- Reviews Index
- Bachmann 4Bep
- Bachmann 2EPB
- Bachmann 2Hap
- Bachmann 4Cep
- Bachmann MLV
- Bachmann Class 159 new version 2020
- Bachmann Class 450 Desiro
- Dapol Class 73
- D J Models Class 71
- EFE Isle of Wight Underground Stock
- Halling Croydon Tramlink Tram
- Heljan Class 07 Dock Shunter
- Heljan new Class 33/0s
- Hornby 2Bil
- Hornby 2Hal
- Hornby 4Vep
- Hornby Brighton Belle
- Hornby Class 71
- Hornby Class 395
- Hornby Refurbished Eurostar
- Kernow 2H
- Kernow 4TC
- Kernow Bulleid Diesel Locomotives
- Replica Motorised Chassis
Heljan Class 07 Dock Shunter
Decoration-wise the green and blue are credible but a tad dark for my taste. Please do not go on the reproduction of colours in these photographs. The paint is probably authentic for a full size loco but there has been no attempt at scale colour, subjective though this be. The wasp stripes appear to be spot-on, though on blue liveried versions between the yellow of the buffer beam and the wasp stripes there is a very slight mis-match. The fonts used for numbering, both liveries, are a tad too thick to my eyes. From viewing numerous pictures I noticed that the TOPs data plate position on the cab sides of blue liveried locos varied. On both my blue versions the position of the data plate is in “a” correct position but I have not yet been able to verify if it is correct for these specific locos. The cast oval 71A shed plate as seen on pictures of some locos is not represented on these model. |
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(above and below) Comparing sides of original (green) and air braked (blue) versions so the accurately represented differences can be noticed |
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The printed instructions are also a weak point, and overall I did not find them particularly helpful. There is one page of diagrams of the parts making up these models. However these are not exploded diagrams, they are only line drawings, and other than a notional part number the parts are not described nor detailed where they fit. Whilst things like bonnet and cab sides, and the loco’s chassis frames, are readily identifiable the majority of parts look to be meaningless rectangles and straight and wiggly lines. Plus to state the locos were withdrawn when the “Southampton docks complex shut down in 1977” is a significant misinterpretation of the facts. The week before I received my models I walked past the Eastern Docks, photographing LSWR relics whilst I was there, and was driven past the Western Docks. Southampton Docks are very much still there and working! What they should have written was these locos were withdrawn after wagon load traffic handled in the docks significantly decreased, particularly after shipping containers came into use.
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