one to play with this set and carry on the family tradition! Thanks for uploading.
I understand Specsavers have now opened a branch in Bexhill.
@@blackjockofmangertonpele If you have got tunnel vision, I should go to Vision Express!
Very enjoyable video Sam. Nice to know that you can still buy a toy train set. I thought the 'sound machine' was very realistic too, just like the the real thing!
Wonderful production values; thank you Sam. I think the only thing you didn't quite "get" about this product is that it is a toy based on "LONDON ELECTRIC" which is why the word electric appears on the box; the description relates to the way that The Underground is powered by electricity.....NOT the toy train-set. (Don't include my comment in the "being mean" category of comments; I'm just clarifying what the suppliers intended when they used the word "Electric". Keep warm and well. Looking forward to your uploads for the rest of 2022. John x
Charles Yerkes, is that you? 🚃
Imagine the transformation with only a few LED lamps shining in the station and the rest of your attic in darkness. I think it would really fire the imagination!
Hi Sam, well for a start set for someone who may live and journey on the underground system it may be right up their street.. or someone who has an interest in the underground and wishes to be an underground train driver one day. Its a toy and if accepted as such does look fun. It has all the bits you really need. Few hours / days of fun then time to upgrade… a good video review. Enjoyable as always. Cheers Marc
For what it is, I think that this is pretty good value and whilst, as you pointed out, the quality is not great, it is a fun set and I would put it above the £20 ones in terms of value for money.
That's really not a bad train set. I love the station, it's a shame the train itself didn't have a little more care with the stickers but other than that, it's not bad!
Yeah, Sam it does looks like what you would expect from a Bachmann Silver Series Production!!! We thank you for your honest reviews which we digest when making our Loco purchases and please do not change your format as we do like you home layout and slippers! 😎
An interesting set which looks lots of fun for kids to play with. It might also be targeted at tourists where a battery is a better type of power and keeps it all self contained. Although just plastic and cardboard its ideal for young train fans and it would feel great when opening such a large Christmas present.
hi sam. yes indeed my eyes popped out with the title and the box of this set. when you mentioned batteries i said no problem can fit a motor and pickups . this all came crashing down when you showed the wheels and bogies... but for 40 odd quid would make an excellent present.
Wow, didn't take you long to produce that fully-detailed "layout" you promised us! Mind the Gap!
I bought this set for my granddaughter. I had the same problem as in your video. Couldn't get the train to stop at the station. The simple fix for this is to put a few layers of electrician's tape on the underside of the power car. This makes up the gap between the 'stop rail' and the power car and lifts the wheels to stop the train when required. It's trial and error to get the right amount of tape layers. I think we needed about six. Any kind of tape will do. Just use whatever you've got.
For a small child, I think this would be loads of fun. Especially if you could combine a couple of sets together. Plus the extra coaches. Though, I think that the engine might have a problem pulling all of them from the add-on set.
I bought their RMT train set , it only works three days a week thats what i call attention to detail
It looks quite nice actually. The track look like something I own. Actually it looks exactly like Powertrains track I believe it was called. I got a set of a diesel locomotive with a car transporter where you stop the train, drive the forklift into the wagon and lift the entire car carrier from the wagon onto the road and open the gates so the vehicles can get out and in again. I remember having huge fun with that. This set looks good as well for the price not too bad. I like these small toy train sets it's something I like to see around christmas time its a load of fun.
Pretty sure I got that exact set for my birthday when I was little. It had a few other wagons and an American style diesel locomotive
It’s so similar to the trackmaster Thomas train sets made by Mattel only the way the track snaps together looks a little different. It even looks like the Thomas & Friends trains with their little rubber cogged wheels could fit right on there!
I think you sun it up well, Sam. It’s FUN 🤩 for a young child Christmas Day it’s going to give hours of fun and perhaps spark an interest in model railways in later years. If not, what has the parent lost?
I actually had a similar London undergound set by powertrain which I think is what you have but not branded by them, I had fun with them back when I younger and still, have some of the track
Glad it's not the underground Ernie set. Incomprehensible announcements are authentic. Looks like it's good fun. Cheers Paul.
haha that's a very good point actually - you can never hear them!!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
I'm so glad you didn't review it as a 'scale model' as you would Hornby or Bachmann. It looks to be great fun. Brilliant review!!! Thanks.
Okay, yeah, it's branded as a toy and not a model. As a kid, I'd have loved this, because it's one of those things you never saw in train sets. The soundbox itself isn't too bad, but I think it's more you have to know the Tube to really know what the announcement is saying, as it sounds like the Bakerloo line with "This is a Bakerloo line service to . . ." But for a toy, it's neither more or less expensive than most sets out there, especially with things like buildings etc. Definitely just think of it as a toy, but not a bad toy for a young child 😊
This is not the first Underground set,
I had an oval 3 rail track and red tin plate train in about 1950 - 53, also battery powered, but using a large lantern battery. Can't remember the make.
Hours of fun.
Good to see that the tec has changed so little in 70 ish years!
I love watching it go through the tunnel…..anyone else notice the nice “electric”under glow from the engine!?
Interesting for young Londoners who should recognise most of the contents from real life. The posters on the station backdrop are common around the network as safety advice for passengers. The announcer system is quite realistic to anyone attempting to listen on a platform.
I presume it's an official licensed toy.
Interesting how you can get away with a toy review like this and not be smacked down by a RUclips Kids flag. My channel has been destroyed by the relentless bot attacks. There's a very similar set to this based on the New York subway and sure it has sticker Friday issues as well
I always feel it's less about the subject matter, and more about intent and the way I pitch the videos. With stuff like this, my approach is to pitch these videos towards adults/parents, and my language/structure/analysis reflects that. Links me yours? How are you pitching yours? Looking at your 'Elephant in the Room' video, on first glance it looks more overtly kid-geared, opening with the skit, and the character voices etc... though interestingly that one isn't marked for kids, and loads of others like it aren't either! Very weird how this stuff works!
@@SamsTrains I've had this argument over and over related to a video looking at a toy made for children. But as I'm finding out I can no longer win any appeals and these are reviews that are aimed at the people who buy the toys. The system never tells you how they see a video as made for kids. The system completely ignore the 'general audience' style of video. I was even able to have a video that has swearing in it be sent to 'RUclips KIDS'. To me that said it all in how broken their systems are, there is no one actually reviewing content at the appeal process. If there is well their understanding of English and context is very poor. I found looking over Christmas trains is a guarantee to be flagged as 'Made For Kids'. One very common aspect to my videos getting flagged is it's the most popular content, it will either be age-restricted, demonetized because I look at a poo toy, or set as Made For Kids. Each flag is basically a nail in the coffin and the video gets neatly hidden away never to be found. This process has savaged my channel and it's basically now worthless. I do love my Partner Google for letting me upload to such an amazing video site.
All the extras including the points and slow down piece add great playability to the set
In some ways,Sam,that's a reversion to the 1600's plate ways! Wheels in grooves,and wagon type wheels! The Paris Metro,probably has similar train sets,I know New York does! Anyway,any elementary student would get a kick out of it,and would be good,say up to the age of 10? After that,an elementary electric set,with a switching layout,for solving puzzles! Thanks for the rather different test,and comments! Thank you 😇 😊!!
I've been on the Tube and the audio quality on the soundbox is pretty spot-on.
Great fun vid. For kiddies we have to remember that the train set is NOT the only 'playtime' feature.. throw in their dolls, toy figures, toy cars, landscape features, farm set with animals and and ?!👀
Thank god! An underground train that isn't a green, slug-like, eldritch abomination. I still get nasty flashbacks of that one, Sam.
How about 3-D printing some London Underground trains? That might be a fun project.
Oh my god, I had so many trains of this brand. I’d get a new one every time I went to target. Powertrains was such a fun brand.
My bus. partners grand kids, both girls, love the toy train she sets out for them when they visit. Just a simple wind up train set goes around in circles. But adds to the magic of trains, they just visited the Severn Valley xmas special and really enjoyed it.
You should get the Lionel ready to play Polar Express set. It’s battery operated, but comes with a remote control and has sounds. Even I’ve been looking at that myself.
I saw these sets in Robert Dyas (Canary Wharf) at the weekend......and they were priced at £39.99 .......so maybe worth trying at any of their branches......if you'd like one....
Have one of these and agree it's alot of fun for both me and the kids. I am actually planning to include it under an OO gauge model railway at least as a short term underground railway so will see how well it Integrates.
I had those kind of trains, in Romania they were known as "Power Trains" or something like that. The train you have there is exactly like the original company made, but it is in a different color.
For budding train buffs first train it would great to open on Christmas morning..
My mum got this for me when she went to London because she is a news reporter for when the queen died and I love it
Ahh great that you got one too - it is great fun! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Hey Sam, great video! I have a video idea, what if you tried to 3d print some 00 gauge track, and see how it compares to other manufacturers designs. I understand you wouldn't be able to make it functional but it's just a thought.
That is a good idea - it could be fun to try!! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Sam, I picked up the Hornby Playtrains set for about the same price off amazon recently, and to be honest, I am seriously amazed by the value, I recommend that you get the flash train set and check it out. We were so impressed we bought the entire playtrains range.
I have a tube obsessed 3.5 year old, I'm pretty sure he would love this.
Can anyone help? Back in 1953 I remember enjoying a pressed steel upside down tray about 14 inches by 6 inches that had a 3/8 inch wide figure 8 slot cut in it for the track with 4 metal strip deflectors that act as points to make an oval outter. One end had plastic fittings to make a cutting and the other end had similar to make a tunnel that covered the C batteries and motor. It came with what was probably a tank engine and two coaches which were no more than 1 and 1/4 inches long. They were solid pieces of plastic with uni directional fibers, on the bottom, pointing to the rear. Immediately below the tray was a cardboard sheet that was oscillated by a cylindrical drive with an excentric axle. The effect was like a fast rug on carpet or a puppy who has been stroked in the wrong direction. The rolling stock moved on its own just like the locomotive and if turned round went in the other direction. It may have been Triang and cost in the region of £1-10s-0d. The base was durable but the motor and card traction had limited life so I cannot find reference to them now.
I liked the music that you played at the beginning when you were introducing the train set.quite catchy I thought . But well done.
The packaging's graphics is very attractive, and from a distance, this toy train set looks appealing as well. To my eyes the stickers give a tinplate/litho look to the cars. As I write, this is $60.76 on the U.S. Amazon site. I would not pay that price, but if I saw it at a discount shop, it does look like a bit of a fun toy.
I wonder it you could add grip tape or otherwise build up the station stopper-track piece to work more reliably.
Reminded me a bit of my old Tri-ang Big Big Train set. Had the "Blue Flyer" set - aka a Hymek in a sort of BR-Blueish colour along with a set of wagons and some very bright red track. Got the thing boxed somewhere...
Years ago, I bought a Walt Disney World Monorail set. It came with the piers and glide rails. Again battery power. But worked out to be HO scale additional track was available and certain "Landmark" buildings at Disney World were available in scale, The Contemporary Hotel, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, and Main Street Station at Disney World. They still produce one for Disneyland and Disney World they are close in size but just a tad more toy like, roofs open and they have character figures.
Too bad you don't have Main Street Station to go with your Bachmann theme park cars. They are very close the Disney's "Nantasket Cars" the major difference being they are one bench shorter and Standard gauge Disney World's trains are 3 ft. Gauge.
I think an adult getting that as a joke Christmas pressie could have quite a lot of fun with that. Whilst the actual train isn't great the station looks quite good and the tunnel, points and station stop feature and quite a lot to it. Probably disappointed it isn't a "real" train set but still fun.
Good evening! Thanks for the great video, are you going to buy and review the TT:120 stuff?
It looks like it's a rebranded powertrains set, There atleast was a whole line of them you could buy at target here in the states. There was a bullet train, 2 different american freight diesels and a steam engine, and they have several themes like military, construction, farming, i think there's one with a boat, and one with race cars. and they've probably come out with more since then. They come in sets, in locomotive+ cabooose packs or in like 4 or two piece rolling stock sets. Track packs, etc. It's an interesting product line.
I reckon I saw this set in the gift shop at the London Transport Museum Depot three weeks ago, but not sure how much they were selling it for.
I did buy a single coach of an S Stock boxed as ‘London Underground Toy Train’ from The London Toy Companywhich I expected to be diecast, similar to a toy I used to have made by FEVA. However, it turned out to be completely plastic and made by Teamsterz (who I absolutely detest!). Nevertheless, it’s a very detailed toy inside and out, despite only have four real wheels and just bogey details moulded on the sides.
Very impressed with the soundbox, I can confirm tje beeping sounds are the doors opening and closing respectively. Also interesting they chose an announcement for Baker Street, because I believe S Stock run on the Bakerloo line.
it does not run on the baker loo line
08:01 It says "An all station Metropolitan Line train to Baker Street" This is an announcement recorded from the actual train. The Metropolitan Line has express and all station services.
If I find one of these then I'll try detailing it to a high standard (It won't be easy though lol)
Cheers Jasper & Willow
That sounds a big challenge - definitely won't be easy!
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
8:07 “Not clear what’s being said”
It’s entirely authentic then!
Nice touch with them using the official TfL station safety posters on the advertisement boards
Also the description of the set is correct in that it’s a model of the London Underground which is electric. Clever wording to make it sound like an electric train set of course, but it’s a model of the London Underground electric trains.
Now that’s a train I’ve definitely been on. On my birthday, I might add.
One question I have about this, would you call early Tri-ang/Hornby Sets electric. The ones that had controllers included were usually battery controllers and I believe these were still known as electric train sets, correct me if I'm wrong. I know that you also had the option to buy a separate plug-on controller
I would because the power came from the controller which also had an option to make it mains. Also 70 plus years in some cases is a long time for toy trains. Some if my dad's old stuff is still rocking and rolling and looks pretty good especially rhe fleischmann stuff.
@@karlyoung3275 Fleischmann!!! Now you're talking of a quality that British Outline can only dream of...
It looks compatible with Mattel Thomas and Friends. Some of the features like station wall and tunnel have decent play value too. Great for getting little ones into trains.
Cheers for sharing!
Ther is a set of 4 additional coaches for £12. Also with a small radio receiver full control is possible and the kids can't get enough of it!
Great review…..all sorts out there..I like that you try and cover them all…another enjoyable video!
I think this uses the same track as trackmaster revolution and may be compatible with trackmaster 2.
Its actualy quite good that it comes with a set of points!
Yeah I agree!! :D
Thanks for watching, Sam :)
Yes, it does look quite fun. One thing I thought they might have included was opening doors - but no! - a bit of a shame, as this seems to be one frontier that even Bachmann and Hornby have not tried. Many years ago I built a O-gauge carriage with opening doors - not wonderful - but they did work. Is that a project you might try with the 3-D printer?
I don't really like how the tracks only have one connector on each end and no track surface on the underside. This means you can't make S-bends, especially if you combine sets. Wooden track and Tomy's Plarail blue track do have one connector on each end and track surface on both sides meaning s-bends can be possible without adapter pieces.
Hopefully they do make track adapters if they ever make other sets depicting the Overground, DLR, Tram, and Crossrail.
It could be run along side a traditional kids OO trainset, I'm sure many would enjoy that !
The sounds were relatively clear, the "horn" sound is the warning sound the doors make when they open on the S stock
I think that set has a few things going for it. With the tunnel, station and points it has more play value than a simple circle or oval of track. For children who live anywhere with tube trains, it gives them a chance to own a toy version of the trains they see every day. I'm not a parent but I understand (and can, just about, remember from my own experience) that children like toys that reflect the world around them.
Downsides, I think the unreliable means of stopping the train in the station could cause frustration. Parents may tire of the distorted "Mind the gap" announcements. I also think it's a bit of a shame that there's no practical way to have passengers who can get on and off the train. If I were setting up the track, I'd have the two loops opposite the station, so that your choice is either running the train in the open or through a tunnel but always going through the station; rather than the choice of running through the tunnel or station. It's nice that you can extend the train with extra carriages but would the limited options for different track layouts result in eventual boredom?
It would be fun to combine two of these sets, so you have two trains, two stations (even if they're both Baker St) and two loops/tunnels. Managing the trains so they don't crash could prove interesting.
Listening to you talking about 'electric trains', I expected Toby the Tram Engine to start getting offended. 'Is it electric?' ;)
Some of the posters I have definitely seen around the network, and are real London Underground posters
An Underground train with a DVT on the far end. Unusual!
“Mind the gap between the train and the platform. This is an all stations Metropolitan Line train to Baker Street/Becontree.”
I’m inclined to believe it was Baker Street, as Becontree is not a Metropolitan Line station, but in which case the full length train should be 8 cars, as Met line trains are 8 car S8 stock. Funny enough, if it was really Becontree (seldom see tube trains terminate there), the line would be District or H&C, and the train length of a complete set would be correct, but the announcement would be wrong.
This looks a little bit like the re-painted version of the “Scary Green Caterpillar” set ? (at least the train does) - or did it Morph into the caterpillar set later on ?
For what it is, I think it’s a decent toy! Looks like a lot of fun!
Sam you know there is a carriage pack to make this a full 7 car train
In my country there's also those things, except here they called it MRT (which is an underground railway in Indonesia) and had mostly MRT looking details. Quite decent for a cheap toy, though I wouldn't recomend it.
But maybe the building here is a nice addition to your layout?
Very nice Sam I was hoping you would look at some London Underground stock :) and I think there’s an even better one made by Bachmann and I think it’s got DCC sound and maybe you could review that one if you wanted :)
The special rail at the station with the orange levers. Its the same system old c lockwork-tin-toy trains had 100 yars ago...
Hi Sam Great looking train reminds me of my first Train which was clockwork , i would buy one , Thanks for sharing .
Maybe I missed it but did you say what age group it's aimed at ?
If its for very young kids then it will be fine but otherwise, surely it's better off going for a normal type train set even if its double the price such as Hornby's Santa's Express or Valley Drifter sets ?
Also I note that Hornby's Flash Play Trains set is described as "Remote Controlled Battery Train set.
8:09 What do you mean by "it's not clear"? It's just as clear as the prototype!
I kinda like the diorama bits for a cheap price. I'm not a fan of cardboard terrain generally, but that seems the most useful piece of the entire set.
The announcement is as clear as the real thing !
You can also buy it from the London Transport Museum shop, came out last year I think.
Thanks. I now know what I'm getting my nephew for his birthday.
The shuttle to the economy parking at Tampa airport runs on a track/road like this and even the points are somewhat similar lol