classy52

Too be honest the DRS Shop 68001 @£200 is now pretty much the same price or slightly more expensive than the 68002/005 being sold on thiefBay so just comes down to which number you want not to mention the snazzy box you get with the limited edition 001 plus a certificate.

I got my 68001 this morning as well and yes totally agree about how it was wrapped with only 1 layer of bubble wrap and brown paper around the box which I thought was quite poor and expected it to be in another box with the bubble or foam around the item, thus I held my breath when I started to unwrap the item and must admit Dapol's packaging is very good (nice strong box with foam insert) and love the limited edition artwork on the box it came in. Anyway, took out the loco and wow what a model and totally intact with the nameplates perfectly placed with no glue marks and everything else where it should be, even the yellow ends are perfect...too be honest this is my first 68 and it's just simply stunning even with it's livery error down one side which will be quickly forgotten. I have also ordered the 68005 with biffo sound from DC Kits which hasn't arrived yet but amazingly only payed £230 last Monday considering the prices that were being charged for the non-sound versions around the place, can't believe I managed to get one considering how late I was in purchasing thus have been very lucky.

DRS Online shop still has the Limited Edition 68001 available for £200 plus £4.95 delivery if you fancy one of those plus now seem to be cheaper than the stock models on thiefBay, link below; http://shop.directrailservices.com/drs-model-shop/Limited%20Edition%2068001%20Model

Apologies but a little off topic to what is currently being discussed, but has anyone seen the Dapol website where they have referred to 3rd Party Forums discussing the Class 68 accusing posters of fictitious, malicious or false statements about their (presumably) DRS Class 68. Would I be correct to assume Dapol are having a go at the RMWeb forum, personally what I have read throughout this particular thread has all been fact based in regards to the issues with the Class 68 (especially the DRS variant) thus just curious to know what or who they are referring to when debunking posts on 3rd party forums.

Got a reply from DRS to say that customers will be getting their 68001 by the end of this week/beginning of next.

So Hornby can stick an oversized pantograph on it, not fit directional lights and make it on par with their Railroad product range...no thanks Let Dapol continue if it comes to fruition, maybe they'll get the livery right next time.

I had received a response from DRS this afternoon as follows, "Thank you for your email. We are aware there is a livery issue on one side of the model (green swoosh is slightly different on each side), other than that, the models I have seen have not had any glue / crooked nameplates." ​There was nothing else in the email to say that DRS were sending them back due to the livery issue (nameplate positioning & glue confirmed all ok) as that was pretty much it, so I emailed them back to ask if these were now being dispatched as normal even with the livery issue but had not received a response...but yes to pay £200 for a product with a visible printing error down one side of the loco seems a bit rich now even for a 350 unit limited edition run, maybe Dapol/DRS should bite the bullet & start offering a certain amount of refund perhaps to those who have purchased already and reduce the remaining stock down to £123???

I did email DRS last week after I ordered the 68001 just to let them know there were quite a few concerns within forums with nameplates and the livery issue down one side of the loco and just wanted to know from them if there was a QC process DRS would undertake with their products before dispatch to customers, I didn't get a reply thus not entirely sure if there is a hold up due to quality issues or if they are still on track to dispatch this week. I will drop them another line to find out and let you know of any developments.

Yes I have but haven't received it yet, I was informed by DRS last week they will be dispatched during the course of this week so hopefully get it by Friday or Saturday.

You still can get the Limited Edition 68001 Evolution from the DRS website shop for £200 plus £4.95 delivery, evidently now cheaper than the stock models 68002 & 68005...bizarre It seems the DRS 68001 has been flying under the radar???

It does now considering 68001 is still in stock in the DRS Online Shop.

Yes that same seller has now this afternoon increased the prices for both models on ThiefBay, 68005 is now £199.99 & 68002 £219.99 and they originally advertised @169.99 each. Jacksons Diecast Models unashamed profiteering, I mean increasing the prices is bad enough but the same or above the DRS Limited Edition 68001 is a bit rich.

Too be honest the livery error down one side of the loco is inexcusable, bad enough with badly fitted nameplates which I can live with. The swoosh being printed too far to one side is very noticeable on the 68002 & 68005 and just not good enough from Dapol, I'm really hoping this has been done correctly on 68001 especially when it costs £200. If it were Bachmann or Hornby they would be getting crucified for these errors.

I've ordered the 68001 from DRS and was advised we will be getting them next week or from Monday onwards.

Well this sort of unacceptable QC better not inflict the limited edition 68001 from DRS, I just forked out £205 for the privilege and too be honest will send it straight back if any of these issues shown are on this model. Actually, will email DRS customer services to have them or someone in the chain inspect the model before dispatch...if it's possible.

How much was the sound chip from Bif? Cheers Steve

Ye Yep I just had to, bought one and will now leave 68002 & 68005 for later. Bit of a sting at £200 plus the cheek of adding postage @£4.95 but only 350 made thus will be unique I suppose, just watch them go on eBay for filthy prices. Btw DRS Shop only had the method of payment as PayPal only which was unusual, no credit or debit card option???

Had a look at your layout, looking great and can't wait to see it when completed. Yes I'm only after the DRS models but will now probably get the DC Ready one and worry about sound later.

Yeah everywhere I have searched all the pre-ordered DCC Sound models have sold out for the DRS variants which is the one I am only interested in, maybe Dapol underestimated demand??? Yes may have to get the non-sound fitted model and worry about it later. Cheers Steve

I am quite worried to see that all pre-ordered DRS Class 68 Sound Fitted models have been sold out, does this mean Dapol will not produce anymore for the market and that's it or can I safely assume they will churn out more at a later date? Too be honest I hope it is the latter because I am tired of being ripped off on eBay when I've missed the boat due to personal financial circumstances especially when these models are not even a limited run or special edition. Plus Hatton's and Olivia's Trains seem to have over a £20-£40 premium respectively with sound over the Dapol price but not sure they are even using Legomanbiffo sounds which is what I would want, not to mention those prices are way to steep. Any advise on the above will be appreciated.

Absolutely agree hence why I also mentioned Europheonix, maybe Bachmann could have considered modelling something from HNRC or some other rail leasing company but hey we are all entitled to our opinions & I suppose selfishness to what we would want. I just don't think this will sell that well and will still be on the list 12 months from now like the Class 08 & 20 currently up there. Please note the WCRC Class 37 & Class37/Coach set by Bachmann's latest post are nearly sold out so yeah maybe there are quite a few people are modelling WCRC and again why a WCRC 47/8 may have been a wise choice if a 47 was the only class to be considered for the next collectors model.

As a post privatisation modern image collector really disappointed with yet another obscure release from the Bachmann Collectors Club following on from the Class 20 Redmire & Class 08 Spectre because like this new one nobody will really care, way too niche & irrelevant apart from a few who will buy this. The only decent recent release was WCRC Class 37 & coaches thus would have been great to follow up with a decent WCRC 47/8 instead of relying on ageing Vitrains models off ebay, must say even a Class 37 EuroPheonix would have been a superb Collectors Club edition but we can only dream.