Greenmodelmonkey

Yes agreed, however I expect the first time you will see a production model will be when you have opened the box after purchase. I assume you will be allowed to return it if not happy and I'm sure many won't but for those that are not happy then I expect they will have to return at there own cost. Think I will wait and see even if it means I don't get one later due to demand. I'm collector not a modeller and it has to be right in my eyes I was expecting to purchase more than one because of how impressed I was when I saw it at Bristol in its raw state. Also in response to comment directed at me by '40-something' suggesting I "calm down its only a toy" .... no its not a toy in my eyes but obviously is in yours. Each to their own I suppose, perhaps you should have campaigned for a friction drive version as it's a rather expensive toy in its current state (I'm calm now thank you).

AGREED and it's now getting beyond a joke... black bonnet(?) and I thought grey was bad enough! Photo from Dapol does not look black to me or grey, perhaps it's really green and just a trick of the light and grime. More sensible to have gone with BR green in the first place just like Hornby did perhaps with a different loco number if needed.

Then why was this not conveyed at the Telford show if it had been sorted several weeks ago as suggested. All 'smoke and mirrors' to me in fact there is so much smoke I can't see the mirrors.

From the way the alleged comments made at Telford by a senior Dapol employee were communicated may suggest the problem is not a Chinese manufacturing issue and may well have met Dapol's spec or level of acceptance (apart from Dapol who knows?) "Thank you for making me aware, I will look into it" might have been a more professional response, however this would not excuse them for the potential errors kindly pointed out to them in the first place. The lack of further communication either way through their suppliers, on their own digest or web pages is a little disconcerting as I believe they are fully aware of what is being said here but have chosen to stay tight lipped for some reason (?). Real shame as I was so impressed with the loco when I saw it running at Bristol in its raw unpainted state its actually amazing really so applaud Dapol and their Chinese manufacture for that!!! (Even if it did lack the lifting eyes on roof that Hornby had manage to achieve in the small scale and get the brush-off when I mentioned them).

Then they should have worked with the suppliers more closely to ensure there were no issues at all stages including making sure livery details and variations were correct. Also in my own small way I'm doing the same thing by deciding not to purchase several locos that were on order until they are acceptable. Just don't want waste my money for something that is not visually correct and spoils the overall experince of ownership. If nothing changes in terms of retrospective modifications to correct the apparent anomalies then I will just walk away and use the money I am are that is more suatable to mey personal requirements and expectations. I was not interested in the forthcoming Heljen 05 but they they may end up getting my money as the appear to be acting in a much more professional and open arrangement. Nice to see they have produced a decorated pre production model early enough to unable change to be made if required.

Well said!!! Again there's been more than enough time to get this right... years in making, not just the last few days prior to release, it's a real shame really.

Oops another can of worms is about to open re your observations about grey roof on wasp version, good spotting!!!

.Did... but might go for a later version when I have money again so it's still in my interests to take an interest if that's OK, thanks for asking anyway.

In this day and age it's easy to communicate around the world and request photos at every opportuniy. The alleged flipment remarks from Dapol at Telford says much about how they communicate with you, me and their suppliers (judging by all the other issues with other offerings perhaps there are lessons to learned in how to improve communication with all parties in future, which inclides how you conduct yourself in front of the customer in a professional way (re Telford brush off remark from the Dapol representative). It's a shame Dapol are quiet on this as I expect they are likely to be aware of the discussions raging here. It would be nice to understand what will really be in the box before it arrives and if they have taken onboard the very reasonable customer feedback made at Telford. My guess is they will remain very tight lipped, do nothing and hope it all blows over. There is a lot of money waiting to be cashed in from the paying public as main priority and when there are those that are willing to accept the errors and are happy to sort them out themselves then sends a strong message to say we are quiet happy to accept all other models in the future with basic errors. Probably the reason for this is some still want to do a bit of modelmaking, but for others they either can't or don't want to. Thinking out loud.... A 57xx class loco might look very nice with orange buffer beams. Still I won't complain just in case I upset someone.... good job I have a tin of red paint and an old paint brush if I don't like it... anyway I like 'brush marks' as it reminds me of the days when I started making Airfix kits as a boy. So perhaps I will give it a repaint as the it will look out of place with the rest of the pristine paintwork which so carefully applied in the first place, or should I?

But it wouldn't have taken much to correct a glaring error in the first place it's been so long in the development and production phase that it should be spot on by now and would have cost nothing more I suggest. Leaving the modeller to fix the problem is not the answer. Too many excuses aimed at supporting the supplier not the customer/modeller/collector. And before you say we need to support the supplier as well... we are, both in customer feedback and parting with our money (eventually).

Agreed.... considering the amount of effort and detail they have managed to get into the moulding in the first place is absolute first class for this new model in such a prototypical way!!! But to let it down buy skimping on the last bit which is not so complicated to get right is a real shame. I have the paint, airbrush, and modelling skills to sort out as well ... but why should we have to and there are probably many others who can't or won't change because they do not have the skills or do not want to risk spoiling a decent paint job in the first place. It would be nice if Dapol took this on board as it does spoil the experince of ownership even at such a reasonable cost.

Thanks for photos and they cleary show Yellow rods are the main colour for a Blue body version just like on the Hornby OO version, also not a black sided radiator in sight (?)

Thanks..... Then there should be no excuses from Dapol for the errors found at Telford if he is that good ...

Oh no here we go again (sorry I dont know but was thinking the same). Over to the experts please....

Dont disagree and it would be nice to think Tower would say something but think it's too late in the day and if they did it is likely to impact sales income which almost a reality like the models themselves.

Dapol should be made aware of this by Richard not just give you the "brush-off", which suggests they won't be making any changes even if they got it wrong. Why should you dimantle and paint it yourself it should be right in he first place. Dapol if you are listening PLEASE NOTE!!!! I had a similar comment when I asked at the initial unveiling of the sample if the lifting brackets on the roof were going to be added in final production version like Hornby had modeled on their version .... short answer was "No" and I left the show feeling that he was not interested in modelers feedback or suggestions.

I would say yes if you want another one as it should not cost you anything and you can cancel if you want to at time of purchase

Don't disagree lovely loco and saw it at Bristol also, so looking forward to seeing it again at next show in 2017.

It would be much better if I had the class 08 when it was originally forecast.

Sorry about that but its probably true. It would be interesting to know how many class 08s there are on original reservation list with suppliers/shops after loco was announced. Might lead to some interesting phone calls when shops start to call customers to say locos are now in stock don't you think? Now that really black!

Don't disagree and seen the pre production prototype running at one of the shows. Just a little hacked off (as you can probably guess) about the lack of Dapol communication an miss communication throughout, especially from the chap that is no longer with them. I a lionheart loco and know owners credability. Hope he can help haul Dapol out of the mess they appear to be making with the class 08 and make the new 57xx a success... and on time! Time will tell .... if we have any left of course.

And thats why I'm going to do something different and more productive with my money while I have the time to. (Thinking out loud..... "I wonder how many older modelers hoping to own this to fine loco many years ago will have enough time to enjoy it when it finally turns up?")

For info..... the owner of lionheart is now a director at Dapol and Dapol have taken over the range.