Dapol Class 121 - Bogie derailing issues (and fixing it)

[Peter C]

For Christmas, I'd chosen a Dapol Class 121 in revised Network SouthEast livery. It arrived earlier this month but we only got round to testing it today. Upon testing it, we found that the bogies don't turn as much as they are supposed to and therefore the unit fails to negotiate the 3rd-radius curves on my layout. I have spoken to someone from Hattons and they echo what I've heard elsewhere online in that the way to fix this issue is through filing down the stairs on the bogie or the underframe of the unit. I'm not overly confident with doing something like this with an expensive model but I was really quite keen on the unit.
I'm wondering if anyone can help me in filing down the detailing? Ideally someone would be able to share what they did with their model, with pictures if possible. Maybe @Cowley or @reddragon can help?

Thanks,

-Peter

 

[Cowley]

For Christmas, I'd chosen a Dapol Class 121 in revised Network SouthEast livery. It arrived earlier this month but we only got round to testing it today. Upon testing it, we found that the bogies don't turn as much as they are supposed to and therefore the unit fails to negotiate the 3rd-radius curves on my layout. I have spoken to someone from Hattons and they echo what I've heard elsewhere online in that the way to fix this issue is through filing down the stairs on the bogie or the underframe of the unit. I'm not overly confident with doing something like this with an expensive model but I was really quite keen on the unit.
I'm wondering if anyone can help me in filing down the detailing? Ideally someone would be able to share what they did with their model, with pictures if possible. Maybe @Cowley or @reddragon can help?

Thanks,

-Peter

It does seem to be a known problem. There’s some information on it in this rmweb thread Peter:

Hattons Dapol OO 121 Bubblecars

www.rmweb.co.uk

Somewhere buried in the main thread that’s linked in there is supposedly a solution but there’s 46 pages of posts in the other one!

Is there anything on YouTube do you know?
Also are those steps separate mouldings?

 

[Peter C]

It does seem to be a known problem. There’s some information on it in this rmweb thread Peter:

Hattons Dapol OO 121 Bubblecars

www.rmweb.co.uk

Somewhere buried in the main thread that’s linked in there is supposedly a solution but there’s 46 pages of posts in the other one!

Is there anything on YouTube do you know?
Also are those steps separate mouldings?

Thanks for the response - I read that thread earlier but the only responses seemed to be about removing cardan shafts or something - far beyond my knowledge, unless I've missed something! I've only seen the one YouTube video describing filing the steps, but the creator seemed to just cut a bit off the steps instead, which I really wouldn't want to do. The steps seem to be a part of the bogie frame.
I think I've found a solution, that being to send the Dapol 121 back (I've spoken to Hattons and this was the second option available) and then go for a Bachmann one, prices depending.

-Peter

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for the response - I read that thread earlier but the only responses seemed to be about removing cardan shafts or something - far beyond my knowledge, unless I've missed something! I've only seen the one YouTube video describing filing the steps, but the creator seemed to just cut a bit off the steps instead, which I really wouldn't want to do. The steps seem to be a part of the bogie frame.
I think I've found a solution, that being to send the Dapol 121 back (I've spoken to Hattons and this was the second option available) and then go for a Bachmann one, prices depending.

-Peter

That sounds like a good idea, I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with Bachmann stuff, but Dapol models often seem to have the odd issue.
I think if you kept the one you’ve got it seems like the only real option is to file or cut a part of the steps away but I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t want to do that on a brand new model!

 

[Peter C]

That sounds like a good idea, I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with Bachmann stuff, but Dapol models often seem to have the odd issue.
I think if you kept the one you’ve got it seems like the only real option is to file or cut a part of the steps away but I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t want to do that on a brand new model!

It's good to hear that you've not had problems with Bachmann stuff - that's my situation as well; I've got two Bachmann engines and several coaches and they're all really good.
Why Dapol can't make a model with proper tolerances/spacing for moving parts is beyond me! Seeing as it is for Christmas makes me want to chop at it even less.

-Peter

 

[reddragon]

In my early days of modelling, Dapol were known as cheap junk. My Dapol Western is certainly not that, its my best model!

I have been advised to avoid some Dapol products - their Virgin train (as it broke a lot) and their Container flats - Megafret as they derail & their FEA spine wagons as they has manufacturing faults & split.

No new model should need to be modified to run.

 

[Peter C]

In my early days of modelling, Dapol were known as cheap junk. My Dapol Western is certainly not that, its my best model!

I have been advised to avoid some Dapol products - their Virgin train (as it broke a lot) and their Container flats - Megafret as they derail & their FEA spine wagons as they has manufacturing faults & split.

No new model should need to be modified to run.

I've not heard anything bad about their Class 52, and I have a Dapol Class 68 which is brilliant: seems like their quality control/testing/general standards are not necessarily standard...!
Before today, I would have said that people criticising the Dapol 121 were being overly-critical because it seemed to be really good from the bits I'd seen online, but I can see where they are coming from now having run it. It's appalling.
I totally agree with your last point - a model sold as 'ready-to-run' should not need the user to modify it in any form in order to make it live up to the description on the packaging.

-Peter

 

[Cowley]

@reddragon and @Peter C - I couldn’t agree more, there’s absolutely no way you should have to fetch a file to a brand new model just to get to go around 2nd radius curves.
If you read the information supplied by Dapol it says that it’ll run on 2nd radius curves without a problem, so in my opinion they need to recall the models and sort this issue out.
There’s no way the customer should have to find some kind of workaround after paying that kind of money for a product.
End of (and I hope you’re reading this Dapol).

 

[Peter C]

@reddragon and @Peter C - I couldn’t agree more, there’s absolutely no way you should have to fetch a file to a brand new model just to get to go around 2nd radius curves.
If you read the information supplied by Dapol it says that it’ll run on 2nd radius curves without a problem, so in my opinion they need to recall the models and sort this issue out.
There’s no way the customer should have to find some kind of workaround after paying that kind of money for a product.
End of (and I hope you’re reading this Dapol).

We're all in complete agreement then.
Hattons have the particular 121 on for £99, which I believe is a discounted price, but that doesn't mean Dapol can get away with such a poor product. I completely agree with your comment about recalling the models; they should either do that or seriously rethink what they're doing and retool the models (with a sincere apology/refund of some sort to those with broken models). I don't normally complain about models or find ones with issues so this is actually quite a surprise and a disappointment.
In lighter news, the Dapol 121 is making its way back to Hattons ASAP and a Bachmann one has been ordered, which seems to be of much better build quality and features anyway.

-Peter