DAPOL Program Progress as at August 2020

[Bob G]

I just bought plates and NBrass bogie parts to convert Farish's 34051 Winston Churchill to 34056 Croydon - one of the last to carry early crest and a streamlined tender (1959).

I'm working on the basis that I'm 60 next month and I wont see this loco hit the rails in my lifetime. Always best to have a positive outlook

Anything better is a bonus.

Bob

[longbow]

It's hard to see how a model of the UK's best preserved loco class could need almost a decade of "research". Or perhaps they still haven't figured out how to put a coreless motor into one of the UK's most accommodating steam body shapes, or a sound enclosure into one of the biggest tenders.

[bridgiesimon]

interesting mention that the M7 is in CAD, does this mean they are producing one that will actually run properly rather than just re-runs of the earlier, superb looking but terrible running model?
Does this also mean they will be returning to redo both versions of the 45xx and the Ivatt T as well?

best wishes and hopeful
Simon

[longbow]

IIRC the M7 is getting a chassis upgrade, which should include at minimum DCC readiness and hopefully better wheels and motor and improved traction.  No word on whether other early models will be upgraded, but that seems a reasonable expectation as it's a lot cheaper and quicker than tooling a completely new model.

[N_GaugeModeller]

Apparently their 9F is on their list for a rerun as well, unfortunately not anytime soon

NGM

[longbow]

I would infer that Dapol's N Gauge product development budget is very limited, hence the emphasis on re-runs and upgrades rather than new tooling.

[Newportnobby]

I'm working on the basis that I'm 60 next month and I wont see this loco hit the rails in my lifetime. Always best to have a positive outlook

Steady on, Bob. I'm 67, and have left instructions in my will that if this damned model ever turns up and I'm gone, it gets burnt and I'll collect it 'downstairs'.
Serves me right for pre ordering 'Spitfire'. I'm sure Angela Merkel has a hand in its delay

[Roy L S]

I would infer that Dapol's N Gauge product development budget is very limited, hence the emphasis on re-runs and upgrades rather than new tooling.

My conclusion too, but at least they are continuing to develop models...slowly...

I reckon the Ivatt 2MT Tank is a really strong candidate for a DCC ready chassis upgrade to modern standards, there's not a lot wrong with the body at all.

Roy

[PaulCheffus]

You could hack up/pretend a 66 is a 59. Not so good for a 59/0, but the body is basically the same for a 59/1 or 59/2. I keep considering printing a replacement solebar and bogie frames for a Farish 66. Still leaves the exhaust silencer, but that may be a step too far!

Hi

Grahame Hedges did this a few years ago and I think it was published in the magazine he used to write (not the NGS journal). If I get chance over the weekend I'll have a look as I have all the magazines upstairs.

Cheers

Paul

Hi

Having now had a look it was in the NGS journal Dec/Jan 2015.

Cheers

Paul