Tag: twin

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Car carriers dazzle!

Revolution Trains has received decorated samples of its forthcoming IPA car carriers in N.

Produced with kind permission of operator STVA, we are offering flat, staked and covered twin sets in original and revised liveries covering their service from the early 1990s to the present day.

N-IPA-101A IPA flat twin in original livery
N-IPA-111A flat twin in revised livery
N-IPA-121A twin with stakes in original livery
N-IPA-131A twin with stakes in revised livery. (Model shown with Oxford Diecast Ford Transit vans available separately.)
N-IPA-141A covered twin in revised livery

As th image above shows these wagons can be loaded with appropriate models from Oxford Diecast or other manufacturers.

We are also offering the models in prototypical covered quad sets in both original and revised liveries.

N-IPA-251A covered quad set in original livery

The models are still available to order here in all versions.

Each type is available in two different numbers. As can be seen from this massively enlarged image virtually all the numbers and letters are legible.

The models feature our usual high levels of detail with NEM couplers, photo-etched footsteps, wire handrails, lots of separately fitted underframe details and a diecast deck to ensure the models are heavy enough to run well.

In what is becoming a tradition, Revolution will be attending the International N Gauge show at the Warwickshire Exhibition centre on September 14th and 15th and these samples will be on display.

On first inspection we are very happy with the look of these models, but of course we will check them carefully against the livery diagrams and photographs and notify the factory of any corrections.

These wagons can be seen running together in mixed formations, though the covered versions also operate on their own in block trains typically carrying high-value vehicles from car plants to ports.

66172 with a mixed rake featuring flats, flats with stakes and covered variants on a Dagenham-Mossend service. Photo Colin Brooks.
92010 on Garston-Dagenham train at Northampton. Photo: Trevor Plackett.
66118 on Halewood-Southampton train in 2012. Photo: Shaunnie0.

Immediately after the show we will be closing the order book for the HOA hoppers which are ready for production; we anticipate the car carriers will follow them around 6-8 weeks later in an effort to give our valued customers a little breathing space!

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It’s twins for Revolution Trains

Revolution Trains is offering the ubiquitous Cargowaggon twin ferry van as its next RTR model in British N-gauge 1:148 scale.

IZA twin 27 80 2794 008-3 at Hoo Junction December 1986. Courtesy Paul Bartlett.

100 twin sets were built by Duewag of Germany for Cargowaggon in 1986, and the vast majority remain in service.

92036 “Bertolt Brecht” with a rake of IZAs carrying mineral water at Soulbury in 2013.Courtesy Andrew Chambers.

Coded IZA under TOPS, under the continental UIC system they were initially designated Habbfis, though this was later changed to Hfirrs 3.  Their success led to further builds of 50 pairs each in 1989 and 1991.

When introduced they were used on the Dover-Calais train ferries and they are certified for Channel Tunnel use.  The primary traffic for these wagons from the continent is mineral water, however they are or have been used to transport a wide variety of goods within Britain including bagged clay, newsprint, whisky, beer, cider, pet-food and metal.

A pair of IZA twin vans and two bogie vans behind 31142 on a Norwich-Whitemoor train at March in 1989. Courtesy Mick Page.

They have been recorded across the network, from Cornwall to the north of Scotland, from Kent to South Wales, from East Anglia to the Midlands and North West, and to the south of France, the Netherlands and Germany.

They can be seen both in block trains, or in smaller cuts in Enterprise (formerly Connectrail) wagonload trains, as well as MOD services.

47200 with three Cargowaggon twin sets immediately behind carrying cider between Exeter and Mossend, 1992. Courtesy Mick Page.

They were built in permanently coupled pairs to take advantage of European grants available at the time aimed at encouraging the use of wagons with 4 axles.  The brake gear is such that the they cannot operate separately; if one derails then the pair must be taken out of service.

Courtesy Ernie Puddick

When introduced, the majority carried Cargowaggon branding, though a small number of sets carried the Perrier logo as they were used on mineral water traffic from central and southern France to Britain.

We will be offering both liveries, along with the slightly revised Cargowaggon livery brought in later, when the wagons were given modified lettering and the ferry hooks and axleboxes were painted yellow.

We are working with Touax, the present owners of these wagons, to ensure our model is as accurate as possible and we would like to thank them for all their assistance in drawings and site visits.

Our model will feature expected levels of fidelity and detail, with injection-moulded plastic bodies, separately fitted detail parts and handrails, kinematic NEM couplers on the outer ends and a inner coupler ensuring the wagons are a scale distance apart.

We are also offering one pack with a factory fitted, battery powered flashing tail lamp at one end, for additional authenticity and realism.

Look out for the flashing tail light option!

The models are priced at £36 for each twin, £108 for a triple pack with different numbers and £40 for the twin fitted with a flashing tail lamp.

Once we have enough pre-orders we will authorise tooling to begin and, as ever, we will only produce enough models to satisfy pre-orders.