DoverPriory

I bought some Loctite gel Superglue. There was no way that the lugs on the brake rods would fit into the holes on the loco's brake shoes - even using a magnifying glass held in a retort stand and with illumination from above. So I took the executive decision to remove them and hopefully get a bigger surface area for contact and adhesion with the glue. The superglue was applied to the hole where the lugs were supposed to fit into, being a gel it forms a neat 'blob' into which the brake rods were placed. I did the front and back points of contact first and let them dry (with the aid of a hair drier), and then did the middle two points of contact. After an hour or so I 'topped up' the glue on each joint. So far I've done one loco. It looks ok and seems fairly robust - although time will doubtless tell. I havent got the courage to start drilling at this stage.But the loco I've done does now look the part. And there are three more to do.

Thanks for the help.......off to Wilkos to get some superglue. But I think my basic problem is my eyesight and insufficient hands!

Probably not the right place to ask this. But for a complete beginner how in Gods name do you fit the brake rods to a spamcan? I have just tried for an hour or so with no luck. Just cannot get the lugs to fit into the tiny holes . I presume the answer is to 'fit ' the two centre lugs using plastic glue (ie forgetting about getting them into the holes) and then botch the front and back set somehow? The set for the tender were no problem. I have sorted out which are LHS and which are RHS.

Hope everyone involved with this thread will vote for the French boat train rolling stock in the 2016 wishlist poll.....they would, in OO scale, be a really superb addition to a SR themed layout when we will also have classy 71's available. The HO coaches and fourgons really don't look the part at all. I'm no computer expert but what is all this about adverts blocking script and pop ups? I have windows 10 (and quite like it now I've sorted out my laptop's driver issues) running on Google (the younger generation told me to get rid of internet explorer - prone to hacking I'm told) and I can read the article about E5001 restoration without any problems. Good to see one of the class is there to remind some of us 'old gits' of times past.

This is indeed the good news that so many of us have been waiting for! Some folk, including me, had begun to despair. I am so looking forward to running some real quality class 71 models on my SR themed layout. I have four on order and will put in an order for one of the GA versions from Hattons. If you would kindly keep us abreast of progress so that I can order my sound chips from DC Kits in good time to fit them and hopefully enjoy Christmas activities other than overeating and over imbibing. Thanks

I fitted the Legomanbiffo 8 pin micro with sugar cube speaker to my class 71. The chip,as the name suggests is small, and presented no problems . The speaker I fitted to the 'ceiling' of the loco with some very adhesive black tack from our local photography shop. I had to remove the internal spring to fit the speaker so the pantograph isn't going to operate. But that isn't a problem for me. I don't think they were much used in the real thing anyway? I have yet to change the volume on some of the sounds, but so far so good. The Legomanbiffo chip allows a sound chip to be fitted to a model where clearly little thought was given to such an eventuality!

Just fitted a sound chip into E5001. Runs well and sounds good. Well pleased as the younger generation say.

Are we correct to assume that production of the DJ Models set of class 71 locos is set to take place/is currently taking place with delivery in 2-3 months time? My reading of these columns is 'he didn't say yes and he didn't say no - but he didn't say stop although he didn't say go'.

Legomanbiffo have certainly captured the sound of the class 71 whistle which I remember from my childhood days. Just compare the sound with the real thing (Youtube - a railtour from 1996 with three class 33's and a class 71 - or a title something like that - the only class 71 sound I've found anywhere - the loco performs at around 5-6mins into the video). A DJM model with Legomanbiffo sound is going to be on a par with the SLW class 24 in the Premier league of rtr models!

I wonder if there is any news on production of this great looking model Dave. I have now got four on order with KMRC (couldn't resist one of the grimy blue version). Next step is to look out for the sound chips from Legomanbiffo. And then I hall be able to relive my childhood watching these locos speeding along the chalk cliffs to and from Dover.

I seem to remember an old proverb about a race between a tortoise and a hare with the race not necessarily being won by the swift! Looking at comments made about 'the other' brand of class 71 on Youtube makes me glad that I am waiting for the DJM model. Evidently problems with fitting chips and speakers .........problems with internal space..........the model certainly looks nice looks nice......but Dave tells us that his model has been specifically designed to cater for chips and speakers. Don't hold back too hard on your production numbers Dave......I have a 'feeling in my water' that the real SR modellers ( and more ) will want to buy the DJM version. I will be ordering a weathered blue version to augment the three I already have on order.

Yes - me to. The green ones used,as I remember from 'playing' as a child along the railway lines at Little Switzerland, to do most of the Boat Train/Golden Arrow duties. Hence their cleanliness. The blue ones were often to be seen hauling freight from the docks where cleanliness of the loco was not an issue. They were very quiet locos - unlike the diesels you didn't hear them until they were close at hand and then their presence was announced by the unique chilling whistle they had. Happy days!

Yes you are right about 'the other firms' delivery date.............only excuse for missing this is that I've been busy of late decorating, gardening etc and have been skimming through available information. But in all seriousness I really do think the DJM version is going to be way in front in terms of quality........as Gwiwer puts it.............the other model will probably look like a Railroad item! And I am very willing to wait for something good.

Very glad to see that orders for your class 71 are flooding in. This must reflect the trouble you have gone to with the model and your open contribution to the dialogue on RM web. Yes lots of us are looking forward to getting our hands on one and are doubtless pleased to hear that production start is imminent. The 'other company' looking to sell OO gauge 71's has given up on arrival dates for its produce it appears. I did have an order for E5001 with them but have canceled and bought another DJM 71 instead......that's three I've put in for!

Following on from the reportage in these columns about the forthcoming arrival of the DJ Models class 71 I have decided to start again with my OO gauge modeling. I had already ordered two (green) 71's on the crowd funding scheme before I gave up in disgust over a succession of appalling quality locos- I will now keep these two and I will add one of the Hattons 71's. I really look forward to class 71's hurtling down my layout just like the real ones used to hurtle through Little Switzerland in times gone by. So I shall have to order some polystyrene blocks to try and simulate chalk escarpment. I presume it will take a few months to get these models to the UK for delivery - so I shall hopefully have enough time (after gardening duties have been done) to rebuild my layout. I trust that Dave will let us know when the sound chips will be available - these really will, I think, put the icing on what looks to be a superb model! Good to see that the hobby is supporting this venture by DJM!!!!!!!!

There is clearly huge interest in these models. Are any of the sound chip companies producing a sound chip for these locos to give modelers that wonderful 'factory whistle' that these locos kept for all their time in BR service?

I note that Hornby have put back the delivery time of their 3 versions of the 71 by a month. So we will see them about Christmas time then?

As a very final postscript: we have set the wheels of both locos with b2b's as wide as possible and they now both run respectably. We still have to sort out the cab lights - both work permanently on one loco and the front works permanently on the other. I think virtually every glued on part of these locos has fallen off with the constant handling they have had. A cure for the lemon curd yellow ends I suppose will be to weather heavily? But they are no longer my problem! However my opinion of Dapol remains unchanged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a postscript to my Dapol 73 issues I relate the following: I recently had a 73 returned from repair. As I no longer have a layout I gave it to a mate after putting back its chip. Apparently it ran OKish for a few days then it started to stall on two parts of his layout. Other locos including a (highly temperamental) E4 had no issues with the track at all! So we spent an hour disassembling it looking for power pick up issues. Couldn't see anything amiss. So put it back together again. Still it p*ssed about at the same 2 spots on the track (both level, clean and straight). Odd thing is - it runs ALMOST perfectly BACKWARDS.............................for the moment anyway!

This company has no shame WHATSOEVER! Like southernelectric and others I have not received my collectors club model. Nor,despite several phone calls, have I received back my 2 class 73's deposited with Dapol's agent for repair back in January. This together with Hornby BoB and WC Pacifics that regularly fall apart and malfunction has made me draw stumps on railway modeling as a hobby. Enough is enough. P*ss poor quality products at ever increasing prices just takes away, for me anyway, any enjoyment in the hobby.So I have spent the day dismantling a layout built up over 15 years packed away locos, rolling stock and buildings and put them away in the loft. Tomorrow I shall break up the base board etc and have a sacrificial fire upon which I will spit roast a couple of BoB's in a deeply religious ceremony without any sandalwood I'm afraid. I will continue to watch these columns free of commitment as an interested spectator.

Has anyone had faulty class 73's returned from repair by Dapol (DCC supplies) yet? I sent back two in January and have heard absolutely nothing since. They must be in league with Humax (manufacturer of tv set top boxes). Anything sent back to them just disappears into a 'black hole of denial'.

With my heart in my mouth I have just bought a Dapol class 52 ( with SWD sound chip) from KMC after having had two horrendous class 73s. Well all I can say is that it is absolutely brilliant. Did have a bit of a problem getting it to run through a diamond crossing - but that was MY fault the approach track wasn't truly straight and the problem was easily rectified. For a BIG (it is a big beast) Co Co model it is surprisingly 'agile' around a small (10ft by 5ft) layout! How on earth can a company that produces a superb model like this descend to producing absolutely crap class 73s???????????? I don't understand!!

A scan of the 2015 British Model Railway awards shows for the OO gauge 'diesel and electric' category ...........................Daplol's class 73 in 5th place just behind SLW's class 24..............UNBELIEVABLE?? How can such an appalling model achieve this? I give in!!!!!!

I totally echo the sentiments in your post from the electrics designed by an ape ( on reflection an ape would probably have made a better job of it) to the blemishes. Attempts at contacting Dapol have also been totally fruitless. Only Hattons come out of this saga with any credit. Dapol will get no more business from me, and I suspect, quite a few others! Have dusted off my old Hornby 73's and bought another ' new ' one on eBay for £72, at almost half the Dapol cost it's got to be a bargain. But in all seriousness I think the sourcing of these items from China is becoming a serious quality issue.