Revolution have received the first samples of the upcoming KFA flat from Rapido who are designing and manufacturing the model for us.
The models look as impressive to hand as they did in the photos we were sent previously.
The first question – would the upcoming 40’hi-cube containers we are producing with C-Rail, and those made by other manufacturers, fit? Theoretically they should, but…
As can be seen, the (unpainted) sample of our 40′ hi-cube on the rear wagon fits well and gives the characteristic “stepping” effect between with hi-cube and standard height containers.
The other containers shown are standard 20′ containers produced by Graham Farish and these have small corner pegs that fit perfectly too.
As well as completed wagons we were sent components, and these were sprayed grey to make them easier to examine.
The central spine is metal to add much needed weight.
The bogies are a little indistinct in the images above, so here are some cruel close-ups. The model is being offered in versions with two bogies – the Gloucester GPS type as fitted to the very first batch of 20 wagons:
…and the VNH-1 type fitted to the remaining 200. Apologies for the slightly blurred image.
These samples are the first to be produced from the tooling and there are some issues to be corrected. There are sink holes on the buffer heads and one of the decks is slightly bowed, but these will all be corrected for production.
We have also started test running them.
Once they have passed further running tests we will approve them for production.
Please also note that the Revolution/Rapido Trains TEA tanker wagons have been nominated for N Gauge model of the year, as per the news item below. If you have not voted, and want to support us, please take the opportunity to vote.