neal

Answering my own question, further running clarifies the function question for the Lokpilot V5 F3 does reduce the maximum speed and range (I guess this means high and low gear within the manual). I have always considered this a shunt mode. F4 reduces inertia (almost to nothing). Running is very smooth for both settings, unless you are planning on sound, I would heartily recommend this decoder. My detailing bits for the under frame arrived, I just need the plasticard and sections to build this up. Roll on the 12th April (fingers crossed).

Late to the party on this one, absolutely gutted. I hope they can pull through. From happier times whilst staying at Berwyn...

Just swapped out the decoder for the recommended Lokpilot V5. The lights all work on functions 1,2 and 5 thru 9. Tail light, cab light and top lights do not swap with direction, but I guess this makes operation more authentic. F4 is shunt mode, however I do not know what F3 does. The UK manual suggest this toggles ‘switching gear’ on and off. Any ideas what this is? It doesn’t appear to vary lights or running. With this decoder, the running is smoother than the Bachmann/Soundtraxx one it replaced, not bad value either from DCC Supplies. N

Pressed the button on ‘project railcar engine’, two of these on their way. Should be able to fettle engines, radiator and batteries plus other details from these. Probably have to scratch build fuel tanks. I assume general grime would be the colour scheme! N

Runs fine with 3fn Soundtrax decoder - if a little growly - but lighting limited to driving and top light. Haven’t tried to remap this to do more. I have a Lokpilot on order that will hopefully drive the lights as identified in the manual. N

When you unscrew the decoder cover, you are welcomed by this. Decoder blanking plate hidden below. Caution, wires are very fine!!! Reminiscent of Garrett, could be a lot tidier!!

Windows show some prismatic effect, not sure if this is better than early samples:

Sitting in bed, I have been hatching a plan to create a removable ‘tray’ insert to install below the chassis and represent running gear. The sides of the tray will be tight to the valance inner faces to provide support, and retained with magnet or black-tack. The central grilles installed to the valances are perforated (although not enough to see through) these are slightly proud of the inner face of the valance, and will need to be accommodated. I think I can notch the base of the tray around the decoder access cover, and lighting control switches. At present I am not planning to install sound so leaving speaker-space isn’t an issue. The content of the tray will need to represent this lot (linked from Dapol digest site) looking for running gear, a reasonable representation of engine block might be a 1:48 Hetzer engine from CMK, but if there are better sources of scale Diesel engines, I’d be grateful to hear. Similarly, if anyone has links to drawings that would be a great help. This project will probably have to wait till I can get back into my model store to source appropriate channel/angle/plasticard, but I think I can get this to work, even if slightly low-profile. N

True, but as many things in this hobby the joy is knowing that they are there!!

Given the absence of engine detail, this would be a great aftermarket opportunity for a set of 3D printed engines and fuel tank. I’d buy a set!!

Once off the plinth, not quite as heavy as promised, but fine. Single bogie drive. Absolutely no detail hidden by valances, and these are a little fragile. Might add a block of something to add some weight and support the fairings when handling. Still, it looks magnificent, will source a decoder tomorrow. N

It’s lovely, and satisfyingly heavy. No time to unbox tonight, but will post pics at the weekend unless others beat me to it. N

Mine is on it's way!!

I was lucky enough to acquire a second of these, at the discount rate of Rails. This one was the green unlined late crest. For this, I thought I would chance my arm with the Rails own brand high power decoder (itself very economically priced). The loco was pristine, with just the rear brake pipe fractured (easy fix). I was amazed to see the loco run beautifully with the Rails decoder, smoother than more expensive Lenz and DCC Concepts screw terminal chips in Prairies and Hattons Gresleys. I know that Heljan’s QA can be variable, and I may have been particularly lucky with this one, however comparing this model (and Prairies) with the Hattons A3 and A4, the quality and finish is much better. I would agree with others that the Hattons commissions are built down to a price (with a margin for manufacturer and commissioning retailer). Sadly, quality issues now appear to have afflicted the Gresley coaches. I won’t give up on Heljan, and whilst the Collett is my least favourite GW loco, I trust that Heljan can learn from their O Gauge steamers so far and get this one right. Neal

Are they pre-production shots posted on Hattons, as the wheels aren't painted? Neal

The corner packaging that comes with these models (and the A3) makes a handy cradle for larger models! Enjoy your wet and windy weekend (in the UK!) Neal

Here you go, a couple of years back. I have a few panniers, and have tried the TTS Castle and more recently Hall, each have common chuff sounds and work ok. Motor drive is reasonable but lacks fine adjustment. The best wheeze is the TTS Class 50 in a Heljan loco - not on this Video. This is used as a sound only decoder in parallel with a higher power decoder for motor, lights. That works remarkably well. The Class 15 is LLC stock sound, and 31 a continental Sulzer sound file on a Susi chip, with Lens decoder. Neal

This looks mighty impressive: Neal

Just picking this thread up again after a while. I think acts of random kindness are a great idea. We anonymously left a couple of boxes of chocolates on the windscreens of careers who visit our disabled housebound neighbour. Coming back to my story, having kept in touch with my Macmillan nurses over the past 12 weeks, I became aware that prostatectomies had restarted in the East Midlands. Whilst initial thoughts were that due to reduced efficiency for Covid precautions (throughput is just 20% of that pre-Coronavirus) the surgery would be delayed a lot further, I today got the call that my operation has been rescheduled for the 12th June. Fingers crossed this will go ahead ok. Thanks must go to my surgeon who has been most supportive and honest throughout, and Macmillan nurses who are always positive and hugely caring. So I am now on countdown, with pre-op assessment on the 9th, and effectively shielding till the operation. Thanks again for those who have provided supportive comment and likes. I will be clapping tonight with increased vigour! Neal

Appreciate that Bowie, There are very few not under pressure at this time (you see what I did there!?!) At the end of the day, these are just toy trains. Many have far greater worries. It turns out that after that grief, mine did not run on DCC (although fine on DC). Fire flicker worked ok with a number of different chips, so I assume there must be a pcb vault. I am not minded to strip it down, so it is travelling back up the M1. I guess replacement may take a while, and there is more important freight on the roads which should rightly have priority. The wait will give me something else to look forward to! In answer to the screw question, I swapped the original screws with slightly longer self tappers of similar diameter which had enough bite to hold. I think these were from a Bachmann loco. I am not an expert in the dark arts of screw sizes and threads, so cannot answer as to which BA these might be. Suffice to say that in the screw holes to the chassis there appears to be at least another 3 turns - sufficient to have a screw around a mil longer than that supplied. Best wishes, Neal

Mine arrived from Sheffield this morning - just a 100 mile journey - beautifully packaged, however still with two screws adrift from the front axle keep-plate. These actually screw into the cast alloy chassis block. You would imagine that these would provide a robust fixing, adequate that the packaging screw (which just fixes to the plastic keeper plate) would hold the model securely, however the screws barely engage one turn of thread into the alloy, and appear to strip easily. There is plenty of space left in the hole to the chassis to accommodate a longer screw (at least 1.5mm more). I was lucky that I had a couple of longer screws in my ‘bit-box’ which worked fine, and following reassembly of one coupling, and replacement of one of the rear windows (simple interference fit) she is ready to test. The DCC pcb is very tightly fitted, and requires a good tug with long nose pliers to remove - take care with this!! I do not think there is anything fundamentally wrong with the packaging, purely an error in the sizing of two or three screws. Dapol could offer replacements for those who have encountered this issue, and might want to look at their remaining stocks to prevent further faulty returns... I don’t think it is fair to chastise any particular retailer when this appears to be a more widespread issue from more than one shop. Keep safe. Neal

Thanks for the advice, my Macmillan team are on the case, It’s all still a bit raw, I am going to sign off from this thread. Much to think about. Neal

We will see how the next few months go, and look at that if it is an option. My post was not meant to highlight my condition, moreover to stress the importance of distance/isolation and highlight that the NHS will be massively strained in coming months. Neal

I have been booked in to get a PSA check in June, should this show a deterioration this may elevate my priority, but for the time being cancer surgery is to be focussed upon immediate life saving. I accept that, and hope that things will be better soon. It is hard to argue with a surgeon when you are both in tears. N

Hello all, I today attended a regional hospital for a Prostatectomy following cancer diagnosis at Christmas. I was second in line for the operation, and ready to be taken down, when my surgeon arrived to tell me that the operation had been cancelled. This was due to delays on the day, and staff being reallocated/retrained to serve on general wards to support general admissions. I was told that the operation is probably to be delayed until the Autumn, which - given the stage of my cancer - is still likely to be operable, but will inevitably impact the likelihood of a clear prognosis thereafter. I accept wholly that this is a result of the upturn in admissions due to Coronavirus and that I was particularly unfortunate to have been ‘bumped’ having gone through the whole pre-op procedure, however having experienced the hospital and staff today (and encountered other patients and their families) I would make the following plea. Please, please follow the government guidance and follow self isolation and/or social distancing relating to your age and vulnerability. The preparations being made on the wards are deadly serious, making way for multiple casualties in what will be harrowing environments. Staff are being retrained to cover general admissions and provide specialist care required of the current outbreak. Macmillan Nurses will be redeployed on general wards. The words ‘war-zone’ were mentioned by staff on multiple occasions whilst I was there today. THIS IS REAL. I overheard a couple discussing the recommendation that over 70’s would need to self isolate from the coming weekend with the words ‘they’ll never keep me locked up’. This is concerning, and whilst I fully understand that many 70 year olds are more spritely than myself (a mere 50 year old), such behaviour will lead to behavioural ‘contagion’ and wider disregard of guidance. Honestly you do not want this disease, or to be in any way a part of it’s spread. I know it will be hard but please stay in as guided, minimise direct contact with others and tough it out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there is an increasingly active support network for the isolated and vulnerable. This forum can offer a strong part of this for us hobbyists. For my part, I now have to wait and see what the health service can provide later in the year. For the time being I remain far more concerned over this outbreak and it’s wider impact, than my own cancer outcome. I am sorry if these words are alarming - I have not taken writing this post lightly. At this time there remain inconsistencies with policy which are difficult to understand, however please do what is within your control and together we can beat this thing. I remain grateful to my specialist surgeon who has been honest and frank with me today, I wanted to share this with you. Best Wishes, Neal