Category: Locomotives

Revolution Trains has been able to go and visit the first of the new Class 93s – 93001 – at the depot being used by its owners Rail Operations Group as a base for the approvals procedures now needed before the locomotives can enter service.

The Class 93s are tri-modes – able to draw power from 25kV OHLE, from an onboard battery pack or from a 1200hp Caterpillar diesel.  They are designed as a flexible go-anywhere option (one reason why, unlike early renders, the finished loco has a yellow front panel) and this week ROG have been displaying the new arrival to a succession of potential users.

Our visit is going to be the first of several as we adapt the CADs we already have (derived from information sent by Stadler) to match the locomotive as it is built and incorporating alterations made during that process. 

For example, some parts of the underframe have been altered or reconfigured and initially the design followed European practice in not having cab door windows; these have since been added and will be to our CAD of course.

For ROG the next stage is a combination of testing both in Britain and abroad and there may well be further changes to ensure the locomotive conforms to any further gauging, safety, operator or staff requirements and these will be incorporated. 

While we are keen to develop this model as quickly as possible we will not begin the expensive tooling until the locomotive is in its ‘service’ condition; furthermore the licence we have with Stadler and ROG stipulates that the models must not be released before the locomotives begin to enter service.

We’d like to thank the team at ROG for welcoming us yesterday, and for a rather nice guidebook, and look forward to providing further updates as the project develops. In the next week or so look out for a short video giving more detailed information about this trip and the next stage of the locomotive’s development and introduction.

The first locomotive of the new Class 93 tri-mode fleet being built for Rail Operations Group by Stadler has not been completed yet, and their entry into service is probably a year away, but despite this our designers have been making progress on CAD of the model in 00, and we thought modellers may be interested in seeing progress.

The CAD has been produced from drawings and 3D files kindly provided by Stadler’s engineers to assist us in production of the model.

As can be seen there is plenty of detail, although the pantograph has not yet been added to the roof. On the finished models it will be positioned at the near end in the image above, and will be controllable under DCC.

The prototypes are designed to be a medium power ‘go anywhere’ locomotive designed to fulfil Rail Operations Group’s core business of moving new (or in service) trains around the network as well as powering new high-speed parcels and city-to-city light intermodal traffic.

The design of the cab draws on Stadler’s house style and is clearly influenced by the company’s very successful Euro Dual family of locomotives. Although Rail Operations Group released an artist’s representation of the finished locomotives when they announced their plans, there may yet be some adjustments to the final livery designs.

The underframe will feature a host of separately fitted details; much of the underframe shares a commonality with the Stadler-built Class 88s in operation with DRS, part of Nuclear Transportation Service, which is a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

The chassis design is still subject to possible change; this cutaway view shows the current arrangement with Plux-22 DCC interface below a panel at the ‘diesel’ end of the locomotive, and space left at the far end for the pantograph operating servo, as well as the fully detailed cab interiors.

The models will be highly specified with a full suite of working lights, DC silent and DCC Sound options and along with a working pantograph. The image above shows the cooler group with one of the photo-etched grilles removed to show the fan detail.

Other details include numerous separate parts on the bogies and representation of the Dellner coupler carried by the locomotives to enable them to couple to many of the numerous classes of unit they will have to move, as well as modern coaching stock such as the Mk5As in service with TPE.

While this represents an excellent start there remains plenty to do to complete the design work, and once the first of the prototype locomotives are nearing completion Revolution expects to visit Stadler’s manufacturing plant in Valencia to photograph and measure the fine details, and check for changes made to the design plans during construction. Tooling will not begin until we are sure testing is completed and no visible alterations are required.

We won’t know the final cost of the model until the CAD work is complete and all specifications fully locked in therefore we do not expect to open the order book for these models until early 2023, however we will keep our supporters updated on this exciting project as we pass through each stage of development.

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.

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 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.