Class 66 Differences

[Nik96]

Has anybody openly compared the GraFar and Dapol 66's, having recently received a GraFar 66 I was able to and there's quite some differences aside from those the manufacturer decides to do differently. I'm not sure if all of them were because they were sub classes,

But which one is more accurate?

[robert shrives]

Hi ,
Try to get hold of "General motors Type 5 class 66 locomotives by Ross Taylor, its ISBN is 978-1-4456-4850-7 price £14.99.

Best part of 200 phots of 66s and covers all UK operators variations on the theme. With at least 4 head lamp variations and 2 coupling variations, cab sidescreens and lifting lug changes let alone the 4 and 5 door "family" version quite a bit to get right or wrong depending on your outlook.

Robert

[Nik96]

Hi ,
Try to get hold of "General motors Type 5 class 66 locomotives by Ross Taylor, its ISBN is 978-1-4456-4850-7 price £14.99.

Best part of 200 phots of 66s and covers all UK operators variations on the theme. With at least 4 head lamp variations and 2 coupling variations, cab sidescreens and lifting lug changes let alone the 4 and 5 door "family" version quite a bit to get right or wrong depending on your outlook.

Robert

I'll have to see if anybody can lend me a copy, thanks for mentioning it!

[marco neri]

 
There is my topic about'em..called "the three sister"...Dapo,Graham Farish..and Kato.
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=25679.msg275809#msg275809

Cheers

Marco

[njee20]

The Dapol one is far too light to pull decent length trains IME, I'd go for Farish for that reason alone.

That said, 6 pin sockets are a more recent addition to Farish ones, so if you're DCC it depends a little on your soldering abilities!

[geoffc]

I have a mixed fleet of Farish and Dapol, both have their faults, the early Farish has to be hard wired for DCC and the early ones dont have NEM sockets. The early Dapol with the light switch underneath tend to be noisy, the later ones have 6 pin sockets and all have NEM sockets for the couplings. I think there is a greater variety of liveries with the Dapol ones. Basically you pay your money and take your choice.

Geoff

[njee20]

I also have two Dapol ones which have suddenly started stalling on curves. A bit of lateral pressure on the bogie brings them back to life, but the second you let go they stall. Very annoying, as it renders them unusable and I've yet to find out why it happens on locos that previously worked perfectly!

[Rabbitaway]

I have a fair mix of Farish and Dapol 66s

None of older Dapol ones

My layout has inclines and the Dapol 66s (new DCC version) are fine with a reasonable length of train

Issues -
Failed light on one Dapol
Stripped top gear on one Farish (the one that connects to the worm) now sorted

Very similar in my view and probably best to be driven by your liking for particular liveries rather than either brand

[Cooper]

I also have two Dapol ones which have suddenly started stalling on curves. A bit of lateral pressure on the bogie brings them back to life, but the second you let go they stall. Very annoying, as it renders them unusable and I've yet to find out why it happens on locos that previously worked perfectly!

Have you had the bogies off and checked the pick-ups?

[njee20]

Yep, they were a little bent on one, other one was perfect, hasn't helped, although I'm sure that is the problem (can't be all that much else!). Got frustrated and walked away whilst twiddling.

[Cooper]

Yep, they were a little bent on one, other one was perfect, hasn't helped, although I'm sure that is the problem (can't be all that much else!). Got frustrated and walked away whilst twiddling.

Is the pick up connection between bogie and body then perhaps?

[njee20]

Much prodding and tweaking took place with zero improvement. I ought to try again!

[marco neri]

I do confirm...my early Dapol dcc ready in Freightliner livery has problems on curves with lenght trains...the latest new in DB Schenker ,also the polish , are great haulers...

Cheers

Marco

[PostModN66]

Failed light on one Dapol
Stripped top gear on one Farish (the one that connects to the worm) now sorted

For those not already in the know, a common cause of the stripped top gear is running the loco whilst upside down (whilst wheel cleaning for example).  I have mashed up a few before realising what was going on! 

Cheers  Jon 

[Rabbitaway]

Thanks Jon

I am aware of the no no about running Farish 66's upsidedown

This one mashed the gear all on its own!

I understand the Class 60 also doesn't like being upsidedown either