New Dapol Voyager

Irrespective of how close the coupling is, it makes it a pleasure to see a Biritish outline Company producing contemporary rolling stock in N Gauge.

We should not loose sight of the fact that British N Gauge must represent a very small market and that the initial outlay in generating new models must be substantial.

Manufacturers are not charities and must sell to recover cost and make some profit.

All in all it is a very welcome addition to any model layout to have a Virgin Voyager available.

Keep up the good work Dapol.

It looks nice.

Perhaps I need to consider ditching OO, and downsizing to N? With the increased quality of both steam and contemporary models from Dapol and Graham Farish, I'm very tempted...

"Bob" wrote

Bob, I whole heartily agree, but I'm sure that the gap on the corridor connections could be less of a scale "jump" ?

Andy

Never mind the coupling, just look at those flanges and the RSJ's the wheels are running on!...

I picked up my Voyager at Warley on Sunday. The level of detail is stunning on this model, even down to a myriad of separate pipe runs and fittings on the roof. It's DCC ready and, quite frankly, the best bit of UK N Gauge to appear to date.

Also a few shots of some of the new Farish on show at Warley, including the Class 57, Mk1 Pullmans and BR Brake Vans. As you can see the quality is a million miles away from the chunky Farish that we've been accustomed to.

Pics here:

Adam Warr

At least the RSJs are closer to scale gauge than any 00 product.

MBQ

"Adam" wrote

DCC ready but needing THREE decoders I believe, and only those with NEM651 plugs (i.e. those with six bare wires sticking out of the side of the decoder) will plug in.

John.

DCC ready but needing THREE decoders I believe, and only those with NEM651 plugs (i.e. those with six bare wires sticking out of the side of the decoder) will plug in.

Dapol did try to rig the Voyager for through-wiring, requiring just one DCC chip but this was found to be too unreliable when constantly uncoupling and recoupling the unit. They appreciate needing three chips is not an ideal solution but the best that is practical.

The model seems to have been very popular, with the first 500 made already having sold out (and already fetching over-the odds prices on eBay). If the success continues, we should be seeing the Class 221 Super Voyager (with tilt?) and the Class 222 Meridian and Pioneer units (Yaay!!).

Chatting to Dapol at Warley, they are secretly hoping that the XC franchise changes hands, so different liveries can be offered ;-)

Adam Warr Peterborough UK

In message , Adam writes

As I understand it, this was a limited edition. If it's sold out already, what on earth are Dapol doing. I'd have thought it would be in their interest to make the limited edition much bigger, such as 1000,

"Jane Sullivan" wrote

I understand they're using much cheaper moulding technology which limits the numbers they can produce from one set of moulds compared with standard injection moulding tools.

John.

In message , John Turner writes

Yes, but they're supposed to be making more limited editions for Model Rail Scotland, etc., which implies the same moulds but different decoration.

"Jane Sullivan" wrote

Right, I didn't know that, but it does make a lot of sense to keep quantities slightly below what the market will stand, as that increases demand and encourages retailers to carry stock as they can actually make a profit on them.

John.

The two extra decoders are used to control the lights on the end vehicles.You could get away with just the one decoder (in the powered car) if you make do without the lights. Or you could try some inter-vehicle wiring to run the lights off the motor car's decoder.

Neil.

Not making enough TSR2 kits for me to have one didn't save Airfix :-)

HTH

(kim)

Bored of that. I wanna lifeboat now :-)