Lynton & Barnstaple 2-6-2T from Heljan

[Steve Lewis]

I have just been reminding myself of the rave review of these locos in the April 2017 Railway Modeller. They extol the consistency with Peco 009 track and points, and say that the couplings are consistent with the Peco rolling stock - the couplings, they say "ensure a perfect match". I can only assume that the reviewer simply looked at the model in the box and did not actually run it on a real layout or attempt to couple it to Peco rolling stock.

My Yeo is a superb static display item in a siding on my layout, but useless to run and haul trains. One would urge the model railway press to be a bit more thorough and penetrating in their reviews, rather than simply providing uncritical advertising for manufacturers of poorly designed products.

Hi  Ian    do  you  look  at  rmweb forum  there  is  quite  a  bit  on  there  re  the  Heljan  problems  (in the Heljan  section) may be  worth  a  look  and posting  your comments  as  I am  aware that some  manfrs  do  look/

[DeadHorse]

I couldnt agree with you more Ian. If a model is submitted for public criticism then that is what it should get.
Heaping praise upon something that simply doesnt deserve it doesnt do anybody any favours.
I often think of that when I see a members model/layout/latest concoction so often being lauded within these very pages as 'magnificent' 'so lifelike' 'great modelling' etc when really it deserves a 'good effort, but ......' at most.
My own modelling skills are nowhere near good enough for public viewing and I am in awe of many contributors on here, even if I dont care for their chosen subject matter, but to ignore the many mistakes made by beginners that seem obvious to us is not doing them any favours either.
Please - can we steer folks in the right direction instead of just letting them carry on making their own mistakes until they get fed up and give up.

[Steve Lewis]

It will be  interesting  to  see what  if  any reviews  or  follow  up comments  appear  in  which magazines now  that  the locos  are  becoming  available,  I bet  there  is  a  stony  silence  from  PECO /RM!

[Steve Lewis]

For   information  I  have  just  returned  my  2  to  the  retailer!

[Steve Lewis]

For   further  info,  on  the   Manning   Wardle  saga

I had  info  from a  purchaser ( who  makes  some interesting  L&B related  items,  wagon  loads,  bridges, small buildings etc and  sells them on ebay) whose  Loco failed  with  broken  valve  gear  after  under  1  hours  running  time  and  also  a  friend  of  his  who had also bought a loco had  the  same  failure  almost immediately it  wwas  first  run.

my supplying retailer told me  yesterday  that  of  the 8 he  has  had delivered to  date, my 2  have  failed  and   another 1  has  reported  valve gear problems  and  2  have  yet  to be collected.

I would  advise  that  if  anyone  has one  they  have  not  yet  tested,  they do so as  soon  as  possible as  I can see  there being  a  bit   of  a  waiting  list  for  replacements.

[Pete Williams]

Ah - could all this be the reason for the stony silence in the modelling press? - only statement in this month's Railway Modeller (page 716)  is a short announcement that the models have arrived with retailers in early june.
Not even a sniff of a review mentioned as forthcoming in next month's issue.
I'm seriously considering cancelling my not-yet-arrived pre order.
Can anyone tell me if the recommended bachmann dcc chip will fit roco's bo-bo electric ?

[Pete Williams]

Just returned mine.
Link pin on the left hand side, just behind the cylinder, was never fitted into it's socket on the chassis.
Definate lack of quality control at the factory.

[B.Meldon]

Yes it is all very sad!
My understanding is that Heljan intend to use a different manufacturer for future batches.
Exactly how this will work out regarding moulding dies etc. I have no idea, but I guess that Heljan own them??

Brian Meldon

[Pete Williams]

I have just received a reply from Heljan UK regarding my complaint about poor quality. They say that they have cancelled the contract with the previous company and have a new supply for the next batch and assure me that the quality will be much improved. In good faith, i have placed my pre-order today.

[B.Meldon]

I have just received a reply from Heljan UK regarding my complaint about poor quality. They say that they have cancelled the contract with the previous company and have a new supply for the next batch and assure me that the quality will be much improved. In good faith, i have placed my pre-order today.

Did they give you any dates for the next batch?

Brian Meldon

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

I was just about to cancel.  Hm, now, what to do?

[Hobby]

Let someone else try them first... ;)

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

"Let someone else try them first... Wink"

Ha!  Very wise!

Meanwhile, can anybody tell me (sorry if this hasn't been covered before) how the 2-6-2T ended up doing on 9" radius curves?

[Pete Williams]

Latest delivery date feb-march 2018 (suposedly )
Bachmans due may.

[Michael Melton]

Are these able to run on 9" curves? 

I've read many contradicting views on this.  Some say it makes it if driven carefully, some say it doesn't make it. 

I would like to get one, but my layout is tight as it is.