Pegleg90

Comparable on price for a current day model but with all the bells and whistles (horns), absolutely spot on - well done Hattons! Cant wait to get my hands on some - think my wallet can though!  

Merry Christmas All, 

Received 68008 Avenger today from my lovely parents, looks really great with the brake discs and the crisp DRS branding, went to run it in on a DCC concepts rolling road and it seems quite noisy/rough running it in in either direction compered to my first batch 68's, any suggestions why this is or send it back? 

Only a very tiny corner of yellow rubbed off but think i can live with that.

Many thanks

Ali

Latest DCC on board locos from batch two seem to be taking their time....

 

Anybody heard anything ?

 

Notice DCC supplies are out of the Class 68 decoders otherwise would have purchased a DCC ready model.....

Asked Dapol on their forum and sounds like the decoders (non & sound) were delayed so early January for delivery now. 

I was thinking that too, message a leading online seller last week who said they were told they’d have them in time for Christmas, must say I’m starting to wonder if they’ll get them right before and they’ll arrive afterwards now.

Great news, weathered set and extra wagon pre-ordered! Will these have any lighting options for night time running?

Model of the year candidate next year???

And theres the motivation I need to get the work space area back up and running following decorating my room! Looking good Jack!

Thanks for the replies people...so I think we can deduce (dangerous to, I know!) that Dapol cut some quotas short due to the unavailability of chips, and that the first batch has now finished production.

 

Not wanting to pay silly prices, I think I'll wait for the next batch but contact Dapol and see if I could purchase/have a second body with the number I want on it if they are to produce some correctly liveried extra bodies.

 

I'll send a few emails and see what happens.

 

Thanks for the replies,

Jack.

Hi Jack, 

I'm in a similar situation with 68002, pre-ordered it at the same time as 68005 from Rails but to date I've only had 68005 turn up, I've chased Rails for an update and their response was we're contacting Dapol. At the time of the DCC ready locos being released Rails contacted me to see if I wanted to change my order to DCC ready as they couldn't confirm they would be able to fulfil my order for both fitted but didn't say it would be one or the other. I'm not sure if its the returns issue, took too many pre-orders or Dapol changed the retailers allocations or what, I would just like to know whether I'm getting it or not.

I have to say though, due to the un-certaintity I was getting, I sourced a DCC ready 68002 just incase but i've since (this weekend passed) gone sod it and fitted it with Legomanbiffo's sound with a base reflex speaker (its really good - bloody loud when I first tried it). Down side to this is its got the rubbed yellow ends - anyone know a suitable off the shelf yellow to match these for touching up?

Thanks 

Ali

Top work Ali...a few suggestions...

 

With the MXA, you could cut a small section out of the ribs underneath the wagon, which would bring the body and chassis to the right height and negate the need for a lot of filing.

 

I've had the varnish do that before too, and I've found there is no reasonable explanation. If it's too humid (like this week hasn't been up here), or too hot this may be the cause, or 'flooding' the area with the paint may cause this effect, so maybe try lighter layers. I've also found leaving the model in the sun following spraying can cause it to dry too soon, again causing this.

Any of these could've caused it, and I've found there's no one solution to solving this....just keep trying!

Here's a thread I started many moons ago when I had the same problem. I'm now super cautious about weather conditions when spraying anything...http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/97852-why-would-varnish-white/

 

Hope this helps,

Jack.

Thanks Jack, 

Good idea on the underside ribs of the box, I don't know why I didn't do that! 

So probably spraying humbrol acrylic gloss varnish late evening in the garage when the day has been quite warm and not shaking the can enough probably caused this! How did you get over it on your 66? I'm half tempted to have a go with the thinners option as mentioned.

Thanks

Al

Evening All, 

Long time no post again, i'll blame work! 

Anyway, treated myself to class 37 sound decoder & speaker from south west digital, quite happy with it but I do need to improve its air-tightness around the speaker.

Not too much done on the salmon/osprey wagons but I have added coupling hooks from brass masters.

Also seemed to have misplaced the axle box covers from one of the bogies so started making replacements.

MXA front has been slow going too say the least. After i removed alot of the body the remains started flexing so thought I might use some old rail to strengthen the body, only downside is its too tall so got a heap load of filing to do to bring the height down - yay! 

I've been slowly having a go at weathering wagons, mainly a few MFA's and a JNA i had to hand. Mainly dry brushing using a rail match rust base colour, quote happy with the results.

Also had a go at adding buffer grease based on RS4's thread, fairly happy with the results, probably got the mixture on too soon.

Happened to be on model masters web side when they had a sale on transfers so thought I'd have a go at renumber a MFA, using T-Cut, absolutely fine, 

Think I've ballsed up on the varnish though as after applying 2 light coats of humbrol acrylic gloss varnish, the model now has these mist patches, don't know if I didn't shake the can enough, let the first coat dry sufficiently or what (answers below please).

I did have a can of rail match gloss varnish which i think i should of probably used instead.

Anyway, thats it for now.

Thanks

Ali

Thanks for the head up Jack, 68014 on its way. I feel legomanbiffo's sound system the next purchase looming but for 68002.

Talking 68002, what's the best shade of yellow out there available to buy to touch up the packaging rub marks on the front of the locos? 

Apologies if this has already been mentioned.

Thanks in advance, 

Ali

Nice work Jack. I know what you mean, before you know it you have the majority of the wagon together, then comes the frame work on top should you be going for that - silly question????? 

Thanks Nick - my DCC fitted one despite being supplied fitted had the switch in wrong position - throwing to position 1 now means all lights work as they should.  My self fitted MX644D (remapped to C) decoder is another matter... random collection of lighting effects would be best way of describing and switches all in right positions... I am regretting the price I paid for that decoder - would have probably gotten similar output from a £10 hattons decoder

Thanks for posting Matt, glad you said that as mine was in position 2, not 1. Can't check function 2 yet as prodigy advance 2 but all the others seem to work but... function 1 when I go into push mode (coupled on end 2), the cab light comes on... presume its not meant to do that? I don't want to go reprogramming functions 1 or 2 until I'm fairly sure the others are correct. 

Also need to have a go at reprogramming my zimo MX634D decoder - won't be able to for a week or 2. I know a guy on you tube has re-programed on.

Thanks

Ali

I've now got 2 of the 68s - one I bought DCC ready and the other DCC fitted.  Both locos look close to perfect with nameplates more or less level and only a couple of very minor paint issues - overall though they have the wow factor and rank (to me) as two of best models I've yet bought.  However I am totally perplexed regarding DCC lights...

 

Starting with DCC fitted loco - it drives perfectly and F0 activates the main lights as advertised.  However the rest of the functions don't seem to perform as the instructions suggest - one of the push pull settings puts both front and rear lights on (same as F0) and other doesn't result in any lighting at all.  The Halos work but then other functions do nothing.  Given this was supplied with DCC chip on board and I've changed nothing, I am confused...  My controlled is a NCE ProCab.

 

For the DCC ready loco I have switched the switches as per the instructions, installed a Zimo decoder (I think MX644D non sound), reset the CV as suggested in an earlier post and have got a setup that is bizarre in the least.  Again F0 OK but the other functions are all over the place with what seems to be a random array of which lights work or don't.  I am not overly familiar with the real thing and the various modes of lighting which might be part of the issue...

 

Request to some of you more knowledgeable folks - how should the lights operate on these locos (as they may be ok but I am misunderstanding)?  Am pretty sure there is an issue with my DCC fitted one but has anyone else encountered this and how did you remedy?  I am loathe to send any back as I am pleased otherwise but somewhat perplexed by the lighting! 

 

M

Hi Matt, I'm having the same issue with my DCC fitted loco, F1 is no different to F0, can't check F2 as I have a prodigy advance 2 controller which is set for momentum and can't be changed - some CV's to be changed.

I'd of thought only one end lights would be working in push/pull mode too.

I've got a similar problem with the zimo MX634d which I've set to a C variant, still need to try it with the Other CV changes.

Cheers

Ali

Got the first of 2 DCC fitted locos today, 68005, really impressed with it, straight plates, no glue marks, no damaged yellow ends. Had to smile though in the accessories pack, had 2 tension lock coupling in the bag plus the one on the loco but no second valance.

Hi Jack, 

Nice work as always! The PFA's are a nice little wagon to make - granted not finished one yet and have 3 of the 8 I have on the go! what coupling are you thinking of using for them?

Regards

Ali

Never stop do I ??

I've been considering the height of the MXAs during this build.

I've now compared them against a BYA/BRA and a Class 66 in photos. Mine are way over height.

So, the last batch of boxes are 13mm plus the 1.5mm strip underneath.

I reckon they are now "right"

Prototype / test build;

IMG_1230.JPG

Corrected build:

IMG_1229.JPG

Irritating, but there you go.... they just didn't look right to me.

I've been using a network rail JNA to gauge the height as I'd seen a photo of the 2 next to each other and they appear to be the same height.

So, I've primed the 3 I had been working on:

IMG_1219.JPG

Built another one:

IMG_1218.JPG

Painted 3 in day glo DBS red:

IMG_1221.JPG

IMG_1220.JPG

Wibble. Rivet. Rivet

Strangely, I do like building these. 5 years ago I would never have thought to build my own.

One thing I must do is finish this project off and not leave it part done, hanging around.....

Nice work, and glad to see you back! Makes a change from RHTT sets! How did you take down the height of the BDA wagon? Made bit of a pigs ear on mine!

I've had access to a controller again and can confirm the CV8 change works to get bring the Halos to life.

 

Might experiment inline with Nikabd post too later

Hi NaN

Take it all the lighting functions worked fine (i.e. as per Dapols instructions) once you did this change to CV8?

Thanks

Ali

The 'D' versions of Zimo decoders are not MTC compliant so won't work correctly with the Dapol 68, you need to use the 'C' versions.

But you are in luck as it is a 634D, as you can convert it to a 634C by writing a 3 to CV 8.

My MX632D says its MTC...

 

Thats what mine says as well. Dapol digest also state zimo 'D' suffix as comparable. 

Presume this must be something to do with the function mapping they mentioned, but how do I do it and what values do I need to enter?

It has been available for pre-order for quite a while. As with many modern releases, if you don't pre-order you risk not getting one. I didn't pre-order and took the gamble, had I not got one, I would only have myself to blame.

 

I am sure there will be more along, and if you have a hunt, there are still some about. Several posts on here have said where.

 

Roy

I've pre-ordered the DRS livery 2 DCC fitted versions from rails but they cannot confirm they'll be able to fulfil my order as they rung up on the release day asking if i wanted to change to DCC Ready because of this - half kicking myself now.

Hello, 

I purchased 68006 from my local model shop last Saturday, no issues, lovely model and it runs fine on DC and even better on DCC. 

I've put a MX634D Zimo chip in mine, all good but the lighting functions are doing this:

FN0 on in forward direction (cab 1), head lights, cab lights but no tail lights (cab 2 end)

FN0 on in reverse (cab 2), cab light only at cab 2 end, no headlights, red lights on cab 1 end

FN0 & FN1 on in forward direction (cab 1), head lights on cab 1 & 2, cab lights cab 1

FN0 & FN1 on in reverse (cab 2), cab light on at cab 2 end, cab 2 headlights on, red lights on cab 1 end

Are there any detail differences between 001-005 and 016-025?

Thought I read the fuel takes changed after 68005 onwards? Digest forum?

What DCC decoders are people using for their locos? I'm considering a zimo one for 68006 I bought to day!

Got mine today...

 

For some reason, the other 5 functions of the 6 function DCC decoder won't work.

And also when the train stops it won't restart until I give it a lot of pushing... As it's under warranty I haven't unscrewed anything but I can't see any obvious loose wires... Any ideas?

Has yours been supplied DCC fitted from Dapol? Thought these were a few weeks off yet?

Not a high enough start voltage?

From the Dapol order forms that we receive every month, the production run across all liveries (DRS, Chiltern and ScotRail) and all versions (DCC Ready, Fitted and Sound) and including the DRS 68.001 special comes to over 5,000 models made.

 

This strikes me as being a far larger initial production run of any model in recent times, with the possible exception of the Bachmann Midland Pullman.

 

Rather than criticising Dapol for not producing enough, I would suggest that Dapol should be congratulated on their belief and confidence to produce such a large number of models.

5k! How many is a normal production run?

350no 68001 limited edition, 

775no of each running number,

258no (rounded down) of each decoder version - DCC Ready, Fitted and sound!

Note above is based on if all are of equal quantities and my maths is still good this late on a friday evening after a beer!