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Mullets can look good…

Revolution Trains has received decorated samples of its forthcoming 00 gauge BR Borail EB/EC and MB wagons, BRV and BRA steel carriers and YLA Mullet, YQA Super Tench engineering flats.

BORAIL MB (front) and BRV rear. Please note all the samples shown have accommodation wheels. Production models will have wheelsets of the correct scale diameter.

The Borails were built in the late 1950s and early 1960s as EB and MB variants (with five bolsters) and EC (no bolsters) for the Eastern and Midland regions to convey pre-stressed concrete beams and other long, heavy items. They had 8′ plate bogies, five-spoke handbrake wheels and twelve chain loops on each side.

Chain loops on each side are separate fittings. On production models the deck will be a slightly lighter shade.

Under TOPS in the 1970s they were coded BRV, then in the early 1980s 150 were fitted with air brakes, six bolsters, recoded BRA and used for steel traffic, particularly rails, primarily from British Steel Workington. These wagons were painted railfreight red during the rebuild.

The shade of Railfreight red will be corrected on this version, and the bolsters will be correclty configured.

Later the fleet was transferred to the engineers and given the fishkind name Mullet. Most received CE ‘Dutch’ livery. On some wagons the bolsters were removed and replaced with longitudinal baulks for carrying concrete sleepers; these were given the fishkind name Parr, while post privatisation some were designated Super Tench, having their upper body replaced with modular ISO standard mesh-sided cages.

Livery variations included variations in CE Dutch – with some wagons receiving Railfreight grey underframes; all-over mainline blue, and EWS maroon. Versions of these are all available to pre-order in packs with two wagons that complement each other.

These are a selection of the twin packs available; full details of the complete range and wagon identies are on the order page. Please note N gauge graphics are shown; however the 00 versions are the same.

Detail features on these models include fine photo etched mesh sides, separate wire and plastic details, NEM couplers in kinematic pockets and four different designs of brakewheel.

Once the decorated samples are assessed feedback will be sent, and then the models will be ready to go into production. The order book will close in due course.

For those who prefer not to pre-order, these twin packs are expected to be available from retailers, albeit at a higher price.