lyneux

Restarting an old topic.... I think I have found a way to very easily correct the ride height on the first batch without the use of a shim! I've now got some from old and new batches and have made a comparison. It looks like the new batch have got a revised etched pick-up that has a hole for a height locator pip that is moulded onto the side bogie just above the hole for the pin point (A in the photo below). Presumably Dapol were able to modify the bogie mould slightly to add this pip. The length of the vertical pick-up tab is also slightly shorter on the revised etch. The effect of this pip is to hold the entire etch at the right height, which is fractionally higher than on the first batch. It may also be the case that the stamping for the bearing cup is slightly higher on the revised etch. Interestingly, the two retention pips on the top of the bogie that are melted in place to hold the etch (the ones that Gary cuts away in his mod) are not actually melted on the second batch. This allows the etch to sit higher and there is a gap in this area between the etch and the top of the plastic. A similar gap to the one that Gary has corrected with the use of a shim on the previous page (B in the photo below). Interestingly, on both versions, the hole for the pin-point bearing in the side frame is large enough so that the etch can be set at both the correct and incorrect heights! Bogie from the 'NEW' batch: Whilst re-inserting the wheel-sets back into the bogies, on the old bogie I accidentally pushed the wheel set in too far, snapping the superglue that was holding the etch in place in the area around the pinpoint. This enabled the wheel set to be pushed up to the correct height momentarily - held by the 'springiness' of the etch. This made me think, can the old version be corrected without the use of a shim by simply snapping the superglue and bending the shim slightly? And the answer is.... 'yes'! This means it takes about 2 mins to correct a bogie and no need to break the plastic pips and add a shim. Simply do the following: Remove the wheel sets. Insert a blade behind the etch and torque it slightly to crack any residual glue attaching this area of the etch to the side frame. This doesn't need much force and on several wheel sets I noticed that there wasn't even any glue so this was more a 'check' to make sure that the etch was free from the side frame. Insert pliers as shown, bend the etch slightly upwards to raise the height of the bearing cup. Again, this really doesn't need very much force at all. Re-insert the wheels, and enjoy! Guy

'ARC Mustard' is actually BS4800 10-D-44 which is named 'Light Olive'. So Dapol are correct to call it that. Also, from talking to staff at Whatley 'olive' is also what the colour was known as. Great shot that, by the way! Guy

Glad to see these emerge but I have no idea who "P & D" are! 🤣 The company's name at this point was "Powell Duffryn Standard". I'm not sure "Powell & Duffryn" ever existed. "Powell Duffryn", but not "Powell & Duffryn" (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PD_Ports). So it would be more accurate to call them "PDS JHAs" rather than "P & D JHA". I'll save my feedback on the CAD for Dapol directly. Here's one of the builders plates: Officially known as the "Gloucester LTF-25" in the Powell Duffryn Standard literature. Not sure what the TF1 is? Never heard of it.

Thanks for posting the pics from Warley. The other thing that is very noticeable from this pic is the detail around the coupling. It looks like Dapol have replicated the holes for the air pipes on both sides (incorrect). Also there should be 4 holes in a vertical line either side coupling. Dapol have only two for some reason. I guess both of these errors are fixable with a bit of drilling and filling. The screw link coupling also needs a bit of work too. Most obviously, the rebate is no where near deep enough. Prototype pic of 59/1 front end to compare with below. Good to hear that they will be delivered to stockists this week though. Finally!!! Guy

I cancelled mine with Rails. Rails's loss was Rainbow's gain! Guy

Coming back to the video Ed posted. Worth contrasting with a video of a start up of a real 66 (note the very very small amount of smoke!).

Oooo, I think I have one of those I can copy! 🤣

I've got this magical contraption made out of metal with four wheels. It's like some kind of mechanised horse that is able to whisk me safely and in great comfort from where I live to almost any location in the UK. I think other people might have them too?

Nice.... so I can have it in the correct position on the cripple road on Whatley! Looks really good. Coming along nicely! Guy

I’m massively offended! You were in my neighbourhood and we didn’t catch up for a pint… lol! Guessing you were working though? Nice pic. Guy

Lovely work Will! Bit of a long shot, but are you coming to the Tolworth next month? It's close by for you, (I'm guessing?). I'll be there with Oldshaw. If you get it finished in time and fancied an outing I can guarantee you some 'play time' on Oldshaw. Guy

Agreed Ed. I think it’s just positioned high. If you look carefully, on the model the mounting lugs are visible just above the roof line cut out. But on the prototype the roof line hides these. Good point about the smoke generator. Could well be the reason why this is higher than it should be. Guy

Thanks for sharing the pic and video. Can't be far off now! Guy

Oh dear. The photos show just how poor the NRN pod looks. They haven't even modelled the rebate in the roofline into which it sits. Looks like I'll be taking a file to mine and placing an order with Shawplan for an etched pod (like I did for my Lima ones). The silencer is going to need some work to lower it too (or just replace with a Lima one?). Still, nothing that can't be corrected with a bit of the 'm' word. Guy

They look spot on Ben. You should be very pleased! Making me want to do 2mm! Guy

Alltorque, no substance? Guy is my name so that's a pretty insulting post (to be honest).

I was present at a recent recording of a 59 which sounded very good indeed! Will be holding out for this when it becomes available. Guy

They haven’t announced a sound fitted. The options are no decoder, dcc fitted or dcc fitted with smoke. Cheers, Guy

Will have to try it on my inside bearinged ARC JHA hoppers…. Heave!!! James Lacey knows the score… 😂 just a wee bit of friction. Guy

And the prize for the most cryptic post of the week goes to…

I nearly bought one of Bachmann's lovely new 37s at Showcase this weekend but I've decided that I don't like 37s any more. I think I'm an ex-tractor fan. (sorry, that's terrible isn't it...) Guy P.S. Really looking forward to the announcement of the forthcoming variants/liveries next month.

Towcester gets its final showing at DEMU Showcase in under two weeks time. Make sure you are there to see Nobby and George's masterpiece before it retires!

Wellpark will be at DEMU Showcase in just under two weeks time. Hope to see you there!

Hinksey Yard will be appearing at DEMU Showcase in just under two weeks time. Hope to see you there!