ROSSPOP

Just signed up and wish this initiative well...... johnny Goldieblogs !!

Try duncanmodels@gmail.com Theirs have wooden posts and cast details John

Yes But Noel..... Is your layout bumped around in the back of a van for Exhibition work ??? Experience suggests extra time doing a thorough wiring of track in such cases prevents a crappy exhibition performance....

Totally wrong solution Mr picky It needs fixing with solvent and then gently filing and then the missing rivets adding..... but then i won`t be able to take it all apart again so it will stay s it is.........

I think she looks better with the ashpan painted black........................ and, of course, with a touch of sound......

Just finished changing details on my Dapol 57XX and have fitted Youchoos sound file. The quality of performance is perfect.

Thanks Ade This evening I hard wired in a Zimo MX645 sound decoder with the Pannier tank sounds from Youchoos. I removed the fire box `glow` as it does`nt interest me in the slightest in all my younger teenage years watching real steam engines in and around Bedford Station I don`t ever remember seeing one...... Using a Zimo Double Dumbo speaker is a first. For those that are interested these are the products I use..... Tomorrow she goes on the rolling road for a bit of running in and a sound test and set up............

I think she looks better without those shiny wheel rims... ...and more business like with more relistic vac pipes.... next stage will be adding the decoder and repainting the firebox grate. eventually she will be gently weathered.... but that will be another adventure....

A long, long time ago I would`nt have touched a Dapol model even with one of those long barge pole thingies...... But ever since their 7mm Terrier 0-6-0 loco and then their 08 Diesel Shunter I`ve been keeping a beady eye on their loco products. Recently, I took the plunge and snapped up the Dapol 8750 GWR Pannier tank and was so pleased with the look and running qualities I also purchased their 57XX version. On another modelling forum there have been suggestions that these type of RTR mechanisms will not last with long term use mechanically, particularly when compared with kit built equivalents. I don`t agree. I`ve been spending some time over the past week de-constructing my recently purchased 57XX Pannier ( and thereby cancelling out the warranty) to see what is `under the bonnet` and to add more detailing to the buffer beams. I`ve also removed the 21pin DCC socket in order to hard wire a Zimo MX645 sound decoder ( my preference) Here she is at the very start..... It has`nt been a difficult task to strip her back to her three basic modules...... The detailing on the chassis is the best I`ve come across since moving over to O Gauge back in 2008. Back then I was almost impressed with the San Cheng all brass version, but not so much with the chassis design and compromises and definitely not with that awful coupling rod !!! As we all know the Dapol offering has a diecast chassis frame and footplate with the rest being plastic. The detailing is spot on but to bring her up to the same aesthetic standard as my kit built locos I decided to use some lost wax castings from Laurie griffin and Peter Roles to replace the plastic lamp irons and also add more accurate looking brake and vac pipes at both ends. just like i did on the San Cheng. The plastic lamp irons are easily removed....... Laurie Griffin lamp irons have a cast spigot so holes need to be drilled.... I also added the two missing extra lamp irons on the footplate... After adding the replacement vac pipes I hand painted everything with Clostermans etch primer...... and painted the splasher tops black . at the same time I decided to add boiler bands to the underside of the boiler.... ....and then a spot of airbrushing and hand painting prior to temporary re-assembly....

sorry Duncan....but that statement is out of date and not true..... these are what I have used for years ...no extra tanks necessary ..... ....and this is what they will do.....

No need for any wiring looms.....unless you are super fastidious...... Kit built or RTR it`s the same method........ two wires to the pickups two wires to the motor two wires to the speaker

Hi there Truffy I had the same decision as you , except that I consider myself a competent O gauge kit builder , and wanted to purchase some O gauge RTR. I Chose the Dapol version because mine cost £179 from Rails Of Sheffield and so was a lot cheaper than Minerva version by a mile... The Dapol version has a more detailed chassis and includes the firebox grate and has psuedo working inside motion...( always a glutton for gimmicks) The safety valve is more detailed than Minerva. I have been so impressed with mine (straight out of the box) that i produced this ` naff` personal video which if you wait a while has my ancient voice going through my experince.... I am in the process of `stripping down` the Dapol 57XX version I have, both to spray paint the chassis, and to replace the lamp irons ( for lost wax better detailed versions) and vacuum and heating pipes to fully detail the buffer beam areas. I am also going to hard wire DCC sound but not using the 21pin decoder version Lovely....lovely RTR models for the price.......

For 4mm Zimo MX645 sound decoder. http://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Shop.php?L1=Project&Item=GWR14XX For 7mm Zimo MX645 sound decoder http://www.youchoos.co.uk/Index-Shop.php?L1=Project&Item=GWR14XX Youchoos sound....

Yep ! As already mentioned these (7mm) are specifically made for GWR right hand operated loco`s..... just search through Modulu website...... and don`t forget the lamps!!!!!

Sadly if you had Googled `problems with Humbrol paint` you would have avoided it for brush work. it has been well documented

Truss rods !!! Well it`s four from me !!!!! Poor picture , but my vote is there is a hint of more than two truss roads here ...... ...and my 1980`s O gauge RJH coach kits catered for four....... ...as does the Dapol/Lionheart RTR in O gauge...... John

Steady Tiger ! You don`t say what gauge your working to...but it matters not the same applies to 4mm or 7mm. I have a very simple O Gauge end to end layout in a garden shed. I only use DCC control for loco operation in gorgeous sound !! and all my track and pointwork is good old fashioned analogue control with traditional wiring. DCC IS as simple as you want to make it. but not necessarily cheap.... I have had this DCC controller for 10 years now and it does everything I need in DCC and still available for under £200 if you wish to have quality loco performance and quality sound it pays to invest in quality decoders which currently are £99 - 110 a pop !! per loco...plus fitting or buy locos already equipped...which puts up the price.... I use only Zimo decoders as they remain the best up-to date on the market.... if you can use a soldering iron they are simple to hard wire to any loco yourself..... obviously in 4mm ...space for a decoder and speaker can be an issue sometimes... Trackwork wiring.... you need to guarrantee that every piece of track is securely powered up . dont rely on rail connectors... wire droppers will be more reliable ...... Pointwork wiring for DCC is also simple...... three track power connections ..one of which must isolate the V crossing..... ...even if you use 4mm Peco points... they wil need modifying ( although as I understand it the new finescale bullhead products are alredy done) plus of course point motors at the `toe` end to suit your own needs. but what you get in the end is fantastic....... Also available in 4mm......... ...and I`m just a simple old codger ..... Regards John

Rails Of Sheffield......

If it were mine i would take it back and change for another.It should run perfectly from the start without any need for lengthy running in..... Straight out of the box..... john

Mine is perfect. But was checked thoroughly before dispatch to me from R.O.S. Was yours ???

Sounds like a sound move HereticUK And yes, the Gazette does ship abroad. At least some members live in Australia and NZ and USA. Cheers John

If I were starting in O gauge today and had`nt built a 7mm loco kit before. I would seriously look at the Dapol RTR locos ( BR 08 Diesel and SR, GWR, LMS steam) as my first move. Purchase a RTR loco of your choice and then concentrate on building plastic and then etched brass wagon kits ( Parkside / Connoisseur/Peco/ Slaters etc) to gain experience and confidence in kit building and to get something to play with early on. Not to mention RTR wagons and vans from Minerva / Dapol etc. Why Dapol?? The price is right for a start and (as a life long loco kit builder) their chassis design and level of detail therein is excellent for the price. if you purchase said locos from the likes of Rails of Sheffield, they will check the loco over before dispatch to make sure all is OK. O gauge modelling has never had it so good at this very moment.......... Cheers John

hi ! What your looking for is not available in Acrylic So use an acrylic base coat of light grey if you insist........ And then buy the proper enamel colours from Phoenix precision... and brush paint by hand... ...job done ! add white enamel to the light stone for a weathered equivalent...... .....use Revell flesh enamel for the weathered equivalent of the dark stone..... Cheers John

Not sure if anybody has mentioned pre-ordering O Gauge. I`ve surprised myself and become a great fan of Dapols 7mm products. I did have their 48/14XX loco on pre-order with Rails of... but have cancelled as it is a new product and will now wait until it has been reviewed in the modelling press. Otherwise I might end up with a dodgy engineered chassis ( now where did I get that possiblity from !!! ) For me thats a potential problem of pre-ordering stuff not seen..... John

Something has to be done with my languishing Churchill project this year. The trouble is I am going of the idea of having a through station and don`t relish the work to make two fiddle yards at either end. I`m leaning towards changing it all to a GWR country terminus complete with an Engine shed so that I can keep it all in the shed and just play trains whenever I feel like it. And of course start another layout project afterwards. The signal box is based on St Mary`s Crossing The main buildings are based on Portesham in Dorset... Do I go for it ?? just the Engine shed and cattle dock to complete. And of course a new platform........