In response to (overwhelming!) customer demand, Revolution Trains is making its poseable Brecknell Wills high-speed pantographs available as spares.
Small and hard to photograph! (Two shown in different poses but sold as singles)
The pantographs will be priced at £6.95. They are made of injection-moulded plastic with photo-etched metal heads and painted base insulator pots. As supplied these are intended as cosmetic accessories, they are unable to collect current, and are un-sprung but poseable.
Revolution Trains Class 92 locomotive fitted with Brecknell Willis high speed pantographs. Photo courtesy George Dent/Model Rail.
They include full instructions to assist with fitting, and are available to order immediataly.
Revolution Trains has confirmed the liveries and unit numbers it is offering of the Class 128 diesel parcels unit.
Midland Region versions (55987-990)
M55987 green with single whiskers and centre head code boxes and M55990 BR blue with full yellow ends, centre domino head code boxes
Western Region versions (55991-996)
W55994 green with single speed whiskers and split head code boxes and W55991 Blue FYE with marker lights and corridor
55992 RM red with corridor and 55993 RM red no corridor.
The factory is currently making the final CAD changes and once complete we will open the order book. Obviously CAD has taken longer than we anticipated – for which we apologise – we wanted to be sure that the CAD covered all the many variants of 128s (a surprising number for a class of 10!).
British Rail’s iconic and revolutionary Cartic-4 car carriers are the next 1960s era model to be offered by Revolution Trains.
Each four-unit articulated Cartic-4 set could carry 34 (1960s-sized) cars at up to 75mph. In total 538 Cartic-4s were constructed between 1966 and 1972, and they lasted in service until the mid 2000s.
40078 with empty Cartic-4s at Peterborough. Photo courtesy Paul James.
The Cartic-4 was developed jointly by BR and Ford following after the Beeching report of 1963 urged British Railways to focus on efficient block trains for freight and adopt fast, air-braked bogie wagons to replace its fleet of ageing and slow four-wheeled stock.
The design was radical at the time for freight stock – comprising a permanently coupled four-part vehicle in which the inner cars were linked via shared bogies on articulated joints – and two prototypes were constructed and trialled on traffic from Ford’s giant Dagenham plant in September 1964.
The production units differed slightly from the two prototypes, and the majority were built for private vehicle transporters MAT, Silcock & Collings and Tolemans, however some were also built by BR and used to launch its Motorail brand in 1966. This offered motorists the opportunity to take their car on holiday with them, with an extensive network of services between cities including London, Birmingham and Sheffield and Scotland, the South West and North Wales.
A new terminal was opened at Kensington Olympia in London, and ramps allowed both decks to be loaded simultaneously. This is featured in the wonderfully evocative British Pathé film “Car And You By Train” – which you can see here.
Out of holiday season, the Motorail-branded vehicles were often used alongside the rest of the fleet for new car deliveries. We will be offering as-built Cartic-4s in BR Motorail, MAT-Transauto and Silcock and Collings liveries.
In the 1984, following increasing incidents of vehicles becoming damaged in transit by stones, Silcock and Collings decided to add screens to the sides of the wagons. Some were also given corrugated roofs to protect vehicles from items dropped from overbridges; the roofs were hinged and could be raised to allow loading and unloading. Both these variants are being offered, and they often ran together in the same train.
85005 at Stratford in 1988. Photo courtesy Phil Richards.
This was a success, and within two years MAT had decided on similar measures, using Expamet mesh for its screens. The MAT fleet was inherited by STVA when it took over, and the Cartic-4s, by now coded PJA under TOPS, were refurbished and repainted into its pale grey livery.
47309, also at Stratford, with MAT mesh-sided car carriers in 1991. Photo courtesy Michael Hart.
A very small number of the MAT sets received roofs, however they were to a different design and are not being included.
STVA also decided to remove the top decks from three sets, and run them as single deck units primarily for light commercial vehicles; these lasted in use until 2013 however they are not being offered as they also featured some strengthening additions which would not be practical to tool.
BR drawings have been sourced and CAD work is underway. The models will feature our usual high levels of detailing, with the brake gear on the underside, accurate representations of the deck tread arrangement and separate parts including plastic and photo etched ladders, screens and roofs.
Preliminary CAD work has started following the Chinese New Year holiday
Once CAD is complete the models will be available to pre-order.
Revolution Trains is to produce the all-new Class 93 tri-mode locomotive being built for Rail Operations Group by Stadler as its first powered model in 00/4mm scale.
Class 93 image courtesy ROG/Stadler
Rail Operations Group has ordered ten of the new Class 93 locomotives, with options on a further 20, and the first is to be delivered in early 2023.
The Class 93 is designed to operate on 25kv overhead power supply, with an inboard diesel engine, or using heavy duty batteries; allowing it to be almost silent while in stations or other built up areas while optmizing efficiency across the network and maximizing low carbon benefits. The Class 93 will be able to run at speeds of up to 110mph and the diesel power unit is specified to be powerful enough for prolonged mainline running, not just ‘last mile’ operation.
Revolution Trains is delighted to have been chosen by ROG and Stadler to produce the Class 93 tri-mode locomotive, which is arguably the most exciting and innovative development on the real railway for many years.
Neil Bennett, Executive Chairman of Rail Operations Group, said: “Along with our well-established rolling-stock movement business, we have very exciting plans for the Class 93 including low-carbon logistics services operating at speeds of up to 110mph. I am delighted to be working with Revolution Trains on reproducing the locomotive in model form.”
This will be Revolution’s first powered model aimed at 00 gauge/4mm scale modellers, but Revolution has already delivered, or is developing, six 00 wagons: TEA tankers, MMA/JNA ‘Ealnos’ box wagons, IZA Cargowaggon twins (a Kernow exclusive), IWA ‘Sfins2’ vans, IWA ‘Rfnoos’ timber carriers and FWA ‘Ecofret’ container flats.
The model will be to 4mm:1ft scale, 1:76.2 with RP25-110 wheels with space for EM/P4 fitting. They will feature our usual high levels of detailing including photo-etched and separate parts where appropriate, prototypical lighting arrangements, 21-pin DCC socket, and heavy metal chassis with full provision for DCC Sound. DCC Sound-fitted models will also be available.
We will offer multiple numbers, factory-fitted buffer-beam details at one end (though a spare NEM coupler will also be included for customers who wish to couple the loco at both ends) and we will investigate the provision of a DCC operated pantograph mechanism.
The full specicifation is subject to revision during the design phase, but will be confirmed by the time we open the order book.
Rail Operations Group’s core business is moving rolling stock around the network.
Rail Operations Group has exciting plans for the Class 93, and while initially they are likely to be used mainly to service ROG’s existing and well-established rolling stock movement business, the company also sees the locomotives being used as part of its proposed ‘Orion’ high speed centre-to-centre low carbon logistics trains as well as 110mph intermodal services. For more information see here.
ROG is planning to begin trials of its first converted Class 319 units in April 2021. The images below show the first unit being unveiled last month.
The Class 93 models will be offered in ROG’s stylish green and black launch livery, and it is understood that they are to be named after Roman Gods.
The terms of the licence – which covers both 00 and N gauge models – mean that ROG and Stadler will work closely with Revolution, sharing important technical specifications, 3D data and design drawings, to ensure the models are as accurate as possible and that any changes made during construction are incorporated.
Class 93 Initial Specification
Heavy diecast chassis with smooth electric motor and flywheels and provision for DCC and Sound
4mm-ft/1:76.2 scale 00 (16.5mm) gauge, with provision for simple conversion to EM/P4
Separately applied etched metal or fine plastic details
NEM coupler sockets with fully detailed, factory-fitted bufferbeam at one end (second coupler in accessory pack)
DCC provision: 21 pin decoder socket
Prototypical lighting arrangements, switchable for DC users where necessary
Twin speakers on sound-fitted models
RP25 (110) wheels with provision for simple conversion to EM/P4
We will investigate options for a DCC operated pantograph mechanism, though the pantograph itself will be cosmetic
It is intended that the models will be delivered as soon as possbile after the prototypes enter service.
We’ve got a number of order deadlines coming up that we thought it would be helpful to summarise our latest thinking. We’re conscious that many customers have been going through difficult times with the impact of COVID-19 and/or just the proximity to Christmas just passed so we try to give as much time and notice as possible, plus we offer the choice to pay a deposit rather than the full amount.
N gauge:
Pendolino (second run) – we had indicated that the order deadline was likely to be end-January to mid-February but in response to customer feedback we will give people more time to place orders. We’re just confirming the production schedule with the factory but we anticipate that the order deadline will be extended to either the end of February or end of March 2021. We don’t want to delay production too much so it is a balance between being fair to those who have already ordered and those who would like a bit more time. We will confirm the order deadline within the next 7-10 days.
Pendolino livery diagrams taking shape. With five 9-car and three 11-car options on offer, that’s a total of 78 drawings!
IWA holdall vans and timber carriers – we are ready to start production of the N gauge models of these wagons and had previously set a deadline of 31 January 2021, with Chinese New Year (12 February) coming up we will delay the deadline accordingly to Sunday 14 February 2021.
00 IWA vans and timber carriers shown – deco samples of the N gauge versions are expected soon.
OO gauge:
Ecofret FWA twin and triple containers sets – the deadline for the Ecofrets was due to be 31 January but due to production schedules we have had to delay production slightly so we will announce a new order deadline after Chinese New Year.
00 FWA ‘Ecofret’ deco samples – three wagons in one pack!
For those of you looking for delivery updates on particular models we update the Projects summary with the latest information that we have as soon as we can – if there is no estimated delivery date on there it is because we don’t have one yet. Please note that until models physically arrive with us they are estimates (as delays can and do happen at various stages even during shipping!).
The order book for our forthcoming N gauge model of the modern JNA/MMA EALNOS bogie box aggregate wagon is now open. Our early bird price offers a discount of £2.50 per wagon and is available until 31 March 2021.
66119 with DB MMA hoppers at Peak Forest in September 2018.
Tooling on this model is now complete and we have just received first samples. We will be showing these off in greater detail once they have been checked for accuracy.
Sizing up!
We are offering a lot of different versions so hopefully there is a livery for everyone! (Please note that we are offering different variations of each livery/variant according to predicted sales – not all versions have the same number of number variations or light-fitted versions).
DB red MMA
Ermewa grey and Ermewa with Tarmac branding JNAs
VTG silver JNA
VTG “original” dark blue JNA
VTG / Mendip Rail JNA
GBRf and GBRf / Ermewa blue JNAs
Cappagh / VTG mid-royal blue JNAs
Touax maroon JNA
Each version has the correct prototypical variations in: number of ribs (9 or 11); with or without side access doors; accurate underframe and brake details.
In a relatively short period of time the EALNOS wagons have spread far and wide across the network. You can read more about the prototype wagons here. We’ve put together some sample consists and route maps to help customers looking to replicate particular flows – though there are many more than we had space for!
Production of our Cemflo PCVs cement tanks is complete and the models are due to leave the factory early next week. We’re just waiting for quotes on air and sea shipping before deciding how they will be shipped, but it is likely that they will come by air so we would expect delivery to the UK within the next couple of weeks.
The Cemflo tanks are being produced for us by our friends at Accurascale who’ve done a great job on these distinctive looking tanks and sent us these pictures from the production line. We’ve put some ideas for train inspiration below.
IMPORTANT
If you would like to guarantee your Cemflo wagons at the pre-order price then please place your order now! The price will rise to our MSRP of £29.95/wagon (£89.85 per triple pack) when the models arrive.
Suitable for the early-1960s modellers to the late-1980s modellers, the Cemflo tanks were built between 1961 and 1965 for Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers (APCM) and are probably best known for their use on trains of Blue Circle cement from Cliffe, in Kent, to Uddingston on the outskirts of Glasgow. Later in their working lives, they also supplied a number of other locations, including Aberdeen, Dewsbury, Dundee, Grangemouth, Sunderland, and Widnes. The last Cemflo/PCV wagons were withdrawn from service in mid-1988.
Several types of locomotives were observed hauling Cemflo wagons during their time in service, including class 25s, class 26s, class 27s, class 31s, class 33s, class 37s, class 40s, class 45s, class 47s… even Black 5s, Jubilees,V2s, 9Fs and A4s!
Here are a few links to some interesting flows for inspiration:
As a final surprise, we are delighted to reveal that three extra Class 92s are being made available.
92008 ‘Jules Verne’ in original Railfreight livery, 92023 in Caledonian Sleeper and 92043 in GB Railfreight.
These were produced by Rapido in response to the high number of requests received from those who missed out after the deadline passed while the models were in production. These are 92008 ‘Jules Verne’ in BR Railfreight livery, 92023 in Caledonian Sleeper teal, and 92043 in GB Railfreight livery.
These models are DC only, and are available from retailers and from Revolution directly (where stocks are available – we have none of the 92023 Caledonian Sleeper models however retailers will have stock), priced at £175 each. Retailers will start to receive their stock later this week.
On Christmas Eve the long-awaited N gauge Class 92 locomotives arrived from Rapido, and while this meant delivery before Christmas was not possible, we worked hard over the break to ensure deliveries of the first hundred or so orders did take place before the end of the year.
We are anticipating that by Friday January 15th all paid for models will have been despatched – please keep an eye on our Projects page for progress if you are still waiting for your model (all parts of your order (in your account) will also be marked as “Complete” when your order has been despatched). If you still have a balance to pay then you should have received an email from us – please log in to your account where you can pay any balance due. If you sent us a query or reply regarding your balance payment we will deal with that over the next few days.
Retailers who’ve pre-ordered the models will be receiving their stocks later this week once the last of the pre-orders has been sent. Also available, exclusively from Kernow Model Rail Centre, will be 92017 ‘Eddie the Engine’ in its distinctive Stobart livery.
For those of you looking for support information we’ve added some notes for owners and information on DCC in our support section (we will also add the manual and DCC settings shortly).
Kernow Exclusive 92017 ‘Eddie the Engine’
We’ve been overwhelmed by the response, and would like to say a big ‘thank-you’ to those who’ve uploaded images or videos, or sent them to us, of the models in action.
There are too many to acknowledge individually, but as a taster here are two 92s running on Simon Fenton’s awesome ‘Dallam’ layout; one on a long rake of Farish FIA intermodal twins, the other with Dapol silver bullets Kaolin carriers:
So far the response to the models has been very encouraging, and we would like to register our thanks to everyone at Rapido in Canada and China for all the hard work they’ve put in to help us bring these models to market. As ever with our crowdfunded models, it would never have happened without the support of those who pre-ordered and put their trust in us.
The models feature a myriad of details, and several firsts for mass-produced British N gauge models, including a detailed bufferbeam at one end and a representation of the cab driver’s window blind – a distinctive and visible feature on the prototype due to the large windscreens.
So what can I run behind my new 92?
To help those interested in running accurate trains, we’ve prepared a handy guide to the kind of trains that Class 92s have operated.
They are true mixed traffic locomotives, designed originally for heavy cross-channel freight and ‘Nightstar’ international sleeper trains. They are also equipped with both pantographs for 25kV AC overhead supply and collector shoes for 3rd rail DC power; making them exceptionally versatile. They are also the only class of locomotive currently equipped and cleared for use on HS1, enabling continental-gauge swap-body containers to reach London by rail for the first time.
92023 at Chelscote with the Glasgow/Edinburgh Caledonian Sleeper. Courtesy Nigel Gibbs.
Caledonian Sleeper
The 92s are now the principle traction for Anglo-Scottish sleeper services between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh, though smaller diesels are used on non-electrified lines parts of the journey to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen.
The forthcoming Revolution Trains Mk5 sleeper coaches should be in production later this year, and will enable full, accurate rakes to be produced.
Mk 5 SLED Accessible sleeper – approved CAD
However, if you don’t have room for the full 16-coach rake don’t despair – as you can see from the table below, Covid has led to shorter rakes becoming authentic!
IWA bogie and IZA 4-wheel twin vans
Class 92s are also long-associated with international van traffic – primarily mineral water from central and southern France and aluminium between the UK and Germany.
IWA vans carrying aluminium between Ditton and Nievenheim, Germany. Photo courtesy Colin Pottle.
92036 “Bertolt Brecht” with a rake of IZAs carrying mineral water at Soulbury in 2013. Courtesy Andrew Chambers.
Again, both these traffics can be recreated thanks to Revolution Trains, with either our IZA Cargowaggon twins (some may still be available at retailers, and Revolution has a tiny number in stock) or with our forthcoming IWA vans in Cargowaggon or unbranded versions.
92010 on car train – photo courtesy Trevor Plackett
Automotive traffic has also been a staple for the 92s for many years, and the Revolution IPA car carriers can help in recreating these on your layout.
The wait is nearly over for our Class 92s. The models left the factory mid last week and are currently at Heathrow awaiting delivery to us (updated: 23/12/20). If the models are delivered to us before Christmas (we’ll update this page once we know) then we will start to send out orders as soon as we get the models – that means the earliest deliveries are likely to be just after Christmas.
If your order(s) are fully paid then you don’t need to do anything other than check that your delivery address is up to date on your account (we check all orders against the latest shipping address on your account and update as necessary).
Outstanding payments
Payments by instalment plan: (deposits placed before 1 Jan 2019) if you paid a small deposit then there should be 3 payments in total for each 92 ( the initial deposit and 2 further payments). If any of the instalments for your order(s) are showing as Partially Paid or Pending Deposit Payment then it means one or more of the invoices is yet to be paid – please pay as quickly as you can so that we can send out your model(s).
50% deposit payments: (deposits placed after 1 Jan 2019) if you paid a 50% deposit then your balance invoice will not have been generated yet but we will generate it over the next few days.
Delivery updates
We realise that it can be frustrating waiting for orders, but please bear with us – there are hundreds of orders to send out and we send them out in order of when they were paid. We regularly update progress of where we have got to on our Projects page in the Notes section. Please don’t message us asking for an update on your order until all parts of your order have been marked as “Complete” – that means your order has been despatched – or until we have said that all orders have been sent and please bear in mind that there are still ongoing delays with the postal system.
Unfortunately there was a last minute delay affecting some of the DCC Sound fitted models so these models will follow in a separate delivery scheduled for just after New Year – if you ordered a mix of DC and DCC Sound models we will ship the DC models first if we reach your order before the remaining Sound-fitted models arrive.
Looking for a present for a loved one or something for yourself? Our stock system doesn’t easily allow people to see what we have physically available for immediate despatch versus projects that are open for pre-orders as both use the “In Stock” status to allow orders to be placed (NB we indicate in the product descriptions if something is a pre-order for a model awaiting production), so we thought it might be useful to give a quick summary of models we have in stock for immediate dispatch.
We realise that it has been an unusual and tough year for many and we’d like to spread a bit of Christmas cheer, so in the spirit of Christmas we’re offering a 5% discount for orders over £100 between now and 17 December on in stock items (please note that this discount is only applicable for in stock items and won’t work for orders for future products). To get the discount place your order as normal and in the discount code box use the code: 5XMAS2020. The code will only apply to in stock items listed below and we reserve the right to refund any orders mixing in stock and future orders – all orders for models in development should continue to be placed as separate orders per product range.
The last date we can guarantee delivery before Christmas is if we receive your order by 17 December 2020 (for UK orders only, for international orders some of the last guaranteed posting dates have already passed so we can’t guarantee that non-UK orders will be delivered before Christmas but we will do our best).
In stock items (available for immediate dispatch):
N gauge
30′ bulktainers
40′ ‘reefer’ refrigerated containers
VEA vans
Ideal stocking fillers! We have reasonable stocks of the containers and the VEA vans available in all liveries except for the Railfreight red/grey VEAs which are low in stock.
HOA, HOA, HOA stone hoppers!
IZA cargowaggon twins
HOA stone hoppers: Ermewa/Tarmac and Mendip Rail versions reasonable stocks, all other versions low stock or sold out. IZA cargowaggon twins: very low stock of triple packs (5 or less).
KFA with GPS bogies (and reefer)
KFA with VNH1 bogies (and bulktainers)
KFA container flats: triple packs of VNH1 bogied versions reasonable stocks, all other versions low stocks.
Sturgeons
35t Class B tanks
Sturgeon engineers wagons: low stock of all remaining versions (some versions sold out). 35T Class B tanks: very limited stock (discovered in recent stock count!) NB the discount code won’t work for the Class B tanks but we will refund the equivalent amount on your order.IPA car carriers: limited remaining stock now on sale!
OO gauge
JNA/MMA EALNOS aggregate box wagons: 5 or less of any remaining versions
Please remember the discount code only applies to the items listed on this page and please don’t mix with orders for future projects – thanks!
Revolution Trains is offering N gauge enthusiasts yet another load for their intermodal flat wagons in the form of two types of 20′ gypsum container.
A and B type containers on PFA flats. Wagons and gypsum containers being sold separately.
Gypsum is a vital constituent in plaster and plasterboard as well as cosmetics, toiletries and fertilizers. It can be mined, but is also a by-product from power stations, and gypsum traffic has been a lucrative source of revenue for the railways for many years.
It can be carried in open box wagons, but in the late 1980s various batches of 20′ containers, to several similar designs, were introduced and these remain in service. Gypsum trains run across the network; notable flows are between British Gypsum at Mountfield, near Hastings in East Sussex, and Newbiggin in Cumbria and power stations in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire among others.
60041 with gypsum containers on PFA wagons
Originally carried on 4-wheel PFA wagons, nowadays they are conveyed on standard 60′ intermodals such as KFAs (as previously manufactured by Revolution), FEA-Bs, FCAs and IFA Megafrets. When introduced they were painted white, with the blue British Gypsum logo of the time on a placard, however by the late 1990s they were being repainted blue and a revised logo was introduced.
Nowadays, many have had the logo, and even the placard on some containers, removed, and they tend to be fairly heavily weathered.
Gypsum containers as offered by Revolution on Tiphook KFA 93330. Photo courtesy Dan Adkins.
Gypsum containers currently in use are 20′ long with various arrangements of bodyside ribs, owner placards and end doors and Revolution is offering two types: one with full height bodyside ribs and one with a top rail.
Type A gypsum container
Type B gypsum container
The models are being manufactured for Revolution by Accurascale, based on their well-received 00 versions, and will be offered in two triple packs, priced at £17.95 each, less than £6 per container.
Pack 1 – British Gypsum original white livery. Please note contents may vary slightly from those shown.
Pack 2 – British Gypsum revised blue livery. Please note contents may vary slightly from those shown.
These models are expected to be produced alongside our forthcoming PFA container flats, and we hope to have them by Summer 2021.
Gypsum containers on Revolution Trains KFA container flat
December 31st marks a keys order or earlybird deadline for several Revolution models, so we have put them all here as a reminder so no one needs to miss out on our low pre-production prices.
Final order deadline: 00 IWA Sfins2 van in Norsk Hydro, Cargowaggon and unbranded liveries
Update 02/12/2020: we underestimated the demand for our NEM screwlink couplers and the initial batch sold out in less than 12 hours! We’ll be able to source a few more packs, but we will investigate placing a much larger order.
Since offering our IPA car carriers (and before that the IZA Cargowaggons) we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been asked to supply the realistic, fixed couplers supplied with the models as accessories.
So we’ve listened – and here they are!
The couplers are designed to represent the screwlinks used by nearly all British freight rolling stock, and some passenger vehicles. They are being offered in two lengths – short (14mm length overall) and medium (19mm length overall) and have NEM tongues at either end.
19mm coupler (left) and 14mm coupler
They are one-piece mouldings and cannot be coupled and uncoupled; they are designed to offer a more realistic and discreet appearance than the traditional N gauge coupler on fixed rakes of wagons.
Medium couplers on Revolution Trains TEA tankers
The shorter couplers are those supplied with the IZAs and IPAs and are suitable for vehicles with no buffers, or where kinematic coupler mounts allow vehicles to “open up” on tight, trainset curves of less than around 381mm (15″) radius. The longer ones are intended for vehicles with buffers, or without kinematic coupler mounts.
Medium couplers fitted to Dapol HIA hoppers.
Although Revolution’s fixed couplers are designed to fit any model with NEM coupler pockets, we have not been able to test them on every model available and due to huge variations in coupler position, buffer lengths, wheelbase, and whether the sockets are kinematic, body or bogie mounted some trial and error may be required.
The couplers are being offered in packs of 10 priced at £4.95 and three variants s are on offer: 10 x short, 10 x medium, and a mixed bag of 5 of each short and medium.
Revolution Trains is offering the huge Drax Power IIA biomass hoppers as its next N gauge wagon. These wagons were introduced from 2013 and are used across northern England to ferry biomass from east and west coats sea ports to Drax Power station in North Yorkshire.
60076 on 6E09 Liverpool Docks – Drax at Brighouse in October 2019. Photo courtesy Neil Harvey
CAD has now been completed and the models are in tooling. They feature NEM couplers and lots of separately fitted details including door opening actuators, brake equipment, discharge doors and wire pipes and rails.
Drax, near Selby in North Yorkshire, is the world’s largest biomass-fuelled power station and generates 15% of the UK’s renewable electricity. To do this requires 25,000 tonnes of biomass each day.
Drax Power Station, North Yorkshire. Image courtesy Drax Power
The biomass from Europe and North America arrives by sea at the ports of Liverpool, Tyne, Immingham and Hull and is transported to Drax by rail. To sustain its needs, Drax operates around 17 trains every day.
IIA-D wagons preparing to unload at Drax. Photo courtesy Drax Power.
The wagons are loaded through full length roof doors, and at Drax they automatically dump the biomass via underframe chutes onto conveyor belts leading two four huge storage domes, where the biomass is kept dry and in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere to avoid the risk of fire.
Drax biomass storage domes. Photo courtesy Drax Power
Originally, redundant coal wagons were used, but because biomass is lighter than coal the wagons were completely full before their maximum tonnage was reached, reducing efficiency. To address this, Drax ordered an entirely new design of wagon, specifically for biomass, with hoppers in the centre and outside each bogie, and with a body profile at the limits of the UK loading gauge.
Photo courtesy Dave Kirwin
225 of these wagons – coded IIA-D under TOPS and with the UIC designation Tafoos – were built for by WH Davis between 2013 and 2015, and each carries enough biomass to generate a full year’s supply of electricity for 32 homes.
66706 with Drax hoppers on Gauxholme viaduct. Imagine recreating this in N! Photo courtesy Neil Harvey
The wagons were first outshopped in vinyls carrying a stylish Drax livery of grey, black, blue and green; odd-numbered wagons receiving an A version, even-numbered wagons receiving a B version with the pattern designed to “run on” across adjacent wagons. In 2018, a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ branded version of the livery was introduced, and last year some wagons were also revinyled into a blue scheme with large photos and the message ‘Renewable Pioneers.’
One version of the Renewable Pioneers livery.
These models will be available exclusively from Rails of Sheffield, and are being sold in twin packs – one with each version of the livery – for £79.95. Versions will be available in original, Northern Powerhouse and Renewable Pioneer liveries.
We are expecting EP1 samples early in the New Year and the for the finished models to be shipped in the summer of 2021, however these timeframes are indicative and subject to possible Covid disruption.
Revolution Trains has received samples of its forthcoming PFA container wagons with open-top coal or half-height nuclear fuel containers.
The models feature a diecast chassis to give enough weight, even when running empty, and lots of separately fitted details.
The wagons were built in 1986 to carry containerised coal from collieries in the UK to Ireland, with the coal tranported in bright yellow “Cawoods” liveried open-top containers. In the mid-1990s the operation was taken on by British Fuels, and the containers repainted red.
56132 with Cawoods containers in 1989. Photo courtesy Mick Page
66208 with British Fuels and CPL containers in 2002. Photo courtesy Neil Harvey
In the 2000s several of the wagons were acquired by DRS and used to convey low level waste or as runners for other flask wagons. The coal containers had been designed for the wagons, and had cut-outs on the underside to clear the wheel flanges, however because the DRS containers did not have these the wagons were fitted with ISO-compatible frames to ensure the containers were clear of the wheels. Our models will replicate this feature with a removable photo-etched part.
DRS PFA seen in 2013 in use as a barrier wagon between the locomotive and a FNA flask carrier. Photo courtesy Ray Forster.
Once these models have been tested then decorated approval samples will be prepared, and the models will go into production. We are expecting to close the order book early in 2021, with the models likely to be shipped in summer 2021. Order now to take advantage of our low pre-production price.
Following our recent expressions of interest exercise, Revolution Trains is opening the order book for a second run of the award-winning Class 390 Pendolino model in N by Rapido Trains.
390045 “Virgin Pride” in Flowing Silk rainbow livery. Photo courtesy Lewis Hurley
We are offering only those models that came close enough to justify production; if orders are healthy we will look to increase the variety available. The options we are offering are:
390049 “Virgin Express” – Virgin original livery (striped doors), 9-car.
390152 “Virgin Knight” – Virgin original livery (grey doors), 11-car.
390156 “Pride and Prosperity” – Avanti livery, 11-car
390047 – Avanti part-branded livery, 9-car
390001 “Bee Together” – DfT Ghost livery, 9-car.
If orders for a particular version exceed expectations then we may add additional number sets. Delivery of the models is expected in Q3-4 2021, though this may change due to circumstances beyond Revolution and Rapido’s control. Early bird prices are available until 31 December 2020 with the order book likely to close end January – mid-February 2021 with production starting immediately after Chinese New Year 2021.
The Revolution Trains/Rapido Trains Class 390 Pendolino was the first fully crowdfunded complete model train to reach the UK Marketplace. It features power cars at both ends, pin-point pick ups on every wheel with power transfer throughout the train via electrically conductive couplings, and working table lamps in first as standard.
The new versions will be updated with Next-18 DCC interface and as before all power cars will have factory fitted speakers, to make converting to DCC or DCC Sound a snap.
In a poll carried out by Model Rail magazine the Revolution/Rapido Class 390 Pendolino was voted N gauge Model of the Decade.
390119 “Unknown Soldier” in DfT ‘ghost’ livery at Lune Gorge. Photo courtesy Cameron Walker.
390104 “Alstom Pendolino” in Avanti part-branded livery at Beattock. Photo courtesy Arran Aird.
390005 passes Dordon with 1A3 Manchester Piccadilly – London Euston in 2018.
Revolution Trains has approved the CAD designs for its planned MMA/JNA ‘Ealnos’ wagons in N gauge. The models follow their well-received 00 counterparts, and use much of the same research with detail differences between those operated by DB and VTG accurately reflected, but in addition we have added the latest versions introduced by Touax.
MMA box wagon as operated by DB Cargo
The DB operated wagons – in their distinctive red livery – are primarily associated with stone traffic from quarries in the Peak District and the Midlands to locations across the network. They have 9 bodyside ribs and underframe mounted parking brake wheels and associated equipment.
Built by Astra Rail and introduced in 2016, there are now well over 500 of these box wagons on the network. Those in use with DB are coded MMA under TOPS; the remainder are coded JNA. In UIC nomenclature all are referred to as ‘Ealnos.’
Line up of 00 models: VTG blue, Ermewa grey, DB red.
The wagons operated by VTG have different brake equipment. Some are dedicated for Mendip Rail traffic and carry a branded or unbranded silver livery; others are available for spot hire and in a dark steel blue.
VTG version with longer air tank, 11 bodyside ribs and bogie-mounted parking brakes.
Others are in service with Ermewa/Tarmac and feature further variations of bodystyle and braking. Earlier this year, several more batches of Ealnos arrived in the UK and entered service with VTG, Cappagh and Touax. The Touax wagons, in their eye-catching dark red livery, have 11 bodyside ribs with no door and combine the longer air tank of the VTG versions with the body-mounted parking brakes of the DB MMAs.
Touax JNA with appropriate body style and brake equipment.
Touax JNA ‘Ealnos’ at Westbury. Photo courtesy Jo Alder.
Like their 00 counterparts, and Revolution’s IZA Cargowaggon twin vans in N, these models are being offered with a factory fitted flashing tail lamp. Because this has to be fitted inside the box body, all the models will also be supplied with a false moulded ‘load’ to disguise the mechanism. The load can easily be removed to replace the batteries, and of course can be omitted from non-light fitted versions for those who wish to run their wagons empty.
Although the CAD is now complete we will not open the order book to begin tooling until some of our other N gauge models – including FWA ‘Ecofret’ container flats, IWA ‘Sfins2’ vans and IWA ‘Rfnoos’ timber carriers – are in production. We recognise that the current economic difficulties are putting pressure on modelling budgets, and we want to give all our supporters the opportunity to budget for these useful wagons.
Like London buses our models are never just one arrival at once – both our N gauge IPA car carriers and KUA nuclear flask carriers are on their way to us and should clear customs for delivery to us in the next 7-10 days.
As a result we’ve started to send out balance invoices for the IPA car carriers and we will shortly be starting to send out balance invoices for KUAs. As ever our deposit software can only generate separate balance invoices for each line of your original order(s), and unfortunately it isn’t possible to combine the invoices (trust us it creates a lot more work for us).
If you haven’t received any (or all) of your expected balance invoices please login to your account and check if there are any new invoices available for payment – sometimes the email system doesn’t send off all the notifications.
If you need to change your address, as usual, please update the shipping address in your account – it won’t feed through to your existing orders but we check the account address when we generate the shipping labels.
Revolution Trains is happy to confirm that proposed models of the Class 320 in Strathclyde PTE orange and Silverlink blue/green will be going ahead, after enough pre-orders were received before the deadline.
Strathclyde PTE Class 320 DTSO Sample bodyshell shown with undecorated air dam, glazing, chassis and interior.
Silverlink County Class 321 DTSO Sample bodyshell shown with undecorated air dam, glazing, chassis and interior.
Although these models have not been as popular as our other versions – Network South East, London Midland and Scotrail – we are able to make them happen thanks to a wave of orders just ahead of the deadline and our manufacturing partners in China agreeing to reduce the minimum order number.
The final deadline for the Class 321 units is September 20th, and until then latecomers can still order the Strathclyde Class 320 or Silverlink Class 321 as well as our previously confirmed Network SouthEast and London Midland class 321s and Scotrail Saltire Class 320s. For each of these models two different running numbers are available.
