If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Kernow Model Centre/Dapol 00 gauge Beattie Well Tank.

Discussion in 'Model Railways' started by Bulleid Pacific, Aug 21, 2010.

  1. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,991
    Likes Received:
    1,039
    Occupation:
    A Thingy...
    If they do a reasonably-priced 0415, and they do a good job of the 0298 once I see it in the flesh, I'd bend over backwards to buy it. I've always liked the Radial tank, a well-proportioned locomotive with classic Victorian lines. However, some of the more esoteric Maunsell classes wouldn't go amiss, such as the 3-cylinder moguls, the W or the Z classes. Or if they are feeling adventurous, the N15X... I'd probably get one despite my Southern Region layout being based in 1960-1961.
     
  2. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,991
    Likes Received:
    1,039
    Occupation:
    A Thingy...
    The models have now arrived at Kernow, although those (like me) who ordered 30585 may have slightly longer to wait as they only received a part-delivery of the order. As such, they are dispatching them according to date of ordering.
     
  3. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2007
    Messages:
    3,991
    Likes Received:
    1,039
    Occupation:
    A Thingy...
    Well, I finally received my example of 30585 (with late crest) this morning. I was surprised at how tiny the parcel was, but that didn't prepare me for what was inside. The locomotive comes in a rather stylish and sturdy card slide-out lid box, and the locomotive was kept in position by a rather nice foam tray with the engine's profile cut into it (just be careful when removing it, as it really is a snug fit. Thankfully, nothing's broken on mine!), topped by a lid held together by a ribbon. Also included are two bags: one containing couplings, vac pipes and route disks; the other a photo-etch fret of fire irons, and an instruction sheet in the bottom of the box.

    Now on to the locomotive. Well, what can I say? I only had a quick glance before going to work, so it is only now that I am able to appreciate it for what it is, a miniature work of art. They have captured the 'look' of the prototype pretty well (particularly the area around the front axle), and the model bristles with fine details (they even have a ready-fitted wire fire iron stored on the hooks at the back of the coal bunker!), with brightwork picked out nicely in copper or brass (if only Hornby could differentiate between the two on a more consistent basis!). The grab handles along the boiler are particularly fine. The cab contains painted details such as regulator and reversing lever etc., whilst the transfers are very well done, for as we all know, these locomotives had to have versions of their own to fit the limited amount of flat space on the sides. In fact, the numbering looks spot-on.

    The model runs very smoothly after running-in, although do watch your points, as there is a tendency for it to stall at low speeds (the instructions tell you this), whilst there is a noticeable judder as it crosses them at higher speeds. I haven't tried anything more than two China Clay wagons and a 'Queen Mary' brake, but it pulled those with no problem.

    Overall, an excellent effort, and a treat for those who pre-ordered them (the Southern-liveried version has now completely sold out). However, there are a couple of details that could have been improved upon. The most glaring for me is the aforementioned chimney issue, as the inverted cone seems rather more pronounced when compared to that featured on the Hornby M7 (it shouldn't be, it should only have a very slight taper inwards towards the bottom). Secondly, the safety valves really could have benefitted from being brass, or at least done in a similar way to those on Hornby's M7 (the closest comparable locomotive currently available on the RTR market). However, these are relatively minor things for a model that would have been almost certainly passed-over by a larger manufacturer. If the chimney issue can be resolved, then the forthcoming O2 should be something special. Frankly, I'm impressed, and would recommend this to anyone interested in replicating the Wenfordbridge route, or just wants something different on their layouts.
     
  4. SG-Canada

    SG-Canada Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2005
    Messages:
    267
    Likes Received:
    5
    Occupation:
    Land Use Planner
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Glad to hear they worked out so well, Sadly, finances have conspired against me ordering one, but the more manufacturers who can create top quality products people want to buy will benefit us all from seeing more limited market and niche products.
     

Share This Page