ABS
Has anybody else checked Dapol 4mm models since some of you must either have been, or still are, 4mm modellers??. Have you seen any adverse reviews ??
As a predominantly 4mm modeller I have bought and reviewed their 4mm LMS signals which appeared in Railway Modeller. I also bought a 4mm GWR version to see if they were consistant. My review was targetted towards the core readership, (the average enthusiast/Clapham Omnibus Man
COM) and suitability for purpose, which was run pretty much as written. They are marketed as
OO Scale signals. In esscence all the critical dimensions are wrong on both the starter signals and assuming they use the same components for the distant, those are incorrect too. As often with a RTR model the dimensions are frustratingly wrong, bearing in mind how easy it is to access standard prototypical data, e.g. Warburtons LMS signalling book. They could have been closer to scale, they make N gauge working LED lit semaphore signals, so the same technology works in mass produced signals in a smaller size. However they work well and are robust enough for normal layout use, and are the only high street available ready to use signals, excepting Hornby's Triang era models. According to assorted shopkeeping MrBenns, they have sold well. Had the review been for MRJ it would have said much the same thing, but we know the readership (generally) would look at these more critically than
COM.
My review, boiled down to basics :
They're not to scale and the dimensions are wrong. Cosmetic lever weights could be added to improve the appearance.
They're well designed and made, LED lit, well decorated, robust, and work as advertised.
They are electrically operated with a simple, though not ideal switch, and there are no DCC fitting guides or indications of DCC compatability
They are well priced, RTR, working and the only such signals on the market, and will do well.
So the review was balanced between accuracy, functionality, and market suitability. None of the other mags as far as I know have reviewed them as a product in their own right, if they do it'll be interesting to see their take on them. In mind of the above the lattice and SR Rail types will be very interesting to see how close they get, I'm not hopefull, logically, assuming they'll use existing components will already mean arm and lamp positions will be incorrect. To make a robust 4mm lattice or rail post will mean using overscale components especially if plastic molded. If they are keeping the cost down then the challenge is all the greater to minimise assembly costs. None of the 7mm signals are out to date, but assuming they make the same errors, (I'd be surprised if they didn't if they are using the same data), they will still sell just as the open wagons have, because people who don't know/care will see them as an easy route. The OO signals could for me have been an easy RTR purchase, but because they are so far out that you can't correct them, Gibson and MSE will still be seeing me buy their product. We'll see the same with these wagons and anything else they (and others) produce, 'finescalers' will see if they are fit for purpose and use, adapt or discard, the
COM will see them as an entry point to the scale and treat them as normal RTR but bigger . I took a more PMP'ist' look at the signals here
http://albionyard.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/the-good-the-not-so-good-and-the-indifferent/ which says the same thing as has been outlined here, they're wrong. they're not for me because (frustratingly) they're wrong, they'll sell.
