59205 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 It isn't prototypical but has anyone put a 128 next to a 419 perhaps with the Express Parcels limited edition 08 shunter thrown in for good measure? Not the best quality but there's my effort. Couldn't help throwing the 85 in for good measure! It's as authentic as you want it to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted March 16, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 16, 2013 Well, my GSYP version arrived yesterday, so today I took it out to have a look. Beware! Nothing loose as found by others, quite the opposite in fact. When I opened the top folding back piece of plastic the yellow gangway connection was stuck to the packing and had broken off the body. All four tiny lugs had broken. The Sellotape stuff had for no obvious reason been stuck across the end and the gangway prefer to stay attached that that. Not difficult to reattach I'm sure so I won't be sending it back, but annoying nevertheless. After years of thinking that Heljan's boxes were superior, this new design really is the pits - all presumably so you can see what you're getting. Can we have the sturdy thicker cardboard boxes back please Heljan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electrostar Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Not the best quality but there's my effort. Couldn't help throwing the 85 in for good measure! It's as authentic as you want it to be. Haha brilliant! The 419 and 128 look tiny next to the 08. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Well, my GSYP version arrived yesterday, so today I took it out to have a look. Beware! Nothing loose as found by others, quite the opposite in fact. When I opened the top folding back piece of plastic the yellow gangway connection was stuck to the packing and had broken off the body. All four tiny lugs had broken. The Sellotape stuff had for no obvious reason been stuck across the end and the gangway prefer to stay attached that that. Not difficult to reattach I'm sure so I won't be sending it back, but annoying nevertheless. After years of thinking that Heljan's boxes were superior, this new design really is the pits - all presumably so you can see what you're getting. Can we have the sturdy thicker cardboard boxes back please Heljan. Yes I agree with you the carton is a disappointment, nearly as bad as Hornby's efforts!! I was really looking forward to Heljan's quality packing, but I suppose that it is a sign of the times the pennys ( or is it Kroner still in Denmark!!) must be saved, if we are to continue to benefit from the products of these manufacturers!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold uk_pm Posted March 16, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 16, 2013 What a superb model. It really looks the part, and the detail on it is amazing (and includes the finest separately-fitted handrails I have yet seen on a ready-to-run model). The underframe detail too is terrific; a step-up (in my opinion) from that on Bachmann's excellent DMUs. The mechanism is standard Heljan fare: very heavy and very reliable. But it has a solid chassis which protrudes up into the body, and so will disappoint those who hoped to be able to use it for other purposes. If I have a criticism, it is that no space is specifically provided for a speaker. However, I have managed to equip my 128 with sound by using a couple of small, 20 mm high bass speakers. This wonderfully quirky model deserves to do well, and I, for one, hope it is the first of many DMUs from Heljan.128(1).jpg128(2).jpg128(3).jpg128(6).JPG128(4).JPG128(5).JPG My Second 128 arrived and has been modified to represent an updated prototype. Here it sits in Doncaster station, and later meets its stablemate at a signal check. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 I treated myself to a plain green (speed whiskers) and early blue unit today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Savoyard Posted March 16, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 16, 2013 I have just fitted my 128 with sound and whilst I am very pleased with the model and top marks to Heljan, why oh why don't they make decent provision for a speaker! I have had to grind out a section of the chassis to fit a bass enhanced speaker with a little thought this could have been avoided, also why couldn't they provide solder points on the circuit board for speakers like Dapol have done on the Western thus having to avoid soldering to the speaker wires to the chip. Quality of the Model 10/10 Ease of fitting sound 1/10 I will post some pictures later to show how I did it. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
59205 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Yes I agree with you the carton is a disappointment, nearly as bad as Hornby's efforts!! I was really looking forward to Heljan's quality packing, but I suppose that it is a sign of the times the pennys ( or is it Kroner still in Denmark!!) must be saved, if we are to continue to benefit from the products of these manufacturers!! Have to say I agree, the outer sleeve and internal carton is dismal. I thought the inner plastic was impressive though, with the extra flaps on the side. This was the only part of the box I thought superior to Bachmann's efforts. The Unit itself is superb, for me Heljans best model and a sure contender for model of the year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gronk the shunter Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Off topic a bit here but, I've never understood the fascination some people have with boxes?! As long as nothing's broken -(and mine wasn't - not like my 7mm Deltic which despite it's old style box was at best only part-assembled by the time I got it ) does the box really matter - mine fly into the bin within seconds! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-gog Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Model Rail "will have some good news" on the light blue/red stripe/dark blue variant "shortly". No prizes for guessing that it'll be a ltd edition. Source: Ben Jones on Twitter. RWJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed a/c Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Off topic a bit here but, I've never understood the fascination some people have with boxes?! As long as nothing's broken -(and mine wasn't - not like my 7mm Deltic which despite it's old style box was at best only part-assembled by the time I got it ) does the box really matter - mine fly into the bin within seconds! Couldn't agree more and those fancy boxes just add to the cost! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Off topic a bit here but, I've never understood the fascination some people have with boxes?! As long as nothing's broken -(and mine wasn't - not like my 7mm Deltic which despite it's old style box was at best only part-assembled by the time I got it ) does the box really matter - mine fly into the bin within seconds! Its not really a fascination, its just as you say a comment on whether the article purchased is protected sufficiently on its long journey from factory to end user. I have purchased several Heljan locos over the years in both 7mm and 4mm and never had a problem. I must add though I do retain my boxes, just in case i change my mind, in this world of instant communication re-selling is so easy, storage of boxes can prove to be a problem expecially with the Large Scale stuff, luckily we have a large loft! Apologies for the topic wander ------ back to the 128 Oh nearly forgot if any one from Heljan reads this a 7mm version would be nice!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddys-blues Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Model Rail "will have some good news" on the light blue/red stripe/dark blue variant "shortly". No prizes for guessing that it'll be a ltd edition. Source: Ben Jones on Twitter. RWJ Excellent news, thanks for the heads up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles73128 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Off topic a bit here but, I've never understood the fascination some people have with boxes?! As long as nothing's broken -(and mine wasn't - not like my 7mm Deltic which despite it's old style box was at best only part-assembled by the time I got it ) does the box really matter - mine fly into the bin within seconds!To me, as a collector, the box is nearly as important! The artwork, the style, etc, is all part of the fun. For a good example example check out the Steam ltd edition Dapol Western. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Accurascale Fran Posted March 17, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 17, 2013 A good sturdy box is very important for many reasons, from mail order postage, transport from China to stockists, storage when out of use for prolonged periods such as layout rebuilding or long term storage. Moving house is another one. Heljan had the best boxes on the market so it's sad to see the change. Good to see Dapol using a similar box to Heljan of old. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 You must be one of the "favoured" ones, Chris!! I've just opened a second 128 (this time in green) and there are 5 parts floating around in the box before I've even removed the loco from its packaging!! No, I've since bought a green one and there are two sandboxes loose in the packaging. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 It might be green, there were 2 types of green livery applied to DMUs in the early days, the lighter one was unlined. Someone will need to confirm that class 128s carried this version but class 116 definately did. Cheers Jim No, definitely NOT light green. These were 1959/60 deliveries and dark green was the order of the day. The 128 in the photo is Rail blue, by the way. CHRIS LEIGH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sasquatch Posted March 18, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 18, 2013 A good sturdy box is very important for many reasons, from mail order postage, transport from China to stockists, storage when out of use for prolonged periods such as layout rebuilding or long term storage. Moving house is another one. Heljan had the best boxes on the market so it's sad to see the change. Good to see Dapol using a similar box to Heljan of old. Whole heartedly agree! There's nothing better than a good quality model in a good quality box. This is a step in the wrong direction by Heljan in my opinion. Shaun. PS. Mine is coming airmail and I'm dreading to see how many loose bits might be floating about once USPS have tossed it about for good measure. Will report when it arrives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdseyecircus Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Off topic a bit here but, I've never understood the fascination some people have with boxes?! As long as nothing's broken -(and mine wasn't - not like my 7mm Deltic which despite it's old style box was at best only part-assembled by the time I got it ) does the box really matter - mine fly into the bin within seconds! Until you change era and realise you could have got an extra tenner for your loco if you'd kept the box! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matabiau Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Has anyone experienced any trouble with these and running with Bachmann 21 pin dcc decoders? I have just fitted one of the new decoders to my 128 and although it runs fine, including lighting control, on its default setting of 3 it refuses to accept a change in loco number. I have managed to reprogram other locos with identical chips, just not this one. For info I am using a Hornby Elite to program on a separate section of track. The lights flash on an off as one would expect when programming, it just doesn't seem to accept the new number. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gronk the shunter Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Obviously some of you lot were the kind of children that threw your presents to one side on christmas morning and pretended the box was a space ship/tardis/palace/place of safety!! From now on I'll be selling nice shiney boxes on the classifieds section, I'll make a killing!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 I'm not one for impulse purchases, but today I viewed a DPU at Lord and Butler and left shortly afterwards a good few shekels lighter. Here is my banger blue variant at work on my layout - this is one model that needs heavy weathering I think. What a lovely model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-gog Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Oh dear, my resistance is starting to unravel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Think this going to take some beating as Model of the year for 2013. Will it be remembered as well later in the the year when other models have been released. by me it will. !!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 It will take some beating I think. It is a quality piece of kit. Weighs a ton and runs almost silently. A stunner .... well done Heljan!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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