Our 4mm/OO EALNOS wagons are being sent out to our customers and retailers but please be patient as there are several thousand wagons to send out! Once we know that your order has been sent out we will mark your order as completed.
Update (24/10/2019): we’ve sent out all but 2 orders. We will process any postage refunds due as soon as we receive the information from Trains4U.
We’ve sent out all the balance invoices for customers who paid a deposit. If you paid a deposit and haven’t received an email with your balance invoice then please login to your account and check if the balance invoice has been generated – if you are missing any invoice please drop us an email. We will start chasing payments soon so that we can send out more orders.
Please make sure that your address is up to date as we will check your shipping address on your order against the current one on your account details.
Orders will be processed in date order of receipt and will be sent out by Trains4U on our behalf – please don’t ask Trains4U (or us) for an update on your order as that only slows down the process. We all want to send them out as quickly as possible but it will take us a few weeks to get everything sent out.
Our MNA/JNA wagons are now being shipped and customers who have ordered the flashing tail lamp versions will need to fit the batteries.
International shipping regulations mean that we cannot ship models with batteries pre-fitted, however fitting them is straightforward.
Most models are being dispatched with the batteries and instructions included, however if yours are not then please contact the vendor. the batteries used in the model are CR927 3V button cells.
Revolution Trains is proposing the imposing Sfins2 “hold-all” internationally registered ferry-vans in original form, and as the recent timber conversions, as its next 00 project.
37420 with 6E48 Hallem Marsh – Immingham at Water Orton in 1991. Photo courtesy Kevin Payne.
160 of these ferryvans were built by Waggon Union from 1987 and their design incorporated integral one-piece sides and roofs so that each complete half can be lifted and slid over the other, using the distinctive handwheels at each end, for unencumbered loading and unloading.
When built they were operated by Cargowaggon GMbH and ISIS/Norsk Hydro. The Hyrdo wagons were primarily used to transport fertiliser from Immingham to destinations in the Midlands, Scotland and south Wales.
Photo courtesy Paul Bartlett.
Those in Cargowaggon livery saw more varied use on steel traffic, bottled water and newsprint in both block trains and Speedlink wagonload services.
Photo courtesy Paul Bartlett.
Many are still in use on trains carrying aluminium ingots from Ditton Foundry near Warrington to Nievenheim in Germany via the Channel tunnel.
92002 6M14 Dollands Moor – Ditton Foundry at Acton Bridge in 2014. Photo courtesy Colin Pottle.
In 2012 30 were converted into timber carriers. The hoods were removed, along with the lifting and sliding gear, and heavy duty stanchions were fitted along the sides.
They have subsequently seen widespread use in Britain carrying log traffic associated with the Kronospan works at Chirk.
Freightliner’s 70007 on hire to Colas eases through Carlisle with logs bound for Chirk in February 2019.
Revolution would like to thank Touax, who now own the wagons, and Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh for all their help in providing comprehensive drawings and access to the real things.
Sfins2 – Rfnoos
CAD design work is underway, and we will be publishing CAD images very soon. We anticipate operning the order book at that time, and as ever the quicker we receive orders, the faster the models can be tooled and manufactured.
We will be offering original Norsk Hydro and Cargowaggon liveries, as well as in their reconfigured form as timber carriers with Touax.
The models will be to the same specification as our MMA/JNA box wagons, which have been completed and are currently in transit to the UK, with NEM coupler sockets, NMRA-specified weight and bogies designed to accept drop-in EM or P4 axles.
Revolution Trains is unveiling plans to offer their IPA car carriers in 00 gauge, 4mm scale at this weekend’s DEMU Showcase in Swadlincote.
Photo courtesy Jonathan Lewis
It follows repeated requests from 00 modellers asking us to upscale our forthcoming N-gauge model of these vehicles which is now in tooling.
Revolution is offering all three variants of these versatile wagons – flat twins, flat twins with side stakes and covered quads.
The prototype wagons were originally constructed as twin deck single wagons in the 1950s and 1960s, however when a need was identified in the 1990s for suitable vehicles for Channel Tunnel auto traffic, hundreds were converted into twin sets and rebodied to suit the British loading gauge.
They’re still widely used across the UK linking the sea ports with car factories and terminals for both import and export traffic.
The models will be to our usual high standards and feature high levels of added detail, NEM coupler sockets and be weighted to as close to NMRA standards as possible.
Once we have finalised pricing we will open the order book; the sooner we receive orders the sooner we can complete the CAD and get these models into tooling and then production. As ever, we will only produce models if enough orders are received by the deadline.
The order book for the 00 MMA/JNA wagons will close at midnight on Sunday April 28th.
Livery samples have been approved and the factory is ready to begin production in May.
The DB red plus Ermewa and Ermewa/Tarmac grey wagons are available from Revolution Trains here, while the VTG/Mendip Rail silver and GBRf blue are available exclusively from Kernow Model Rail Centre here.
Four models delivered, three new manufacturers identified and two new powered models offered has made for one amazing year!
As ever we should acknowledge that we could not do any of this without those who have supported us – with time, with expertise, with generosity but most of all with orders. It is only because modellers are prepared to pre-order on trust that we can make all this happen.
And we’d like to say thanks to Rapido Trains for their amazing work, our new manufacturing partner Sonic Models, two other factories we have been using and those traders who’ve supported us including C&M, Cheltenham Model Centre, Collett’s Models, Kernow Model Rail Centre, Plus Daughters, Rails of Sheffield, Osborn’s and Trains4U.
In February our first model aimed at transition era enthusiasts – the Class B tanker – arrived. The wagon had struggled to generate enough interest and came close to being cancelled, but when we saw the quality the factory had achieved we were delighted it had made it – and judging from the comments from so were those who’d supported the project!
Recently we were sent a photo by Ian at Mercig studios of a superb Esso class B he’d weathered. In the accompanying note he wrote: “..this is the best N Gauge wagon I’ve ever worked on!”
Esso Class B weathered by Mercig Studio
Then, in March, the main event – the arrival of the Pendolinos.
This was the culmination of the dream that we and our supporters had bought into back in 2015 when we began the project – and boy did Rapido Trains deliver. Everything about these models was stunning – from the trains themselves to the manual and the book-case packaging.
Pallets full of Pendos…
But we had little time to admire the models when there were hundreds of fellow modellers waiting for them – and we’d like to thank our friends Paul Churchill and Gareth Atkinson who came up that first weekend and helped pick, pack and post the first hundred and fifty or so. We also owe a large debt of gratitude to Allen Pearson – inventor of the amazing Nelevation vertical fiddle yard – for kindly allowing us to use his storage unit to keep the Pendos safe.
At the York show some customers were able to collect their Pendolinos (thanks Abbie) but the majority were posted. This was a massive task, especially as the majority of the work was done just by the two of us in our spare time. They were dispatched as best we could in chronological order of purchase and we would like to thank all our supporters for their patience waiting for their models.
However, seeing an 11-car set tackling the graceful, sweeping curves of Heworth Sidings, by the Yorkshire Area Group of the N Gauge Society, made it all worthwhile!
Poppy Pendo on Heworth Sidings at the York show
Even as we celebrated the success of the Pendolinos the IZA Cargowaggon twins were en route and they arrived just in time for The International N Gauge Show at Leamington – arguably the premier show of the N Gauge year.
Revolution IZA Cargowaggons in single and triple packs
At just over a year from announcement to delivery these were our fastest model yet. With the innovative factory-fitted flashing tail lamp option they have proved hugely popular and prompted Kernow to join us in offering a 4mm version which is currently under development.
4mm IZA CAD
It did mean that our planned TINGS display was slightly obscured by the piles of wagons being collected by customers, but we were able to show painted samples of another new model; the VEA munitions van, which is our first non-crowdfunded model and is being produced in association with Sonic models.
Sonic/Revolution VEA vans – painted samples.
The man behind Sonic is a former Kader engineer who designed some of Graham Farish’s best N gauge models, and this is the first time a Chinese manufacturer has sought to market their own brand British outline models directly in the UK.
We also offered three new models including a second powered model – the Class 128 Parcels diesel railcar in N. The other two were both wagons: the IPA car carrying twin flats – in plain, side-staked and covered versions, and the Cemflo cement wagon in association with Accurascale, the Dublin based manufacturer making a big splash in 00. Both of these are now at the CAD stage, but we have not yet opened the order books.
M55990 at Manchester Victoria. Photo courtesy Mark Carter.
IPA CAD image – this is the flat version with stakes.
Cemflo CAD courtesy Accurascale.
By the middle of November we were preparing for the arrival of our first 00 models, the TEA tankers by Rapido Trains, and once again we prevailed on our friend Allen as five large pallets were airfreighted in.
Their arrival just in time for the Warley National Model Railway show at the NEC meant that as well as supplying those ordered by Kernow models and Trains4U once again we had to enlist help once again from our friends Paul, Gareth and Abbie to hand out those that customers had arranged to collect.
Kernow Model Rail Centre’s Chris Trerise with a small fraction of his TEAs!
The remainder are being sent out by us but twice the scale means eight times the volume, and the sheer size of the 00 models in comparison to the N gauge products we are used to has meant new packaging solutions and dispatching all the models has taken much longer.
Those who visited us at Warley may remember that we were right next to a double decker bus brought in by our friends at Rapido Trains to publicise their latest new model – this gave us an excellent location for a meeting where we were able to examine the final version of the Class 92 locomotive ahead of production and confirm production of another run of Class 390 Pendolinos in Virgin’s latest “flowing silk” livery, as we as more TEAs in N. These will be available to pre-order early in the new year.
Class 92 final test sample by Rapido Trains.
At Warley were were also able to unveil our first steam locomotive – the GWR 56XX in N produced with Sonic models – along with the latest CADs for the HOA hopper and an all-new 4mm model – the MMA/JNA box wagon. These are again not crowdfunded but being produced after we were approached by an investor. We are offering three variants in DB red and Ermewa and Tarmac grey liveries, while models in VTG/Mendip Rail silver and GBRf blue will be available exclusively from Kernow.
Handpainted sample of MMA wagon in DB red.
First CAD of 56XX steam locomotive.
We also took delivery of the 20′ Tank Containers in N that we produced in conjunction with C-Rail. These, along with the 40′ hi-cube containers last year, have been very well received and we will be producing another new RTR container next year. This came, coincidentally, shortly before we closed the order book for the KFA container flats accompanying them which are in production now.
Revolution/C-Rail tank containers in Stolt, Nichicon, Bulkhaul and Hoyer liveries
To conclude, here is a quick reference progress chart summarising 2018. We anticipate that the next models to be delivered will be the 00 MMA/JNA, N KFA and N 92.
Amazingly, 2019 will mark Revolution’s 5th anniversary (we can’t believe it either!) and we are looking forward to next year being our biggest and best year yet! But as ever, we couldn’t do any of this without our fellow enthusiasts, so once again we’d like to thank you for your support.
Revolution Trains is to produce the widely used MMA/JNA-T box wagon as its second model aimed at 4mm modellers.
Hand-painted EP1 samples. Some small details and markings omitted.
Samples were unveiled at the Warley National Model Railway exhibition at the NEC over the weekend.
Note accurate MMA underframe detail and “cut out” in each top corner.
Our models feature tension-lock couplers in NEM sockets, RP25 profile wheelsets and are weighted to ensure consistent, reliable running.
Both 9- and 11-rib variants are being offered, with and without bodyside access doors and with prototypically accurate variations in brake arrangements. We are also offering a version with a switchable, battery-operated tail lamp.
Revolution would like to thank DB Cargo and Tarmac for allowing us access to Barrow Railhead in Leicestershire to measure and photograph the prototype so these models can be as accurate as we can make them.
The models are available from Revolution in three liveries, with five different numbers in each. Please note these images are purely illustrative and not to scale.
The wagons are coded MMA by DB Cargo and JNA-T by other operators; they all carry the UIC code Ealnos.
Photo: Steve Madden
They’ve been in operation since 2016 and have spread across England and into parts of Wales as their open, rugged construction allows for easy unloading using a mechanical grab in locations where a dedicated terminal for hoppers with underfloor discharge gear would be uneconomic.
Photo: Aidan Fort
This route map shows how widespread they have become.
They are most usually associated with Class 59, 60, 66, 68 and 70 haulage as can be seen on this selection of sample consists observed on real trains. Models of all the appropriate locomotives are readily available.
The model has already been tooled and is expected to go into production reasonably soon after Christmas, with delivery anticipated in early 2019.
They’re here…well very nearly anyway! Rapido told us recently that production of our 4mm/OO TEA tanks was complete, so we took the decision to airfreight in the complete consignment of TEA tanks and the models should be with us later this week. As usual, customers who paid in full when they ordered are likely to receive their models first as there is less admin for us.
Delivery and invoicing arrangements:
Paid in full: if you have moved over the past couple of years please check that your shipping address (not the address on the order!) is correct on your account on our website. We will start sending out models paid in full over the weekend of 17/18 November.
As we pick and pack your order we will update it to the latest shipping address saved on your account. We will send out fully paid orders in order of when we received your order. Once your order has been despatched we will update it to “Completed” status and you should receive it from the Royal Mail a few days later.
Paid a deposit: generating all the balance invoices will take us some time (please remember we do this in our spare time!), however we know that some of wish to get your balance paid as quickly as possible so that you can get your hands on your models!
You have two choices:
Option 1 – wait for our invoice: please be patient and wait for us to generate your balance invoice(s). The balance invoices will be emailed to you and will include details of how to pay. Once your balance is paid then your order will be placed in our order queue for picking and posting.
Option 2 – I would like my order soonest!: if you would rather get your balance paid and your models as quickly as possible then we have a shortcut for you! It means more work/thought for you so if you are not in a hurry or if you are not sure then stick with option 1!
Go onto our website and login to your account – check that your shipping address is correct (and update if necessary). Open your order for your TEAs and you will see at the bottom of the deposit order a line saying “Future Payments” – this may or may not include VAT – if it says excludes VAT and you live in the UK or other part of the EU then you must add VAT to the Future Payment amount (ie multiply the future payment amount by 1.2). Go to our website here and enter your balance amount and follow the payment instructions. If you have multiple orders you are welcome to add all the balance together to make one payment.
No need to email us to say you have paid – we will match your payment against your order(s) and mark your order(s) as paid (“processing” on our system), then your order will go into our queue for picking and posting.
As a check your balance should equal your deposit less the amount of shipping you paid on the deposit. For example, if you paid a £20 deposit and £6 P&P then the balance should be £20. If you are not confident about calculating the correct balance amount then please stick with option 1.
Please do not:
email us asking where your order is – that just slows us down replying to you rather than packing orders; or
email us to confirm that your order is correct – we will contact you if it isn’t; or
email to confirm that you have paid the right amount – again we’ll tell you if you haven’t; or
email to change your shipping address – you can do that online on our website!
Sorry if this seems unfair, but this is really important as all of these individual emails take time out of us sending out your models! We’ll let everyone know once we’ve done the first pass through the order list – that is the point that we will ask you to send us emails if you haven’t received your order or balance invoice(s).
Collection at Warley: for those of you that wish to collect your models at Warley, this will be possible but only by prior arrangement! If you collect your order at Warley we will refund your P&P charge after the show. If you have a balance to pay then it will be possible to pay your balance at the show (your P&P charges will be deducted from your balance when you pay).
If you wish to collect your order at Warley please email us by the end of Monday 19 November, preferably with your order number(s). We will confirm by email by Thursday 22 November whether your order will be available for collection. If you haven’t received a confirmation from us by Thursday 22/11 there is no guarantee that we will have your order for collection!
Rapido Trains have sent some images showing progress on our forthcoming TEA tankers in 4mm/00 gauge.
These models are even more detailed than their 2mm counterparts, and painting, printing and assembly has taken one of their two factories several months.
The worker on the left is putting brass bearings in the bogie axle rebates for their colleague opposite to insert wheelsets.
Finished wheelsets, with couplers added too.
In some areas the larger 4mm models can have finer detail than is possible in N such as correctly bifurcated lifting brackets. These are painted and awaiting fitting to the EWS tanker bodies in the following image.
The factory seems to be almost full of blue trays containing tanker bodies ready for final assembly.
Once the factory has completed these models we understand they will immediately begin production of the KFA container flats in N. As a result we expect to be closing the order book for these soon.
Kernow Model Rail Centre is teaming up with Revolution Trains to offer the long-lived Cargowaggon “twin” ferryvans in 4mm scale/00 gauge. This is in response to the large numbers of 4mm enthusiasts requesting this model following development of its N gauge counterpart, and represents the first fully joint venture between Revolution Trains and a major retailer.
As ever the models will feature high levels of detail and a version will be offered with a battery-operated flashing red tail lamp.
Chris Trerise, of Kernow Model Rail Centre, said: “Over the years Kernow has forged a reputation for listening to modellers and offering what they want – from the Beattie Well Tank to the iconic Bulleid diesel. Revolution Trains has been doing something similar in N, so teaming up seemed like a logical step. As these wagons have been much used in Cornwall for transporting both bagged clay and electrical components, they fit in nicely with our existing items.”
Mike Hale of Revolution Trains said: “In some ways it is surprising this wagon has not been offered in 00 before as it has been so widespread in service and lasted so long. We are looking forward to working with Kernow on this and other projects in the future,” he added.
Ben Ando from Revolution Trains said: “These wagons are suitable for the BR Blue period right through sectorisation to the post-privatisation era, and whether in a block train or in ones or twos we believe they will be a great addition to the wagon roster for many Kernow customers.”
The models will feature NEM couplers on kinematic mounts, RP25 profile wheels and high levels of detail including separately fitted brake parts and handrails.
They feature large full height sliding doors, to allow easy access for loading, and are cleared for British, Continental and Channel Tunnel use. The first 100 were built in 1986, with further builds of 50 each in 1989 and 1991 and
nearly the entire fleet remains in service. Due to their flexibility the wagons have been used to carry mineral water, newsprint, bagged clay or cement, whisky, cider, petfood and numerous other goods to and from destinations as widespread as Cornwall, the Highlands, North and South Wales and destinations in Southern France and Germany.
They can operate in blocks, or in smaller numbers in mixed “Enterprise” trains. The wagons were delivered in unpainted aluminium with mid-blue solebars and ends. Most carry the words “Cargo Waggon” across the pair, in blue on a yellow background, though three received “Perrier” branding which they still carry today.
Cargowaggon was later absorbed into GE Rail Services, which has since been acquired by Touax, and the models are being produced with the co-operation of Touax and will be manufactured in China.
The models
Photo shows N gauge model prototype
The models will be produced in the following liveries:
Original Cargowaggon without tail lamp (4 running numbers) – £99.99 each
Original Cargowaggon with tail lamp (1 running number) – £104.99 each
Revised Cargowaggon with yellow lashing loops and warning signs without tail lamp (4 running numbers) – £99.99 each
Revised Cargowaggon with yellow lashing loops and warning signs with tail lamp (1 running number) – £104.99 each
The above prices will apply once the models are delivered. A discount of £10 per model is applied when paying in advance. A further discount is available if buying a pack of 4 wagons.
CAD work is complete and the model is expected go into production in mid 2019.
We recently received from Rapido Trains of Canada painted samples of the 00 TEA tanker barrels for final colour approval, so we took a short break from packing Pendolinos to look them over.
Cross checked with the well-received N gauge models already produced (and voted RM Web and Model Rail models of the year) we feel that once again Rapido have nailed the colours, and the finesse and quality of the mouldings is self evident.
These models are now in the final painting stages, and when we receive further notifications or any images we will share them.
If you missed out several retailers are taking supplies – see the retailers list page for more details.
It was great to see so many of our friends and supporters at the Warley National Model Railway exhibtion at the NEC last weekend.
This was our stand on Friday – before the show opened – and the only time it was quiet until the show ended on Sunday evening!
Revolution Pendolino
The big news is that our stunning Class 390 Pendolino model – made by our friends (and show neighbours) Rapido Trains of Canada – should be leaving the factory within the next 7-10 days. Allowing 4-6 weeks for shipping, and some extra time for customs clearance, the models should be here by Jan/Feb.
Rapido did bring three models to the show – airfreighted to Canada a few days beforehand – and two were loaned to the layouts Kinlet Wharf and Horseley Fields.
Pendolino gliding through Kinlet Wharf…
…and hurrying through Horseley Fields. Apologies for shaky camera!
The third – in Alstom livery – spent the weekend on our display layout and can be seen whizzing behind the packaging which was also on show and follows the style we created with the TEA tankers last year.
The 9- and 11-car versions will be in book-case style packs with two trays with opening lids surrounded by a card sheath. The top tray contains shaped apertures for the two power cars, the two pantograph cars and the named car, with the remaining four or six cars in the lower tray.
The 5-car pack will simply comprise the top tray in a thinner card sheath.
For those who missed out Rapido have advised us that a small number of surplus models are available and these will be put up for sale via our website once we have an indication of liveries and numbers.
Class B tankers
The Class B tankers are now in production with our alternate factory and are sheduled to be leaving the factory before Chinese New Year in February, with delivery to customers likely in March/April depending on shipping and customs times.
For those who missed out several retailers have taken an allocation – the list can be found elsewhere on our website.
00 tankers
These are also in production by Rapido now, and timings are likely to be similar as the Class B tankers. As with the Class B tankers, some of our partner retailers have pre-ordered an allocation so those who missed the deadline can still obtain models.
Class 92 locomotive
This model is also being produced by Rapido and we are expecting the next sample with finalised motor/drivetrain, PCB and lighting. Once this is approved we will be ready to check liveries and close the order book ready for production. It’s likely this will be in late Spring 2018.
For the show we assembled one of the earlier samples Rapido had sent, and this was put on Kinlet Wharf with their superb – and appropriate – Caledonian Sleeper rake.
92018 carries slumbering passengers south as a narrow boat passes below the line on Kinlet Wharf
Please note this model was handpainted and is not factory-finished. It also lacks some of the metal parts such as the cab door handrails and photo-etched pantograph heads.
In our next post we will update the latest news on our other projects, including first samples of our exciting new IZA Cargowaggon twin vans, the KFA container flat, HOA hopper wagons and Class 321 EMU.
The order deadline for the 00 TEA tankers is now less than seven days away, on Friday March 31st.
6S36 Dalston-Grangemouth approaches Garnqueen N Junction between Coatbridge and Cumbernauld on Saturday March 25th 2017. Photo courtesy Tom Smith.
As ever, we will only be producing enough models to satisfy pre-orders, however a small number of retailers will be stocking these models for anyone who misses out or prefers to see before committing to a purchase.
Once again we would like to thank all those who supported this project and enabled it to happen.
The order deadline for the upcoming TEA tankers in 00 is midnight on March 31st.
Rapido will put the models into production soon after we communicate the final order quantity. We are dispensing with the usual painted sample approval stage because they will use the same artwork (albeit scaled up!) as our award winning models of the same wagons in N.
The liveries available are: VTG red, VTG plain blue, VTG grey, EWS grey and Freightliner green, VTG “Greenergy” triple pack and VTG “Enviro message” blue. See our order pages for which models are available singly or in triple packs.
As ever we will only produce enough models to satisfy pre-orders so please don’t miss out, however as with the tankers in N we anticipate that a small number of select traders will be stocking them.
Revolution Trains is proud and honoured that our TEA tanker wagon has been voted “Model of the Year” in the N Gauge Rolling Stock category in the 2016 British Railway Modelling/RM Web annual poll.
We would like to thank all the readers and supporters who voted for us, and acknowledge the enormous amount of skill, dedication and hard work that our partners at Rapido Trains showed to earn this award.
We would also like to thank VTG, and Paul Lugg in particular, for their support and encouragement, and of course we are hugely grateful to all our fellow modellers who stepped up and enabled us to make this, the first of what we hope will be many new models, happen.
Revolution Trains was also surprised and thrilled to have come second in the prestigious “Manufacturer of the Year” category, which seems quite remarkable for such a new company.
The winners in this category were Graham Farish, and we would like to offer our warmest congratulations to all those at Bachmann for their well-deserved success.
The Revolution/Rapido TEA tanker wagon has been nominated in the 2016 BRM/RM Web and the Model Rail magazine awards in the N Gauge Rolling stock categories.
We are delighted and very proud, and would like to thank all our supporters who helped us reach this point, especially with the very first model we delivered.
We’d also like to thank Rapido Trains for producing such a fine model.
It is up against other excellent products, but if you feel it deserves to win and haven’t yet voted feel free to do so!
2016 has been a landmark year for Revolution, and as it draws to a close it seemed appropriate to look back and thank everyone who has suppported us.
Quarter 1
In February, at Model Rail Scotland, we unveiled the first working sample of our Class 390 in N. The model had been handpainted – partly for marketing purposes, but mainly to confirm that the laser-scanned body-shape was correct as all the colours “sit” correctly.
However we did find that in their efforts to make them as unobtrusive as possible Rapido’s engineers had made the inter-car couplers too flimsy, and we asked for a redesign.
In March, to assist with our proposed Class 321 EMU, we were invited by Eversholt and Wabtec to their workshops at Doncaster where the prototypes are being rebuilt under Project Renatus.
This enabled us to compile a detailed collection of photographs and measurements of the many underframe components; though in turn this has created quite a headache for Rapido as it means the drawings of this model have proved to be significantly more complex than originally expected – and Rapido are renowned sticklers for underframe detailing!
Quarter 2
At Easter at the York Model Railway Show we announced plans for a KFA container flat in N. This wagon represents one of the “missing links” in N, and with a good quality model already available in OO from Hornby there seemed little prospect of it appearing from Farish or Dapol.
Like the well-received TEA tankers our model is being produced by Rapido and will feature a plastic deck with metal longitudinals to maximise weight and ensure good running, even when unloaded.
Going one further than the 4mm model, we are offering both build types – with the VNH-1 bogies and Gloucester GPS types. These wagons will be useful for anyone depicting the late 80s to the present day.
With months the CAD designs were approved, the model sent for tooling and we have just been sent images of the first moulded shots – see news item immediately preceding this one.
In June we heard from Rapido that the TEA tanker was going into production. However, the models took significantly longer to actually produce than expected – because the many markings on the tanker barrel could not be tampo printed in a single pass, due to the its curved shape.
In the end, and depending on the livery, each barrel took at least three passes per colour per side – for some model that made a total of more than a dozen separate applications. Add to that the many different detail parts – up to 70, for some configurations – and it is not surprising that the factory later informed us that these models were among the most intricate they had ever been tasked to produce.
Quarter 3
By the DEMU Showcase exhibition in July we had received a second Pendolino sample with modified couplers. This was immediately tested and while the robustness of the new couplers was immediately apparent, there were still some issues with the performance on tight “train set” curves. After a couple of weeks of ongoing testing to establish where corrections were needed, the another redesign began.
The first sample of the OO TEA – announced after many requests from 4mm modellers – were also on show for the first time. These models are now being rest run and we are expecting production in the New Year.
Revolution 00 TEA tankers under test on Guy Molyneux’s “Whatley” layout
At TINGS in September we unveiled plans for another 1960s era model – the Class B tanker. We had tried to offer a model previously to enthusiasts favouring this era but the Class 21/29 did not earn adequate support to proceed. Following a well argued campaign from enthusiasts on the web we decided to offer the Class B tanker.
These distinctive wagons were seen across the network from the late 1950s to the 1990s in both block trains and cut into mixed freights in smaller numbers. Many modellers will remember them with nostalgia as the subject of the popular Airfix 4mm kit.
We have already had CAD drawings produced in an effort to encourage interest, however so far the response has been disappointing. We will give this model until February 2017 to gather enough support, otherwise it will be cancelled.
We also announced 40’hi-cube containers – the world’s most numerous type – in N in conjunction with C-Rail and first samples were unveiled before Christmas. Six liveries will be available – Maersk, MSC, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin, Evergreen, and UASC.
Quarter 4
Shortly after TINGS – in October – we received word from Rapido that the production TEA tankers had landed, and so it was that we spent three weekend packing and dispatching Britain’s first ever crowdfunded RTR models – to universal acclaim.
One magazine wrote that the models were a “benchmark for quality, fidelity and value” while another reviewer felt that they were “exquisite, in terms of prototype fidelity, decoration and performance.”
Photo: Andy York
Included with the TEA tankers were a flyer announcing our next powered model in N – the Class 92 electric.
These much-requested locomotives fit in well with our West Coast theme, and we have secured the full co-operation of Brush Traction, enabling a research visit to be arranged shortly after.
The response to this model has been excellent, and with the assistance of Brush engineers and others progress has been rapid, with CADs now complete with tooling expected to begin in January.
Our last major date in 2016 was the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC in late November, where once again we were able to meet many of our supporters – and others – and announce another new model: the HOA hopper.
Original EWS Construction is one of five liveries on offer
Response to this model has been exceptionally good and already the design work has begun, with 3D CADs expected early in 2017.
So as 2016 draws to a close we look back on a year in which we have delivered our first model, tooled two more, completed or continued design work on three more and announced a fourth and fifth.
Next year – with the continued help of all our supporters – we look forward to delivering more models and offering more choices.
To sum up, we would like to thank everyone who has ordered from us, the model railway press, RM Web and the N Gauge Forum and exhibition organisers for enabling us to communicate with and meet our supporters, and our Rapido Trains colleagues in Canada and China who have delivered such fabulous models.
Or, in the words of one respected magazine assessing our TEA tankers: “Revolution has definitely delivered a quality product and there is much more to come…”
On the morning of the Warley National Model Railway Exhibtion at the NEC we received direct from China the first factory samples of the forthcoming TEA tankers in 4mm scale/00 gauge.
Like their smaller N gauge counterparts that are now with customers the models feature photo etched catwalks, numerously separately fitted parts and many details that are type specific.
There are some areas where the larger size of these models permits greater fidelity; the ladders are correctly modelled with or without anto-climb guards, and the lifting lugs under the barrel are correctly formed of twin leaves.
Details below the tanker – clearly visible from most angles – have not been forgotten. This image shows the distinctive larger air tank and bifurcated discharge nozzles unique to the EWS and Freightliner versions.
In this view of the undersides the longer EWS version (bottom) can be compared to the smaller airtank of the original VTG owned wagons.
Visitors to our stand at Warley who picked the models up commented on their weight. They are to NMRA guidelines which tend to be heavier than the British market is used to but ensures good track holding and smooth running, especially in long rakes. For this reason the bogies are fitted with brass axle bearings as can be seen in the image above. The bogies have been designed to be wide enough for drop-in conversion to EM or P4 standards.
Once the models have been thoroughly tested to ensure they run as they should we will approve them for production. Paint sampling should not take long as they will be in the same liveries as the well-received N gauge versions.
As ever we will send out a newsletter informing subscribers when the deadline is set order and only produce enough models to satisfy pre-orders.
In N we have seen a significant amount of “non-buyers regret” since models were delivered and we are hoping 00 modellers interested in these vehicles will not miss out!
Rapido have sent an image of the first hand-assembled test model of the forthcoming 4mm/OO gauge TEA tanker.
The model has accommodation wheelsets and the catwalk has been hand-fettled; on the production models it will be as straight as on the production N-gauge models.
Nonetheless this sample gives a good indication of the progress being made. This model represents the EWS/Freightliner variant with the bifurcated discharge chutes and revised brake gear. Other details worth noting are the brake changeover sensor on the bogie at the ladder end, the split tied down fillets and that this model will feature both plain and anti-climb guard fitted ladders.
We would like to thank all those who have supported this project so far; this model can still be purchased but once development has concluded we will close the order book and move to production.
First test shots for the main components of the forthcoming TEA tanker in 4mm have been received by Rapido.
The ends, main barrel and buffer-beam fairings are among the components sent for checking, though numerous parts including the parts such as the ladders, hatches, brake details, bogies and buffers are still to be received. As well as many separate plastic parts the model will feature fine wire brake piping and etched catwalks.
Despite the many missing parts, these mouldings offer us a good indication of the progress being made, and of course can immediately be checked for tooling blemishes, size and fit.
These models – in seven different liveries and several different numbers – can still be ordered at the EarlyBird rate, though prices go up at the end of June.
