uk_pm

I'm so pleased that the reaction to this model is so positive.  I have two of these locos and they are excellent models.  I have spent much of the day fitting sound to my second loco (soon to be 45 144 - complete with JLTRT ETH equipment on the bogies).  I have attached two pics to show my installation for this loco - a bit of butchery required, but all achievable with my mini-cutting discs.  Great sound too. 

On the two production blue models shown, one has the steps and other bits plated over and one doesn't. Also it looks like one has the inner sand boxes and one doesn't. Are these options you can chose irrespective of the version bought or is the factory weathered version different to the un-weathered?

 

I'm still hanging on to see the early blue or green production models before I buy but so far I've only seen blue anywhere.

The factory-weathered version is a later prototype - with marker dots in place of head codes.  Thus, as supplied, the steps and a side grill are plated over, as are the boiler filling points on the roof.  I also note that it has the later style data panel.  The pristine version has a head code, and the earlier data panel.  All that is necessary to make it a later version is included in a bad of accessories (panel blanking plates, roof plates and step blanking plates, together with the inner sand boxes for the bogies.  

The instructions concede that the prototype locos sported a myriad detail differences, and that the model is therefore a compromise.  

I don't think the green versions have been released yet.  Though release is imminent.

Hope this helps.

PM 

Hi Lee.  Fantastic work.  In post 2231 there is a pic of a dismantled Heljan blue 37, together with a rather chunky looking speaker.  Can you tell me about the speaker, please.

Thanks for sharing the pictures - does it go through points OK? - assuming you've had the chance to test it....

I can now report that the loco runs beautifully through all the pointwork on my (rather small) layout.  

Thanks for sharing the pictures - does it go through points OK? - assuming you've had the chance to test it....

Alas, I've not had the chance to test it yet.  But the more I look at, the more I think it is their best diesel yet.  Fantastic.  

THEY'RE HERE (II)!  My pair of Heljan Peaks arrived this morning.  There is a new departure in the packaging; the box is much slimmer than usual, and the loco is attached to a wooden board by two easily removable screws.  

The loco itself is magnificent and littered with details  Mine are weathered - a bit of a surprise, but saves me a job.  I will let the photographs do the talking.  It will be sound-equipped later and then run in.  

Enjoy.  

PM

THEY'RE HERE (again)!  I had the call from Tower Models this afternoon (12th April 2017) - but alas too late to get them to me in Kent this side of Easter.  I hope earlier recipients will share their views and pictures.

Happy Easter all.  

On the basis that actions are louder than words... (the sound decoder is from Southwest Digital)

Thanks PM. Am currently weighing up buying the V4L or the XL, which appears to be a dearer option but I like the idea of the screw terminals rather than soldering. With using the XL are their any resistor issues/risks with blowing the lights? I am looking at simple directional lights/headcode on one function.

 

Thanks for any advice on the XL

 

John

Hi John

I have tried both the L and XL and firmly prefer the XL.  They are different dimensions, but the L actually occupies quite a lot of space (it is much deeper because of its "plug and play" architecture).  Neither am I convinced that "plug and play" is, in fact, much use (although I accept that it reduces the hassle if a re-blow is ever sought).

As for your question about resistors, the honest answer is I am not sure.  I took no chances and fitted resistors - which resulted in a little more soldering - but protects the LEDs from risk.   I also find that using the various CVs to dim the lights can produce a rather unrealistic flickering which is not present with higher CVs and resistance.  

Hope this helps.

Peter

PS: Whichever decoder you use, don't forget to ensure that it is protected from shorting out against the chassis.  Mine are protected (and secured in place) by those rather satisfying sellotape double-sided pads.

Hi John

No need to fear the DCC installation. I fitted an ESU Loksound 4.0 L with its breakout board, This took a couple of hours I guess but simple enough really and now I have a plug and play decoder, which I really like.  Heljan could have helped of course with the colour coding for the wires, red and black only I'm afraid so you need to sort out what wire does what first and the length of wires too,  it's annoying when they are just a few mm short to connect up.  Finding a good speaker too took a little while, in the end I opted for a round one in one of the fuel tanks but there's room for two if you wish.

Norman 

I absolutely agree.  There is nothing complex about sound-fitting a Heljan loco.  It just requires a bit of concentration and a good cup of coffee!  I prefer the Loksound 4XL which, in my 37s, sits in the space underneath the original Heljan circuit board.  There is a single small speaker in the fuel tanks, and a huge speaker in the body (that speaker requires the removal of one set of the metal legs which originally supported the circuit board.  Then the only complexity is the lights.  I have directional head code lights, but the tail lights, and the cab lights (which I fit) are all wired for separate operation.  It looks a bit intimidating, but is simple if it is taken a circuit at a time.  And the result is terrific (I think).  

PMs advice; take a deep breath, and enjoy! 

The arrival of these models seems to have passed with barely a whisper.  I don't have anything to add to the debate about their shape, or integrity as a reproduction of the prototype.  Nonetheless, I find the skills of some of the modellers on here an inspiration, and I love seeing pictures of their efforts.  I don't regard my efforts as falling within the "inspirational" category, but I hope these pics might show what is on offer, and what can be done with a few hours over the weekend (the installation of DCC sound taking as long as the changes I have made to the off-the-shelf model).  I also have a large logo machine, but more extensive modelling is required before that can be allowed out on the layout.  

Has anyone attempted to change the headcodes on their 25?  If so, how do you do it?  Mine seems glued solid.  

All advice gratefully received.

Peter 

What a great little model; real VFM, in my view.  Sadly, I didn't read the small print on the decoder and so it looks like a Christmas tree just now; but that can be changed.  

Earlier in this thread I gave a clear warning that 21MTC compliant decoders will not work the lights correctly in this model. ESU Loksound 21 pin decoders are 21MTC compliant decoders, so it's not a surprise to find that they they do not work correctly. You will have to rewire the model to get the rogue shunting lamps under control as this is a hardware incompatibility issue.

The model was designed for ZIMO decoders or other 21 pin non - MTC decoders.

 

Yes there is a cab light, on AUX 1. You may need to remap your decoder.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

Thanks Paul

I'm afraid your earlier warnings were pearl before the swine so far as I am concerned; I do not know the distinction between a 21MTC compliant and 21-pin non-MTC decoders.  But I have learned something today! 

Your 08 sound recording sounded superb; so how do I get hold of it on a suitable Zimo decoder?

Peter

I got mine today and have three (probably) stupid questions:-

(i)  How do I get the body off (I know that the roof comes off, but I would like to remove the body, if I can); and

(ii) both the red and adjacent white light are permanently on on the cab end.  There is an ESU Loksound v. 4 fitted to the loco; has anyone else encountered this problem, or do I have a faulty loco/decoder; and

(iii) is there a cab light fitted?  There appears to be something on the cab roof, but I cannot be sure what it is.  

All assistance gratefully received.

PM

PS: Thanks to all who posted pics.

Alan,

 

I found the Dapol suggested speaker fitting to be 'interesting' though well engineered.

 

I tried several types and found the ZIMO LS 40 x 22 x 09 twin driver unit, the same type as the ones I fitted to the HST in last months Hornby Magazine, to be the best in my judgement. I'm sure others will have their own ideas.

 

This speaker fits vertically, immediately behind the open radiator grille, there's loads of room, and was attached with sticky black mastic.

 

The model looks great and runs exceptionally well, especially as I've added a 144,000uF stay alive supercapacitor.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

Hi Paul

Thanks for taking the time to post those very helpful pics.  Any chance of some pics of the speaker installation, and video of the sound-fitted loco in action?

Peter

Goodness me, those buildings are superb - and epic.  West Kirby Town is really marching on.  

My own small project (which is little more than a plank to display my burgeoning O-gauge stock on) is far more modest.  But I am pleased with the sound I have installed in all three of my class 25s (two Heljan and one JLTRT).  All have the Legomanbiffo sound recording and bass reflex speakers.  Here's a clip of a pair of them:-

I have just (nearly) completed my first JLTRT Mark 2 coach.  As supplied it came with IC70 seats - as fitted only to the Mark 2F variant.  The standard class coach has the same design of seat, but has the body for a Mark 2D coach (because the two toilets are on the same side of the coach).  So, my first question is, do the JLTRT Mark 2B and/or 2C variants have the older style of InterCity seat, or do they also have the IC70 seat?  It is not apparent from any pictures I have seen.  

Second question is: what couplings have people used?  I have fitted the supplied coupling (which is a nicely model drawbar with buckeye) at one end and a Kadee at the other.  I had intended to couple the loco up to the drawbar - but can't access it as it (realistically) tucked away under the corridor.  Any suggestions?

Pic of coach herewith.  1 down, three (standard class) to go.

All help/suggestions gratefully received.

Peter

Just so long as you run some Soo Line as well...

Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder and, to my (rather middle-aged) eyes, this is a beautiful model.  Herewith, pic of the latest addition to the fleet stabled with a class mate.  Also (and in response to an earlier question about sound fitting), a pic of my method of sound installation in this particular model.  As I said above, there is not the space for the larger speaker (at least not without re-siting the decoder itself), but there is space for two fairly hefty speakers in the void above the flywheels/carden shaft/gear tower.  So I have mounted the speaker on two balsa posts crudely glued onto the chassis.  In order to achieve clearance, I removed the circuit board for the working fan, as well as the fan motor (I having found that the working fans, though a great idea, are noisy and do not (to my mind) enhance the model in practice). I have used a 4-pin plug for the connection between the decoder and the body (onto which are mounted the head code lights, and some cab lights I fitted myself). 

That sounds very good. Biffo's recordings are excellent, I just wish he did a Class 42!!!

 

Could you provide a link to the speakers you purchase off Amazon please, or put the description for them on here?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Jinty

Sure:

I used a pair of these in the 25 (and in my Warships): http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00S4U7DF8

BUT, if you have space, and want it super-bassy, then you should use these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H8T8GT8 (my Heljan Deltics contain 2 each - and dominate the layout when they are fired up). 

Enjoy!

Has anyone tried fitting Dec sound to the 25 yet, if so how do you get in the fuel tank to fit speaker

Yes, mine is sound fitted.  For me one of the joys of O gauge is the ability to use large speakers, and so hear much more of the bass than is possible in OO.  I have fitted two large bass reflex speakers in the body of the loco - one either side of the circuit board.  The speakers are purchased through Amazon and are designed for computers, I believe. I mount them on balsa "legs" above the flywheel/cardan shaft.  I have used a recording from Legomanbiffo - and in an O gauge first, the XL decoder came with a very chunky speaker.  

I have posted a you tube clip of my efforts here: https://youtu.be/9g--Tp6aO_M.  What do you think?

I have read this thread with considerable interest, and awaited the actual model with a degree of trepidation.  However, research appears to confirm the theory that there was no definitive shape for the prototype, with some appearing, and probably having, a flatter front than others. Indeed, an article about class 25s in the current edition of Traction contains on page 23 a picture of 25 063 which appears to show a very flat-fronted locomotive indeed.  Ultimately, I continue to find the overall Heljan package to be excellent value for money; the locomotives are nicely detailed, beautifully finished, and contain a superb mechanism.  

I have also built the excellent JLTRT kit, but there is no comparison between my crude efforts and the Heljan model, whilst the latter comes in considerably cheaper.  

For those that are interested, here is a couple of shots of the two locomotives side by side at the fuelling point on my small O gauge layout.  

Lovely model, now in works for fitting DCC sound. Quick question: does anybody know whether the lights need to be fitted with resistors, or whether they are already fitted on the LED circuit boards?

I can't boast an audience for my layout, but I can't not share more of this superb model.  It runs as well as it looks.

I have little to add to this debate; what a superb model.  Personally, I love the quirky, chatty style of the instructions; so much more readable than the nonsensical corporate-speak we're all meant to appreciate and digest these days.  And since pictures are worth a thousand words, here is a clip of her on test at Doncaster.  Enjoy.