DAPOL - YOUR THOUGHTS ?

[CarriageShed]

I think you have opened Pandoras Box 

I knew a Pandora once. Never got to see her box, though.

Don't worry, I'm already leaving 

[silly moo]

My thoughts are mixed at the moment, one faultless LT pannier and one wobbly Modellbahn Union Terrier. I will now have to post the Terrier to DCC supplies to get a replacement before I go back to Africa. I won't have time to test Terrier no. 2 but I hope DCC will be able to help.

It's the luck of the draw and I've only had one other Dapol dud so my good luck couldn't last forever.

[Ollie3440]

I currently have the following Dapol locos:
9 x Class 67 (3 Dummy)
5 x Class 86 (2 Dummy)
3 x HSTs
4 x Class 66 (1 Dummy)
2 x Class 221
3 x Class 26 (1 Dummy)
1 x Class 56
1 x Class 121 (Dummy)
4 x Class 153 (2 Dummy)
3 x Class 156 (1 Dummy)
5 x Terriers
1 x Q1
1 x GWR 2884
2 x Small Prairie
3 x Panniers
1 x Hall
1 x 9F
2 x Britannia
4 x Manor (Ixion)

Aside from the odd livery mistake (Shedcode on 2-8-0 for example!), Out of all those listed above i have had:
One 86 died - replacement has been fine
One Britannia shorted in reverse - Sent to DCC Supplies and now runs well
One Manor would not run - Sent to DCC Supplies and now runs well
One Terrier (My new one) had a bent running plate - I noticed this during lunch at TINGs so i took it back and modellbahn swapped it for a good one (Just finished running in!)

So 4 out of a lot isn't too bad in my opinion. I will admit i always test a loco before buying but more often than not the first one i try ends up coming home with me!

Ollie

[davecttr]

Although i know the reasons why Dapol do it I find it irritating that they specialise in limited production runs and if i want to buy something a year or so after it was introduced it is out of stock for ever. Some more ferry wagons would be nice for instance. Having spent all that money producing the casting tools etc is is a pity that they don't continue to use them.

Still, i suppose they will be overwhelmed by 3D printing as the quality improves.

[H]

I find it irritating that they specialise in limited production runs and if i want to buy something a year or so after it was introduced it is out of stock for ever.

I quite like that approach - that way you get a larger choice of liveries, numbers, slight variations, etc., and, of course, it increases the uniqueness and reduces the possibility of seeing the same old few identical models on exhibition layouts.

Plus, it does make Dapol more agile and able to tailor to demand without swamping the market. The problem now is the slowness of getting new product to market and the delays being introduced by the Chinese manufacturing.

H.

[Agrippa]

Most Dapol items  I have are wagons and coaches, which always appear to be finely made. Only loco is a 14xx which buzzes about without any problems though I've noticed various faults reported.

Always fancied the Terrier, however that model is not currently produced AFAIK, unless someone can say
otherwise.

Must admit I always find their website a bit confusing and not as simple to navigate as Bachmann.

Talking of limited production mentioned by H, I would like to see a Stirling single in N, however
bigger chance of Scotland winning the World Cup. ( Or even qualifying !)

PS their website has a shop section, is it possible to order from that the same as you would from
a retailer or do you have to register or join their club?


Cheers

Allan

[Caz]

You can order direct from them but you pay full RRP unless you are a member and then you get a small discount.  Much cheaper to buy for any of their suppliers. 

[alibuchan]

I have got loads of Dapol steamers, diesels and electrics. I have had a 67, Western, and 2 86's go pop on me.

The western only did one circuit on Alsagers layout at TINGS. Luckily Osbourne's stand was only across the aisle!

The 67 went back to Dapol and got the motor fixed but not the lights. But it just meant I put the detailing pack on the other end and it only goes that way.

The 86's one blew its lights and the other did its circuits on the PCB. DCC Supplies fixed both of them for me.

Currently my Dapol fleet is standing at 29 and I can only see that number going up.

Alistair

[davecttr]

I find it irritating that they specialise in limited production runs and if i want to buy something a year or so after it was introduced it is out of stock for ever.

I quite like that approach - that way you get a larger choice of liveries, numbers, slight variations, etc., and, of course, it increases the uniqueness and reduces the possibility of seeing the same old few identical models on exhibition layouts.

Plus, it does make Dapol more agile and able to tailor to demand without swamping the market. The problem now is the slowness of getting new product to market and the delays being introduced by the Chinese manufacturing.

H.

I disagree

For example someone coming new to N-gauge has missed out on all those items which Dapol has released and apparently has little chance of seeing new stock.

Fancy a dozen or so ferry wagons? Ebay is your only choice.

i presume Dapol own the dies etc so what is too stop them bringing them back to this country and molding some plastic of their own?

do you think there is any chance of seeing a class 156 in Saltire livery anytime soon?

or a class 142 anytime in the next few years?

[Pete Mc]

Class 142 Pacer units due mid 2014 now.Ollie spoke to Joel from Dapol on saturday at TINGS.He told him the CAD's had been approved and were waiting for a slot to make the engineering prototypes which then have to be approved followed by decorated samples then to full production.

Pete

[H]

I disagree

For example someone coming new to N-gauge has missed out on all those items which Dapol has released and apparently has little chance of seeing new stock.

Fancy a dozen or so ferry wagons? Ebay is your only choice.

i presume Dapol own the dies etc so what is too stop them bringing them back to this country and molding some plastic of their own?

Fine, that's okay with me but it won't change my opinion - I still like it. There's a certain frisson to it. 

Why would newcomers want old models. I don't want the old Poole Farish lumps and don't expect to be able to buy them. Newcomers are able to purchase the latest new state-of-the-art models currently being produced. I'm sure there is enough around to spend a fortune on. The manufacturers are constantly announcing and producing new models.

I've already got all the ferry wagons I want - I purchased them when they came out. But the NGS still has some available for purchase AFAIA although you might need to re-paint them in to the livery you want.

Dapol have got around to re-running batches of older models from their range recently so, no doubt, at some time in the future they will produce most of them again - if they consider there is sufficient demand. But just because one or two people want them it isn't necessarily a viable and economic proposal.

H.

[H]

He told him the CAD's had been approved and were waiting for a slot to make the engineering prototypes which then have to be approved followed by decorated samples then to full production.

Hmm, that sound like the just about the complete manufacturing process - so, that means nothing is really in hand. I'd guess at the current rate of production, a mid 2014 target date (less than a year now) is not a realistic expectation for completed models to be on sale. 

H.

[CarriageShed]

Why would newcomers want old models?

That's an easy one to answer. To be able to build up a decent stud of locos at reasonable prices before they start paying top dollar for the brand new fine-scale models. Generally, you can get two older locos for the price of one new one, and perhaps even three for one. That's quite an incentive.

The old models can be improved and made pretty reasonable with some very simple work to add extras such as cab rails, vacuum pipes, realistic coal loads, etc. They can also be used as test beds for renumbering, repainting, or as chassis for kits, so there seems to be quite a wide field of use for the old lumps 

[EtchedPixels]

i presume Dapol own the dies etc so what is too stop them bringing them back to this country and molding some plastic of their own?

Availability of suitable moulding equipment
Whether the moulds are usable (you can make 'cheap' low volume moulds in aluminium or similar materials)
Whether they own the tooling
Whether even if they own the tooling they can extract it from the moulder

It's very common that the actual tools remain the property of the tooling/moulding company. Even if it doesn't I know people who've found that getting hold of their own tools is akin to getting your kitten back from next doors rotweiler.

I have *no idea* what Dapol's actual situation is here.

There are plenty of second hand models around and sometimes where there has been a long gap and new demand Dapol have done re-runs. Dapol and their dealers are perfectly capable of working out when the market will take a re-run - which is not the same as "Hattons don't have it"

Alan

[H]

That's an easy one to answer. To be able to build up a decent stud of locos at reasonable prices before they start paying top dollar for the brand new fine-scale models. Generally, you can get two older locos for the price of one new one, and perhaps even three for one. That's quite an incentive.

The old models can be improved and made pretty reasonable with some very simple work to add extras such as cab rails, vacuum pipes, realistic coal loads, etc. They can also be used as test beds for renumbering, repainting, or as chassis for kits, so there seems to be quite a wide field of use for the old lumps

The quick and easy response is that it is quite possible to build up a decent stud of locos from current models.

I can't agree that older stuff is good value even if a little cheaper - I doubt very much that beginners would be undertaking such modelling upgrading and rectification work as you suggest, and that it cost money to improve them making the models just as expensive as current ones. And TBQH the prices for some lame, second-hand, old lumps, especially on ebay, that are in running condition, aren't exactly cheap.

However, for practicing painting and other modelling techniques on, cheap non-runners are a better bet. But I'd suggest that type of activity is a little more advanced than beginners just initially wanting RTR.

H.