Model Railway Forum

Not sure if these are newer models of the OO gauge Westerns with 21 pin DCC but, what's people's opinions on them? Good runner, poor, quality issues?

From the advert:
The Dapol OO gauge model Class 52 Western features:

Detailed body with etched roof fan grilles and separately fitted handrails
Finely detailed cast wheels
Metal sprung buffers
5 pole Super creep motor with twin brass fly wheels for controlled pulling power and incredible slow running speed
All wheel drive and pick up
New PCB board to incorporate independent directional lights and cab lighting
DCC ready with an MTC 21 pin decoder socket installed
DCC fitted and DCC sound fitted options now available
Accessory bag with optional fitted components
Separately etched name and number plates
Alternate valance supplied for negotiating tighter radius curves

I used to have three of them and they were superb.

i still have one. Excellent, pulls anything.

4D-003-013 is the latest generation of Westerns, the prevoius batch went up to 4D-003-012.

Almost a year ago I bought new Dapol Class 52, D1016 Western Gladiator in Maroon livery ( 4D-003-017)....., excellent loco in every way, but notably slower than my Heljan Class 52...... I have a Lenz 21 pin decoder fitted but this loco is near the top of my shopping list for a quality sound decoder.

Beware that the front valance swing on these is significant and I had to undertake some fine tuning of platform edges and other trackside items, but that apart it runs like a dream and looks awesome with some Chocolate and Cream coaches.

I also once owned a Heljan version but didn’t like it one bit. The bogies had no detail and it ran like somebody walking on a cobbled street.

how does a person walk on a cobbled street.

With difficulty John. Not smoothly

I a Green Heljan ( 5210) Class 52, D1036 “Western Emperor”....... run’s like a dream and would win a head to head race with the Dapol equivalent any day.

Looks wise I agree it is not quite as refined as the Dapol model, but perfectly acceptable by normal standards and 30% cheaper.

Perhaps mine was a Friday model. Was second hand, might have been mistreated.