The new Dapol class 59 and it's Lima stablemate

[spudfan]

Below are photos showing the new Dapol class 59 204 in National Power livery and a Lima class 59 201 in National Power livery. I bought the new Dapol model because it was 59 204 and I did not have 59 204 in my class 59 fleet. All of the other liveries issued by Dapol of the class 59 fleet I have so none of these were on my radar. I did not buy the Dapol loco as an "upgrade" or a replacement of my existing Lima class 59s as they have served me well over the years and I still regard them as good locos. The new Dapol loco will run along side my existing fleet.

The new Dapol class 59 has a moulded on front hand rail whereas the Lima class 59 has a separately fitted hand rail. The bogie detail on the Lima 59 has three holes that go right through the bogie frame whereas on the Dapol class 59 they stop half way through. The sand pipes on the Dapol model are in line with the wheels . On the inner most wheel set on each bogie on the Dapol 59 the sand pipes are touching the wheels. These could be cut but I will leave them as they will wear down with use. The colour scheme on both the Dapol and the Lima look fine to me. If either of them has a better 59 "face" is beyond me to tell.

When taking the Dapol 59 from it's packaging I checked the doors and they do indeed open. That will be the first and last time I will ever open a door on the class 59. So it is not a deal breaker for me.

I put the Dapol class 59 on the track, put on my glasses, squinted and started it up. Yep the axle box covers do indeed rotate. Again that will be the first and last time I will ever see these rotating. So not a deal breaker for me.

It takes a short time for the Dapol 59 to get up speed. "Speed" being relative as it travels along at a nice steady pace.

The Dapol loco has directional lights and interior cab lights which light up on taking power. Whether Dapol have the correct scale wattage bulb in the cab, I will let the experts decide.

  The Dapol loco weighs more than the Lima loco and for the average size layout both will haul similar length trains. As I do not have the space and more importantly the funds to buy 25 JHA wagons to run in a consist both will cope with the wagon  consists I can run.

Has anything fallen off the Dapol you ask? Well yes it has, namely the coupling hooks! One came off while I was taking the loco from it's packaging and another came off while it was running on the track. They are a very loose fit. I lost one and contacted Dapol. Those nice people at Dapol sent me an accessory pack which contained two complete couplings and the usual buffer beam pipes etc.

When running coupled up  to Bachmann or Dapol bogey wagons, the loco coupling which is attached to the bogie swings very wide causing wagons to derail. If I fit a Lima tippler to the loco then the hopper wagons on to it, things will run fine. So in use the Dapol 59 has some bogie tipplers then the Freightliner limestone wagons in tow. Looks very well.

Anyway like I said I regard the Dapol as an addition to my existing fleet to run along side the Lima class 59. Once on the track or on shed they mesh together very well. You can look at the photos of the Dapol and Lima models together and make whatever judgements you want.

Edited February 26, 2023 by spudfan

[murphaph]

The Lima model holds its own in comparison to the Dapol one alright, though the lack of lighting would be an issue for me personally. Nothing that can't be retrofitted though. Any plans to do the CD motor upgrade to the Lima pancakes? Seems like it would be well worth doing on such a nice model.

[ttc0169]

I was very tempted to buy the Foster Yeoman smoke fitted 59 in Glasgow yesterday,it was retailing at £200, but I’m glad I didn’t,thanks for the review @spudfan

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