RMweb Gold TomE Posted January 13, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13, 2015 I asked them directly about this on the FB page and got a detailed answer. Response detailed here for those who don't use Facebook: This model is a development of the old A4 consisting of 'cosmetic' changes (a new body-shell) to the existing model and not a completely new design. As you have noted, we removed parts which could not be fitted under the valance (take a look at the fittings on the existing un-valanced model to illustrate this) and in fact would have been minimally visible due to the limited clearances. My hand built proof of concept incorporated these parts, but without a 100% redesign, I was unable to incorporate into mass-production. Sadly modelling always involves compromise. The connecting rod will be more detailed in the production version. Overall our experience of the existing A4 and A3 models is that it has been very successful with a low incidence of problems, We have, where possible improved production methods based on experience, but remain limited by the original design in terms of the overall drive mechanism which is currently used in all existing Dapol steam locomotives. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLD Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Only just noticed this. Great model Dapol but how about we get the A2's released first and then work on something new. Why should Dapol wait until Farish release the A2 before they do this?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornish trains jez Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Why should Dapol wait until Farish release the A2 before they do this?? m Just getting my manufacturers mixed up a bit there! Comment taken back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 m Just getting my manufacturers mixed up a bit there! Comment taken back. No issue...you can just delete your post and the ones that follow to avoid it later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornish trains jez Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Marshall Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Certainly on the streamlined 01.10 and 03.10 there should be more valve gear visible than there is on the model. I suspect also on the 05 as it is a bigger beast with the same shape of valance, but I'm not 100% certain. Certainly Fleischmann, Roco and probably Arnold as well set the precedent. If the motion is blackened it will be hard to see what parts are missing (I nearly typed "see the missing bits"). All the very best Les Isn't Bittern now running with valances and a double chimney just to throw a prototype spanner in the works? Not to mention a tender with a corridoor it didn't have when new...... Les, Aye, as you say, 4464 has a double chmney, valances and a corridor tender. Regards, Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted March 28, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 28, 2015 The valanced A4 was on display at Alexandra Palace today, and as expected the valve gear has been pared down somewhat to make it all fit. The body moulding looks good though. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornish trains jez Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 The valanced A4 was on display at Alexandra Palace today, and as expected the valve gear has been pared down somewhat to make it all fit. IMG_5323.jpg The body moulding looks good though. Tom. Looks superb! That's going to be a popular model! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Superb!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I wonder if we are going to see a glut of original models hitting ebay when the valenced versions come out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Gauge David Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 I hope we see one in that elegant silver grey livery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Today at TINGS Beautiful- almost enough to make me think of modelling LNER again. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Having now checked the running numbers against the RCTS Green Guide- these five all CORRECTLY have corridoor tenders. Having said that, I had a conversation with Joel and Andy at TINGs this morning. They weren't aware that Gateshead's allocation of A4s a} ran the whole length of the ECML and b} all had non-corridoor tenders. Hopefully I've sown a few seeds there.. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty.J Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Again from facebook.VALANCED A4 LIVERY SAMPLES: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
70021 Morning Star Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Well done, Dapol ! One comment: some people have been discussing absolute micrometre accuracy in n scale models. As an artist, as well as a model maker, I'd take issue with precise accuracy over artistic abstraction. Is it the aim of a model to precisely miniaturise the prototype, or is it to represent the look and feel of the real thing through abstraction? In my opinion, it's often better to apply a little artistic license - possibly overemphasising important features at the expense of micrometre accuracy - so the 1:160 scale model 'looks right'. As an example, I might omit those overhead electric warning stickers (which look more like dandruf than detailing in n scale) while adding slightly overscale rivets, to add a feel of solid ironmongery. Anyway, if these valanced A4s run as well as my non-valanced "Bittern", Dapol will have another n scale winner. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaym481 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 When can we expect N Gauge Silver Jubilee and Coronation coach sets? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomag Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I have to say the front bogies look odd; they vary front to back and on height between the five photos. Perhaps they were not attached. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Having now checked the running numbers against the RCTS Green Guide- these five all CORRECTLY have corridoor tenders. Having said that, I had a conversation with Joel and Andy at TINGs this morning. They weren't aware that Gateshead's allocation of A4s a} ran the whole length of the ECML and b} all had non-corridoor tenders. Hopefully I've sown a few seeds there.. Les Having looked again and spotted my misreading, Bittern is correct for current day but not for pre-war. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty.J Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Well done, Dapol ! I might omit those overhead electric warning stickers (which look more like dandruf than detailing in n scale) Anyway, if these valanced A4s run as well as my non-valanced "Bittern", Dapol will have another n scale winner. Rick ALL IN GOOD HUMOUR..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I have to say the front bogies look odd; they vary front to back and on height between the five photos. Perhaps they were not attached. I think it is an optical illusion caused by the photos being taken from slightly different angles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
70021 Morning Star Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Dapol website says..."Valanced A4's." Status: "In Final decoration stage" Catalogue: "Page 10" Release date: "1st Quarter 2016"So, not too long to wait.Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy L S Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I had a look at TINGS. The decoration of the valanced bodies looked very good to me but the missing valve-gear is just too obvious and my eye just keeps getting drawn back to it. I appreciate that on certain German models with deeper valances that conceal all the valve gear throughout a wheel's revolution this approach may be taken with no adverse visual impact. However with an A4 the fly crank and at lowest point in revolution fly-crank rod are quite visible and in my humble opinion just too obviously missing (look at the pic of Silver Fox above in particular and visualise where the missing valve gear should be). It reminds me somewhat of the pre-war Hornby Dublo A4 where a similar approach was adopted. Still each to their own and if there are those who can accept the omissions fair enough and good luck to Dapol. Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 From today's Open day. The six (there is a blue Mallard in there as well) are having final tweaks then will be into production. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Begg87 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 we ran the valanaced mallard on our layout "moorside valley railway" at TINGS the full weekend, and i would like to add it was an incredible runner! very smooth, hauled any train size/rake etc in forward and tender first directions with no problems what so ever! so safe to say, Bittern and Mallard will be coming my way, along with an apple green one and silver one lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CF MRC Posted October 18, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 18, 2015 These look very pretty. The lack of valve gear is a shame, but with some careful trimming / thinning of the back of the valance and a general tightening up of the sideplay in the coupling and connecting rods it may be possible to put in the return crank and eccentric rod. N gauge models are far cruder and sloppier in the valve gear than they need to be. I have done a couple of skirted A4s, but these had the benefit of thin metal valances. The corridor tenders for the silver versions are probably not quite correct at the back - they should be angled either side of the corridor connection, but the most obvious error is the open top for the water filler. This should have a more extensive cover over the space behind the coal hole. Not a big job to make a piece of thin styrene, or better metal, to reproduce this. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.