Just bought a copy of Railway Modeller (only two left on the shelf) and wish to congratulate you on the Wear Yard article, you mentioned that they had added a blue sky background and I must say how well just such a pale blue works so well, it's there but doesn't grab the eye of detract from the model.
This video ended up being more useful than I had at first realised - I am working on rolling stock for a club layout based in the east London docks in the 1960s, and this type of locomotive was very common there. I have bought three of these for the club layout, and found the DCC fitting guide very useful to minimising the damage on opening the model. I have managed successfully to fit a decoder and stay alive as well as modify the locomotive for independent directional lighting. Now all that is left to do is convert it to EM gauge...
Excellent review as ever Jenny but it has cost me after I dared to follow your link. When I realised one of the models was of a Liverpool Street Pilot, D 8234 it suddenly became a 'must have' to work with my Finecast N7 and CDC J69 Buckjumper (work in progress). I was not going to buy any more until I have fixed the locos I have and got my layout operable but such is life. I felt for you as you struggled to remove the body and no doubt I will now do the same but since watching your vlog I have found advice that says not to read the instructions and not to try and remove the cab. Evidently both will eventually come off together as a unit after screw removal of course. We have the added benefit that we can use profanities in our own homes to help it along whereas you have to bite your tongue lol!. Please keep your super reviews coming Jenny and I hope the next one is a bit easier. All the best to you and Zoe and stay safe!
I visited Statford TMD in January 1981 to see 2 of the (at the time) 4 surviving Class 15s. Only one of the 2 I saw was preserved. Although they unsuccessful they were great looking locos. One was in BR green and the other was a kind of apple green.
Totally agree with the awkwardness of getting this apart for dcc fitting. I found using the blade of a craft knife was needed to lever things apart as the trusty jewellers screw driver was leaving too many dents in the plastic as it’s slightly thicker . It was also apparent on mine that whoever assembled it had used some small amounts of what looked like super glue meaning I had to run the blade of my craft knife all around the joints to break them free. After all that it turned out the chip I had to put in it was a blown one I had taken out of something else and forgotten about. The battery box only goes on one way as there are some very small pipes on one side of it that have corresponding holes on the underside for them to fit into. I’m guessing this was designed fairly early into the dcc ready era of models , probably assumed that most wouldn’t be fitting chips but added the option just in case . Apart from that it does run really nicely . Not sure if the hand rails are that big and chunky on the prototype , I might look into changing them for wire if possible and more suitable. I very much doubt they have any left now as the original one I ordered after your heads up video had sold out , they kindly phoned me and sent a different livery for the same price , so can’t fault the service. I have added them to my list of bargain hunting sites for the future.
I lover your thorough reviews and I'm also getting quite an education on British Railways, cheers to you and Zoe! ^,^ Edit to add, I'd love to find a class 8 and class 15 in N scale, anything British in the US is hard to find :-/
i guess im asking the wrong place but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost my account password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Juan Tobias thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
very nice loco Jen ! I think perhaps the body needs pulling straight downwards , to unclip , instead of from one end . Obviously a tight fit so easier said than done !
very nice review and a nice loco. It is also build very robust. Perhaps a little bit too much. But hey, with some of the older Roco steam tender loco's you have to get the motor out to reach the DCC socket. But having said that ,they are much more accessible.
Oeh a 15. One on my wish list, since they will fit nicely on a late 50s eastern layout. Only problem is finding a suitable one! Most ones I see have yellow fronts, which are obviously unsuited for me.
Another very thorough review and like you I suddenly realised this was a really good model to purchase, particularly on noting how quiet the motor is. Shame about the incredibly tight body fit, ridiculous Heljan released (pardon the pun) the model like that! Some suggestions - how about a foam top on your bench to save annoying dings, also if it isn't coming apart then stop change tools and or release technique. I too have learnt the hard way, a selection of 10, 20 thou plasti card, some coffee stirrer sticks suitably whittled down and some other finer prising tools have saved my difficult to open models from the damage yours unfortunately endured! Certainly Heljan need to resolve on this serious access issue you rightly highlight. Hope you can flatten those puckered edges on what is otherwise a lovely engine! That satin finish is stunning. Stephen.
It's NOT the type body fit. It IS the lack of instructions for body removal, which makes any discussion of servicing moot, like acar whose bonnet won't open. This lack of foresight and the unpainted cabin block -- and the missing yellow axle end -- show that Heljan doesn't care what the customer thinks once the unit is sold. Here's my suggestion. If you like the Heljan subject, write other makers and beg them to do it right so you can buy it from them. Heljan can do the marketing -- get someone who cares to produce the model. Head to head (real) competition for a change. On the other hand, installing the DCC and then not showing the light and sound functions is a waste. You're not helping to sell the feature set if you don't show what it sees. You can't show how all those lights toggle? It's video-- let's see live action.
A very nice model Class 15. You said that it would fit in with the transition period, but it has the double arrows which I thought was a bit later. The little white box under the arrows is that painted on or is it a clip for the cab? Martin. (Thailand)
It is never the less a nice model and I like the lighting as well as some detail pieces. It’s unfortunate the body is on so tight and as you said it’s not for the faint of heart to install the DCC chip but knowing that I would still buy it.
Is it just me, but I don't see the link to the source of the Heljan Class 15 as mentioned in the intro. I also have a suggestion. I notice camera reviewers are putting a summary of their findings at the start of their videos. That makes it very easy as a reference in the future. It will never stop me watching the review, so it is not a spoiler. UPDATE: Thanks for the link to Rails.
One of the train heating units would fit right in on my layout. But I just wish they did an unpowered model without all the internal 'gubbins' for a much better price. I don't really want to pay for an un-prototypical powered unit that will just have to sit at the end of a carriage siding.
your trusty screw driver is looking rusty, perhaps a source of the damage a bit of wire wool and oil would sort it.i did not remove the cab and had no problem fitting my decoder
Theres nothing worse spending alot of money on a model just to ruin it with a screwdriver... i was thinking maybe rubbing a bit of grease inside the cab and frame, i wonder if that would help it?
Not a bad locomotive. However, this type of locomotive was thought to be less reliable than some of the other locomotives. Pretty little thing for a diesel!!
i see from rails says it was once the liverpool street pilot plus as for sound what about a class 20 sound chip any thoughts plus found this ruclips.net/video/3yMbfF5UTXE/видео.html
or a class 56 sound file ? might sound good or like you say hst defo making thing i should get one but sold out off the full yellow ends one now i think
It might look pretty, but it looks like it’s a very poor machine!! I’m thinking that things have gone totally wrong in the manufacture. And putting in the digital decoder is a massive problem!! WHAT A BLOODY MESS!!
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Just bought a copy of Railway Modeller (only two left on the shelf) and wish to congratulate you on the Wear Yard article, you mentioned that they had added a blue sky background and I must say how well just such a pale blue works so well, it's there but doesn't grab the eye of detract from the model.
This video ended up being more useful than I had at first realised - I am working on rolling stock for a club layout based in the east London docks in the 1960s, and this type of locomotive was very common there. I have bought three of these for the club layout, and found the DCC fitting guide very useful to minimising the damage on opening the model. I have managed successfully to fit a decoder and stay alive as well as modify the locomotive for independent directional lighting.
Now all that is left to do is convert it to EM gauge...
Excellent review as ever Jenny but it has cost me after I dared to follow your link. When I realised one of the models was of a Liverpool Street Pilot, D 8234 it suddenly became a 'must have' to work with my Finecast N7 and CDC J69 Buckjumper (work in progress). I was not going to buy any more until I have fixed the locos I have and got my layout operable but such is life. I felt for you as you struggled to remove the body and no doubt I will now do the same but since watching your vlog I have found advice that says not to read the instructions and not to try and remove the cab. Evidently both will eventually come off together as a unit after screw removal of course. We have the added benefit that we can use profanities in our own homes to help it along whereas you have to bite your tongue lol!.
Please keep your super reviews coming Jenny and I hope the next one is a bit easier. All the best to you and Zoe and stay safe!
I visited Statford TMD in January 1981 to see 2 of the (at the time) 4 surviving Class 15s. Only one of the 2 I saw was preserved. Although they unsuccessful they were great looking locos. One was in BR green and the other was a kind of apple green.
Got one of the Heljan class 15s myself and had the same problems trying to get into it to fit the decoder. Great running loco though.
Totally agree with the awkwardness of getting this apart for dcc fitting. I found using the blade of a craft knife was needed to lever things apart as the trusty jewellers screw driver was leaving too many dents in the plastic as it’s slightly thicker . It was also apparent on mine that whoever assembled it had used some small amounts of what looked like super glue meaning I had to run the blade of my craft knife all around the joints to break them free. After all that it turned out the chip I had to put in it was a blown one I had taken out of something else and forgotten about. The battery box only goes on one way as there are some very small pipes on one side of it that have corresponding holes on the underside for them to fit into. I’m guessing this was designed fairly early into the dcc ready era of models , probably assumed that most wouldn’t be fitting chips but added the option just in case . Apart from that it does run really nicely . Not sure if the hand rails are that big and chunky on the prototype , I might look into changing them for wire if possible and more suitable. I very much doubt they have any left now as the original one I ordered after your heads up video had sold out , they kindly phoned me and sent a different livery for the same price , so can’t fault the service. I have added them to my list of bargain hunting sites for the future.
Nice model that was a tough one to dcc.I thimk Heljan will have sort it out in the modern models.Great video.
I think I'm going to start a switching layout or shunting as you would say just because of that little engine 🤔
I copped most of this class at Stratford 1964/65 dear to my heart.
,
I lover your thorough reviews and I'm also getting quite an education on British Railways, cheers to you and Zoe! ^,^
Edit to add, I'd love to find a class 8 and class 15 in N scale, anything British in the US is hard to find :-/
It looks like a Baby Baby Trainmaster.
i guess im asking the wrong place but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account?
I was stupid lost my account password. I would love any tips you can offer me
@Grady Cody instablaster ;)
@Juan Tobias thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Juan Tobias It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out!
very nice loco Jen ! I think perhaps the body needs pulling straight downwards , to unclip , instead of from one end . Obviously a tight fit so easier said than done !
Looks a bit like a baby Fairbanks-Morse H16-44. I think that's why I like it.
Awesome locomotives Jenny and like the color nice 👍👍👍👍😎❤️ video and enjoying it too 👍👍👍👍❤️
You seem to have lost a yellow bearing cap, too! - - Stick a small flat neodymium magnet to your work-board, to stop tiny screws escaping.
No, that’s where the speedometer is attached
very nice review and a nice loco. It is also build very robust. Perhaps a little bit too much.
But hey, with some of the older Roco steam tender loco's you have to get the motor out to reach the DCC socket.
But having said that ,they are much more accessible.
Oeh a 15. One on my wish list, since they will fit nicely on a late 50s eastern layout. Only problem is finding a suitable one! Most ones I see have yellow fronts, which are obviously unsuited for me.
Another very thorough review and like you I suddenly realised this was a really good model to purchase, particularly on noting how quiet the motor is. Shame about the incredibly tight body fit, ridiculous Heljan released (pardon the pun) the model like that! Some suggestions - how about a foam top on your bench to save annoying dings, also if it isn't coming apart then stop change tools and or release technique. I too have learnt the hard way, a selection of 10, 20 thou plasti card, some coffee stirrer sticks suitably whittled down and some other finer prising tools have saved my difficult to open models from the damage yours unfortunately endured! Certainly Heljan need to resolve on this serious access issue you rightly highlight. Hope you can flatten those puckered edges on what is otherwise a lovely engine! That satin finish is stunning. Stephen.
It's NOT the type body fit. It IS the lack of instructions for body removal, which makes any discussion of servicing moot, like acar whose bonnet won't open.
This lack of foresight and the unpainted cabin block -- and the missing yellow axle end -- show that Heljan doesn't care what the customer thinks once the unit is sold. Here's my suggestion. If you like the Heljan subject, write other makers and beg them to do it right so you can buy it from them. Heljan can do the marketing -- get someone who cares to produce the model. Head to head (real) competition for a change.
On the other hand, installing the DCC and then not showing the light and sound functions is a waste. You're not helping to sell the feature set if you don't show what it sees. You can't show how all those lights toggle? It's video-- let's see live action.
A very nice model Class 15. You said that it would fit in with the transition period, but it has the double arrows which I thought was a bit later. The little white box under the arrows is that painted on or is it a clip for the cab? Martin. (Thailand)
Great review!! Thanks Jen 🚂 ♥️
It is never the less a nice model and I like the lighting as well as some detail pieces. It’s unfortunate the body is on so tight and as you said it’s not for the faint of heart to install the DCC chip but knowing that I would still buy it.
you must get some plastic tools and you can use a plastic card to push a side the body.
Is it just me, but I don't see the link to the source of the Heljan Class 15 as mentioned in the intro. I also have a suggestion. I notice camera reviewers are putting a summary of their findings at the start of their videos. That makes it very easy as a reference in the future. It will never stop me watching the review, so it is not a spoiler. UPDATE: Thanks for the link to Rails.
*The Class 15 looks like the GE U12B/U13B, that's interesting*
Why do you have two wind filters over the mic ? --- one is enough - stick with the foam one and chuck the other one Jenny
the unpainted axle box carries the speedo feed
One of the train heating units would fit right in on my layout. But I just wish they did an unpowered model without all the internal 'gubbins' for a much better price. I don't really want to pay for an un-prototypical powered unit that will just have to sit at the end of a carriage siding.
Solving one of Jigsaw's puzzles to put the DCC chip in your loco
Jigsaws puzzles are simple by comparison 😉
@@duncangosling5108 True, at least those are made with the consumer in mind.
A touch of weathering would make it look less toy like. Nice loco but perhaps a tad toy like currently? 😎😎😎
Hi Jenny, the cl15 is on my to buy list not any more stay safe TONY [ GRIFFIN STATION ].
your trusty screw driver is looking rusty, perhaps a source of the damage a bit of wire wool and oil would sort it.i did not remove the cab and had no problem fitting my decoder
You might could've painted the white block and hidden the wires while you were in there.
If it’s anything like the 20, the white interior is pretty much prototypical.
Theres nothing worse spending alot of money on a model just to ruin it with a screwdriver... i was thinking maybe rubbing a bit of grease inside the cab and frame, i wonder if that would help it?
One thing that strikes me as strange, and you never picked up on ? ... One of the axle boxes isn't painted in yellow !!
it carries the speedo feed
Looking at them front end on they always remind me of a platypus lol
Linda locomotiva
Not a bad locomotive. However, this type of locomotive was thought to be less reliable than some of the other locomotives. Pretty little thing for a diesel!!
i see from rails says it was once the liverpool street pilot plus as for sound what about a class 20 sound chip any thoughts plus found this ruclips.net/video/3yMbfF5UTXE/видео.html
or a class 56 sound file ? might sound good or like you say hst defo making thing i should get one but sold out off the full yellow ends one now i think
Yikes put the rusty screwdriver down and ask Santa for some plastic spudgers.
It might look pretty, but it looks like it’s a very poor machine!! I’m thinking that things have gone totally wrong in the manufacture. And putting in the digital decoder is a massive problem!! WHAT A BLOODY MESS!!
I disapprove of undocumented clips.