D1030western musketeer

That damm class 50s late,time for rabbit spotting. richard.

Hi all thanks for comments. Hi have just spent most part of the weekend assessing my fleet and doing up a latest one. New headcodes fitted,All brakegear scratchbuilt,roof filed down, fans and mesh fitted on the roof aswell as cab detail. This one will become a fiifhy weatherd D1040 western queen as she was in 1968. She will join. 1010/1011/1023/1030/1041/1045 and 1062 with plans for 1000 in blue and 1054 maroon and will join 8 hymeks,4 warships and 2 class 22s. A class 43 from Bachmann is also welcomed news.

Swapping the blanking plate with a std 21pin Bachmann one does not operate the lights. I am to say no more on the issue as have been told that i am causing bad reports and stirring a hornets nest but envy those that have them in all there glory. richard.

Sean i may have mentioned i have tested 2 smoked within 2mins no lights but still ran out, and one of these repaired tested yesterday and this lasted 10mins and refuses to run at all after smoking. WESTERN MYSTERYS richard.

Phil. I have decided with much regret to stand by my Heljan ones due to these issues and with mounting finacial problems as also cant see a quick fix and folk not on here i must add telling me it must be my layout. over 40 locos run fine so how can this be.Even cancelled my ltd addition weathered one from kernow today. It just dont make sence. richard.

Thanks guys. So no real problems with them although yes i can see a load being ditched for dapols version. Photos of your heljans version most welcome. Due to electrical issues well documented elswere am deemed to have to keep my Heljan ones with having to possibly get somemore. richard.

Jim. No did not see a spark and thks for interest but this one again is going back via the model shop in the morning. Something somewhere is wrong and cant be my layout set up,my Dapol 22s run a dream with no problems. Looks like my Heljan ones are to stay. regards. richard.

144 views to date but no replys,i take it your all going for Dapol. any Heljan wizzo experts out there. richard

Jim. 2 so far but a repared one from dcc supplies back and trailed again today give up the ghost around 10mins and has stopped working all together this time so call it 3.. Yes these are the only locos giving me trouble,i have over 40 others including Hornby/Bachmann/Heljan and 2 Dapol 22s that give me no trouble at all. I run basic DC with gaugemaster combie controllers no feedback and no Dapol track cleaner as others keep asking. The repared one was said by dcc surplies to be a faulty component on the blanking plate. All was running well until she went over some points and the lights flickerd and went out then with no control of my own she burst into speed and the lights came back on again,but then went out with a burning and smoke coming from her but this time she wont run at all. Thats it but is so damm frustrating as is putting me off getting anymore. hope this helps. richard.

Western firebrand again for me am affraid. Destined not to have them. richard.

Now weve seen the excellent Dapol release although in my experience not without operational status what future has the Heljan model got. Loads have appeared on fleebay just lately but will they produce anymore. I have 7 and have all been modified so have personal feelings with them and due to reasons beyond my control may be stuck with them but may have to go for some more. Kind of sad really i hear you say. richard.

Question, can the wipers be re-positioned or are they glued in. Plus brain is easy to get hold off on the phone and have had brilliant service from him in the past. richard.

Lets hope i can run the blue ones. richard.

Thanks guys for again interesting reading and memorys. richard.

Lets see a complete retool with roof fans and better wipers. richard.

Phil always good to see shots of this layout. Any Dapol westerns planned and i keep hearing news of a class 43 being planned somewhere. As you may of read i have 2 Dapol westerns blow the blanking plates on dc operation and in the meantime have detailing up my Heljan ones on old oak.Pity is that the maroon ones look good but cant get a blue one to the same stds so will still go for dapols version with or without lights as is a far better looking western. another good watchable video. regards. richard.

No feedback yet as Dapol dave has quoted its being looked into and a thank him for his kind patience.DCC suplies having spoke to them monday asked the same question and the answer is no. All am using is gaugemaster combi controllers with nothing else connected to these or the track.I have quoted all my presant locos all 40 of them including 2 Dapol 22s are running fine.I did suffer a year ago with Hornby sound fitted class 50s doing the same but after 2 yrs of running them.In not taking a Dapol 22 apart i have no idea what circuit is fitted to them. regards. richard.

A loco model i have been waiting for since it was mentioned to replace my heljans but i may be doomed in not being able to have them due to not able to run them on my layout unless a reason is found soon as to why i have suffered burnt out blanking plates on 2 allready and is giving me withdrawel sytoms. richard.

All my heljans have had the mods and are again on stand by until i get a Dapol one to run as is a far better looking model fitted with brakegear in which Heljan really got wrong. As mentioned i have suffered the dreaded burning of the blanking plates that operate the lights so my Heljan ones will remain until i hope it gets sorted. richard.

Getting jealous know as cant seem to be able to operate them,i have to live in hope. richard.