[alastairq]

This afternoon I had a close look at the ViTrains #37......and what an excellent 50 quid's worth it is!

Despite an issue over horns damaged in transit, I found it ran very quietly, from the box.....and with smooth, slow-speed action.

Since the rail blue model is the one I'm interested in, I took particular interest in the finish.

I viewed this sample at 53A Models, in Hull......and my attention was drawn to the yellow cab ends.

The yellow seemed a tad bright in tone...and the combination of yellow pigment, and the base shell colour, made the ends a bit 'opaque'........with evidence of light creeping in through the cab windows being seen behind the yellow ends.

For an undemanding modeller like me, the solution would simply be, to remove the shell and paint the entire insides with flat black paint.

I note in other reports, the observation that this model lacked a cab interior?

I say....''so what?''

Can't say as I'd notice the cab interior of a workiing model...might see the face of the driver...but detail of the interior is to me, irrelevant. Collectors and more demanding purchasers might feel otherwise, though.

A case of 'knowing it's there?''

A bit like 'inside motion' on a steamer?

However, a cab floor might have eliminated the above issue with the opacity of the yellow noses?

I have another concern over the nicely detailed fan behind the grill in the roof?

Stands out a bit TOO much, in the 'obvious' sense, for my liking......again, I doubt I'd notice the real thing from an overbridge......it would certainly be a dirty black colour?

So, all in all, a fine model, well worth the price.........and I'd prefer it to the Bachmann model...if only to offer encouragement to a new manufacturer.

Certainly, as the owner of 53A models observed, the running qualities are well up with the likes of Heljan!

Can anyone suggest any brass horns to adorn the roof?

PLUS......can anyone suggest a way of imitating the 'oily' effect I so often recall, on these cab windscreens.

The oil-slick tone certainly made them difficult to see through, from a distance...hence my observations regarding cab interiors?

 

[Gary]

Just got home to find my package had arrived. I can see why the horns get damaged because they project, are a very thin in cross section, and they will inevitably break when compressed against the foam box filler. The box filler needs a recess to prevent the horn being compressed against the foam. Are these going to be easy to replace as the remaining horn assembly is glued in place to the body. Really these should have been left off and included as part of the detailing kit.

Any recomendations?

Horns aside the model does seem to offer excellent value for money in a Heljan type box with maybe 40 to 50 detailing parts to fit!

Not run it yet as I want to sort out the horn position first before moving forward. When it comes to things like this I prefer to leave things in the box until there is a resolution but thats me.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Doug]

Pictures, pictures... please.

I hear the lights are especially well done with no bleed through the surrounding plastic.

 

[Gary]

When browsing the images note the two traction tyres with one fitted on each bogie on opposite sides. The loco was set up on my Hammant & Morgan rolling road to film the lights. Loco weighs 560g. What I like about it is that it feels solid in a Lima sort of way (granted ViTrains have slipped up with the airhorns but it won't happen again) and the handrails are moulded and not wire but hey who cares as they look OK. And there is an interior so if you want to place a driver on a seat you can do although it is not superdetailed but then you couldn't really see the detail if it was. The windscreen wipers are fitted as part of the detailing kit.

For those who want to fit a decoder note the clear instruction leaflet with images showing you how to remove loco body and how to install the decoder.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[bangerblueed]

Very nice I notice that it doesn't have the radio aerial attached to the nose like the bachman one is this supplied as a detailing part ? loco is slightly beyond my modelling period although if they do a 37/0 in blue livery i will be very interested

A commendable effort for a new manufacturer

 

[pedromorgan]

I really dont like those yellow plastic ends. it looks like a throwback to the 90's but hay it would make a good detailing/weathering project.

Peter

 

[Brian Considine]

As most know I'm basically an HO modeller, but it looks like a very good 50 quids worth to me - yes the yellow ends look a bit like they need a volume control, but I'm no expert. The moulded handrails look good, the lights look good, so does the fan (maybe the grilles a tad heavy), but pretty good I think.

Maybe it could benefit from a basic interior (although even I could probably sort that) & a crew & some blackboard paint on the interior of the bodyshell (who knows - it may even tone down the yellow).

I suggest that the critics be a little "gentle" on the manufacture for there first effort, it's a learning curve for them, suggest rather than complain, praise where due & they will probably produce more UK models of locos that the modeller wants. I get the impression that they are more willing to learn than some.

IMHO good value for money - I'm just waiting for the complaints about the traction tyres !

Be interesting in how many coaches it will pull ;

1) With the bogie with the TT's at the rear.
2) With the bogie with the TT's at the front.
3) Without the TT's (swop the TT'ed wheels with the centre non-driving one).

 

[pedromorgan]

"I suggest that the critics be a little "gentle" on the manufacture for there first effort, it's a learning curve for them, suggest rather than complain, praise where due & they will probably produce more UK models of locos that the modeller wants. I get the impression that they are more willing to learn than some."

I agree they do seem willing to learn but also dont forget that they are not new to this. they are former lima workers that watched their company go down the loo.

They did know that the unpainted ends were going to look lousey and they did it anyway. its not like they have made a mistake in the design.
i find bad decisions far less forgivable than the odd detail error here and there.

Peter

 

[Oakydoke]

I'm sorry folks, but it looks like a Disaster !

The cheap plastic ends don't seem to match up with the bonnet, are opaque and the lights are bleeding through badly.

Add to that the shape of the tumblehome, riding high on the bogies, molded grills and the cab windscreens looking most un-37 like, I can see the critics having a field day.

A great shame really!

 

[alastairq]

The opacity of the yellow ends shows up well in the pix of the working lights?

Re the yellow?
Perhaps the other liveries will address the problem?

What colour is the basic body casting??

Notice the fuzzy line between yellow and blue?

I don't like traction tyres, preferring weight for adhesion......purchasing a couple of spare wheelsets from the opposite ends of the trucks seems the best bet...or fitting some nice real steel wheelsets?

I wonder how easy they will be to convert to EM?

Mine WILL be dirty!

 

[alastairq]

QUOTE (Oakydoke @ 4 Mar 2007, 10:06) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm sorry folks, but it looks like a Disaster !

The cheap plastic ends don't seem to match up with the bonnet, are opaque and the lights are bleeding through badly.

Add to that the shape of the tumblehome, riding high on the bogies, molded grills and the cab windscreens looking most un-37 like, I can see the critics having a field day.

A great shame really!

In fairness, given the price, (probably not a lot more than a nearly-new item from the big three?).....I found the only problem being the yellow ends. Easily fixed?

The photographs are actually only quickie pix, bless Gary......as the levels of distortion demonstrate.

In fact, I find direct comparison with a prototype photo in a similar livery shows things like ride height to about right.

Obviously a good measuring will settle the issue.....bear in mind, no detail parts have been added to the pix!

In fact, the model looks much better in the flesh......like all photographs, close-ups in bright lights do little to flatter?

If one is demanding perfection, straight from the box, then one must pay?

(I find these lovely etched kits a big disappointment when I discover so many dont even provide wheels to run on, or a motor to push it?)

Now , what about a nice #25?

for 40 quid?

 

[Pennine MC]

deleted - apologies, see below

 

[Pennine MC]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 4 Mar 2007, 10:24) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If one is demanding perfection, straight from the box, then one must pay?
In danger of stating the obvious here, I think? I wouldnt doubt it looks like a 50 quid model...

But given the likely quite minimal difference between this and the imminent Bachmann retool, how many people will wait a few months and pay an extra tenner or so - for a 37/4 that may still not be perfect, but which wont have the shortcomings of the Vi model

IMHO that's the real issue, going head to head with Bachmann's third attempt at this class - if Vi catch a cold on this, they might not be so keen to stick with the UK market. I hope whoever advised them on choice of prototype has a broad back...

 

[Gary]

I can see the position of all sides on this and I do agree that the model looks better in the flesh as bright flash lighting does make light colours seem brighter than they are. We should not overlook the running gear with its two flywheels and also that the model is European and not Chinese and this is a consideration for some. As a £50 European model I think its remarkable! Remember the detailing parts have not been fitted yet.

It is interesting that modellers from mainland Europe appear strongly in favour of their models being produced within the EEC whereas those from the UK don't seem too bothered where they are made as long as they are cheap!

The room lighting was dimmed to take pictures of the loco lights and this is a worst case scenario. In normal room lighting bleed is not obvious.

And as far as the shape goes I have looked at prototypical images and like others here I am struggling to find much that is out with the shape. It seems OK and the taper seems right.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Ravenser]

QUOTE IMHO that's the real issue, going head to head with Bachmann's third attempt at this class - if Vi catch a cold on this, they might not be so keen to stick with the UK market. I hope whoever advised them on choice of prototype has a broad back...

Very much agree. If only they'd gone for an 86 or an 87 where there's no credible modern competition we'd all be turning cartwheels and they'd be getting a very much more welcoming response.

Arguably this is the model Lima should have introduced in 1997, when we'd all have been awed by it. Just shows how far the bar has been raised in the last decade for OO diesels

Decent AC electrics and EMUs are a gaping hole in 4mm coverage , and realistically Vi Trains (given their continental catalogue) and Heljan are the best bet for plugging the gap. So I wouldn't want them to flop with this . But I still deplore the duplications this year - 2 new rebuilt Royal Scots, 2 new 37/4s...
C'mon guys we could have had an ROD and an 86 instead....

As for haulage tests can I be provocative and suggest a head to head test with any Bachmann 37 anyone can find? I doubt if the Bachmann loco would be disgraced (I have a hazy recollection the new Bachmann 37/4 will have a new 6 axle drive mechanism, or it this merely confabulation? )

 

[pedromorgan]

sorry but the yellow ends are not so easy to fix. even with painted interior.
its not just that light is seeping through fromt he inside. its that the plastic is not totally opaque. it will always look plastickey. the ends will need a repaint. that means spray paint, gloss varnish, transfers, satin varnish.

Do you really want to go through all that hastle?

As i said before this is not a minor detail issue. this is simply down to the quality of the model. and i find that depressing.

Peter

 

[Gary]

QUOTE As for haulage tests can I be provocative and suggest a head to head test with any Bachmann 37 anyone can find? I doubt if the Bachmann loco would be disgraced (I have a hazy recollection the new Bachmann 37/4 will have a new 6 axle drive mechanism, or it this merely confabulation? )

Traction tyres give a loco a minimum of a 50% advantage and I have experienced cases where the advantage is 100% or more on some tender drive locos!

Remove the tyres and you have to add significant weight to the model which puts a strain on the motor and running gear unless this is all upgraded aswell.

At the ViTrains 560g how much heavier is the Bachmann?

And if you don't like the light situation there is a simple solution. Turn them off!

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[spongebob]

Ah well so much for go easy on it.
Sure they may have skimped on paint, the ends don't quite line up (have you seen a hornby M7?). I wouldn't use the word disaster by any means. As for the tumblehome has anyone got it right yet on a plastic model? How anyone can be expected to get right an area that is going to significantly reduce either the chassis width beneath it or the ability to seperate top from bottom due to it tucking under is beyond me but then I'm not a perfectionist. At least they haven't used painted on bottom edge detailing.
As far as I'm concerned the real thing looks like someone belted it underneath the floor to stop the body falling off anyway.
Do also bear in mind it is cheaper than the former lima model was failing to sell for when they went bust and on a par with the geriatric tri-ang hornby one. Perhaps a fairer comparison for the sake of doing so would be to the first incarnation of Bachmanns 37/4 rather than to speculate on how it will compare this time, after all this is their first go.
Does it have tail lights? it's difficult to see in the photo's.

 

[Gary]

QUOTE Does it have tail lights? it's difficult to see in the photo's.

Lighting is directional at both ends.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Ravenser]

Gary:

I will bet money the Vi- Trains 37 will not pull 50% more than a Bachmann 37. But the only way to find out is to do a test