And Dapol's mk3 is a really bad example - they are heavily compromised to make them viable. Buffets are virtually all wrong, as they've standardised them. Roof vents are wrong for the mk3a variant (I think, I always got it wrong). Various other things were compromised. It's also just "wrong" in some ways - too many steps for one.

Can someone confirm that this is still the thread about the class 50??

It seems to be clear if you want a decent co.50 you should have the money to buy a CJM. If not you should be happy with a basic model that has errors, because your not allowed an alternative view.

If you say N Scale it is taken to mean 1:160, 1:148 has always been known as British N Gauge,  but laziness from manufacturers in the last couple of years has started to see N Scale used. In America this would be taken for granted as being the same size and scale as their models, which would be wrong. Same goes for Europe, where they don't always quote scale other than N Scale. This does irritate me along with being told that I do not deserve a correct detailed loco because it might put a manufacturer off. Yet I am the one being offensive which  I will apologise for hence why I have not quoted anyone this time. ""

If all this wasn't so funny I'd ignore this thread.
Talk about trouble in Toyland
Seconds out - what round have we got to?

Has anybody ever spoken directly to a manufacturer after seeing CAD models uploaded with anything they may spot that's inaccurate. Maybe the manufacturers need to seek experts or modelers to make sure they've a good compromise between business sense and accurate scale models?

That's what Dapol Digest is supposed to offer, and Revolution and DJM (among others) have posted CADs on here/RMWeb for review.

Quote from: GreatBigBlue on March 29, 2017, 09:14:55 PM

Quote from: Karhedron on March 29, 2017, 08:33:50 PM

"nice and shiny" as in the Volkswagen passat advert.

"VolksBahn, das loco"

Quote from: funnysunny365 on April 01, 2017, 10:54:19 AM

Quote from: GreatBigBlue on March 29, 2017, 09:14:55 PM

Quote from: Karhedron on March 29, 2017, 08:33:50 PM

"nice and shiny" as in the Volkswagen passat advert.

"VolksBahn, das loco"

It's not just imaginary any more - there really is one in this livery:

http://www.fiftyfund.org.uk/index.php/our-locomotives/50031-hood

The Fifty Fund have previously done Loadhaul and two-tone green as well!

I can assure you, we're looking at this thread and are thinking of pulling it.

But that maybe over - moderation perhaps?

Quote from: Nik96 on April 01, 2017, 10:42:43 AM
Has anybody ever spoken directly to a manufacturer after seeing CAD models uploaded with anything they may spot that's inaccurate. Maybe the manufacturers need to seek experts or modelers to make sure they've a good compromise between business sense and accurate scale models?

Hi Nik

Have you looked at the Revolution Trains website?  There you'll see CAD images of all our projects from the Pendolino originally to the TEA tankers, KFA flats, Class 92 electric and Class B tanker.

These are now all in production, tooling or have been delivered.  And at each stage we have listened to feedback and made amendments accordingly. 

As a specific example: most recently with the 92 it was pointed out to us that the position of the radio transponders was correct for only a limited number of the class, so we moved it to the more common location.

We are expecting CADs of the 321 EMU and HOA hoppers very soon - and will post images on the threads here, RM Web and our own website.  Feel free to send us feedback!

Cheers

Ben A.

Hi Nick,

Or have you looked at my website us work for a previous employer?

I believe I was the instigator of this innovation in Model railways, winning at least 1 major award for being so.

Others may follow, but in all honesty, it's a common sense approach, as I know I, and others in the business do not see everything that may be wrong on a cad/cam and as such 'another pair of eyes' is invaluable in bringing to the customer the very best that we can.

However, some manufacturers have published cad/cams and tooled no matter what the comments to improve the Model.
But at a least those that publish and listen, will change the design if they can.

Cheers
Dave
DJModels Ltd (4 locomotives and counting)

Quote from: Nik96 on April 01, 2017, 10:42:43 AM
Has anybody ever spoken directly to a manufacturer after seeing CAD models uploaded with anything they may spot that's inaccurate. Maybe the manufacturers need to seek experts or modelers to make sure they've a good compromise between business sense and accurate scale models?

Didn't the Dapol 'Westerns' and D6300s both benefit from exactly this sort of discussion? Admittedly over on RMWeb, but still, if it's rivets that really do need counting, I can't think of a better group of people for that job.

Both those models turned out very well, Dapol's hit-and-miss approach to quality control notwithstanding.

Cheers, NeMo

Quote from: NeMo on April 01, 2017, 06:01:50 PM
.. RMWeb, but still, if it's rivets that really do need counting, I can't think of a better group of people for that job. ...

Quote from: Nik96 on April 01, 2017, 10:42:43 AM
Has anybody ever spoken directly to a manufacturer after seeing CAD models uploaded with anything they may spot that's inaccurate. Maybe the manufacturers need to seek experts or modelers to make sure they've a good compromise between business sense and accurate scale models?

I have weighed in from time to time when I have spotted issues both on CADs and with livery samples. I highlighted the mis-proportioned windows to Dapol on the first CADs of the 142 Pacer. I also did a side-by-side comparison showing how the issue arose with one particular feature being out of place and everything above the point being compressed to fit. The latest EPs look a lot better but the proof of the particular pudding will be when the models arrive. I did put in a few comments on the class 50 thread although that is rather academic now.

In the past I have found most manufacturers to be responsive to input provided it is given politely and constructively at a fairly early stage in the development. With the exception of Farish, the current N gauge manufacturers are fairly small outfits and I think they recognize the benefits of getting input from the modelling community. With the best will in the world, the last 80 years of railway history in this country is immensely diverse and we cannot expect manufacturers to be experts of every prototype they set out to model.

Thanks guys, it was a thought I had but it appears we're already doing it. Of course its one thing in life to give advice and completely opposite to act on it. I suppose it's a risk that you take when it comes to selling products is to listen to the market and the inaccuracies they've found.