Dapol breakdown coach (Footplate limited edition).

Discussion in 'Product Reviews' started by Keith M, Apr 5, 2017.

  1. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    This is a limited edition of 150 commissioned by the retailer "Footplate", and a useful addition if you happen to have a breakdown train. First impressions are that there's very little in the way of external detail with few letterings although well executed, but the whole coach feels very lightweight, almost flimsy, with very little detail of much between the bogies. The bogies themselves have PLASTIC wheels! Even Dapol's cheap wagon kits now come supplied with proper metal wheels, so come on Dapol, get your act together, I thought we'd got rid of plastic wheels when Lima phased them out, but it seems they're alive and well, living in Wales! Internally, there is only a part moulding of seats, and between the seat moulding and the chassis is a very thin metal weight, adding little to the insubstantial feel of the model, not enhanced by the thin plastic split rivet which the bogies pivot on. All in all, not one of Dapol's finest products and one I'd be hard put to recommend, especially at the price of £23.95+£4 postage.

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  2. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Perhaps you may think I'm being a bit mean spirited, bearing in mind that quite a few coaches retail at anything up to £60 and more, but to be honest, for the money, I think Dapol could have done much better, a heavier weight and maybe brass bogie rivets would have added a more substantial feel to the model. I have now stripped the coach and replaced the weight by a strip of lead flashing, may well replace the plastic rivets, and as can be seen in this view, removed the supplied couplings as I'm fitting my standard Kadee's. I will also be replacing the supplied plastic wheels with Hornby metal ones, the plastic ones being binned as they deserve. It's a little annoying that a new model needs this kind of attention straight off the shelf, 'cheap and cheerful' doesn't even cover it, so if you're in the market for a breakdown coach, I'd suggest you pick up a 'playworn' coach on Ebay, paint it black and buy the necessary transfers, it'll likely be a better and more substantial job in the end!
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  3. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Thanks for the lowdown Keith. It's a shame Dapol have let themselves down so badly on the model. As you say, better to keep clear of it and do your own.

    I'm sure you will be able to make the most of a poor situation though. :thumbs:

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  4. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    A bit disapointing, especially when the do the Stanier Coach kits for under a tenner, and assembled for under £15, with more detail.

    Paul
     
  5. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    It`s interesting Keith,

    I reckon there are no set rules for break down coaches. I did quite a bit of research a while back and came to the conclusion that the railway companies basically made them up as they went along. They used old or redundant coaching stock or whatever and modified them accordingly.

    That said, there is no reason why model manufacturers could not take a bit more trouble to produce an outstanding model of same, rather than just take some old stock and tart it up into a break down coach.

    Here`s one I built myself from an old Piko coach....massively modified.

    [​IMG]

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  6. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    The coach looks very similar to their pre-painted coach kits, I seem to recall a mate buying one with the kind of finish your's has but at half the price, I have 3 or 4 of the kit coaches and had to replace all the wheels, they don't look bad with a little work.

    Pete.
     
  7. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I have one of the Bachmann 'Engineering Dept' black coaches, these are a world away from this Dapol example, much more substantially built and for only a couple of quid more, so no reason why Dapol could not have done much better for the money.
    Keith.
     

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