Advice on Dapol products please.

chrispearce · December 18, 2014, 03:45:06 PM

I am planning a layout and when considering what locos I should invest in I have an alarming problem. I have read many comments about Dapol. Some people have to send their locos back for replacement (often more than once) due to poor performance. I have read things like the Dapol 45XX derails it's pony truck on points. Is there a problem? It is pity because Dapol locos look really good and well proportioned.

Could people give me their thoughts and opinions on this please. I would be very grateful.

austinbob · December 18, 2014, 03:55:22 PM

I don't think Dapol are any worse than Farish but in my opinion the quality of either is not very good. I have about 15 or so locos and around 50& have had some issues and 2 eventually were returned under warranty.

Don't let that put you off though. N gauge is ideal for getting a lot of railway oin a small space. Its just a bit of hassle to get things fixed.

Ensign Elliott · December 18, 2014, 04:07:11 PM

I've got about 60 locos, a mix of Farish and Dapol, and again, I'm not impressed with recent products from either manufacturer. I've never returned a loco (yet) but have plenty which are not great runners and thus seldom get used, despite having had many hours of running in.

I have to say that the best runners are my older Farish locos from the mid 90s to early 2000s. I find them easier to maintain and keep clean compared to newer models, with Dapols being especially more tricky. The detail and looks on the newer products, Dapol's in particular is fantastic, but running quality is very hit and miss.

That said, I agree with the above posts in that N Gauge is a great space saver and provides a huge amount of fun, so stick with it. Also, the help on this forum is great, especially when asking about tinkering with locos etc..

Newportnobby · December 18, 2014, 04:47:57 PM

The main issue I have with Dapol locos is I find they (for the most part) require quite a lot more than 1 hour running in (or as Dr Al puts it - wearing out).
That said, and you specifically mention the 45xx, I have one of the first generation ones and it's one of my best runners although the smallest points I have are the Peco code 55 small electrofrogs.

bridgiesimon · December 18, 2014, 05:18:11 PM

Also depends on what sort of motive power you are considering, I have had lots of issues with Dapol kettles but very few with their diseasals. my class 22s are all superb as are the clas 67s and the class 66s I had before I sold them on. the 45xx/Ivatt/M7 I would not touch with a barge pole, had several of each, got rid of them and although would love to have models of these classes on my ,ayout will not be buying more unless they revamp them properly!!

best wishes and MERRY CHRISTMAS
Simon

robert shrives · December 18, 2014, 05:52:10 PM

Hi Dapol do more than just locos and I have found stock to be very good - odd livery errors excepted but are now getting better with plenty of running numbers and ready weathered as well as cohices.
Steam locos do vary it seems but DCC supplies as the spares and repairs do provide good warranty service and retail spares -but these are short supply items despite efforts from UK to the Chinese factories - makes you wonder on customer service !! I have two 9F and some A4s and no problems but not run that much.
Diesels the early efforts on 73, 66 and Voyager work but can have loud transmission which is engergy lost - a shame as visually top notch. Later 66,67, 86, 35, 22 56, 58 in no order have better chassis but it is only on the 52 where the PCB is fair, but batches have had wheels with some sort of crud on them that needs cleaning and a few with wobbly wheels - test in shop is the advice.
HST - beware as you will see reports of duff lighting but this is due to lighting being specified to prototype arrangements. generally good runners and stock to make trains is alomst complete with TGS just around the corner. Some more stock to make complete sets as early batches sold quickly...
The latest Arriva 67 and bookset plus additional coaches now in the market place and allow in one shot buying a complete train... progress
I have no problem in recommending Dapol and Farish stock as being good having modelled, collected and messed about with repairs of both manufacturers for 30 odd years, come on in and join the N fun, this forum will help and provide hours of fun - it does slow down my modelling!!! but in a good way
Robert

Paddy · December 18, 2014, 07:13:17 PM

Sadly I am one of the unlucky Dapol owners. Their Wagons and coaches are great but in my experience their locos are rather variable. It has made me very nervous about buying more. My experience with Farish however has been the complete opposite. Totally accept that others will have had better/worse experiences but I can only speak as I find.

Paddy

austinbob · December 18, 2014, 07:27:05 PM

Quote from: Paddy on December 18, 2014, 07:13:17 PM
Sadly I am one of the unlucky Dapol owners. Their Wagons and coaches are great but in my experience their locos are rather variable. It has made me very nervous about buying more. My experience with Farish however has been the complete opposite. Totally accept that others will have had better/worse experiences but I can only speak as I find.

Paddy

Paddy it just seems to be pot luck. You seem to get goodens and baddens from Dapol and Farish. I've said it in many posts before, and I'm sure a lot of people are getting

of with me saying it, but I just don't think the quality control is good enough. We shouldn't have to accept the level of faults and failures we get. We wouldn't accept it from any other type of product, would we?

I'd rather spend a bit more knowing I'm gonna get a fault free, reliable product that works out of the box. To quote Dulux, it should do what it says on the tin!!

Paddy · December 18, 2014, 07:31:04 PM

Totally agree Bob. However we are paying more but quality remains an issue sadly.

Paddy

Bob Tidbury · December 18, 2014, 07:44:26 PM

I have just been reading that even Dulux have been having a problem with thier Briliant White turning Yellow so even that dose not do what it says on the tin
Sorry off topic but couldn't resist.
Bob

austinbob · December 18, 2014, 07:55:59 PM

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on December 18, 2014, 07:44:26 PM
I have just been reading that even Dulux have been having a problem with thier Briliant White turning Yellow so even that dose not do what it says on the tin
Sorry off topic but couldn't resist.
Bob

Do you know what Bob... You can go off people!!

chrispearce · December 18, 2014, 08:16:45 PM

Gentlemen, please forgive me but isn't it Ronseal that says, "it does exactly what it says on the tin?" or am I missing something? Is this the reason my fences look a bit tatty?

Many thanks for all the thoughts. My main concern is about using the chassis for scratchbuilds.

Chris.

P.S. My plans are beginning to take some sort of form, albeit a strange one.

georgehgv · December 18, 2014, 08:18:12 PM

Most of my locos are diesels I have several 66 67 60 47 being a mix of Dapol and GF, only one been sent back as a complete turkey, probably one of the best is Dapol Western so solid and a great runner.

New GF DRS 33 is impressiveas well.

Newportnobby · December 18, 2014, 08:37:10 PM

Quote from: georgehgv on December 18, 2014, 08:18:12 PM

New GF DRS 33 is impressiveas well.

Not sure that should be 33, George

austinbob · December 18, 2014, 09:27:12 PM

Quote from: chrispearce on December 18, 2014, 08:16:45 PM

Gentlemen, please forgive me but isn't it Ronseal that says, "it does exactly what it says on the tin?" or am I missing something? Is this the reason my fences look a bit tatty?

No Chris, your not missing something. Its just me missing a few brain cells. Not many left now!!