DapolDave

Hi Phil, Some of the first batch of green 52's are 'in country' and could be at Dapol mid week (customs release, transportation etc permitting). The first BR blue version should also be on the consignment but only 249 of the 500 of 1 deco, as that's all that could be built before staff started leaving for CNY (Staff started leaving very early this year). Then we have to put those together with nameplates that are still being completed by Shawplan and hen ship to stockists. So while not impossible I'd say its a tight timeline. Cheers Dave

I'm going to try to get them attached with only a minimum of glue in the central part of the number and nameplate if possible.Cheers Dave

Anyone got their D1000 yet?

Hi Jerry, The nameplates, to stop people criticising the fitting in N gauge will be fitted I'm afraid. As for the time frame? Seriously I have no idea, I need to see how many workers return after CNY first. Cheers Dave

Western front Western park flyover Western approaches Western Canada ;-)

Thanks Richard, I look forward to reading it myself. Cheers Dave

Same as the Dapol release 4 plus Enterprise in sand with SYWP from Osbournes as an exclusive. It's quite hefty too at 128g

Hi the-Gog, I havnt seen the review. What do they say? Cheers Dave

Hi Jim, Not sure your right I'm afraid. (I'm not saying your wrong mind you), but too many have checked and said its fine. Mark used his cad and measurements, we used our laser scan, we also used 'some' drawings. In fact as far as I remember (with the MR review) the height Is spot on, the width Is about 1/2 mm too narrow and because of extra Long buffer settings its 3mm too long. It's too late to change now in either gauge I'm afraid. I wish you'd said sooner. Cheers Dave

And free nano robots to fit them :-)

Seriously though, the N gauge version I think looks even better. I might do a WR layout after all ;-)

I'm sorry Adrian, I call on all members here to ignore all postings by Adrian, as they are tainted with yummyness that, rather like too much sugar, cannot be good for us all. Oh, and you guys should see the N gauge version ;-)

Production run of 400 only (ever!), lift rings, nameplates, livery air pipes etc all factory fitted. 3 signature certificate of limited edition. A box to die for, apparently a limited run badge in the box. Apart from all those, then it's the same model ;-) Cheers Dave

Hi loco fan, No it may not. Here's a little tip that's 85% successful in the customers I tell it to. It maybe that the gear has gone a little too far on the worm meaning that the motor operates but the signal doesn't. Try operating the signal as normal via the switch. At the same time flick (yes flick) the top or bottom of the signal, depending on which way the arm will go if properly operating. Strangely enough this should re engage the gear with the arm, although you might have to flick a couple of times for success. If that doesn't work it's back to the place of purchase for replacement. Fingers crossed Cheers Dave

Hi guys I can confirm that the D1000 'Western Enterprise' models for Steam museum at Swindon have been dispatched today and will be there tomorrow. cheers Dave

Hi 0O00, no we wont be producing sound fitted versions as we are not big enough a company to manage that project. however i am putting the WLA together with Ian (Leggomanbiffo) from this parish to record probably the ultimate sound of a Wezzie for you to purchase from Ian. cheers Dave

Hi Jim, i'm not sure to be honest. The lift rings arent fragile at all (etched brass) but are losable and available as spares. The nameplates arent fragile (Shawplan). The replacement valances arent. The brake rigging comes off and is an interference fit to allow re-wheeling, so i suppose you could say thay the connection betwen it and the bogie is 'fragile' but it wont break as the plastic is too malliable. Air pipes etc are very strong but non brittle plastic. cheers Dave

Hi Dudley, No, sorry. I'm not keen on diluting the model at all in this way. cheers Dave

Nice review in the latest RM showing a Peco wagon converted by Peco using our NEM sockets. They also mention that they will work on their NEM fitted 009 stock too

Now I hadn't noticed that Nidge. Mind you I don't have my pics to refer to either at the moment. I bow before way superior knowledge. Cheers Dave

Hi Neil, I think the headcode windows are a 'nadgers' (excuse the technical term here guys) too small, and as such the correctly sized numbers don't fit correctly within the window area. Are you referring to the central pillar visible behind the glass? If so it should bean easy fix or even remove? Cheers Dave I understand a Warship may be announced next month and not from Dapol :-(

I fully back Chris here guys, I think that there is a problem with the marking of the models in general though, but i doubt, even though i joke about it, that it's affected by other manufacturers etc. More like an inconsistency of review and pressure of publication dates. For those that have them on order the D1000 "Western Enterprise" models arrived at Dapol this afternoon but wont be shipped to Steam museum tomorrow by courier arriving Friday. I've contacted Steam to let them know about the delivery and they inform me that there's less than 10 left. cheers Dave

Hi Chris, Thanks for the reply. Recently there has been a spate of products reviewed with shall we say 'interesting' % marks. For example one got 99% and the reviewer failed to note that although it is a super model (i have 2), the lit table lamps were not in the right place at each table, or have lamp shades painted etc (ala the pullmanns) and were merely crude clear plastic dowels through the middle of each table. Another gave us 8 out of 10 for the 2884 loco performance but readily noted in the text it couldnt be tested! I see some models in MR with predominantly high marks but others (not just Dapol's i must add) with quite low marks. The 22 was a great case in point. it got lower than another model (albeit a special comission) and while the 22 has had and still gets rave review for it's accuracy and detail, the special commission one doesnt and gets poor comments on this forum. (same reviewer by the way). Although i think the % mark needs to be scrapped, it certainly effects me when i know we have a good product (or not, read below) which some view as terrific but it gets marked down a 'huge' by most standards out of 100% for quite a minor thing. As for the Western i'm now slightly mortified that people on RMWEB are saying the face is wrong, the cab windows are wrong and it needs work to make it look correct. I'm also dissapointed that some of those very same people have seen the model in the flesh, in pictures and cad/cams here and at shows for the last 12 months or so and have sat back and said nothing. Guys, if there was a problem then you should have spoken up. The reason i ask for comments is that i truly want us all to have the best we can make, but i hate the idea that i've goofed and gotten the face wrong. If only you'd have shouted out earlier i could have done something about it. Edited for clarity

Well there's a good review in this coming Model Rail which i received today. 92% though as it apparently has fragile parts and easy detachment of brake rigging! (oh and isnt branded on the box 'Heljornbymann" either. ), What do we have to do to get a higher mark? Seriously though, the brake rigging is a loose interference fit to allow re-wheeling and a blob of glue when you get yours is advised, and fragile detail parts! design proper or design stupid? Do you want (as modellers) detail parts or dont you? It seems that possibly MR think that all detail parts should be solidly affixed (with all that implies regarding heavy looks etc) at any price, and that modellers arent willing to pay the retail price for 'fragile detail parts' as thats a poor design feature and have marked us down because of the latter. I'd appreciate opinions please. cheers Dave

Well that's down to Andy as I think he's going down that road already, with his production model. Cheers Dave