Kernow DJ GWR 0-6-0 Saddle Tank 1361 Class. Issues?

[End2end]

Does anyone own or know of any running or other issues with the Kernow / DJ Models GWR 0-6-0 Saddle Tank 1361 Class?
Although perhaps not entirely accurate to the prototype, It's a nice 0-6-0 loco that would fit in my layouts generally set location.
Thanks
End2end

[Bigmet]

Curate's egg time!

Get an example with a good mechanism and you will be pleased. It is important to test immediately and thoroughly on receipt. If it isn't quiet, or proves in any way unreliable, send it back directly, for refund or replacement. I'd first ask Kernow before purchase about the spares position. The design originator went bust and his wonky concepts in mechanism design went 'phut' with him, thankfully.

There's a choice, in that Heljan made both the 1361 and 1366. Get an example with a good mechanism and you will be pleased. It is important to test immediately and thoroughly on receipt. If it isn't quiet, or proves in any way unreliable, send it back directly, for refund or replacement. At least Heljan are still in business...

Some keen types bought both maker's models in the 'early excitement' phase, and returned whichever was the worst... Don't know what prices are like now, but both maker's 1361s ended up on the fire sale shelf.

[Dad-1]

Because every locomotive is an individual - particularly so with these,
I don't like to advise others, BUT ....

I have a Kernow version that I'm happy with and can't think of any particular
problems regarding running. As to accuracy don't frighten yourself reading
all the RMW comments !! Mine looks good from 3 feet and runs well.

Heljan version, to be honest it's the worst locomotive I've ever bought. Most
embarrassing I was Club Chairman when we obtained early on and it was a
very poor runner (see Sam's Trains). I spent many hours, and I mean MANY
hours trying to sort out and ended up adding travel restricting washers each
side of the front axle as I thought it may be fouling the motion. Then after
say 30, or more hours running it almost behaves itself. It will now work the
Kadee fitted shunting layout it was originally bought for, just the very occasional
very slow speed stall notch in the gearing - you know it's the loco as a slight
touch has it jump into action where the decoders back EMF is building up power.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

The Kernow 1361.
What can it pull ?

https://youtu.be/G0ZR0ZChowY

Geoff T

[End2end]

Thanks for the video Dad-1.
Can I ask, you mention it has problems with the set track points. From another video it seems as if there are wires for a stay alive under the coal.
Do you have a stay alive attached or do you think this could possibly help?
Here's the video showing the TCS KA1 stay alive. I won't be adding sound though.
https://youtu.be/EXKblZYW0rs?t=215

From what I've read so far the Heljan model is to be avoided.
Thanks
End2end

[Dad-1]

Hi E2E,

I've not used Stay-Alive, but have only mild reservations, I wonder at the
level of output ?, is it really enough ?
I have no doubt it's getting better every year and probably gives
just enough to pass the dead moments that can happen with Insulated
frogs. I try to keep away from Set-track points, if you can find the extra
space I'd always go for the live frog 'streamline' range.
Sometimes though .........

Geoff T

[SRman]

I have a Heljan 1366, bought when some of those were in the bargain bins. Assuming the mechanism is the same as the 1361 (why would it not be?), mine was a good runner out of the box, made slightly better still by loosening the base plate screws very slightly, and tweaking the pickups (necessary on almost every Heljan model).

Edit: I have no experience with the Kernow/DJM 1361, but I have the Kernow/DJM Beattie Well Tank, and DJM's J94 and class 71 locos. The J94 can be just slightly temperamental, due to pickup problems, but otherwise runs nicely, and the class 71s are both good runners but not as powerful as the Hornby version. I prefer their looks over the Hornby one though (just marginally).

[End2end]

Hmm ... The last thing I want is another loco that stalls on my set track points.
If my 0-4-0's lose pick-up, only for them to jump back into life, they shoot off at top speed and cannot be stopped.
Both are too small for a stay alive unit.

I can only find the loco in stock for £135.
After seeing what price they dropped too not long after release I think this is too much unless I can find one second hand, run-in with many questions asked of any seller about it's noise and running characteristics.
Thanks
End2end

[Bigmet]

I have a Heljan 1366, bought when some of those were in the bargain bins. Assuming the mechanism is the same as the 1361 (why would it not be?), mine was a good runner out of the box, made slightly better still by loosening the base plate screws very slightly, and tweaking the pickups (necessary on almost every Heljan model)...

This remains unresolved.

The Heljan 1366 was - by general report - mechanically satisfactory overall, and owners that had the Heljan 1361 in addition to compare, observed that the mechanisms were fundamentally alike. Yet the 1361 was - by general report - less reliable.

Never having had hands on either, my best guess as an explanation is that the practise in tooling models is to have complete unique tooling sets for each class. So the mechanisms could be to the exact same design, but made from separate tooling sets; and there is the possibility for small differences in production: either deriving from the tooling, or from the assembly operation, or both.

[End2end]

The Heljan 1366 was - by general report - mechanically satisfactory overall, and owners that had the Heljan 1361 in addition to compare, observed that the mechanisms were fundamentally alike. Yet the 1361 was - by general report - less reliable.

After a LOT of reading, this seems to be consistent from owners with a Heljan 1361.
That, and all the bodies are of one generic shape.

I only stumbled upon the Heljan versions while looking for any information about the Kernow model.
I definitely WON'T be buying the Heljan version though.
Thanks.
End2end