DropTheTap

On 10/04/2024 at 15:11, Hal Nail said:

I've always thought it was a polite way of saying some people are staggeringly unobservant! :)

Right! A reproduction of something is either accurate or it isn't, the whole of which is measured in degrees by the beholder (or potential purchaser).

On 07/04/2024 at 16:00, Albie the plumber said:

Accuracy,  like beauty , is all in the eye of the beholder 

Nope. That's not the way it works at all.

*Satisfaction with accuracy of reproduction* is in the eye of the beholder...

On 06/03/2024 at 11:42, The Ghost of IKB said:

Looking forward to a head to head comparison with Bachmann's.

Why? The only valid comparison is with the prototype.

28 minutes ago, MRDBLUE17 said:

Thanks for ordering. They are all on the website and will still show as pre-order just whilst we work through all the pre-orders we have. We’ve been busy packing and sending every day this week and still have a lot of orders to get through. Thank you to everyone that has supported us with this project so far. ...

Thanks for the clarification! I'm always happy to support projects that fill gaps in the market, and are thoughtful and accurately applied.

Have these sold out? I was only given the option to pre-order (which I did!)

3 hours ago, tinsley-toton said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously,Heljan have announced sound fitted class 47s in OO gauge

I received an email this morning with regards to these. The prices are... eye watering... for something that seems to have issues with its shape (IMHO)

The cab doors and front skirts are somewhat amiss, as discussed above. These wouldn't necessarily be a deal- breaker for me though.

Aside from that, there's something jarring about the shape of the cab/ windows/ headcode box mount area, and it's more prominent to my eyes on the blue version.

Unfortunately, I'm not sufficiently articulate to describe the issue, especially without examination of a model.

I wonder how the overall width compares to the prototype? Silly question perhaps, but the model looks... narrow. However this could easily be an unfair comparison based on dissimilar photographic angles.

Surprised nobody's done this already: with my rudimentary skills I thought this pic might help to answer some of the cab questions. The model seems to compare much better than I thought (first look for me was "too flat" also), but it looks like the point between the two angles is a little too rounded perhaps?

On 08/04/2019 at 14:16, Jol Wilkinson said:

I like to remember that, if having a particular model is that important, there are other ways of getting than waiting for one of the RTR suppliers to produce it.

There are, but most modellers don't have the ability to build and finish a kit (esp. etched brass) to a standard akin to RTR, or the finances to pay someone to do so.

The Greenfield pic shows off a "peaked hat" appearance but that is NOT apparent in the Darlington picture, where the area above the cab windows seems to conform pretty well to the model.  The unit at Darlington is also much chubbier in appearance than the Greenfield pic- I put this down to the difference in the liveries of the two units- the Darlington one is chocolate and cream while the Greenfield one is in blues.  The fact that the yellow ends of the two units are picked out differently also makes a difference. Strong light in the Greenfield picture also throws shadows on certain areas of the front.

 

As to the area below the cab windscreen, the model looks as if it is vertical. The Darlington pic appears vertical while the Greenfield pic makes it look as if it is leaning backwards- again the light may have something to do with it.

 

Window depth.  The side windows on both units extend down to the level of the control desk seen through the windscreen- this is also true of the model. I think the windows are the right size.  The fact that the tumbleholme on the real thing was usually either filthy or in shadow or both may be what makes the model look too deep.  One solution for those wanting a sharper tumbleholme (paint) has been mentioned in posts above.  An alternative is to use muck- that area didn't get such good attention from washing plants as the panels above.

 

The windows are inset a little more than on the prototype, but that is a limitation of plastic and is certainly no worse than (say) Farish Mark 1s IMHO.

 

- A quick google image search shows that the whole headcode portion at the top of the front end should be recessed, which lends this distinct appearance. Dapol appear to have represented the headcode as flush, but with a groove around the shape of it, which isn't accurate (unless some had this as a modification, which I am unable to confirm).

- The front end below the windows should actually slope back towards the unit slightly:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/525c004ae4b077ec7f4c34cb/t/52dd1b7be4b0f48cdba6bbdd/1390222205995/gjm_078512.jpg?format=1500w

- The side windows do not appear to be correct. See page 3 of this thread, where someone has provided a comprehensive illustration of this.

- There are many fine 2mm RTR models whose windows manage a very nice "flush" appearance, despite this apparent "limitation of plastic":

https://rails.azureedge.net/product-images.axd/IMG_2204JUL16.jpg?preset=large

However one would think that there's still time for Dapol to modify the glazing.

Thanks for sharing your pictures and thoughts, but I'm another who won't be opening my wallet for this model. As others have mentioned, it almost looks like a 141/ 142 hybrid...

There is - at last - an update "from the horse's mouth" (i.e. one of the authors) regarding the progress or otherwise of the long-overdue 'Volume 2' and also news of a prospective 'Volume 3'.

 

Recently added to his website at: http://www.steve-banks.org/publications/80-books-updates/305-a-tale-of-three-projects

 

Interesting comments too on the current resale values of 'Volume 1' - I suggest those of us lucky enough to have it keep it locked away somewhere safe!

I chuckled a little that he found it "...sobering to find that many book sellers cannot distinguish between principal and principle", yet elsewhere on the same page he states that "the book took 12 years for me and Clive to complete..."!

I missed out on volume 1 but am looking forward to volume 2, which will doubtless prove very useful.

Also, at first glance, I thought this thread pertained to the Harris book, which barely acknowledges the existence of Thompson!

...though BR Western Region did exhibit an almost pathological desire to close any piece of railway that fell into their clutches...

 

I'd suggest that this didn't apply solely to the Western region. One of the quickest ways to close a branch in the "Beeching" era was to claim that the junction with the main line required expensive repairs or even replacement. I heard multiple stories of this happening when I worked on the Eastern, although admittedly these (mostly*) took place years before I started. It seems that too many rail staff of this era were too concerned with seeing how much track they could get closed, rather than keeping lines open.

*There were a couple of notable examples which were more recent than Beeching. I'll leave you to guess at which.

I spotted a Turbot on one of Kernows latest posts

Do you have a link pls?

Very disappointing. I sent Dapol plenty of photos highlighting how and where the distortion had occurred and explaining where it needed correcting. I got a polite letter thanking me for my input. Later it looked like the windows had been improved so I assumed it was heading in the right direction.

 

Sadly the taper on the lower part of the "face" has been stretched making it far too tall. In fact the whole tumblehome is wrong. Oh well, I won't be getting any.

From observation of the decorated samples on Dapol's website, it appears as though something considerable *may* have gone awry (although the fact that online images may not be truly representative of the finished model is duly noted).

The front end screams "wrong shape" to me. There's too much "bulge" on the bottom angle below the cab windows, leading to a too- chubby front view appearance.

On the bodysides, It *looks* as if the windows are either incorrectly sized, or located too high up (or both), as the bodyside below them seems too deep. This may be compounded by the fact that the tumblehome has a too long and shallow a curve.

Additionally, the destination indicator box seems to be lacking the top ridge, which gives these units a distinct "peaked hat" appearance. It appears as though Dapol have tried to represent this as a groove, which doesn't look quite right to me.

The underframe looks more passable (I'm assuming the footsteps will be in the box for the purchaser to fit), with some decent- looking relief to the components. The roof curvature to the bodyside seems to be a little too angular, perhaps also contributing to the deep look of the bodyside (much like a class 141 as someone else mentioned).The doorframes also look a little thick.

These are just first glance observations and I appreciate that I'm commenting upon samples only, which is also why I have refrained from remarking upon the livery application and details thereof. Liveries may differ upon production application, however I highly doubt the shape will. Final judgement reserved until I see one in the flesh.

Wow Pete!

I've been mostly off RMWeb for the best part of the year, return to my favourite layout thread and, wallop, it's no longer a layout!!   

Can I just say that your work provided much inspiration and entertainment, and your creativity will be sorely missed! All the best to you in your endeavours abroad, I know you won't regret it. Thanks again.

Went to a Def Leppard/ Poison concert last night... does that count?

 

Hand laid track.  A primer on points...

 

 

This is great, thanks for sharing!

But it's not PECO is it...??

Bachmann are not in the business of mass production as the run for each model can hardly be called 'mass'! The majority of today's highly detailed locos are niche and bespoke.

Versus someone who produces high quality, customized models for an individual consumer...

Are you having a laugh? So retooling a body and a repaint, with a £20 increase is 'expensive?' Glad you aren't one of my customers.

Except that Bachmann are in the business of mass production, so it's really somewhat of a false equivalence.

Therefore you do have two options.

Three, if you count not buy one at all. (Make one, buy one, not buy one.)

Can you make one for less?

No but if I could I would! And I wish *they* could!!

...the RRP when released later this year will be £169.95.

So the Bachmann 70 rises in price from £98 to £145. I know I will be lambasted for daring to say this , but why is it Bachmann need to raise prices by 50%, yet the SLW class 24 price remains the same after 18 Months and several Releases?

It's getting out of hand. Completely understand their reasons for starting these increases a few years ago (Chinese economy etc etc), but recent prices are very difficult to justify for me, sadly. Bachmann are now above and beyond the other manufacturers in terms of price in many areas (locos, coaches and wagons), and not just the new tool models either. Looking at the percentage increases over the past 5 years is quite shocking...

Just received 1154 (weathered grey) and very pleased at first glance. I need to make the weathering look a little "glossier" and add some general dirt (factory weathering can always be improved upon, I think) but the tank itself certainly conveys the right impression.

My main gripe is with the packaging. Not having purchased a Heljan product for many years, the box seems overly large. That's okay if product protection is paramount, but then they leave a display hole in the front of the box and all that's left to protect the the bulk of the wagon is a flimsy piece of plastic! Thankfully, Rail's judicious use of packing filler avoided any unfortunate incident.

I just acquired one of these (R3407) from Rails for very reasonable cost, having not seen one since the old Lima toy from which it evolved. Very impressive, nice and weighty and so much more detailed. I'm not an expert on this period at all (my "steam" stuff is for my son's future bedroom layout!), but I love what Hornby have done with this venerable old model.

With the price of RTR locomotives these days, it's not too often that I don't feel at least a tinge of buyer's remorse, but no such feelings here thankfully.

Now if only for that G5...