Have been out of modelling circulation recovering from Coronavirus and the AZ Vaccine folks. Lots of modelling tasks to get on with, including this one. According to some modellers, Heljan O Gauge products are not always top draw stuff when it comes to running qualities straight out of the box. I`m happy to report that with this, my first, Heljan RTR example, all is well. There were a couple of loose detachments , easily remedied..... Excellent detailing and paint finish. with working head and tail lights as well as interior lighting to the saloon and drivers cab that function in DC as well as DCC. I like the bogie detailing..... Only one bogie is powered driving both axles with a very simple, traditional gearing arrangement ; and both bogie units have electrical pickups to all wheels. Mine runs very smoothly and the instructions advice is 30 minutes running in , in both directions, something I never do as `running in` to me is` wearing out`. I prefer to test the model on a piece of track using a volt meter and ammeter to make sure the motor is not `under heavy load` and then once she is converted to DCC let light normal use do the `settling in` Because if the model is running badly out of the box, it `aint goin` to get much better wearing it out on a test bed.. So.... I`m very pleased with my example and If I was to be very picky , the glazing is rather on the thick side and detracts a little with a `prism` affect. But then Heljan have got to cater to some heavy handed modellers squeezing the sides in every time they pick it up, as it is quite a heavy model. She sits quite well with my own kit built effort with the earlier AEC version. The next job is to add DCC sound. Now Heljan have worked hard to provide full lighting but have designed it around the Locksound V5 21 pin decoder. The lights won`t function if I use my preferred ZImo MX 645 choice. Plus, I can`t find a Locksound V5 supplier that utilises a sound file of the preserved prototype example at Didcot. Most suppliers seem to use `modern` generic` DMU sounds. However, John at Youchoos, has done some work on adapting the Zimo 21 pin decoder and he uses a sound file from the preserved example at Didcot. Everything arrives from him tomorrow..... watch this space......
Looks a superb model and with Dapol bringing out the Gloucester version there should be a few more sound projects coming to the market. I never run in my Heljan diesels , I test everything is working then get the chip fitted. I have my own reasons for not running in , and I have only got a end to end MPD layout.
As I expected , could`nt track down a Locksound V5 decoder loaded with prototype AEC sounds. A Standard Zimo 21Pin decoder from Youchoos , who do have a prototype sound file, if plugged in directly will not be able to operate the lighting in this RTR model. So in order to enjoy the correct sound file I followed Youchoos installation Guide and adapted Heljans model to take a Zimo Adapus conversion board so that I could then use a Zimo MX645plux22 21 pin decoder. So it was out with Heljans board..... and in with the Zimo replacement................ and then I can enjoy the result...
Great stuff, I know I couldn`t sort out all those wires let alone solder them into their rightful places. I have some video of No22 at Didcot from years back , I was watching this only last week , it had a grey roof . I know No29 had a grey roof , I thought the earlier numbered locos had like your model - white. Tony Hubbard
Thanks all, I`m giving the roof some thought Tony...concerning weathering it a bit. Also the detailed bogies have a plastic look to them so my plan is to add some colour work to the seating and partitions and lightly weather the bogie sides using an airbrush for it all. There is a layout waiting for her that I must finish this summer as well...
I doubt that white roofed DMU's/EMU's would have stayed white beyond the first few weeks of operation, fast becoming a dirty grey-ish colour I'd imagine. A bit like the Bulleid 10203 diesel which originally (and as per my model) had a primrose yellow roof. (What were they thinking???!). Keith.
