Model Railway News Roundup - June 2019
Model Railway News Roundup
Diesel & Electric Era railway modelling news and announcements from across May & June 2019.
The DEMU Showcase exhibition at Swadlincote, near Burton-upon-Trent, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June saw several of the newer ready-to-run manufacturers provide an update on the progress of their latest models, while there were also new rolling stock announcements in OO gauge.
Trains4U & Cavalex Ally for Warflat
Initial CAD render of the air-braked KFA Warflat.
Highly requested for many years, the modern air-braked Warflats are finally to be produced in ready-to-run form in OO gauge following a team-up between Peterborough-based retailer Trains4U and Cavalex Models. Built between 1976-81, the wagons have formed the backbone of the Ministry of Defence’s vehicle carrying fleet ever since, working alongside refurbished Warwells.
The model’s specification includes sprung buffers, a close-coupling mechanism with NEM pockets, full underframe detail and a weathered and faded finish for the representation of the wooden decking. Consideration is also being given to tooling suitable vehicle loads in the correct 1/76th scale.
The Warflats will only be available from Trains4U with two liveries to be made available initially, each with four running numbers and priced £35.00 per wagon. Four of these will represent the wagons in their as-built form with PFB TOPS code and through vacuum pipe, as running from the late 1970s to the start of the 1990s, while the other quartet covers their 21st century look with yellow bufferbeams and jacks along with KFA coding.
CAD design work has been completed with tooling set to commence once a sufficient level of pre-orders has been reached. At this stage, delivery is predicted for late summer or early autumn of 2020.
Pre-orders, which do not require a deposit or pre-payment, can be placed at: www.trains4u.com
Exclusive Steel Wagons from Rails of Sheffield
Early CAD render of the BLA.
In a second retailer tie-up, Cavalex Models is to produce exclusive versions of its forthcoming OO gauge BBA and BLA steel wagons for Rails of Sheffield. Due for release early next year, these will all be triple packs priced at £135.00 each and will see each wagon sport a unique running number as well as variations in logo and lettering positions.
There will be two BBA packs in Railfreight black with red ends and side stanchions while three sets of the modified BLA wagons have been commissioned. The latter were created in the mid 1990s by removing the floor, ends and stanchions and then adding three substantial cradles to carry steel coils.
The wagon sets are available to order by visiting: www.railsofsheffield.com
Revolution scales up Car Carriers
Following many requests, Revolutions Trains is to produce the IPA car carriers in OO gauge as a follow on from the previously announced 2mm scale models, which are now undergoing tooling. Rebuilt from single wagons in the 1990s for Channel Tunnel automotive traffic and still in use today, the new models will be offered in three distinct versions – twin flats, twin flats with side stakes or the more recent four-wagon sets with roofs and side screens.
The IPAs will feature the same high specification level as Revolution’s other OO gauge models, including NEM coupling pockets and a wealth of separate detail. Once the pricing has been finalised, the company will begin to accept pre-orders.
Find out more about Revolution's Car Carriers here: www.revolutontrains.com
N Gauge Updates from Revolution
First engineering prototype of the GWR 56xx, the first steam loco from Revolution/Sonic.
Meanwhile, an update was provided on a number of Revolution’s N gauge models, including the GWR/BR 56xx 0-6-2 tank engine that is being produced in conjunction with Sonic Models. On show was the first engineering prototype of the steam loco, which will take into account a number of detail variations between the 200-strong class. Widely used across the GWR and then BR’s Western Region until final withdrawal in 1965, liveries will encompass GWR and BR green as well as BR black. A late 2019 release is currently anticipated with the models due to be available from a number of retailers.
Livery sample of the HOA in Ermewa/Tarmac grey.
On the 2mm wagon front, the first decorated samples of the EWS/DB HOA aggregates hopper were on display, these featuring Ermewa/Tarmac light grey and the striking but short-lived fully branded Cemex scheme. Still to arrive are the EWS Construction, DB red and Mendip Rail versions.
Livery sample of the HOA in Cemex blue/grey.
Joining them were painted samples of the BR ‘Sturgeon’ rail/sleeper carriers, which will be available in a variety of liveries to take account of their 50 year careers. These are being produced in several forms to cover the removable sides and ends, not to mention the later fitting of air brakes to some examples.
Livery samples of two of the Sturgeons, illustrating the different body styles that will be on offer.
The HOA hoppers can still be pre-ordered from the company’s website but the order book has now closed on the ‘Sturgeons’, although a small number of retailers are expected to stock the wagons once they arrive later this year.
For further details of the various Revolution Trains products, see: www.revolutiontrains.com
The Cawoods/British Fuels version of the PFA, showing the end door of the container.
Announced less than three months ago, Accurascale has now received the first pre-production samples of its OO gauge PFA container flat and assorted containers. Arriving just in time for the DEMU event, the wagon itself is almost entirely of diecast construction to give weight but with plastic parts employed for the finer detail, especially the impressive brake equipment. Sprung buffers are also fitted.
When running empty, the PFA has plenty of visible detail while the top door British Gypsum container also has a few separately-applied parts, including the logo board.
Also on show were the plastic mouldings of the various 20ft containers, which encompass open topped coal for Cawoods and British Fuels, two types of gypsum box for British Gypsum, and the low height containers once employed for low-level nuclear waste. Delivery of the models is currently expected in late July with each triple pack priced £69.95, there being four packs for both Cawoods and British Fuels and five for British Gypsum. Meanwhile, the DRS-owned nuclear waste versions get two loaded packs and an empty version for use as barrier wagons. Bulk buy discounts are also available.
The PFA in its DRS form with low-level nuclear waste container on top. This version of the wagon also includes the spacer frame beneath the box, which is required to lift this particular type of container clear of the wheels.
All of the PFAs can be viewed and ordered at: www.accurascale.co.uk
Livery sample of the pocket wagon finished as an internationally-registered KQA with OOCL container included.
Newly received by C=Rail Intermodal are the first decorated samples of its N gauge KQA/KTA pocket wagon, with the ready-to-run models being due for release in the autumn. Sporting an impressive amount of detail, the distinctive Freightliner-operated container wagons are being released in three forms - empty at £25.00 or supplied with either a OOCL or NYK Logistics 40ft high-cube container for £31.00 each.
The open nature of the pocket wagon’s floor has been faithfully recreated.
Also now available are two further liveries on the 2mm scale 40ft high-cube containers, these being produced in conjunction with Revolution Trains. Priced £6.50 each, these cover the unmistakable Ocean Network Express (ONE) pink scheme as well as the equally distinctive orange of Hapag-Lloyd.
C=Rail’s latest pair of 2mm scale 40ft high-cube containers.
Meanwhile, sister company Realtrack Models has received livery samples of its 2mm scale PCA cement wagons, which are being produced on its behalf by Accurascale. Expected to be released in the autumn, the liveries on offer mirror the OO gauge examples and encompass Rugby Cement, STS dark grey and Castle Cement. Only available as triple packs, each is priced £78.00.
Livery samples of the Realtrack PCA cement wagons with a few minor corrections required before production commences.
Orders for the pocket wagon or containers can be placed at: www.c-rail-intermodal.co.uk or visit: www.realtrackmodels.co.uk for the PCAs.
All text in this article was created by Simon Bendall on behalf of Hattons Model Railways. All images are copyright of the author or companies of the models shown. Unauthorised use or reproduction of either the images or text in this article is strictly forbidden.
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