Dapol's new Class 68 locomotives

[Brian Hawkins]

Hi

 

It will be interesting to see if the N version due next year has the same livery errors.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

 

It will be so small nobody will notice  

[Legend]

So Hornby can stick an oversized pantograph on it, not fit directional lights and make it on par with their Railroad product range...no thanks

Let Dapol continue if it comes to fruition, maybe they'll get the livery right next time.

 

I thought the 71 was launched to universal acclaim, I don't have one but from what I can see people are happy. We've got the 87 coming , again CADS look good .  Yes there are some Railroad models around that are less than perfect, but then they are made to a price.  Just think that if its something widestream then possibly better with Hornby.  And you may not have  Nameplate/ glue issues, livery errors (look at the great job they did on the Harry Patch HST), headlamp, glue issues and dodgy wiring.

[John M Upton]

I thought the N Gauge version was supposed to be due later this year not next?

[No Decorum]

I thought the 71 was launched to universal acclaim, I don't have one but from what I can see people are happy. We've got the 87 coming , again CADS look good .  Yes there are some Railroad models around that are less than perfect, but then they are made to a price.  Just think that if its something widestream then possibly better with Hornby.  And you may not have  Nameplate/ glue issues, livery errors (look at the great job they did on the Harry Patch HST), headlamp, glue issues and dodgy wiring.

I think Hornby’s 71 was until people started to try to fit decoders and speakers. The panto is beautifully done, although fragile, and even the power cables on the roof are separately fitted.

 

Coming back closer to topic, I seem to remember that Dapol got the rights to the 88 as well as the 68.

[MikeParkin65]

I thought the 71 was launched to universal acclaim, I don't have one but from what I can see people are happy. 

Wasn't welcomed by anyone who wants to DCC fit it - scant provision for a chip never mind a speaker (or preferably 2)!

[MGR Hooper!]

I thought the 71 was launched to universal acclaim, I don't have one but from what I can see people are happy. We've got the 87 coming , again CADS look good .  Yes there are some Railroad models around that are less than perfect, but then they are made to a price.  Just think that if its something widestream then possibly better with Hornby.  And you may not have  Nameplate/ glue issues, livery errors (look at the great job they did on the Harry Patch HST), headlamp, glue issues and dodgy wiring.

Over-enthusiastic Hornby basher! If Hornby do it, it'll be good! However Dapol are more likely to proceed with it in such an instance.

[37081LochLong]

In regards to the 88, if you go back to post number 6, DJM Dave did say when making the deal for the 68 for Dapol he asked about the 88 but DRS were non committal

 

That was posted back in 2013 though, so Dapol (or one of the others) will have probably done a deal since then for the 88

[No Decorum]

Hm. I wonder where I got the idea from. Sorry to mislead.

 

I hope DRS isn’t put off Dapol by the off-centre printing. Other than that, it seems to have been done well. I’ll know better tomorrow when 68002 Hen’s Teeth should arrive.

[PaulCheffus]

I thought the N Gauge version was supposed to be due later this year not next?

Hi

 

Unfortunately I can't remember where I read it had been put back to 2018. Might have been the recent issue of Model Rail but as I am not near my copy I can't confirm.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[37081LochLong]

Hm. I wonder where I got the idea from. Sorry to mislead.

 

It's OK, I thought the same as you I was sure I'd read they had the rights to them both too, so I went hunting for where I'd read it, but came up with Daves post instead

[martin_l_jones]

I was actually referring to the nameplates being wonky and dissatisfied customers sending then back, not DRS sending them back for refunds....

[Kelly]

I thought the N Gauge version was supposed to be due later this year not next?

On the other hand, the delay might mean errors on the initial OO models get fixed. Or at least you'd hope so.

 

On the subject of the 88, it'd make sense for Dapol to do it, with the 68 tooling in place, but depends if DRS have been happy with the detail errors reported or will just stipulate more control of the finish or something.

 

Nothing stopping Heljan or others taking them on if they think there's market enough and get the license.

[The Black Hat]

Dapol / Legomanbiffo Class 68 Model and Soundchip: A review.

​Just some thoughts on the review for this latest purchase. The class 68 has a very different engine note compared to many other engines on the network. The Caterpillar powered monster with 3,600 horsepower can really shift and apply power in the real world. The model is actually no different, as it can really put its power down to the track.

 

On inspection the Dapol model looks great, even with one side of the DRS model being out of place. The access to the model being four clips to the side, makes removing the top remarkably easy and allows for quick access without any fear or compromising or risking the model. Once open, the chip can be placed into the model. Removing the two bars screwed in to place the sound chip first is what I'd suggest. I then soldered a massive super bass reflex speaker to the chip that I had ordered some weeks previously in anticipation. Placing the speaker in first and attaching the bars if needed allows the speaker to be inserted easily. The two wires from the end were gently made to seperate and go around where the decoder would be placed onto the model. Wires were taken to the other end and fastened together so that the joins were well away from the circuit board and they were wrapt in tape to prevent shorting. The decoder was then placed onto the 21 pin socket, which had its previous blanking plate removed in a way that was easier than some others, namely bachmanns which sometimes dont want to come loose. The decoder itself was then placed down onto the pins, but the size of the speaker means that it rests slightly on the speaker at an angle. It isn't by much and it has not affected the chip. I actually wrapt it up in some insulating pad that comes with Hornby engines to provide more security for it.

 

With the body back onto the engine it was time to check the settings. The engine was tested and run with no sound and then the lights and everything else was checked. Having found fault with this, I contacted Biffo, who advised Switch No. 3 needs setting at position No. 1. That way on a system restart for engine and ECoS everything has booted up into life.

 

The sounds of the class 68 are quite different. The engine note is more akin to something between a gutsy class 37 and the clean mechanical sound of the 66, with a rev akin to a Deltic. After starting straight up the engine idles away nicely. The note is immediately noticeable as different, being a new class and different power unit. The sound from the chip and speaker is very clear and accurate. The sound comes across well, particular with the extra bass from the bass reflex speaker.

 

When power is applied on a Biffo chip there are three or four different settings for departure, pending on how quickly power is applied. Lots of power, equates to more thrash, less and its a more gentle departure. With such changes in sound and performance linked to the control of the throttle, the engine is very responsive. This makes the driving ability more logical and easier to control. It also means that operating the engine can be more fun rather than needing lots of complications to make it accurate. Instead its a pleasure to drive and means that you can instead think of what its doing or how accurate you want to be. Biffos Drivelock function also makes driving and getting extra power to sound all the more fun and impressive. Excellent for short runs or over tricky point layouts where another engine would just idle over.

 

The extra functions sounds are well laid out and add extra character. Sounds that are included all are well recorded. The function sounds do sound better than previous other chips, where things like a guards whistle sounded fuzzy. Door slams also sound more like the prototype. Only the Mk. 3 coach wail, draws level with a similar function sound I have used before, which was from Bryan at Howes on his HST sound chip - but for Biffo to reach and match this standard and often on this chip exceed it says a lot. The quality of the recordings also makes this sound chip the best I have used in a model to date.

 

The extra way in which all the lighting functions can be controlled by the chip also sends realism into a whole new level. Finally a Ready to Run DCC Sound engine is released with the lighting also taken into consideration. Now the engine can be parked up on shed with red lights displayed at either end, or it can show red when on the rear of a train, with only white when working the train too. Theres no sign of lights being on like a light engine displays when hauling stock. As a result, this makes the price of the engine excellent when you consider the detail and accuracy that this model can run with, when going with accurate lights, realistic sound, excellent capture of the prototypes shape and outline, as well as good livery application.

 

A lot of this comes from Biffos sound chip which really catapults the realism and operational ability into another league. From now on the Class 68 will be the new benchmark for new diesel releases. Other manufacturers and sound chip producers have a very hard act to follow.

[Roy Langridge]

On the other hand, the delay might mean errors on the initial OO models get fixed. Or at least you'd hope so.

 

On the subject of the 88, it'd make sense for Dapol to do it, with the 68 tooling in place, but depends if DRS have been happy with the detail errors reported or will just stipulate more control of the finish or something.

 

Nothing stopping Heljan or others taking them on if they think there's market enough and get the license.

 

Keeping in mind that despite the errors the 68 is very good and that Dapol's competitors, particularly Heljan, have not been innocent of similar quality errors, I would think it commercial suicide for anybody to go up against Dapol on this one.

 

Roy

[Kelly]

Keeping in mind that despite the errors the 68 is very good and that Dapol's competitors, particularly Heljan, have not been innocent of similar quality errors, I would think it commercial suicide for anybody to go up against Dapol on this one.

 

Roy

Not it Dapol can't get the license for them.

[Roy Langridge]

The Black hat - what size speaker did you use?

 

Thanks in advance,

Roy

[The Black Hat]

The Black hat - what size speaker did you use?

 

Thanks in advance,

Roy

 

I used the Supersound 2Watt (3 Watt Maximum) 4ohm Bass Reflex Speaker. Its on the DC Kits website and elsewhere....

[Anthony566]

I used the Supersound 2Watt (3 Watt Maximum) 4ohm Bass Reflex Speaker. Its on the DC Kits website and elsewhere....

 

I wonder if that is the one Charlie is fitting in his loco's ?? 

[Roy Langridge]

Not it Dapol can't get the license for them.

 

Sorry, I must have misunderstood your post. As you said "Nothing stopping Heljan or others taking them on..." I thought you meant take on Dapol who would therefore have to have a license.

 

Roy

[Kelly]

Sorry, I must have misunderstood your post. As you said "Nothing stopping Heljan or others taking them on..." I thought you meant take on Dapol who would therefore have to have a license.

 

Roy

That's ok.

 

If Dapol had the license then no one else would try to take them on with it unless they somehow screwed it up in a big way, which seems unlikely, as whilst the 68 has a few issues, they're not seemingly major ones in some cases, and certainly fixable by Dapol.

[bensanchez43310]

Still not even in stock at my chosen shop for my pre-orders! Must be doing laps of the uk on the back of a lorry!

 

Emailed them on Sunday, Monday they said Dapol sent them the invoice and they were imminent, and today the email came through saying they were dispatched and will be here Friday, sorry if others have said this as I have literally read this post and this post only.

 

Ben

[Andy7]

Emailed them on Sunday, Monday they said Dapol sent them the invoice and they were imminent, and today the email came through saying they were dispatched and will be here Friday, sorry if others have said this as I have literally read this post and this post only.

 

Ben

Yeah mine will be arriving with me tomorrow.

 

Thanks

[Widnes Model Centre]

We are due to receive ours on Friday. Gaugemaster must have sent them out in alphabetical order.

[big jim]

We are due to receive ours on Friday. Gaugemaster must have sent them out in alphabetical order.

i bet aaron aardvark models in aberdeen was happy then!

 

zulu railway supplies getting a bit narked though

Edited February 22, 2017 by big jim

[Widnes Model Centre]

i bet aaron aardvark models in aberdeen was happy then!

 

zulu railway supplies getting a bit narked though

I can only find five shops who are behind us alphabetically. None of them stock Dapol by the looks of it. Hope when the N Gauge 68 comes out, they reverse the order. :-)