uk_pm

Yes. There is a choice of round or flat, I believe.

The whole build looks terrific - you make it look very simple (and I know it isn't!). Can't wait to see the completed model. Good luck with it.

How lovely to read of the joy this model has given you (and how terrific to have a real class 50 nameplate too). Long may it continue to do so.

Thank you Griff. Alas, all the connections are fine. I’m perplexed and will send it back if I have to, but it’s such a fag (and at £290 I shouldn’t have to)!

I have just taken delivery of a new Bachman class 47, factory sound fitted. It has been run in, and functioned perfectly. I stopped it in front of me, went for a coffee, and now it won’t move. The sound works (and reacts to movements of the throttle), the lights work (and change direction on command), but it will not move. Any suggestions (other than unscrew the body and check the connections)? all thoughts gratefully received. Peter

I have spent the weekend working on a pair of these locomotives, and the more I have done, the more I like it as a model. I can't be confident they are 100% accurate (but what model is?) But it is clear that a lot of thought has gone into them, and they are highly detailed and beautifully presented. As usual, the Heljan mechanism is superb, with the chassis designed with sound and smoke firmly in mind. It is curious that the brochure contains an inaccurate wiring diagram, but that is not a show stopper. As for the shape, I am far from convinced that Heljan has got it wrong. An initial concern that the top of the cab is too flat is dispelled quickly by a glance at 47 358 on page 5 of this thread. Anyway, here are some shots of my pair in action in and around Clagworth; I hope they will win over some of you. PM

Thanks Phil, that is super helpful. Happy (early) Christmas! Peter

Dear Neal Thank you; this is incredibly helpful. Suffice it to say that I disconnected all the wires from the original PCB as part of the process of clearing the decks, and so failed to notice where each was connected. Obviously, that was not a wise move! I do, however, have an intact 47, so can cross reference that. I agree with you re the generosity of the wires; there is plenty there, and it makes the job of adding a decoder much simpler. Similarly, I removed the four wires which go to the under-chassis switches, and that has simplified the wiring and little (but it didn't, as I expected, give me a clear answer to the colour code deployed by Heljan on the model on which I am working). Alas, I was tired before I began, and my brain was not up to the task of working it all out yesterday afternoon. Hopefully, I will not be so tired when I resume work on it next weekend. On a different note, I share your view on the look of this model. I cannot say with absolute certainty that it is spot-on accurate - but the more I look at it, the better it gets. In particular, I put a straight edge against the windscreens and noticed that they are, as they should be, on a different plain, with the central windscreen strut forward of the side struts. Indeed, the more I look at pictures of the prototype, the more I realise that it is a mass of subtle angles the appearance of which varies depending (amongst other things) upon viewing angle and livery, and is probably highly subjective when it comes to recreation in model form. All in all, I think it is another cracking model (and certainly a better model than I could create using any of the currently-available kits). I hope you enjoy yours once it is/they are up and running. Peter

Alas, I agree this loco is not DCC friendly. I tried to wire in a Loksound XL decoder this afternoon and whilst the loco and the sound are working, the lights have eluded me. I have succeeded in making the headlights and the cab interior lights work, but nothing else (and, counter-intuitively, the +ve for the headlights is black, and the -ve red). Has anyone managed to crack the wiring code on this loco? All assistance gratefully received.

What a cracking model - beautifully presented by you Brian, as always. It IS what we have been waiting for! Can you assist with a picture of the speaker, please. And is it the Loksound L that this loco takes? Peter

NOT a 31/1, but a 31/4. Nonetheless, a nice update of a good model - with wiring that is easy to follow, very nice livery application and the (as-standard) superb Heljan mechanism. Here's my model of 31 442 in action...

Hi Charlie I have PMd you - but for the record, I simply bought the 21-pin decoder knowing it fitted the Dapol O gauge 122. I didn’t specifically say which model it was for. This is NOT an error on your part! I think its probably stupidity on mine.

I'm afraid that this isn't a very helpful response, because I don't know how to resolve the issue, but I can confirm you are not going mad; mine is exactly the same. I am using ESU Loksound 5s with Legomanbiffo's latest class 121 sound project. I agree that it is probably a CV issue, but the Loksound 5 instruction manual might as well be in double dutch on this point (at least to me). As matters stand, I cannot get anything except the head/tail lights to work at the no. 1 end. One of the function buttons causes the headlights and destination blind or the taillights to work at the other end - but they are not the right way round (ie the wrong lights illuminate for the direction selected) - and they switch off once the train starts to move! Time for me to master a new skill, methinks!

And here is the 122 in blue/grey. As expected, the livery is very neatly applied, with the colours, lining and livery details captured nicely. As feared, the mechanism is quite highly geared and so quite rough at low speeds (no lovely slow pull away with this model). Both my 122s have benefited from some lubrication, and will, I'm sure, improve with running in. Curiously, one is rougher running than the other. Both are now sound equipped, with fitting the decoder being the work of seconds. I expect speaker selection is crucial and I have, I'm afraid, opted for a sugar cube with sound enclosure fixed externally on the underframe (together with a larger speaker in the guards compartment). So an eagle-eyed spotter may notice some unprototypical additions to Dapol's rather lovely underframe; but that small risk is, to my mind, ameliorated by the improved sound. Interestingly, the location of the motors in the bogies themselves makes this a noisy model when running, so there is some appreciable "real" sound going on too. I have yet to master the lights; my fault for choosing an after-market sound project, rather than waiting for the manufacturer's own. I am still firmly of the conclusion that this is a first-rate model for a very reasonable price. I shall be very interested to see how it compares to Heljan's DMUs when they arrive.

Latest samples from Heljan: https://www.Heljan.co.uk/post/national-grids Sadly, I'm sure there's something wrong with the front end - but I can't put my finger on it.

Very easily indeed - just 4 easily accessible screws to undo and it then lifts off with ease.

It is certainly an excellent model. I'm afraid I don't have a layout thread, at least not for O gauge, My OO gauge model of Doncaster station does feature on here and on YouTube (doncasteroo). My O gauge layout is, sadly, barely more than a plank for displaying my stock. I'm still working out how to fulfil my aspiration for O gauge mainline running (with scale length trains) without relocating and renting some serious commercial space!

The headcodes are blank on the model as supplied, but there is a full set of transfers in the box. You can easily pop out the headcode plate with a little gentle pressure from behind, then the blank plate pops in in its place.

I have taken delivery of a pair of 122s and, as I expected, they look superb. There are some lovely details (including some super etched grilles on the underframe) and the overall shape appears to capture the prototype perfectly. The simple paint finish is very nicely applied, with the tone of the rail blue being spot on. The interior is a work of art (with the blue seat moquette and the metal seat frame captured beautifully - plenty of space for model suitcases between the seats!). The detail pack includes a sold panel depicting the plated-over 2-character headcode box, together with decals for the head codes themselves and a selection of destination labels (some of which are spelt incorrectly I note (unless St. Earth really is a place?!). Tardy ordering of sound decoders has meant that I have yet to test the mechanism, although I note that it is a simple motor worm gear to driving axle transmission, and will, I suspect, need carefully handling if it is not to race off unprototypically. Incidentally, although there are two motors (one in each bogie - all axles are powered), the model takes a OO-gauge 21-pin decoder - so no need to fork out for one of the more powerful decoders. Anyway, I think it is another winner from Dapol and represents real value for money at the price. What do you think? PM

Fabulous! I hope a sight like that makes the years of toil worthwhile. Everything about this layout is inspiring. Thank you for sharing it.

I have a long-ish continuous run layout (20’ x 30’) and operate full-length trains, so work my locos quite hard. My fleet of Bachmann Deltics now all sit on the Heljan DP2 chassis and my Heljan 47s work faultlessly. The Bachmann 47s are temperamental and do not do a scale 95mph, whilst the Bachmann class 37, 40 and 45 have pick up issues (and the 37s, in particular, have a very low top speed). I am absolutely not anti-Bachmann; they have played a massive part in the rising standard of British OO RTR, but they consistently underwhelm in terms of performance. You can see my fleet in operation on my You Tube channel: Doncasteroo.

I’m so glad you said that; they run and run. I can never make my Bachman locos do more than a few circuits before they break down and have to be serviced.

As promised, pics of an Easy Build RBR sandwiched between two Lionheart SKs. The profile on both is identical, as is ride and overall height. My view is you can easily mix and match to form your perfect rake. The only thing to watch is coupling height, which is lower that the prototype on the Lionheart coaches (but which obviously does not detract when the coaches are coupled, since it cannot be seen).

Hi Steve I acquired my first Dapol Mk 1s at the weekend and, aside from being extremely impressed with them overall, can report that they are a perfect match for my Easybuild RBR and FO (and, indeed, my JLTRT BG). I’m separated from my layout until the weekend, but will endeavour to provide some photographic evidence for you then. Peter

OK, then I shall confine myself to congratulating you on your modelling skill. What about the Mk III coaches? Are they also to receive the benefit of your creative skills? Hope so.