Posted on

It’s TEA time – again!

Revolution Trains is offering a second run of its highly popular TEA tanker wagons in OO gauge 1:76.2 scale.

Verisons in VTG red and EWS are among those being offered

First proposed at Warley in 2015 (yes – eight years ago!!) and delivered in 2018 the ‘modern style’ 100t TEA tanker was Revolution’s first OO model and to some extent helped to set the standard for features Revolution has come to be known for: accuracy, numerous alternate running numbers and high levels of detail with a focus on subtle variations.

60010 at Kingsbury Fuel Terminal. Photo courtesy Tom Smith.

On our TEAs these differences include the style of ladder – with our without the anti-climb guards, discharge chutes – single or bifurcated, brake equipment and variations in tank vents and man-lids.

VTG grey, red and blue versions

The models will be available singly in improved packaging but with multiple running numbers of most versions, and we have carefully chosen liveries to include our most popular existing versions and complementary new variants.

The class of 2023…

All new versions will have different running numbers to those previously offered.

EWS livery: wagons 870203, 870247, 870272, 870309.
VTG red: wagons 88117, 88130, 88134, 88140.
VTG grey: wagons 88167, 88169, 88170, 88173
VTG plain blue: wagons 88144, 88156
Freightliner green 871002
VTG green (Freightliner rebranded) 871006
VTG dark blue with environmental message: 8370 7792 042-4 ‘Railfreight delivers…. with less congestion’
VTG dark blue with environmental message: 8370 7792 049-9 ‘……caring for the environment’
Greenergy green debranded: 8370 7792 026-7
Greenergy blue debranded: 8370 7792 003-6, 8370 7792 017-6

Please note these graphics are illustrative and are not to scale or fully colour corrected.

The new run of TEA tankers will be available from retailers or can be ordered direct from Revolution Trains. We have managed to keep the MSRP the same at £48.95 per wagon, even though it is more than five years since these wagons were last produced.

Which TEA is right for me?

While the useage has remained largely the same since we first prepared our TEA route map, the main difference is that the debranded Greenergy wagons are now used largely from Puma’s refinery at Milford Haven to the west of England and the Midlands. The EWS liveried wagons also seem to be more widely used.

60040 works 6B33 Theale-Margam past Shrivenham. Photo courtest Foulger Rail Photos/Creative Commons.

The green ex-Freightliner batch are seen largely with the grey and blue VTG types on trains from Humberside to the Midlands, while the Dalston train from Ineos Grangemouth to Dalston in Cumbria is mainly operated by a mix of red and grey VTG tanks, with the occasional blue mixed in.

60059 with Humber-Kingsbury train. Photo courtesy Rob Reedman/Creative Commons.
60056 with the Dalston-Grangemouth empties. In the background can be seen the conical Gateside ‘Bings’ (former colliery spoil heaps) that are being incorporated into a land art project known as The Crawick Multiverse by American artist Charles Jencks. Photo courtesy Dave McAlone.

As can be seen above, the Dalston train usually comprises 18 wagons between Grangemouth and Carlisle, but because the unloading siding at Dalston can only accommodate six bogie tanks, the train is tripped in shorter consists from Kingmoor yard to the terminal, making for a very modellable train.

A fascinating video explaining the full sequence can be enjoyed here, with thanks to ‘Northumberland Snapper’ for documenting these manoeuvres:

Freightliner has also used these wagons, in VTG grey or green, to supply its locomotive fuelling point in Ipswich, often in short consists of 2 or 3 wagons, again offering modellable potential for those with smaller layouts or tighter budgets.

If you’re keen to learn more searching on Flickr for still photographs, or YouTube for videos, of your preferred route will give a good indication of what the consists are.

These models are going into production next month and are expected to arrive in the summer, however China is subject to ongoing Covid issues so this date is an estimate, not a guarantee!