Emily would be so proud of Rapido!

Do you even remember what your budget was for a video 10 years ago?

The Stirling single, arguably one of the best singles. One might say it's a "hit single".

Back in a time when a piece of industrial equipment was a work of art.

Remember that in real life, this loco usually only pulled 4 and 6 wheel non bogie coaches. I remember seeing the Sterling Single when it was running on the GC at Loughborough. Firebox glow is fine, but remember normally steam locomotives usually ran with the firebox door closed, except when the fireman was stoking it. So this model is more realistic when it comes to this feature.

"There’s no one quite like Emily!"

It could be argued that the main thing which caused the Singles to become obsolete, wasn't the performance of locomotives like the Atlantics (4-4-2), but rather the development in carriage types.  When the Singles first came into service, the type of passenger cars they pulled, were relatively small six wheel cars, or very early small bogie cars.  However, as development progressed, by even the early 1900's, designs had progressed to the point that rolling stock was getting bigger, and by extension much more heavy. Having a single drive axle, regardless of how large the wheels are on that axle, would mean you have a rather limited amount of tractive effort that could be used, and in turn, you'd have severe limitations on the capability of the locomotive.  Meaning that while the idea "worked" it didn't really work as long when compared with other designs. The total life span being just 37 years at best, and 21 years at worst.  (1870-1916 vs 1895-1916). Compare this with some of the 0-6-0 goods engines from around the same period, which continued working well into the 20th century, and in some cases, well into the nationalization period; and well you can see the issue.  It may be a rather nice locomotive, but as designs go, it's something of a 'dead end'.  In that there really wasn't much anyone could do to actually 'improve' the design. Other companies did try this from time to time, with limited success... but given that by 1928 the whole idea was abandoned by the various railroads, and not expanded on further (as happened with other locomotive designs with multiple drivers), then the design was largely obsolete by the time it was introduced.

Meaning, neat idea, but couldn't keep up with developments.

One thing I found astonishing on this model is the crosshead detail. If you look carefully, the crosshead is steel-coloured while the sliding bearing surfaces are bronze-coloured. I have never seen this level of detail on the motion gear of a OO/HO scale steam engine before. Astonishing!

Given the open nature of the cab, it really needs Engineer and Fireman figures!

i was a volunteer at the nrm locomotion, i helped restore the original tender, so when Rapido turned up to scan the stirling single i was over the moon at the prospect of being able to buy a model of this stunning locomotive. i am very happy with my model but i do have two points that i think for me anyway would of made the model that bit better.
1. I would of liked Rapido or Locomotion models to offer a version with both tenders as the real one in the nrm collection now has two tenders although there not displayed together with one being in storage at shildon.
2. In the sturrock original tender on the left hand side of the loco theres a little memorial to Lesslie Warriner one of the volunteers who worked on the restoration of the tender, sadly he passed away just before the restored locomotive and tender were reveled to the public, hence the memorial to this great man who put in many hours of hard work to get the tender to the condition it is in now. i would of liked to of seen this memorial on the model as a tribute to those that worked to restore the locomotive and tender especially Les.

but other than that i think it has to be the best model from the last ten years that is until recently when Hornby have stole that crown with another model ive wanted since i was a kid, the Locomotion no1.

Popped into my local model railway shop today and was blown away to find that he had two of these!! Needless to say that he only has one now. The only downer was I too don’t have any screws to fit the front splashers. Great video as ever.

This is single handedly one of the best models I’ve seen

Now you’ve got the locomotive out of the box, I would say she’s drop dead gorgeous!!  A truly beautiful locomotive for a layout!!

Its crazy how quickly these sold out

Thanks for joining YouTube, Sam :)

My tablet says it loves watching you, and so do I!

Sam. When you ask Rapido for the missing splasher screws, ask for a spare front bogie spring as well so it can be cut (or ground) down to reduce resistance. Keep the original in the accessories bag .
If you offer to report back to Rapido the revised optimal spring size, I'm sure they will send you one. 👍👍👍

The finish on that loco looks amazing

That's my favorite British locomotive.❤

I've seen the real thing at York in 2023 and I think the fascination behind the Stirling Single is the combination of the striking green livery, combined with the fact that it is the basis for Emily (which makes it recognizable to the children) and the huge driving wheel. I stood next to this engine and was blown away by the size of it and the very impressive speed of 85mph back in the late 1870s. I wish it would be restored to operational condition. This model from Rapido looks absolutely stunning. I had no idea it was all metal including the tender. Though the lack of screws for the splashers and the inbalance is very annoying. Though for the latter you can adjust or trim the spring a little bit and maybe improve it like that. But yeah, I would contact Rapido to get a new detail pack as I am curious how the tolerance of the splashers are on second radius curves and inclines. But besides, innovative model with the connector especially for way back then. I can see why it would have cost as much as it did back then. I still think it's worth it. But yeah all in all, just like the Jones Goods, 9/10 for me. Rapido is upping their game I think after the sloppy mess of the E-Class and the 15xx Pannier. Their next big project, the SECR 01 and later on the USATC-S160 will be quite promising if this one is anything to go by. I was really looking forward to this review and it was worth the wait. What a fantastic model and a in-dept review, Sam 👍👍