Greenmodelmonkey

Dapol got instruction wrong and said they would review. Then the trail went cold and as usual nothing has happened.... Don't think they can be bothered really (real shame as it's such a good product!! ....).

Thanks Norman... Just to let you know Protodrive version has 3 horn choices also and has 26 functions plus 7 more which the user can swap about whereas Dapol fitted chip (which is the same Zimo decoder used by Protodrive) but only has 19 according to their list. I have seen factory fitted speaker installed by a chap on his forum and I did start with the same speaker which is ok, but from cheap end of the market. However I have changed this to a double Zimo speaker and improved quality of sound is very noticable. The speaker is best placed behind the grill to get clear sound, mounting above the motor or in the roof is more muffled. As far as I'm aware Dapol use DCC Supplies to fit their sound decoders not the factory that made the locos. As I said I did enquire once as I think paying more than the cost of the loco to have sound is just nuts. Especially when it only takes a few minutes to fit and parts and total cost of parts used are half cost at £100. I did not feel I wanted to part with another £100 for fitting cost! They said they did not know if they will provide the Dapol class 08 sound seperatly. I think it highly unlikely that they will as I expect sound files are Dapol property. At least you have he correct decoder and if you want a change, then it can be reblown by any of the other suppliers for a fraction of the cost.

Suggest talking to DCC Supplies as I believe they are the Dapol factory fitting agent but when I asked they said it was not available seperatly. Paul Chetter's ProtoDrive version is clear winner for many and me as Dapol version only has a fraction of the sounds available compared to his and the driving experience is so realistic. I have heard the Dapol sound it's very loopy sounding unlike Paul's (or Digitrains Active Drive version). I'm interested to know what you think makes Dapol version better?

No not the same

I have measured Rail section and it's exactly the same profile and dimensions are all the same, Slater's is nickel silver, C&L is NiHi which is still nickel silver but supposed to be more silver in appearance like steel (frankly no difference in my opinion) and is therefore more expensive to produce.

Great suggestion thanks

My ladders were ok when I first got the loco but it started with one rung which fell out (why this happened i don't know) soon followed by the others. I'm not the only person to have rungs fall out as someone else on this forum had a similar experience. So hence caution when handling.

Good news you ladders are ok after a poke, still suggest taking care as they may get loose overtime and are a devil to put back together (great ladder detail though, very fine)

Yes ladders and rungs are held together with osmosis so try not to handle these if you have this version.

Great makeover, did you have to repaint radiator yellow or did loco come with black radiator suround?

I measured mine and they are 0 gauge fine right on top limit. However I have been used to finer O gauge profiles such as those on the Lionheart locos and wagons so although Class 08 maybe to 0 gauge fine standards they are very coarse compared with lionheart profiles. Don't think there is anything you can do to reduce wheel flange profile wihout removal as a huge amount of material will have to be removed using a Lathe or drill post. Hope someone else can help you sorry.

Suggest private messaging Paul on this link... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/user/9747-pauliebanger/ Great decoder!

Correct you need the appropriate decoder and you can control them all using function keys

There aren't any sparesand it states this in the Instructions as they are all fitted. There aren't any sparesand it states this in the Instructions as they are all fitted.

Interesting to note that all Dapol artwork relating to the yellow radiator has been removed from the Dapol Digest Site today and artwork has been replaced with actual photos of the DCC Supplies photos showing the revised black radiator (all smoke and mirrors).

Just noticed the actual DCC Supplies special edition green wasp stripes has a black radiator whereas the Dapol Digest colour picture shows a yellow radiator.... Why has it changed? Not happy as I was expecting a yellow one as originally shown on Dapol Digest! See link below.... https://digest.Dapol.co.uk/forum/o-gauge-models/locomotives/class-08/312-class-08-special-edition-for-dcc-supplies

Sound decision!

Its a green bonnet as the version from DCC Supplies is a special edition just for DCC Supplies as shown on their website. All other green with wasp stripe versions will have a black bonnet as shown on Dapol site.

Paul is the only person that can help and he is a regular contributor on this thread. If you look back at earlier posts then suggest to private message him to discuss his Protodrive version using a Zimo decoder. Paul also has a Dapol 08 running withhis Protodrive decoder on YouTube .. PS the only connection I have with Paul is that I am a very happy customer.

Sound decision to fit your own sound. You will also save a significant amount of cash....thinking about it you will get one loco for free if you DIY. All the best!

Shame sound fitted version is not as good as expected and speaker arrangement is not the best solution. Interesting that the speaker is bonded to the removable hood and not placed behind the front grill which makes a big difference as it makes sounds clearer (I had placed my oblong speaker on the floor in front of the motor but moved it to upright position facing outwards towards the grill much better in this position and less muffled ). Shame if speaker has been bonded to bonnet roof as it will not be possible to move to a more optimum position I suppose without a little surgery..

Thanks for your comments.... I opted for Paul's Protodrive also and it's huge cost saving over factory fitted. Just did not think having to pay an additional £200 for factory fitted sound was good sense considering the loco was less than this @ £169 in first place. Pauls version is outstanding and also provides more sounds than Dapol version. I think there is a YouTube video of the factory fitted sound version and I noticed sound seemed to just loop when driving whereas Paul's sound is constantly changes depending on drive situation.. really clever. I wonder if Paul could answer you question as I have no idea if the differences you have experienced are typical of the Dapol version compared to his. Thanks!

There should are plenty about, try the smaller shops and try Antics as they had many of the initial blue with wasp stripes locos long after other big box shifters said they had run out (but you may have to pay a little more).

I would suggest white primer not brown/red oxide as white base helps the red colour to stand out and covers better. Your choice of course but just trying to help.