Dapol B4 Class 'Guernsey' Review and DCC fitting guide

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Putting the keeper plate back on before further dismantling is a brilliant idea! I didn't think of that and the whole darn lot fell apart - took ages to get the couplings, motion and bearings back in the right place! It was also difficult getting the motor/chassis assembly with the 6-pin DCC chip back into the body. This is a an attractive little locomotive but it the mechanism could have been designed a lot better.

[@JoseLuis-cx1kl]

Very nice display they have in the shop at “Rails of Sheffield”. Great to see Dapol still alive and kicking. The loco reminds me a bit of the “Cuco” from RENFE.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Thanks!

[@lesliedickinson198]

These are lovely little loco's and I remember 30096 being used in private use till I think 1972. Great review Jenny, this model could tempt me into pre grouping liveries 🙂

[@adamsrailway]

Hello Jenny. Sorry I missed Monday this week. That’s such a nice little model. Regards to you and Zoe

[@JenniferEKirk]

Thanks!

[@eddyweller4503]

Thank you Jenny, great review, I love your enthusiasm. I really do want one of these models. I'm just making a small dockside with a canal Wharf. It would look fantastic there. Keep up the good reviews. Stay safe in these times. Eddy xx

[@ickhamroad9635]

Lovely model, with some great detailing. I've never fitted DCC decoders yet, it looked very fiddly. Thanks for another useful video.

[@JenniferEKirk]

You’re welcome!

[@OONeal]

Great review! A very nice looking loco!

[@JenniferEKirk]

Thanks!

[@leonardpeacefull1419]

Hi Jenny A very informative video and I agree with you about DCC fitting it is a pain! I have on of the first batch and yes mine fell apart just as you said and yes it took a few hours to put back - there should be a "health warning" on the packaging it would save a lot of high blood pressure if there were. Also yes a regular straight 6 pin decoder will not work. Having said that I love the looks of this new version and will buy one but with a factory fitted decoder.

[@bendavis1575]

I this is a lovely train but I would have to go for the LSWR B4 in the yellow. Great reviews Jennifer Kirk and keep safe in this hard time.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Thanks! I must admit that the yellow one does still tempt me.

[@MrDavil43]

I couldn't resist this loco for my industrial siding, but a crew is so needed. A great review, Jenny, but I do recommend wearing cotton gloves so no finger grease is left on the loco. In fact, I have a pair of gloves specifically for handling my most precious, non-weathered models.

[@JenniferEKirk]

A crew is definitely a good move.

[@Zebrails]

You could add a nice bit of weight to the tank cavities. You've a fine touch. Good show! John British Columbia, Canada

[@mobius8002]

I just fitted the odd rectangular couplings and they work great for compact shunting layouts where coupling lock and ride are common .also if you run older large coupler stock it would possibly help with that .they look a bit weird but because there black against black chassis its not that noticable .

[@daveday5507]

You didn't mention the flywheel or the 'compensation' on the undriven axle. The bearing in the middle allows lateral movement and plants all four wheels squarely on the track. I have one of the next batch on order and I hope they haven't changed anything.

[@mobius8002]

I just got this one and number 30096. I am impressed by the detail .have you tried fitting the extra couplings ? There weird rectangular jobbies with nem style forks but i cant see how they can be fitted. Great review by the way .keep smiling .

[@lifestyleunleashed8046]

Lovely little locos these. I'm trying to think of an excuse why I need one

[@JenniferEKirk]

Any excuse will do!

[@lifestyleunleashed8046]

@@JenniferEKirk it's such an attractive little loco

[@kkobayashi1]

Great review, makes me wonder if I should have ordered this color (I have the yellow one on the way). One little nitpick though, is that left front buffer slightly bent?

[@donharsh5469]

Awesome Locomotive Jenny and I enjoying the video and looks amazing 👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎❤️😃

[@MrFruitflan]

thankyou for this in depth video, it really helped (even though the wheels did fall out for me ...oops!) just to help others, the Dapol Imperium5 direct fit 6 pin decoder fits ok as it very small

[@BeauMinnick]

Another sweet loc and now Rails of Sheffield has more of my money, gerrrrr. Now I think you need to do a Rapido RS11 so I can get off my butt and buy a set.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Hehe! Shiny!

[@SBCBears]

It's the one I want, but a dock shunter is out of place on my village branch line. I'm a stickler on some issues, but I still want it. I'll save my money for something more suitable, but I still want it. 😄

[@JenniferEKirk]

It could be on a railtour......

[@manthony1956]

In the United States, it is called a stack, or smokestack. But we all know what you mean. Beautiful model.

[@stephenlittle7534]

That was Fun. Wasn't it. Well done Girl.

[@B-Mozzer]

couplings are if you are using 1st rad or small curves

[@JenniferEKirk]

Thanks! I did wonder b

[@stretchedits]

Hi, That is a lovely looking loco, now how could I get one suitable for a 1960's coal mine! That firebox flicker looked especially wonderful and nearly persuaded me to buy one just on that point alone. I noticed in your review you missed the wonky cab step on the left side and the wonky lining on the right cab step, just minor issues nobody would worry about, but you were doing a detailed review. Oh by the way, surely it's the Chimney, not the Funnel. Best regards Dave.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Several were sold on into industry for further use.

[@stretchedits]

@@JenniferEKirk Oh I'll have to look into that then. Thanks.

[@stephensheritagerailwaythe8776]

Lovely model but Where is the coal storage.

[@GameHammerCG]

... Damn, I hadn’t even noticed that until now!

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

The part of one of the:side tanks' within the cab area probably the one on the fireman's side, was a coal bunker.

[@JenniferEKirk]

They never strayed far from a source. There would probably be a mound in the cab.

[@reliantrailways]

Good review! But I'm not a fan of the model. Probably won't get one

[@melchestermodelrailway]

My B4 is now just a pile of bits, after the wheelset fell out. Dreadful design of model. Loved your review though, and thanks for showing how DCC fitting should be done.

[@eds-egg]

Where was the coal kept? There is no coal bunker.

[@knifetrain3118]

That is one cute little bugger! Would I buy one yes. Put in my own DCC decoder absolutely NOT! 🤬

[@JenniferEKirk]

Very sensible!

[@dthead]

I'll be cheeky and offer to buy that old b4 off ya 😝 but the odds are , well I know the answer already 🙃🙃

[@eddiestuart3898]

I hate you!! (Not really) - but I'd promised myself to resist for a month or two. Saw your video and....... Sigh :-) Which version? Only 1 this month!!! :-) Great video as usual!!

[@stoneage6921]

good~~~

[@rabg7479]

First jeni

[@phil36310]

Open smoke box door ? How would you pass the decoder in the side ? There's NO better way Jenny. Your score is not justified for the fitting. Most tech oriented buyers will understand this. Otherwise a nice review and well documented. Thanks Jenny.

[@JenniferEKirk]

It would allow a small size direct plug decoder to be put straight in. The wired 6 pin would fit under or over the PCB in a way that isn’t easily possible if taking the chassis in and out.

[@phil36310]

@@JenniferEKirk Maybe... Only Dapol could provide the answer. Anyway it's a possible fit as you demonstrated very precisely and it wouldn't scare me for it's part of 'model railroading' fun ! Greetings

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jenny. At the beginning of your video, you said something like 'Tran-O-Matic, the best decoder you can buy'; is this a fact or your opinion? Orson Welles (or his impersonator) said 'C*******g, probably the best lager in the world'! Yes, the livery on this model is absolutely stunning. It seems that chimney and funnel are interchangeable; it is probably just the purists that like to ascribe one particular term to steam locomotives. You could just completely omit the word 'Tampo'. Unfortunately, again, by pre-fitting the decoder you have defeated the purpose of the fitting guide. Yes, the warning about self-disassemby was really useful, but I think many people would have liked to see the decoder being fitted.

[@JenniferEKirk]

They are the only brand that I have never had to fiddle with CV values to get a loco working well.

[@pauljohnson8341]

Very nice loco don't want one