Downendian

South Devon appears to be the point of arrival for summer migrants. Close to the garden (well about a mile away) I spotted this pair of swallows this evening on my five mile walk.

Superb shots of a terrific model of D1047, Greg certainly knows his weathering. I particularly like the small attention to detail eg rust patch on the front valance where the shed plate used to be. I always use the Kier Hardy site as a source of inspiration for 1970s diesel modelling. Neil

Willow warbler vs Chiffchaff - song easy, but don't they have different colour legs? Edit : Collins field guide Chiffchaff dark brown/black legs, willow pinkish. Neil

Chiffchaff singing in the back garden here too in South Devon this morning. Neil

Hi all With the arrival of the superb Dapol Western, its given me the courage to tackle my Heljan fleet. I've got 6 currently passing through the workbench (see my thread), but the Heljan models can be made very fine ones with some quite rudimentary work. The major issue to me is the cab roof profile which can be sanded to a more prototypical shape using the new Dapol model as a guide. I've also fitted Shawplan scavenger grilles and the chassis is next to receive attention. This one is to become D1026 in 1974 Laira repaint guise. Heljan performance wise are superb, and I won't part with them. Neil

The last few weeks have seen a lot of "Western" class activity with the arrival of the super new Dapol Western. So what to do with the old Heljan? It's still a very fine model and superb performer and benefits from a number of detailings as started earlier in this thread. what i've done to these three this week (1) sand the roof profile to a better contour- the new Dapol model was used very helpfully here. (2) Fit Shawplan roof etches (3) Fit lamp brackets (4) Use precision labels headcodes- attaching them outside the glazing - despite how it sounds is more realistic than behind the glazing IMO. (5) remove headboard clips depending on prototype (2 of these will be D1026 and D1029 which were bullt without them) Neil

As a BR blue modeller I'm feelin all left out! Does anyone know when the blues are due? I've a couple preordered. Neil

Hi all I thought I'd post on here with my recent work with my brand new blue Dapol Western. I chipped it and fitted headcodes yesterday evening, but unfortunately had a bit of a nightmare getting the body off. the four retaining screws were very tight and I managed to strip the heads on three of the four necessitating drilling them out. Anyhow, they are done and will need to get spares (incidentally I ordered some spares for my 2 Dapol Westerns yesterday lunchtime from DCC supplies, and they arrived this morning how's that for service). So my advice is take care getting the screws off they are fragile! I tried to add the reporting numbers behind the glazing, but I decided they looked decidedly naff, a combination of me not being able to get them square and the glazing material. So I added them to the front of the glazing material with the intention of either varnishing or using glue and glaze to represent the glazing. My Dapol model is carrying 1C63 (Padd-Cardiff, a regular Western diagram in the early/mid 1970s) one end and 1M11 (Padd-BNS) the other. I really think that the correct size reporting codes (these are from precision labels) transforms the model Behind the Dapol model is my developing Heljan project - usefully the perfect cab roof on the Dapol model serves as a good template to remove the excess from the Heljan incorrect profile. I've fitted Shawplan etched scavenger fans, but the Dapol ones are finer and in my opinion a better alternative. I have now two Dapol models and will be getting more, but I won't be getting rid of the Heljans for the time being. Neil

I've seen in a caption in one of my Western albums that these late 70s red dots were "enthusiast applied" I.e. not by BR? Perhaps some Laira diehards - they were very fond of their Westerns. Geoff was right though post-74 most didn't have them. Neil

Hi Richard Only just picked up this thread. I've got a fair few Heljan Westerns, and I decided not to offload them on the arrival of the Dapol model. There is a bit of work to do to the Heljan models, mainly around the cab roof peak and the scavenger grilles which have already been mentioned, I reckon with this work done using the excellent Shawplan etches they are running a close second to the Dapol model. There will always be errors with RTR and the Dapol model is not entirely free of them either. I wouldn't be surprised if Heljan continued to sell theIr Western and may do further production runs, and a retooling perhaps? Heljan have not retooled anything to date but there's always the first time. They have of course done a lot of research for the O gauge model- perhaps could form the basis of a 4mm upgrade too - as long as they correct the headcode box position on the 7mm model, which to me is a show stopper. Neil

Sorry to hear your problems Richard - how frustrating not be able to get such a fine model to run. Neil

The Warship tooling is ancient and does need an upgrade. The moulded scavenger grilles need to go and as Nidge mentions the cab needs attention too. Bachmann are gradually working through their best selling models, and I for one welcome this upgrade wholeheartedly. If they do as well as the peaks here it will be a terrific model. Neil

Should be plenty around Ivan when the new Bachy splitters arrive in the summer. Got some more stuff to post soon, but if I don't watch out Bachmann will catch all my projects up. Neil

Speaking as someone who certainly had my sleeves rolled up during the CAD phase maybe you've missed my earlier point John. Many of the small errors crept in post CAD, and all of these are the ones being discussed. The bodyshell is quite sublime. I haven't seen any criticism of that. My photos earlier were with very little comment so that people can make informed choice. I do wonder though what Heljan will do now- will they continue with Western releases? Not forgetting of course their last batch was late last year. I do see what you mean about the panel lifting rings- I'd rather they were there though a nice touch for those with perfect eyesight. Neil

Agreed - post edited. Neil

That's my fault Dave-,it's in the photo review thread. I'll edit the offending post until I get precise measurements - micrometer in Plymouth me on the way to Heathrow Neil

Many of the Dapol Western errors are post-CAD John- such as the headcodes. They are trvial yes compared to Heljan but they are there. These errors are not RMwebbers fault either. We are in a very bad place if we can't discuss the models we buy or intend to buy. Neil

I've had a go - it can be done http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/61530-downendian-details/?p=826295 Neil

Evening everyone I spent a bit of yesterday in the model room taking a series of photos of my unmodified Dapol D1000 versus one of my unmodified Heljan's D1012 Western Firebrand. I stress I have no commercial allegiance to either company - and apols for one or two that have the colours awry or slightly out of focus. The detailed cab interior on Dapol is substantially better than the spartan Heljan. However the windscreen pillar spoils the much closer to prototype windscreen Heljan peaked cap cab roof clearly apparent here Ride height differences apparent between the two models EDIT: Dapol wheelset 13.65 mm Heljan 14.5mm (and correct) Differences in cabside windows apparent. Another view of the misshapen Heljan cab roof profile- Dapol wins here hands down Plan view - showing etched grilles (Dapol) and moulded (Heljan). In 4mm they should be 14mm diameter, Dapol=13mm Heljan 15mm. So the 2mm difference is quite exaggerated. Two close ups with alignments to a Bachmann BG- to my eyes both profiles look more or less spot on - sorry couldn't get the definitive pic here but you get the idea. My assessment? well Dapol much better but certainly not spot on - Heljan needs much more work and the peaked cap when reworked really does make a big difference. Make you mind up time- i won't sell my Heljans, but certainly won't cancel my numerous Dapol preorders. Neil

The Raven that refused to Sing- Steven Wilson Not sure yet but will grow on me I'm sure . Sounds that can't be made- Marillion - now I think after hundreds of plays of the M5 its a classic in the vein of "Marbles" and "Brave" Neil

Whilst walking to work the other day A van operated by a local mobile dog grooming company went past. Their chosen name certainly made me smile Neil

DapolDave Many thanks for your post this morning. It took great courage to post that. Neil

Further to Nidge's posts here are my early 1977 final Western sightings, which are from my notes and the list of final workings in Adrian Curtis's excellent cast of Thousands. 4/1/77 Bristol Bath Road D1072 Western Glory (WD) 5/1/77 Bristol Parkway D1022 Western Sentinel 1V76 liverpool-Plymouth 8/1/77 Bristol Parkway D1041 LD 0F74 Gloucester-BR (am) D1023 4V66 Kensington-Danygraig FLT, D1010 1Z17 Padd-Cardiff footex 15/1/77 Bristol Parkway D1022 5A06 Carmarthen- OC ECS. D1048 (working not known- Adrian Curtis says it was at Westbury - was seen at parkway between 10am-4pm). 16/1/77 Bristol Parkway D1022 1B33 Padd-Penzance (berks-hants line must have had engineering) 29/1/77 Bristol Parkway D1023 1Z08 "Western Memorial" rail tour Padd- Newport Hereford Shrewsbury Crewe Chester Newport Padd 2/2/77 Bath Road D1071 WD 6/2/77 Bristol Parkway D1041 6O19 Bristol-Morden 26/2/77 Bristol Parkway D1013/D1023 1Z45 Western Tribute rail tour D1010 and D1048 LD as cover for 1Z45 all 4 locos heading towards South Wales I'd always thought 1977 as virtually no Western activity in Bristol- all was there for me to see. Happy memories. Neil

Unfortunately I didn't see these errors at the CAD/CAM stage- Jim's comparative shots are pretty conclusive. I'll only know the errors for sure with model in hand and the thousands of prototype pics I have. Those that are critical of Geoff's comments clearly don't know his pedigree he's one of the top Western aficionados. It's also difficult to see that Dapol were relying so heavily on our input to correct any anomaly, Dave we would have inputted of course- but something happened between the CAD CAM and the prepro model. The headcode box needs some attention I'm afraid to get the 100% Western. It's a mystery to me how this happened. Neil