littleset

Cheers for this, could I enquire as to how you removed the paint from the coupling rods? Yours looks much better. No idea why they don't come like that from the factory.

I've been following this project since the beginning. Like plenty on here I couldn't wait to get my hands on this model. Well I finally got my hands on one today so here is my verdict. If you want a smooth running, well detailed tank engine for your push pull service then you should get yourself a Bachmann 64xx and order a set of etched plates (all for less than a DJM 14xx). I'd even suggest a Hornby 14xx if you can stomach that weird pale olive colour they keep painting BR green locomotives. My reasoning is this; I expect there to be some compromises, some penny pinching in the design. Its something we unfortunately have to get used to. The problem with the DJM is I can't understand the choices they've made. Why include etch plates if your just going to fit them wonky into gouges in the body sides. Why use metal con rods then paint them to look like plastic (which I actually think is the worst part of the model and totally puts me off). It also appears they're held onto the wheels by plastic pins rather than metal as well so I'd have reservations about longevity. Finally why spend all that time developing a running mechanism to solve a problem that didn't exist, but not bother to fit the correct size wheels. The opening doors and separately fitted smoke box number plate are nice features but I could have gone without if they'd just focussed on more important parts of the locomotive. So as you can imagine my layouts still missing one of my favourite locomotives. I might also note the BR totem wasn't straight either on my example....

@Ian Hargave Yes but only elaborated that it was the choice of the 'technical department'. This was back when I was considering pre-ordering rood ashton hall (went with Bachmann instead), and as we can see they've followed through with that colour choice. As far as I'm aware Bachmanns green is correct, same with Dapol, Heljan and hopefully DJmodels, which also match what we see at heritage railways. I admit that's opening a can of worms but if Hornby have some new information that says all those are wrong and that's why they've changed it I'll tip my hat.

In all honesty I haven't bought anything off Hornby since the class 08 (correct shade but returned 3 times) and the 28xx (on my second one after the first one fell to bits). Changing the shade to the correct one right now with the new tool king would have been the right thing to do. As it'd match all the blue box locomotives I bought in the mean time. However I did email Hornby and despite knowing the colour is wrong they have absolutely no inclination to change it and you should put your money where your mouth is so to speak.

Echoing others already on this. The latest pictures are in this months Hornby magazine. It's still the wrong green. A horrible lifeless olive shade. Here's hoping DJ models is reading these threads and produces his in the proper colour.

If they brought out a castle in a proper green I'd buy one right now. The only reason me and many others I imagine have avoided the Hornby offering is purely because of the horrid paint job.

If anyone Is interested a zimo bass enhanced speaker with a decoder will pretty much drop straight into the tender. And its more than loud enough without drilling any holes. Runs perfectly fine right down to an almost crawl without adding any extra pickups.

I might consider djmodels king if its the right colour. I'd love a castle/grange etc but as previous if its Hornby it wont match any of my other stock. I'm still holding out for a manor etc. Anyway that's off topic

Well I bought 6988 anyway, I agree as has been said the missing frame cut outs annoying but something I can fix if I ever have the time. It isn't honestly that notice able at normal operating height / distance with a train on the hook. And its far less work than buying the Hornby equivalent, for a start its the wrong colour (I honestly do not know why they're using that flat olive on everything now it looks awful) and for £72 I thought it was a good deal. As for running qualities mine stops and starts smoothly and looks pretty convincing as it rushes past with a few coaches. I hope there is a few more GWR engines in the works, its becoming hard to be a western region modeller outside of tank engines