Dapol HST - Any good?

[LittleReggie]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of buying a Dapol HST bookset as my next model. Are they any good? I've read a few stories about them dying rather quickly. Has anyone on here had any experience of them and care to offer some advice on their quality and reliability, particularly when DCC'd?

Thanks,
Reg.

[Karhedron]

I have not got one personally as they are a bit too modern for me. However what I have heard is generally positive. Also, Dapol have recently introduced a 12 month warranty which may cover HSTs (please check though as I am not certain of this).

[ASFC]

I have a GC HST by Dapol. It is a brilliant runner, really quiet and smooth. Much better than the farish one, which looks toy like in comparison to it.

It isn't cheap though!

[hiffano]

I have the intercity exec one, wonderful runner and looks excelent, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one when fundung permits

[LittleReggie]

Sounds promising then. I have my eye on the BR Bue/Grey livery version (ND122H) which is what I remember as a kid. I came across one online yesterday for £120 plus postage, but now I can't find it again! My local model shop has one for £135 which is probably worth the extra if there should be any problem with it.

[LittleReggie]

As I had some other stuff to get it worked out far cheaper to order one from Hattons in the end. The HSTs are flying off the shelves - they had 9 in stock yesterday when I was looking, 4 when I decided to order this morning and this dropped to 2 while I was building my order. They now have none of the BR Blue/Grey ones left, although there is some stock of the other liveries.

Reg.

[LittleReggie]

Well, I have my HST. It looks very nice but it's running like a dog! Despite following the oiling and running-in instructions very carefully, after several hours of use the loco is jerking along at any speed and generally running poorly, and it is showing no signs of getting any better. I can only conclude that I have bought a dud. One other thing I have noticed is that although the loco can be brought down to a crawl speed and then stopped, when moving off it doesn't respond in the same way - it tends to do nothing until the control knob is turned a fair way and then moves off at quite a speed. Is this normal or perhaps a symptom of a fault?

Reg.

[Zunnan]

Sounds to me like a stiffness in the drivetrain, its not unknown, the Dapol class 66 was notorious for it causing a high current consumption and overheating of the motor. Some people when the HST was first released commented that their models wouldn't reach a prototypical top speed and ran extremely hot, so I'd wager that some HST models suffer in the same way (the one I had was fine). Its a strip down and reassemble job to free up the gears, but if its a new model I'd have it looked at under Dapols warranty first.

[LittleReggie]

Yeah, I don't have any choice really, he's got to go back. It's a pain as (assuming they agree that the HST is faulty) I now have to wait for a replacement to come into stock. If the replacement works ok then it problably won't put me off buying Dapol again as these things happen sometimes. If I get another bad one then I would definitely have to think twice next time.

Reg.

[ASFC]

I should point out at this junction that Dapol items are always limited runs (some of their spares and sundries excepted), and that if you really want it in the livery you bought it in, it can be a case of getting it fixed (at their cost) or looking elsewhere for one (after refund).

[LittleReggie]

Fortunately, the return of my HST has coincided with the arrival of more stock at Hattons, so I'm getting a replacement. You've got to like Hattons - they accepted the return of the HST without quibble, have tested it and refunded me immediately (including the return postage, which incidentally took less than two days despite me only using 2nd class). They telephoned me to ask if I wanted a replacement HST, which they will test prior to despatch (no charge for postage). To cap it all they have been helpful on the phone - what more can you ask!

I hope I get a good one this time.

Reg.

[hiffano]

I'd be happy to let a company test a loco before dispatch, saves problems later... in theory.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

I'd be happy to let a company test a loco before dispatch, saves problems later... in theory.

Yes I agree its a good idea.... but Im pretty sure not one that the box collectors would like.
Maybe an online retailer could offer a "test locos before despatch" option in the checkout section. This would be especially useful for us overseas customers as returning faulty goods can be an expensive hassle. So even if the retailer made a nominal charge for the service it would still be worthwhile.

[Karhedron]

Most places will test for you if you specifically ask them to. However they do not do it by default because, as Essex2Visuvesi said, collectors want their items mint and boxed.

You can always place your order over the phone since the net does not have anywhere to request this.

[hiffano]

Most places will test for you if you specifically ask them to. However they do not do it by default because, as Essex2Visuvesi said, collectors want their items mint and boxed.

You can always place your order over the phone since the net does not have anywhere to request this.

a number of them have comments boxes where you could add it,