calling all class 20 diesel owners!

[saddler]

i've been looking at the farish class 20's as my next purchase, but was looking for a little real world feedback, i've read all the reviews on here and countless online elsewhere, are these a viable "used" purchase?

[MJKERR]

I wasn't impressed by the earlier BachFar version
However, the latest DCC version appears to be vastly improved
I am considering one, however it doesn't have a sealed beam headlight at the cab end (and I doubt it will be added on future releases)

[AndyGif]

depends really, the old GF ones

1. are not dcc ready so will need small chip being wired in
2. they are prone to split gears
3. a pair coupled together will not negoiate tight radius/set track bends/points without bufferlocking and derailing


nearly forgot
4. the clip on the nose nearly always breaks
5. the are no front windows on the cab.

on the plus side the old ones should be getting cheaper as people replace them for the new breed.

[Newportnobby]

My early one sounds like a bag of nails as the motor seems to reverberate in the body.
I have heard the later release is very good, though

[Dock Shunter]

I would certainly recommend the new tooling DCC ready 20.
It is a lovely looking model and runs beautifully.....
Here's mine on a short vid i made for the N Gauge forum coach tour visit.


N Gauge Forum Coach Tour

[B757-236GT]

I cant say i have any trouble with mine derailing on set track and tight curves, they run through fine. Broken cogs are something that affects the entire range, its not if its when with these items but they are easy to repair (if you do it yourself, its annoying but not difficult) and the older ones are easier to get parts for, ive tried to get the odd spare for up to date stuff and its impossible to get. One further tip is to look for the white gears as these seem to be fine and never seem to crack. Shame they didnt keep using them!

I would look at the old one for one good reason, a new pair would cost around £140 to £160 to get, a s/h pair could be had for around £60 to £70. Now unless your doing dcc or you must have the latest model then for me the older ones are better value if indeed they dont have the details and you have to risk a broken cog (saying that some 66s and 57s have suffered from cogs going so it may not be solved).

Try to look for the bachfarish ones as they had an upgraded mech, having said that i have a 3 pole one that runs as well as some of the new flywheel stuff and is just as quiet!

Most noses are broken but thats what blue tack was invented for!

Richard

[AndyGif]

ok what i realy meant is reverse curves, st5 to st6 cross over etc or a tight S bend.

[B757-236GT]

My pair manage ok on that. I have heard of problems and was ready to replace them with shorter shank buffers but as they went ok i didnt see the point in changing them really, perhaps mine have already been replaced but they look like standard farish ones.

Richard

[StufromEGDL]

 

My pair manage ok on that. I have heard of problems and was ready to replace them with shorter shank buffers but as they went ok i didnt see the point in changing them really, perhaps mine have already been replaced but they look like standard farish ones.

Richard

Hi all,

I have done a DRS pair of conversions from Poole Farish 20s. As one is on an ISM dummy chassis, it exhibited buffer locking until I shortened the shanks on one set of nose buffers.  Have not had a problem on a powered pair!!

Later,
Stu from EGDL.

[longbridge]

I had one of the early ones given to me but on inspection found only one set of wheels were driving the thing, every gear on the other axles had split and had been removed, I in turn gave it away, the newer model should be OK though.

[H]

Here's mine on a short vid i made for the N Gauge forum coach tour visit.

Very nice little layout. It would be nice to see more. But I can' say the same for that infernal tinkling of the ivories. 

H.

[Pengi]

Lovely work DS

[B757-236GT]

With cracked axles you dont need to replace the entire axle. Its incredibly simple to just change the gear and also a hell of a lot cheaper, i think the last gears cost me 20p each!!

Richard

[dr deltic]

I have 4 of the old 20's and they span from the period when they loco's still had brass gears to the Chinese produced version.

Brass geared loco virtually bomb proof, but noisy.
Poole produced loco from the 80's eventually suffer the odd split gear.
Chinese produced old version (metal bodied) loco's have proved to be a nightmare overall with split/slipping gears, hence the large number of DRS liveried returns Bachmann roll out with their stand at shows!

Taylor plastic models did all the necessary detailing parts and these do make a hell of a transformation and are still available.

New 20, well I have one and its superb and to be honest, if you can stretch to it, buy one instead.
The modelled loco 20192 did wind up with a headlight on the cab front late in its life but other than that is a total joy.
Don't know why but i cant part with the old ones yet!

[Dock Shunter]

Here's mine on a short vid i made for the N Gauge forum coach tour visit.

But I can' say the same for that infernal tinkling of the ivories. 

H.