Popular Post Guest jim s-w Posted July 6, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted July 6, 2012 It's quite simple really The models we have now from the rtr boys are (generally) the best we have ever had. People said that with Hornby dublo, Lima, the Heljan 47 etc etc. They are not the best they will ever be and I can guarantee that in 20 years people will look at what we have now the same we we look at Lima. This model, is it the best n guage 56 ever? Yes. Is it the one people should buy? Absolutely! Is there room for the individual modeller to improve it further? Of course there is. Will, one day there be something rtr that knocks it's spots off? You bet there will. Dapol Dave has repeatedly posted stuff on here for feedback. I don't want to speak for him but going on the way he has been so far, I would imagine people jumping in complaining about those who do are probably driving him nuts! This is a modellers forum. By thier nature they will always look at something with a view of, how can I make that better or personal to me, it's in a modellers blood. Cheers Jim 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Thanks Jim; I think that's a fair summary so if we can now leave the topic to the 56 rather than polarised opinions about the principles of inaccuracies in any model. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercig studios Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Replacement square grills are available from TPM. Just tried a fit and they match perfectly to the Dapol model: In the above photo they are not glued in place so may look a little bumpy, M 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted July 13, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2012 Wow , grills great - off to order now ! Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michanglais Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 One thing that always draws my attention before anything else is about as basic as it can get - the coupler pockets. The model looks great to my eyes (I'm not too fussed about detail differences, as long as the overall thing looks right. Apologies...), however, this model like, for instance, the Farish Class 37, suffers from clunky, space-filling coupler sockets that immediately draw my attention. This need not be the case, most continental manufacturers now install close couplers (body attached) to their locos, so there's no need to 'extend' the bogie in this way. Before the finer details are addressed, I would like to see this improvement made, it's already been tried and tested in service with other manufacturers so should not be too difficult to implement. Just one of many opinions, but it'd be nice to see a relatively standard, discreet coupling mechanism on the UK market. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DapolDave Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 Hi Michael, The coupling pocket is something that has concerned me greatly over the last few years. The problem is it is a set size as defined by the MOROP/NEM standards and as such fixed. You then have the minimum distance needed for clearance etc. I always said that if I were doing a loco such as the 56, if I wanted the coupling box less obtrusive id remove (in cad/cam stage) the gear on the front axle, effectively making the loco a 1-bo-bo-1 wheel arrangement. However with the 56 I wanted maximum weight and adhesion so went all wheel drive as a compromise. You will find its not as obtrusive in the flesh though, I'm glad to say. Talking of which the EWS and coal sector loco's should be in the UK within about 10 days. Cheers Dave 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 With all due respect to Dave, I'm not sure he would have lost as much traction as he thinks making a 1-Bo-Bo-1. The Life-Like E7 chassis used on the TPM (?) Class 56 kit is an A1A-A1A, and these pull very strongly indeed (usually better than a Grafar 47 of the same vintage). I supect it comes down to the weight distribution, and much less is carried by the outboard axles than the inboard set. However, you can't fault the logic of going for all-wheel drive. All the very best Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DapolDave Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Hi everyone, Coal sector and EWS class 56's came in today and will start shipping to stockists who have ordered them and are in good standing tomorrow. X/C MK3 coaches also arrived. The other class 56's and EMT & I/C executive MK3 coaches are in next month. cheers Dave 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted August 9, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 9, 2012 I see Hattons have them both in stock at present...anyone who already has one care to share their impressions of it? Hanging out for a blue one me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted August 9, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 9, 2012 Hi gang, Both 56s been to work and poured over by several 00 modellers and one continental modeller in N. General view was wow! At home both run at well matched speeds and look the part lighting is best seen sofar. As I am DDC not sure about light control on DCC systems. The bogies are well moulded and look the part. The body also is very good with fine details and handrails, etched fitted side grills and moulded roof vents and fans/ grills all at a very high standard. The model is well up the standard of recent releases and will please most people. The running is the best seen with the heavy metal chassis and quietest gears from the Dapol suppliers. What has to be said is that the class is a complex one with 135 locos with very few ending up as they started with variations of buffer beams.side grills, horn covers, cantrail grills, handrail lengths headlamps, split front handrails and three basic cab structures that resulted in variations to the roofdome/window area join. Add to this accident repairs and 56042 that had a short life with a prototype bogie for the 58. The body available now has both oval and round buffers and hopefully these will be matched to loco liveries The front buffer cowl is suited to the uk build as is side grill but these first few are sold as Romanian- they can be better seen as early uk build. the handrails suit all the later variations - but were retrofitted to the rest- not checked early withdrawls . The horn grill, buffer cowl as short lip along top and uk side grill makes the shell fit for 56031- 56055 only . The tooling has the later clean air compartment grills fitted to the no2 end which commenced in mid - late 1995with 56041,68,102 It has to be said that none of the 00 modellers spotted the clean air grills issue. 56018 is infact correct for EWS livery. But as ever the no2 mod will be "wrong" for a few prototypes and thus be wrong for some grill counters! Livery application is very good with clear printing etc. Issues with models not having beasties/ depot plaques/arrows might cause some wailling and nashing but for me I can add transfers and etches to customise. 56013 is infact right for part of its career to be plaque and arrow free. The body shell as before just clips in and has two mini plugs to detach chassis fully - not necessary for DCC chip feeding. The bogies clip in easily as well . The bits bags give hoses and working easy couplers diagram with instructions clearly shows how to fit hoses. In short a great model with lots done for the rtr runners and a great base for the fiddlers and detailers, the coating of grime and just good old filth will keep the weathering clan happy. I look forward to further releases - wallet my cry a bit but a lovely model. It will be good to see the tooling changes made to vary the theme. As noted TPM already do the side grills so the biggest change catered for and tonight I looked at the farish 47 buffer beam moulding on the early release as this has a full cowl and might make a basis for a cut and shunt. Go on buy one or more the class were seen nationwide over their career in some 30 livery variations! For pictures see Andys photo review. Robert 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted August 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 12, 2012 Hi gang to add to above, a quick trawl of 56 group web gallery and flikr/ goggle images : For the Doncaster batch 56031 - 56055 with small horn grill and no 2 grill end mods all bar 56042 gained the no 2 end grills. However 56032 only one that matches 56018 exactly. 037/38 had EWS but got splithandrails and square headlamps. 051 got EW&S these three close. 56047 in coal livery before grill mods is a close one for 56013 054 got coal but by time it got grill mods it was in Transrail livery with sq headlamps. yet to be released is the RF livery - well preserved 56040 will be spot on but will need nameplates -Oystermouth.. The above batch shell was the type used for the NSE sponsored engineers pool that ended in Dutch and transrail dutch- these got the grill mods whilst in this livery so a respray option. The body group would best be triple grey transrail which would be possible on 56013 with just a little work. hope this helps Robert 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham2650 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Is there any update on when we can expect the blue Class 56? An earlier posting says 'next month' but as this was late July does it mean August or September? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium eldavo Posted August 13, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 13, 2012 Very pleased with my EWS 56 though I'm disappointed that it has got dirty quite so quickly! Cheers Dave 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted August 13, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 13, 2012 Hi Like the weathering - the real engines were smokey joes so not surprised it dirty and trackside grime looks the part. just about to remove Uk grills for TPM Romania on mine ! Robert 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
admiles Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 That weathered 018 does look rather good. Oh gawd, going to have to dig deep and get one now. Was trying to resist. You wait years for them and they just have to come along at my most dire financial period ever - sigh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Crepello Posted August 17, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 17, 2012 Is there any update on when we can expect the blue Class 56? An earlier posting says 'next month' but as this was late July does it mean August or September? A picture of the blue one is eagerly awaited. Just off the ferry from Zeebrugge after its trip through Austria etc. Oh the memories.......! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted August 17, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 17, 2012 Is there any update on when we can expect the blue Class 56? An earlier posting says 'next month' but as this was late July does it mean August or September? Don't expect a quick reply from Dapol Dave at the mo, he's off on his hols. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium richierich Posted August 17, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 17, 2012 The weathering is really good and makes the model look much better than fresh out of the box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mophead Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Fantastic model anybody know if there planning on releasing a transrail grey example? 56007 and 56010 on a few steel trains Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted August 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 22, 2012 I am looking at converting one of these Romanian ones to a later build, DCS 56303 to be precise. I know there are differences such as the grelle at the front but is it a lot of changes as I would like to do this loco now rather than wait itll the later build versions are released by Dapol ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgiesimon Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Now that I have an EWS 56018, I can add the following personal opinions - Wow, an impressive model and far better than the Grafar one, tyhats 3 to go to Ebay at some point then! Anyway the running is great, haulage not an issue as it pulled my 40 wagon MGR train without any issues. I have only 1 moan, what happened to the EWS beasties on the cab side? All the piccies I have seen of this machine has then on it, is it modelled on a time before they were added or is this another lisencing issue rearing its ugly head? Anyway, either way, a model I am delighted with! Way to go Dapol! Please expand the range with some more liveries - maybe 56311 In grey and 56312 in Artemis livery? Would also like to see Loadhaul and Transrail Best wishes Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium richierich Posted August 29, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 29, 2012 Just got my 56s RF coal and EWS. Much nicer up close. Looking forward to further liveries over the coming years. It got my wondering if Dapol Class 58 bogies could be fitted to a Class 56 chassis to create 56042? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jbqfc Posted August 30, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 30, 2012 It got my wondering if Dapol Class 58 bogies could be fitted to a Class 56 chassis to create 56042? the answer is no just tried and the 58 bogies are to long 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
definate maybe Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Very pleased with my EWS 56 though I'm disappointed that it has got dirty quite so quickly! Cheers Dave Hi, Dave any news/ updates on Waton ? (sorry for going off subject) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted August 30, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2012 Hi re 56042 I too tried a quick swap - looks like a bit of a trim on 58 bogies should work. to note the bogies on 56042 were prototypes for the 58 and not the same, mind you to my untrained eye look the same in principle. Certainly one i will do on a second blue purchase. robert 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now