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Mk5s arrive…

Revolution Trains has received first EP samples of its forthcoming Mk5 Caledonian Sleeper and Mk5a Trans Pennine Express coaching stock.

Left to right: Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 seated, club and accessible sleeper cars.
TPE Mk5a T1, T2 and DT cars.

Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 coaches

The Caledonian Sleeper cars are of four types: Seated, Club (with wifi dom on roof), Accessible Sleeper (PRM) and Standard Sleeper. Each vehicle is unique with accurate underframe, interior and bodyshell variations.

Mk5 Caledonian Sleeper Club car and Accessible (PRM) Sleeper.
Mk5 Caledonian Sleeper Seated car.

The models feature working Dellner type couplers in kinematic NEM pockets, though each pack will also include standard NEM couplers to enable the models to be coupled to a locomotive, as well as full interiors, saloon, cabin and vestibule lighting as standard, numerous separately fitted details – especially on the undersides – and photo-etched grilles where appropriate.

Detail showing etched parts, interiors, wifi dome and inside bearing bogies on Mk5 Club car.

Revolution is offering a total of eight different packs to enable complete Lowlander (London Euston-Glasgow/Edinburgh) or Highlander (London Euston-Aberdeen/Fort William/Inverness) rakes to be recreated or to allow shorter rakes representing the split portions of the trains to be modelled.

The diagrams show normal operating arrangements – during the last 14 months Lowlander and Highlander trains have operated from time to time in shorter forms due to reduced loadings.

92023 at Chelmcote with Caledonain Sleeper in January 2019. This train can be recreated with Revolution Trains’ Class 92023 and Mk5s.
Photo courtesy Nigel Gibbs.
Accessible (PRM) sleeper and Club car.

Trans Pennine Express – Beacon Rail Mk5a coaches

Trans Pennine Express operate their Mk5a sets in permanent rakes of five branded Nova 3 in push-pull mode with Class 68 diesels. Each set features a driving trailer (DT), standard trailer with bicycle rack (T2), two Standard trailers (T3) and a first trailer with standard draw gear at the outer end (T1).

TPE DT + T2 car.

The Revolution models feature the same kinematic couplings and similar levels of detailing to the Mk5 sets and are available to pre-order in two complete 5-car sets.

Inner end of T1 car, and outer end of DT car.

In addition to the interior saloon and vestibule lighting on all cars as standard, the DT features directional head and tail lights at the cab end.

Underside of DT car showing details, wire sanding pipes and bogie bearings and power pickups.
TPE Nova 3 at Keckwick in January 2019. Photo courtesy Dave Harris.
Caledonian Sleeper and TPE operating routes.

Once the samples have been assessed and checked decorated samples will be prepared before the models go into production.