Category: Class 313

Rails of Sheffield have teamed up with Revolution Trains to offer three exciting exclusive models for N gauge enthusiasts, based on the forthcoming Class 313 units.

The models are Network Rail’s 313121 test train in yellow livery, Southern’s 313201 in revised BR Blue and a twin-pack containing the Arlington Fleet Services T7 vehicles used as translators for multiple unit moves.

313121 was converted in 2013 at Wembley to enable engineers to test the new European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and painted into a yellow livery. 

The former commuter unit was chosen for this role as it can operate on either overhead and third rail power and has can be used on restricted gauge routes.

In 2017 Class 313 pioneer 313201 (former 313001) was repainted by Beacon Rail and Govia into BR Blue (with with grey doors to conform to modern accessibility regulations) to mark more than four decades of service given by the class. 

313201 also took part in the recent ‘Class 313 Farewell’ railtour from Brighton to Portsmouth and Hastings recently.

In 2014 two outer driving cars from unit 508207 were converted at Arlington in Eastleigh into translator units coded T7 to enable locomotives with standard hook and shackle couplers to move multiple units fitted with tightlock couplers.

The two vehicles, 64664 and 64707, were painted bright mint green and named Liwet and Labezerin in 2016.  Often seen travelling to and from deliveries behind a GBRf Class 66, the pair offer a complete train in a single box.

Our models feature a working tightlock couplers at the cab ends and standard N gauge couplers, with working directional red tail lights, at the non-cab ends. The models are expected to ship in Q1-2 2024. 

Revolution will be closing the order book for its own Class 313s at the end of September, to allow customers to see the decorated samples on our stand at The International N Gauge Show, after which the models are still likely to be available from retailers but at a higher price.

Model photos of 313121, 313201 and T7 cars courtesy of Rails of Sheffield and Tom Everitt.

We’ve said for a long time that we didn’t want to put a further EMU on sale until we’d delivered our Class 320s and 321s (much delayed due to a change of factory and then Covid). With the first batch of 320s/321s due to leave China at any point now and the first EP sample of our 313/314 sneaking into the UK recently we thought now was a good time to open the order book for the 313s and 314s.

The EP sample doesn’t show all the tooling differences in terms of lights and with or without NRN roof pods but gives a good flavour of the units!

The model features: working, directional lights (with different appropriate styles for each version – original or revised) with some user switchable lighting functions; a low profile drive unit (in centre car); kinematic close coupling with electrical connections between cars; detailed interior; realistic pantograph and a DCC decoder socket (Next 18).

The 313s and 314s are all on sale from the N gauge pre-order section of our Shop in a variety of liveries as previously announced (313s: blue/grey; NSE; Silverlink/London Overground; First Capital Connect/Great Northern; Southern. 314s: Strathclyde orange; ScotRail Saltire).

If you want to take advantage of our early-bird discount please place your order by 13 March 2022!

If the version that you want isn’t available yet then we hope to announce some retailer exclusives shortly – you’ve probably spotted that the Network Rail yellow, “modern” Southern Blue/Grey and T7 translator vehicle sets are not in this announcement!

CAD has been finalised on the forthcoming Revolution Trains Class 313 and 314 ‘PEP’ electric multiple units.

Versions with the original and revised headlights are being offered, and with the CAD almost signed off tooling will begin shortly.

Once the models are delivered we anticipate that some models will be available from retailers, but at a higher MSRP to include their margins.

The launch liveries are:

In addition to the variants offered above, there are interesting specials and one offs. These will not be part of Revolution’s own production, but we are hopeful of producing one or more as a retailer exclusive.

Revolution is also offering the very similar Class 314 units that operated in Scotland from the late 1970s. There are some minor differences with the 313s and these will be depicted where possible. Please note there are some configurations with the CAD that need tweaking, such as the shoegear which is not present on the 314.

The Class 314s have carried four liveries; Revolution is initially offering those covering the period from 1983, when the first blue grey unit received the striking Strathclyde PTE orange and black, until 2019 when the last 314s were withdrawn.

Once the tooling begins we will be opening the order book – it will likely be a couple of months time. As ever there will be a discounted Earlybird price for the first couple of months or so, after which it’ll go up to the standard pre-order price.