I received my 8155 in Freightcorp blue (though the box says Freightrail)

Some photos here:

http://bigdirtyfreighttrains.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/freightcorp-81-class-8155-and-auscision.html

Have to say that detail wise it's brilliant; just that paint scheme and the flimsy horns disappoint me.

Will I buy another; perhaps. I'm going to try repainting the lower chassis at some stage. If that goes easily I'll consider another (8169 is the only choice).


Cheers,

I received my 8155 in Freightcorp blue (though the box says Freightrail)

Some photos here:

http://bigdirtyfreighttrains.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/freightcorp-81-class-8155-and-auscision.html

Have to say that detail wise it's brilliant; just that paint scheme and the flimsy horns disappoint me.

Will I buy another; perhaps. I'm going to try repainting the lower chassis at some stage. If that goes easily I'll consider another (8169 is the only choice).


Cheers,

The white handrails look woefully over thick.

The white handrails look woefully over thick.

I would have to agree, & they spoil the overall look of the model really.  Just going by the photo's the general molded in detail looks ok but then looking at how fine the air hoses & the like look on the front, makes one wonder how they could goof that bad on the hand rails.

I received my 8155 in Freightcorp blue (though the box says Freightrail)

Some photos here:

http://bigdirtyfreighttrains.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/freightcorp-81-class-8155-and-auscision.html

Have to say that detail wise it's brilliant; just that paint scheme and the flimsy horns disappoint me.

Will I buy another; perhaps. I'm going to try repainting the lower chassis at some stage. If that goes easily I'll consider another (8169 is the only choice).


Cheers,

Thanks for the pics , im still waiting for mine when did you order yours ? From what I can see repainting the lower chassis I think you would need to paint two colours ,yellow and white but the bigger problem is its ribbed . Ive seen a movie on youtube a vanilla NR double heading a 81 and there appears to be a thick pink stripe on the lower chassis proberbly red primer . A lot eaiser to do.

The paint and handrails I can forgive but the lack of crew/compartment detail - especially how the wires are clearly visible from a distance is an eyesore.
I guess that can be clearly fixed with a piece of plastic to block it off .

The paint and handrails I can forgive but the lack of crew/compartment detail - especially how the wires are clearly visible from a distance is an eyesore.
I guess that can be clearly fixed with a piece of plastic to block it off .

The provision of a crew in one end of a double ended diesel gives me mixed feelings. I have 4 examples of the Auscision 422 class (a beautiful model by anybody's standards!!!).

These locos all have a crew in the "A" end which looks really great. However, by their very design, this class of loco (and others such as 442, 80, 82, 81 etc) are equally happy being run with the "B" end leading. As such, when I happen to end-up with the "B" end of one of my 422s leading, I have to "forget" that the crew is in the wrong cab.

This isn't a complaint.....just an observation. I don't know what the solution is, other than to always ensure that the "A" end is leading.

A somewhat similar situation arose with the Trainorama 44 class, except in that case both cabs are occupied.....a situation that can be reasonably explained as off-duty crews would (still do?) return to their home depot as "passenger" and ride in the rear cab.

Perhaps then that is the answer.....have a crew in both ends of our diesels??

Roachie

The provision of a crew in one end of a double ended diesel gives me mixed feelings. I have 4 examples of the Auscision 422 class (a beautiful model by anybody's standards!!!).

These locos all have a crew in the "A" end which looks really great. However, by their very design, this class of loco (and others such as 442, 80, 82, 81 etc) are equally happy being run with the "B" end leading. As such, when I happen to end-up with the "B" end of one of my 422s leading, I have to "forget" that the crew is in the wrong cab.

This isn't a complaint.....just an observation. I don't know what the solution is, other than to always ensure that the "A" end is leading.

A somewhat similar situation arose with the Trainorama 44 class, except in that case both cabs are occupied.....a situation that can be reasonably explained as off-duty crews would (still do?) return to their home depot as "passenger" and ride in the rear cab.

Perhaps then that is the answer.....have a crew in both ends of our diesels??

Roachie

Bill

It was not all that long ago that there were crew figures provided in both ends, yet complaints went out regarding it so seems they have been removed.

Complaints included they must cost extra, so cut the price with no figures.  Other ones came up but the best was that you only need them in one cab to be prototypically correct.

The last was a doozy really, as the complainer did not come to realise that it was ultra common in years past to have crews traveling home passenger from foreign depots or having been relieved along the way & no other transport was available except of course Shanks Pony.

5711,  A good call re the wires, I had not really noticed that when I had I had a look, that is really a poor design effort for a model in this day & age, actually close to an insult.

I just took the body apart to have a look at making the changes to the paintwork. It's been said but a RTR almost $300 model should not require these kind of upgrades but alas I feel it needs to be done.

Firstly; the body came off with no worries once each pair of screws were removed from the cab end and the couplers were taken out.

The body is connected to the chassis with wires but happily these are actually on plugs and can be easily removed.

The lower chassis is held on by four screws (one above each side of each bogie); at first I was dreading having to snip the MU cable but again, happily this sits inside a hole in the angled receptacle and comes freely (and goes back in) with no trouble. so I now have the chassis separated meaning no paint changes to the body (phew).

Now is where I will need advice from those used to repainting models; Is it necessary for me to strip the [mostly] yellow paint from the chassis or would it be feasible to paint over it?

My plan is to leave the yellow, bring the blue down to the required level and reinstate the white stripe by means of decals or paint.

Also on the chassis are the seats for the cab; so driver figures would be easy to place. Regarding the issue with drivers i actually don't mind having none there.

Lastly, I measured the hand rails on the front and they are 0.42mm = about 36mm full size. Nobody would have the measurements of the real ones?

Cheers,
Mitch

The provision of a crew in one end of a double ended diesel gives me mixed feelings. I have 4 examples of the Auscision 422 class (a beautiful model by anybody's standards!!!).

These locos all have a crew in the "A" end which looks really great. However, by their very design, this class of loco (and others such as 442, 80, 82, 81 etc) are equally happy being run with the "B" end leading. As such, when I happen to end-up with the "B" end of one of my 422s leading, I have to "forget" that the crew is in the wrong cab.

This isn't a complaint.....just an observation. I don't know what the solution is, other than to always ensure that the "A" end is leading.

A somewhat similar situation arose with the Trainorama 44 class, except in that case both cabs are occupied.....a situation that can be reasonably explained as off-duty crews would (still do?) return to their home depot as "passenger" and ride in the rear cab.

Perhaps then that is the answer.....have a crew in both ends of our diesels??

Roachie

Bill,
Make them Driver only both ends. That way you only see one crew member per side
Cheers
Rod

I just zoomed in on the image; it appears they they are there however they are painted black. Quick fix.

Having seen a friends Candy 81's today I can say for sure that the white brake wheels on the bogies are definitely absent from the Candy 81's rather than being modelled in black.

One suggestion from my friend is to be very careful the first time you remove the models from the box as the horns are very easy to break off as the styrene packaging is a tight fit. He has already hacked away a bit of the styrene packaging around the horn area with a sharp knife.

Are there any aftermarket cab kits for these type of locomotives?Not that I would spend the $$ but just interested in seeing if there is something available. I imagine Casula might be a good start.

Really sad to see all these issues with the Austrains 81! The G/BL's seem to be correct but lots of dramas with the 81's.
Was tempted to offload my 2 classic brass ones for these but I just might rethink that decision.

Are there any aftermarket cab kits for these type of locomotives?Not that I would spend the $$ but just interested in seeing if there is something available. I imagine Casula might be a good start.

Really sad to see all these issues with the Austrains 81! The G/BL's seem to be correct but lots of dramas with the 81's.
Was tempted to offload my 2 classic brass ones for these but I just might rethink that decision.

Casula as well as AR kits have replacement air horns in brass for them.

Are there any aftermarket cab kits for these type of locomotives?Not that I would spend the $$ but just interested in seeing if there is something available. I imagine Casula might be a good start.

This is a perfect opportunity for some enterprising person who has access to a 3D printer and some basic skills to scratchbuild a semi-detailed cab interior...... Or, you might be able to use something like a "B" end cab from a Trainrama 44 class as a template.

I have never seen a 3D printer in use, nor have I seen any items produced by this method.....I have my doubts that they are suitable for items such as highly detailed bodies (loco or rolling stock), but for things that won't be scrutinised all that closely, then I think 3D printers have a lot of potential. Other examples might be: carriage interior/seating, a holder for a DCC throttle (they are available for around $13- which is a total rip-off for a simple plastic molding).

Roachie

This is a perfect opportunity for some enterprising person who has access to a 3D printer and some basic skills to scratchbuild a semi-detailed cab interior...... Or, you might be able to use something like a "B" end cab from a Trainrama 44 class as a template.

I have never seen a 3D printer in use, nor have I seen any items produced by this method.....I have my doubts that they are suitable for items such as highly detailed bodies (loco or rolling stock), but for things that won't be scrutinised all that closely, then I think 3D printers have a lot of potential. Other examples might be: carriage interior/seating, a holder for a DCC throttle (they are available for around $13- which is a total rip-off for a simple plastic molding).

Roachie

Bill.

What would you envisage to be in the semi detailed cab interior?  

This is not a silly question but its one that could be done in some cases, however what has to be realised is how many variations there are to the design in the interiors of cabs.  That is in many ways the case with the primary control stands, while there are some cross overs with older diesels having very similar designs, or exactly the same within a system, it becomes different in other areas, expecially between the state systems.

In saying that, I could not imagine it being that hard, as the TOR 42cl I have seems to have a reasonable representation of the primary control stand for it.  I also agree with you on the price of items, especially when I see on ebay carriage interiors being advertised at high prices plus the cost of P&P.

Bill.

What would you envisage to be in the semi detailed cab interior?

This is not a silly question but its one that could be done in some cases, however what has to be realised is how many variations there are to the design in the interiors of cabs. That is in many ways the case with the primary control stands, while there are some cross overs with older diesels having very similar designs, or exactly the same within a system, it becomes different in other areas, expecially between the state systems.

In saying that, I could not imagine it being that hard, as the TOR 42cl I have seems to have a reasonable representation of the primary control stand for it. I also agree with you on the price of items, especially when I see on ebay carriage interiors being advertised at high prices plus the cost of P&P.

Very true.....there are heaps of variations.

All I can say...... (and remember that I am not a master modeler.....if something looks "okay" to me then I'm pretty satisfied)....is that I made a couple of styrene bulkheads for one of my Austrains 80 class and then attached a pair of crew (which I removed from the B end of a 44 class). That's all I did. No control stand etc. From a few feet away, all I can see is the crew members and a blank wall behind them. That would NOT please a lot of modelers, but it'll do for my needs.

Roachie

This is a perfect opportunity for some enterprising person who has access to a 3D printer and some basic skills to scratchbuild a semi-detailed cab interior...... Or, you might be able to use something like a "B" end cab from a Trainrama 44 class as a template.

As was noted earlier on this thread although  I can't find it now, their is a cab interior in the 81's it's just the back wall of the cab which is missing allowing the wires to be seen.

I am reliably informed that the yellow band on the Candy 81's is incorrectly located to low on the body side by the width of the band.

This is a perfect opportunity for some enterprising person who has access to a 3D printer and some basic skills to scratchbuild a semi-detailed cab interior...... Or, you might be able to use something like a "B" end cab from a Trainrama 44 class as a template.

I have never seen a 3D printer in use, nor have I seen any items produced by this method.....I have my doubts that they are suitable for items such as highly detailed bodies (loco or rolling stock), but for things that won't be scrutinised all that closely, then I think 3D printers have a lot of potential. Other examples might be: carriage interior/seating, a holder for a DCC throttle (they are available for around $13- which is a total rip-off for a simple plastic molding).

Roachie

You'd be surprised at what they do. Although, they do cost a bit so the average modeller would never have one. Also, you need to be savoy with 3D Cad programs which can take a bit to work with.

Just curious,

For those who originally ordered a "sound' equipped 81 / G Class model and were then advised that the models were to be supplied without sound, with advice given by Austrains in a letter (if you received it) that refunds for sound component would be provided.

How have people obtained this refund? is it by contacting Austrains directly to request it? or have they been offered a discount (in writing) to the value owed on the next order? Or has it just been freely given when the models arrive?

Have received model in post, no refund offered or contained within?

How have others fared in this regard?

Thought I would ask before Liverpool next weekend

Regards,

Catchpoint

Good luck with that CatchPoint

Just curious,

For those who originally ordered a "sound' equipped 81 / G Class model and were then advised that the models were to be supplied without sound, with advice given by Austrains in a letter (if you received it) that refunds for sound component would be provided.

How have people obtained this refund? is it by contacting Austrains directly to request it? or have they been offered a discount (in writing) to the value owed on the next order? Or has it just been freely given when the models arrive?

Have received model in post, no refund offered or contained within?

How have others fared in this regard?

Thought I would ask before Liverpool next weekend

Regards,

Catchpoint

I was offered a $100 discount or refund on my non-sound BL. I chose the refund which was provided WITH the loco in the form of a cheque.

I suggest you give Austrains a call and discuss it with them prior to Liverpool. The expo is potentially not a good spot to discuss matters like this as it is potentially going to be very busy, in addition to the fact that they are unlikely to have their records with them so that they can check up on your transaction.

Just saying...

The new 81 class sound project, as recorded recently from 8126 is available from today in the form of ESU LokSound decoders. Thought I'd throw an offer in too...

http://www.dccsound.com

This completes the BL/G/81 class sound recordings. Next up will be an updated SRA 82 class project from 8205.

Cheers,
Mike

I finally picked up a candy 81. While I can't confess to being a great Austrains fan, when I think back on the timeline of this production (quest?) I must say that's its a very disappointing model - even if you ignore the extra service door. It certainly does not deserve to be in the same category as its competitors

Despite getting it on the 'cheap' ($175) I give it a solid 1/5

I finally picked up a candy 81. While I can't confess to being a great Austrains fan, when I think back on the timeline of this production (quest?) I must say that's its a very disappointing model - even if you ignore the extra service door. It certainly does not deserve to be in the same category as its competitors

Despite getting it on the 'cheap' ($175) I give it a solid 1/5

Out of interest, what issues have people found with the 81? (and G/BL for that matter)?

I haven't had my 81 running yet; but from apart from the wrong paintwork and the rubbish horns everything else seems pretty good looks-wise anyway.

Also would anybody know how thick the white stripe is on the Freightcorp liveried 81s? From photos ive estimated it to be about 50-60mm.

Cheers,
-Mitch