Dapols stupid driveshafts!

[portland-docks]

Well got one of 3 boards in use now on moorside, so first thing i do? Test!

First loco on test? Standard 4mt 76084....and it goes over everything no problem...

Next up? Dapol a4 sir nigel gresley, so round the first curve (made of curves provided in the dcc a3 scotsman set, no problem, flick the points for the inner curve made of flexi, slightly tighter but i imagine to be ok....

Gets a little bit round and the entire frontend derails...and when i look the drive shaft is right against the cab wall!

So i now try another dapol a4, silver link...same problem...
Dapol a3...same problem....any dapol loco with a drive shaftand boom derails...every farish loco however such as tornado? No problem!

God i hate those drive shafts! I now have to alter the layout and fiddle yard just go accomodate these bloody things!

[Rabs]

Out of interest, what radius are you trying to use them on?

[portland-docks]

I have no idea, next size down from whats in that set, whats annoying my EVERY bach/farish loco does both curves with ease, dapol only does the bigger curves anything even remotely smaller and it will throw itself off the track

[Rabs]

Most of Dapol's newer tender models are only designed to go around 10.5" radius curves, and won't go around the 9" (radius 1) set track curves if that is what you are trying to do.  This is because they have chosen to lean towards higher accuracy models with smaller coupling distances between locomotive and tender.  In my experience, with my Hall and 28xx, 10.5" is a little optimistic in some cases and to be safe you need to get your curves to over 11".

Probably a silly question, but have you remembered to remove the bit of packing plastic which sits between the loco and its tender?

[portland-docks]

Yeh no plastic on my locos..,problem i have is though is my layout for the exhibition is only 2 foot wide!

So i either have to add amother piece on the back, or strip it and get some 3x4

Stupid dapol!

[Rabs]

I can absolutely understand your frustration.  I do think that you are being a little unfair to Dapol on this occasion (although I can't tell if you're joking or not!).  They do usually make it pretty clear on the packaging, instructions and in their press releases when one of their models requires larger radius curves than 9".
Good luck with the layout modifications!

[portland-docks]

Well im gonna try one modufication which requires a curved set of points, otherwise i think im gonna cry!

[Portpatrick]

And the other problem with those tiresome shafts is that they come out too easily and can be a major pain to put back.  I have a Brit but will not be buying any more Dapol tender locos unless they change their design (unklikely I accept).  My Minitrix 9F will soldier on, and my Farish A3 and A4

[Newportnobby]

I've lost track (sorry) of the number of times I have advised fellow members showing a trackplan on a board less than 2' 6" wide with 180 degree curves that they will be limited as to what they can run. Farish steamers seem to have a lot more 'slop' that allows them to negotiate smaller radii. Dapol's do not, but of course it only applies to the larger tender locos although my Q1's struggle with small radii too

[johnlambert]

Can't say I've ever had a problem with Dapol's drive shaft.  The main loop on my layout is Peco 2nd radius but all bar one of the points are Settrack items.  I have more problems with the bogie on 4-6-x locos, dead slow is the order of the day otherwise they derail.  But I am pleasantly surprised that they tolerate R1 curves at all.

My goal for the big layout (if it ever gets built) is 12-inch curves as a minimum.

[E Pinniger]

You ought to be able to fit a Radius 2 (10.5") circuit on a 2ft wide baseboard with a fair amount of space on both sides; my layout is only 2' wide and the outer circuit of the main line has a passing loop on one side and a siding on the other.
Radius 3 (11.75") will just about fit on 2ft, but you'll end up with the track practically at the edge of the baseboard, so not recommended - but it is possible!

[GWR-Kris]

I agree that the drive shafts are annoying, but im sure the instructions that come with it state cant be used on Radius 1, but that being said there is no mention of this on Dapol site, which is a bit off.

[Rabs]

I agree that the drive shafts are annoying, but im sure the instructions that come with it state cant be used on Radius 1, but that being said there is no mention of this on Dapol site, which is a bit off.

Indeed - if they haven't made it clear before purchasing then there's a legitimate gripe.

[AndyGif]

I agree that the drive shafts are annoying, but im sure the instructions that come with it state cant be used on Radius 1, but that being said there is no mention of this on Dapol site, which is a bit off.

Indeed - if they haven't made it clear before purchasing then there's a legitimate gripe.

get a drive train spring from one of the older Farish Units, chop to length, add the ends from a dapol shaft.
and there you have a flexi drive shaft

[Rabs]

get a drive train spring from one of the older Farish Units, chop to length, add the ends from a dapol shaft.
and there you have a flexi drive shaft
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It was like that when i found it, honest!

I found that very funny with your signature  - I can just imagine the conversation with the man in the shop when you try to return it!

This may well work, but the driveshaft isn't the only feature that won't have been designed for 9" radius, it was just the bit that hit problems first.  You'll also find that the rigidly coupled wheels on larger steam locos don't have enough sideways play to go around smaller radii, and the pony wheels may not be able to articulate far enough.  This is the price we have to pay for valve gear which is somewhere near scale and smaller flanges on thinner wheels.