Downendian

Geoff that's exactly what I did. Precision label codes (4.0mm) attached to card using PVA and cut as close as I dared with a sharp pair of scissors. With precise sizes it's possible to "pop" the codes into the rear of the headcode window, almost an interference fit, but sealed in place with a further smear of PVA if necessary. Neil

Finally took the bait D5705 GSYP ordered today, £89. She languished at the back of Bristol Bath road in 1976, and was lucky to survive, some local yobs setting fire to her. Decoder fitting - care needed my D5701 body was a very tight fit. Strong sustained pull with bits of plasticard/old credit cards inserted as suggested and a bit of wiggling. Pop, and the "seal broke" and body and chassis separated rapidly. It is a very fine model runs a treat as do all Heljan diesels. Neil

I have a long term Hattons preorder placed in 2011, £62. Neil

I think this thread has worrying implications for the "customer led/assisted development" of commisions. We saw this in the Dapol Western thread when constructive feedback, given since the outset of the thread was criticised with comments of the "why don't you wait until you see the final product" ilk. That wasn't the purpose of that thread, nor is it this one. Adrian has given excellent advice on brake tenders and coupled with others I've learnt a lot more about the prototypes. It's because he clearly has a broad pair of shoulders he's continued to contribute, many others would feel it not worth the grief. Agreed he has been quite forceful, but to claim his motives are anything but altruistic is way off mark. If H/M do go ahead with the hybrid they currently have then maybe he will profit from kit sales - so I can't see why contributing here is lining his own nest. Neil

It's not just the CAD though. If the EP is being cut it may be too late. Adrian is correct to post the inaccuracies and a good description (despite ruffling a few feathers) of the problems too - the Last CAD is a hybrid 1/555 and 1/556 and with poor depth to the Gresley bogies. I hope that Mike Wild is able to use this information before the EP is made, perhaps he can reply to this thread. It would be better in my opinion to hang fire until the CADs are corrected.A similar thing happened with the first few CADS of the Dapol 22. It was a hybrid between the pilot and production locos, but was eventually corrected. Neil

slow but steady progress on D1065. This is the look I'm aiming for - a shot at Newton Abbot, summer 1976. http://www.rail-online.co.uk/ImageView.aspx?id=00777046-15a8-419e-b14e-c1d69e46343e Today added plates, Shawplan lamp irons (much finer renditions than those supplied with the Heljan model). I've made the shawplan scavenger grilles slightly recessed using filler and a hell of a lot of patience. Also fitted headcodes using 4mm precision labels. Still a lot to do, filler and patch painting but its looking more like the spirit of '76 now. Neil

Lovely video Phil. The first 40 seconds or so reminds me of lying in bed in the mid 1970s listening to Westerns on stone trains in the middle of the night. We lived about a mile from the Winterbourne embankments North of Bristol, and that distinctive Maybach growl was unmistakable. Must try and sound chip one of my fleet. Neil

Hi Chris Grilles - You're talking about the pilot scheme machines which (I think) never had the single bodyside grille. They certainly had different position headcode boxes - will expand on this in the spreadsheet. There were a significant number of differences within this small fleet, some of the production machines also had different shape/position boxes and was a result of the kit supplied by Swindon to retro fit to the first NBL production batch. Neil

Ok seven months without updates is far too much. I've been quietly picking up Heljan westerns on the basis that they are reducing in price -unfortunately not as much as i'd like. one model i'd like to create is D1065 Western Consort in 1976 condition - the summer that I have most vivid recollections of the class in decline. I'd seen her over ten individual times that year. The loco became increasingly shabby throughout that year, and the huge white patches of faded/removed blue paint were her trademark feature. having been inspired by George Dent's article in Model rail, i decided to have a go at this extreme weathering exercise. The method used to recreate the worn white patches was to smear milliput filler gently over a distressed bodyside, and add patches of rust which is milliput coloured with weathering powders. I'm pleased on how its progressed so far. D1065 had some distinguishing features apart from the extreme weathering, including sporting only one pair of headboard clips and having a unique horn cowl at one end. this was created from microstrip, and gently filed to shape. D1065 has my default modifications to the Heljan model including removing the cab roof peak and fitting shawplan scavenger grilles. I've modified that technique to include padding the grilles into place with a thin smear of filler on the panel to remove any suggestion that they are proud of the bodyshell (not shown here, these photos taken late August). I may experiment with this to make a new panel from plasticard to fit around the fan - a similar setup to the Brassmasters Lima conversion kit. D1065 with extreme weathered flanks, approaching paintshop readiness D1065 Western Consort unique Horn cowl Neil

Well I placed my order for 2x2H all those years ago with the hope that a centre coach would be released. I'm sure I'm not the only one to have done this. I knew there was no guarantee only hope. 2x3H units were regular visitors to Temple Meads in the 1970s and 3H units were in the end far more numerous and widespread. I think if Kernow were to commission a centre car it would be sound economic sense (1) to those who will "upgrade" their 2H to 3H. (2) those who only want to purchase a 3H and have passed on the 2H, I.e new customers. Neil

Andrew beat me to it ... That's precisely what I found, Bachmann 36-557 in all my Dapol Westerns now. Neil

Re the roof peak ventilators, The following had them D1004, D1024, D1045 (A end only) and D1052 all fitted in the mid-1960s. The way I work out the "A or B" end of my models is to locate the boiler exhaust port which is offset, and closest to the B end. The best pic I've ever found of this mod is from Grahame Wareham (brushveteran) of D1052: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59835095@N02/6294857077/in/set-72157628044475186 It's actually quite prominent. As I mentioned earlier, the first casualties were either withdrawn prior to the West Ealing disaster or went before the workshops had chance to fit the yellow Talisman battery box clips (during 1974). Neil

From diesels in depth Minus clips one end 1005 B 24/7/67; 1040 A 24/4/64; 1046 B 25/11/71, 1049 B 21/7/69; 1063 B 11/11/63; 1065 A 21/8/72 and 1071 B 9/6/67. Will have to deal with my D1040 then! Pretty certain all the early casualties went before Talisman clips were fitted - most had gone by mid-1974 certainly in Swindon works by then awaiting cutters torch. 1000/2/4/7/17-20/24/32/38/39/42/60 Sadly I know this lot off by heart as I didn't see most of them - except 1007, 1017 and possibly 1032/8.

It's a difficult one assuming what the "silent majority" will be, we simply do not have those data. Maybe the bulk of 4mm Dapol class 22 and Western owners will not post here, or even read anything here. Some will have bought their models to collect and/or display, will never need to run or get inside them as they dont have layouts. For these people the models are perfect. Some will run DC only, will not need to get inside to fit chips, fit the outside headcode labels and run, again perfect, for their situation. For those that need to run DCC, will need to dismantle: Some will have perfect models - some won't. That we have established. I seriously hope the former are in the majority, but the issues highlighted in this thread rightly need airing, as there are solutions to them and should not put off potential Dapol purchasers. They are covered by a generous warranty and the service from DCC supplies is exemplary, no one has stated that this is not the case. Neil

D1030 (left with 3.6mm) D1001 (ex D1068) (right with 4.0mm) To my eyes 4.0mm precision labels are best Sorry for the quality iphone photo -left my camera in Plymouth last week Neil

I've used both 3.6mm and 4.0mm in mine - dithering that the 4.0mm look slightly too large, the 3.6mm too small. Have a photo will upload shortly.

Rick I completely agree with you. My Dapol models aren't as robust as the Heljan's but the detailing is not on a par with the latter model. With some rudimentary work though to the cab roof it's a lot better. I've just noticed my other D1068 (plates removed to become D1001) has one of its wheel sets not mounted properly on the stub axle. As I've modified the model I'll probably have to source the wheel sets from my own finances but I'll have a chat with Kernow. Neil

No progress Richard I'm afraid since the last pic. I've had my hands full getting my Dapol Westerns into traffic. I've got four HJ models in the shops, but there have been delays as Shawplan were out of fan etches. Neil

One of my Kernow 52s (D1068) will be going back, as 3 of the fixing screws won't budge. The other D1068 I have though was fine, due to be renumbered D1001. So that's 3/5 I've worked on have had body screw fixing issues. Neil

many congrats! I was at the very same place on Friday (as PCMD staff), which ceremony were you at? Neil

Here's one of the three I've been working on the Kernow limited edition D1030. BSYP hydraulics on my layout. I've added a decoder and headcodes (precision labels) which are more prototypical than provided. The codes I've used are 8E38 Margam-Temple Mills and 6A21 St Erth-Acton. Despite the issues described in the last few posts the Dapol model is an excellent representation of the prototype. Neil

I have six Dapol Westerns as my layout is WR 1970s hydraulic centric. Of the three that I've worked on two have had issues with body fixing screws being jammed solid. This appears the same problem as Dave Millward and Phil Bullock (edit : and Rick (Gwiwer)) have described. I had to drill the errant screws out and replace, but on one model I chose to release the female connector from the chassis which came out relatively easily. The screw could not be removed from the female connector even in a vice. The female connectors aren't available from DCC supplies. I again chose not to return my two problematic models but sort the problem out myself. The running properties of all three other models were checked and all were fine- I've yet to check their fixing screws but will do so soon. This is not a criticism of Dapol, as I'm very pleased with my new Western fleet but some attention to the body fixing screws in future releases maybe a worthwhile quality control issue - better alternative screws - a minimal cost would be a simple fix. As DapolDave says its better to highlight the problems either by returning the loco or indicating here so that future releases can be modified. Neil

Yes Ian but we are talking about a RTR model, taken straight from the box and photographed. I fully agree with you that tact and diplomacy required when discussing a kit or scratch built model to which I thought you were referring in the above quotes. Neil