Dapol GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T Large Prairie Tank - Unboxing and Review

[@robhorsley1]

Just modded my prairie as was having issue stalling, as has been said just needed to file or cut small pimple on top of rear pony truck as this causes rear wheels to be pushed up slightly of the track, also removed the two springs in the pony truck axle as these are very strong and also push rear upwards. Runs perfectly around hornby insulfrogs now

[@Decrepit_biker]

Jenny, the issue you found on the transition off of gradients is likely due to the rear pony truck causing issues. It sits the loco rear just a tiny but too high, and can cause some stalling on insulfrog points. I saw another demonstration of DCC sound and the channel owner showed a very simple fix, where the upper part of the pony support is filled down just a mil or so. Not perfect but as its the first batch I would imagine that will be fixed in due course. It won't stop me buying one!
P.s. the cab roof is removable, hence the slight gap in the whistle piping, which will be improved on mine once received!

[@peterwatson5659]

Sam did a review of this loco, and shows that the cab roof is completely removeable!

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Great review. As others have commented, the cab roof with part of the front and back lifts out - hence the non-continuous pipes to the whistles on top of the firebox. I think all model cab roofs should be removable to allow fitting of crew and/or painting boiler backhead details

[@MrShepardDog]

Good review...but... the cab roof IS removable! Very easily! You need to read the handsome instruction book! Once you remove the roof, it is easy to insert a driver. Great model. High quality. My only wish is that the cab roof vent could open, so you can better see the detailed control panel and firebox glow....

[@patrickwebb7311]

That prairie looks amazing. Excellent review and fitting instructions per usual Jenny.

[@Warbler-Productions]

I have a sound fitted one on order from a certain shop in Sheffield, your review is making me really look forwards to receiving it, will be a good comparison to the Hornby version which I have 2 of (same number at present but going to change 1 of them) I do love me some suburban style tanks :D

[@Batesandrw]

Really like the Prairies, I have a Heljan O gauge Large Prairie, fantastic. I Enjoy your reviews, Jenny. Andrew

[@kellyparkstone3520]

The best thing to use for the etch plates is a tiny spot of Humbrol gloss varnish, PVA not really designed for metal parts.

[@wamgoc]

I don’t think you should be too harsh on the running qualities. This is a great model, wish I could afford all of the Locos that come out! We are really getting some superb examples today and in greater numbers than ever before!
Those who complain about the rising costs of Locos seem to forget the level of detail we have compared with the 60s and 70s along with the larger numbers of different Locos from many many manufacturers!
Back then we brought a couple, maybe three Locos a year from three or four manufacturers!
Now we have more models from more manufacturers! Maybe we will have to go back to buying just a couple each year! But boy these are fabulous quality, with bags of detail!
I think our hobby is in not too bad a shape.
Well done Dapol!!!

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

Sorry, I don't agree at all. These models are made to run, and not look at on a shelf. Mine isn't running properly, which makes it not worth the money, even though it does look great.

[@davidsheriff8989]

2-6-2 s were very common in the Wirral where I grew up in 50s, coal for powers station and oils for Lever Bros at Port Sunlight from Birkenhead....

[@MikeParkin65]

Cracking review - very informative and better than most of the printed mags in showing me what I can expect for my money. - you've almost sold me a loco that I have absolutely no use for! Only observation I'd add which I didnt hear you mention is the way the slidebars splay out (not the angled cut outs that you did mention, but the fact that the bars are unprototypically splayed at their ends). D Some on RMWEB have apparently bent these back to straight tho I've not see a photo. I also think the green veers towards the Hornby shade though its not as bad as their A2/1 and it wouldnt put me off.

[@Gus-jb8cm]

Another great video Jenny ☺️ Thanks 😊

[@phil36310]

You should read the instruction to learn that you don't use pliers to get the decoder support out but use the same tool to open the smoke box door - it has a hook !! Also the cab roof lifts off !! Most of these loco's are faulty and stall on points due to incorrect trailing truck moulding and bad assembly thus lifting the loco. Very objective ! Not even on my wish list until Dapol rectifies the problem.

[@richardward5762]

Totally agree. I like the look of it, but won't be buying one until Dapol sorts the issues out.

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

Unfortunately, I have now found the stalling issue to be true. Mine also sometimes derails on points.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Comprehensive review Jen. Seems a nice model loco.

[@oswestryroadtmd4850]

Another great video Jenny everything you said about this is true apart from a little hesitancy on point it runs very well. This was after 15minutes of running in each direction. Now the question I am going to ask you is are you going to buy this locomotive

[@mels1811]

Awesome video

[@mels4796]

awesome video

[@martinpattison1567]

Another great review of what is a great loco. The only thing that worried me was when I saw the long nose pliers being used to remove the circuit board. Jenny, there is a little hook on the other end of the smokebox door tool to pull the board out. Martin. (Thailand). It is an L1 that I am looking for, but the prices are too high.

[@paulkandi]

Very good review, as always jenny, yes a really good a well priced model, compared to the dreadful Hornby offering..lol

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Awsum video 🚂❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@michaelrussell2181]

Thank you for another great review, together with wonderful video of the loco running!. I am hoping to get one soon, and considering the migration from Hornby to Dapol.
How do the Dapol Waggons compare to Hornby ones?

[@gordonhanning476]

Would like to get one but not sure after my D class isn't the best runner but the detail is superb.

[@gordonmcillroy455]

Thats the trouble when manufacturers put out so many bad models/runners that are so expensive buyers tend to sit on their wallets. I wont buy models new of the production line until I have seen reviews and the models have been thoroughly tested.

[@ScaniaVabis580]

I can honestly say my dapol 43xx is by far the best running British outline model I have (about 150 or so loco's)

[@gordonhanning476]

Yeah I am really pleased with my dapol mogul it's a great runner just really disappointed with the D class

[@resender329]

So after 25 years I'm restarting this hobby, but due to size constraints i have to go to n scale (from having a Marklin/Hornby layout, they ran on their own tracks meeting at a central station). My layout is going to be a fictious heritage line that's next to the modern mainline.

[@scoopet]

Do you have a track plan for grove street yard? I love it and am taking inspiration so a track plan would be incredible!

[@paulkandi]

The cab roof is removable....

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

I have just ordered this from Hattons, it looks great. However, are you sure that the cab roof does not come off? I've seen at least two magazine reviews clearly showing the removed cab roof. One reviewer even mentioned that it was easy footplate figures, because of this feature.

[@richardward5762]

The cab roof is removable

[@DUCATI600CC]

Certainly a different Dapol Large Prairie to mine and others by all accounts. Very poor running especially over pointwork, stops when it feels like even on 3rd rad curves. There appears to be an issue with the trailing pony truck, I believe Dapol is aware of the problem

[@richardward5762]

Pliers to pull the board out, are you fore real