Revolution Ben

Hi John, We've extensively tested the new generation ESU Nano decoders and I feel that the running, especially at very slow speeds, is significantly better than earlier generation ESU decoders. It is also worth remembering that the original Pendolinos had 6-pin decoders, though as you observed the latest ones have been upgraded to Next 18. The reason for going with the ESU E24 Nano is that it enables us to offer DCC users a full array of correct, prototypical lighting functions. This comprises Day and Night running, shunt mode, red tail lighting and cab interior lighting. So each end of the loco requires 5 different control feeds (left headlight, right headlight, tail lights, marker lights, cab interior light) and this is too many for Next 18 to support. For E24 (which we are told is set to be adopted as Next 28 soon) all can be supported, so all functions can be offered. We could've forfeited, say, Day and Night running options and shunt mode, or cab interior lights, but we be setting ourselves up for obsolescence since, as with Next 18 a decade ago, we believe Next 28 will tend to become the default albeit there will still be a demand for Next 18 as there still is for 6-pin. Having played with tested our samples I found that being able to select correct lighting modes, for example when shunting, or parking up, did have a significant impact on enhancing the 'driver experience' of the models. It is also worth mentioning that the ESU E24 Nano decoders are a bit smaller than Next 18, so we could more easily fit them beneath the engine cover, avoiding the need for customers to remove the whole body to fit the decoder and still retaining the maximum chassis block size for weight. cheers Ben A.

I was very tempted to blab on your thread! cheers Ben A.

Hello all, The first retailer exclusive of our upcoming Class 66 has broken cover: We are producing a limited run of 66788 Locomotion 15 in association with Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield. This is an interesting locomotive because, aside from its role in promoting Locomotion and the work they do with the National Collection in recording the important history of freight on rail in Britain, it is a former EWS loco acquired by GBRf and retaining its swinghead buckeye coupler. For more information see our website here: https://revolutiontrains.com/news/ cheers Ben A.

Hi there, Neither the Class 59 nor Class 66 will have traction tyres. cheers Ben A.

Hi there, This is true. Revolution will be ten years old in 2024; we have a stand at no fewer than five major shows every year and advertise every month in nearly all the model railway press, yet I am constantly surprised at how many people come up to us at shows, compliment our models and then say they had no idea we existed! In answer to other remarks about lengths of trains and size of market, I can say that with wagons we tend to produce roughly the same quantities in N and 00. This balances out because while we consistently see a smaller number of separate customers in N, each tends to order more wagons, presumably to make up 'scale length' trains. Having seen the TT:120 Class 50 and HST at a show recently, and having already pre-ordered a 66, I am looking forward to what emerges and as we have said to customers asking at shows we have already identified several models in our range that would be suitable for TT:120. cheers Ben A.

Hi David, I would argue that it isn't duplication since existing models are more than two decades old and lack many of the features, details and finesse we expect now. N gauge has supported three models (Farish, CJM, Dapol) for many years and in all likelihood they will remain an important part of the scene for years to come. You will understand of course that we have had these EP samples for some time so halting development was never an option. As to when your order; that of course is a matter for you. You can order before the end of January (well after the 59s are here) and save £15 on each loco, or wait and purchase from one of the retailers who'll be taking stocks, so I see no reason for you to miss out. I am sorry if you have had issues with other Revolution models - please contact our customer service manager on the email address in your instructions and he'll do all he can to help. We are contstantly looking to improve performance and functionality and where we identify known issues with existing models we will always try to assist existing customers. I hope you'll also have noticed the almost uniformly positive feedback to our more recent Class 128 unit. cheers Ben A.

Hello all, For anyone interested the first of the commissions is being unveiled later today. cheers Ben A.

Hello all, Revolution Trains will be at Warley again. Our stand this year has moved as we have increased the size - we are on the far wall directly in front of the entrance. For more details of what we will have in display, and a floorplan showing our location, please see the new page on our website. See you at the weekend! cheers Ben A.

Hello all, No update at the moment - we will let customers know when the models are being shipped. Apologies for the delay. cheers Ben A.

Hi there, Rail Express has come out slightly sooner than expected. There’ll be more on this next week. cheers Ben A.

HI David, Lovely to see those sweeping curves take shape. You have a very nice layout room there! I am envious! cheers Ben A.

Hi Graham, Yes, that train is lovely. I saw similar consists near me in Cambridgeshire for a long time and have a similar plan... except I will be using an NGS curved sided hopper too... cheers Ben A.

Hi all, Yes, I would tend to agree that forensically interpreting every missive will uncover some unintentional contradictions and that the actual plans are largely as they were, except with some production slippage and, inevitably, some models will overtake others for all sorts of reasons. As to the future EMUs - I hope a Pendolino is among their plans as this, with the 66 and 60 and possible a TPE 80X series, opens up numerous opportunities on the northern WCML. cheers Ben A.

Hi all, Yes, some colours are going to be amended and as has been said previously these models were sent on 'accommodation' wheels, rather than those that will be used on the production models. cheers Ben A.

Hi all, Yes, some colours are going to be amended and as has been said previously these models were sent on 'accommodation' wheels, rather than those that will be used on the production models. cheers Ben A.

Not sure what point you're making here. The OP asked for comments. I commented. cheers Ben A.

So does it or doesn't it look like a 50? It would appear opinion is divided... As I said, I don't claim to be an expert but it certainly looks like a 50 to me. Probably more than any of the other smaller scale offerings I have seen... cheers Ben A.

Hi there, Interesting concept. You've had lots of great input so far, but I would just add a couple of thoughts: 1) In your fiddle yard a traverser would allow longer trains as it would dispense with the length taken by a fan of turnouts. 2) If you settle on two freight sidings toward the inner edge of the scenic area then I would suggest rather than making them a dead end put a single turnout in at the far end to create a loop with enough space for the longest locomotive you expect to run to be able to run around any wagons it has brought in. This tends to be common in modern practice - for example at the loading point at Hillhead, where you can see a turnout at the far end so the same loco that brought the train in can take it out: cheers Ben A.

Hi there, As others have said, hugely zoomed photographs of small scale models tend to be unkind. At GETS I had the chance to handle this model and while I am no particular fan of the 50s it looked like one to me and felt like a quality model. In reality things like the grab handles do not jar as they are very small. The model is around 7" (175mm) long. Shrinking it on your screen to that sort of size will give a better idea of how it really looks. cheers Ben A.

Hi there, We are working our way through the orders but please remember we are a tiny business; there are only four of us, we all live in different places and we have other jobs to do within the business, so we tend to save up orders for a packing session once a week. We have had a packing day today and send out another few hundred. cheers Ben A.

Hi Andy Thanks for your regular updates on this thread - especially the architectural/scenic modelling posts which I particularly enjoy. cheers Ben A.

Hi there, Perhaps the detail is a result of Hornby's own experience? Their 'Railroad' range gives them unique access to the only hard sales data that would allow an empirical judgement. Re 4-wheel wagons in service: The Plasmor blockfreight PNAs and Alvance (ex-Alcan) alumina PCAs are still in revenue traffic and, certainly in the case of the alumina tanks, will be for some years to come. cheers Ben A.

I saw the Hornby mag demo layout at GETS a couple of weeks ago and the track (Peco, I think) looked really good. cheers Ben A.

<snipped> Hi there, What is your point here? You acknowledge that there is extra detail - which obviously costs - then say it’s just an excuse to put prices up. Model railways appears to be booming in the UK right now in terms of numbers of manufacturers, range of products on offer, positive media exposure and attendances at shows. I put that down to the hobby finally shaking off the ‘toy town’ image with high end, quality models that customers can be proud to own. I’d argue the one way Hornby can guarantee failure in TT120 is by lowering quality to reduce costs. I’ve preordered a class 66 as I’m excited about this new scale but if what arrives is cheap railroad standard I’m out. cheers Ben A.

Well yes, that’s precisely why those of us who prefer N choose it. For me creating an entire, plausible scene is the point. The locomotives and rolling stock are just the actors in the play. I am very interested in following TT120’s progress, and having seen and operated the HST and Class 50 at GETS I think the scale has enormous potential. cheers Ben A.