RBE

That's odd. I thought the card was in all of them, maybe not. It is in the booklet for all of them certainly.

It is already included in the booklet and on the quick ref card in the box.

I'm not quite sure what the nail does? The Kinematic works like any other kinematic coupler. They don't swing with the bogie but they move to the side under load like any other. Personally I am not a big fan of them but when bogies sit back a bit like class 56 ones do then bogie mounted couplings can get restricted by the sand boxes etc. My ethos moving forward with design for Cavalex is to use bogie mounted couplers wherever possible. As for the flywheels, they are a standard size used in US locos. There is enough weight in them for what they are meant to do, that being to smooth out any uneven movement in the drivetrain, the power bank on DCC also does this even better, and the interia is built into the decoder settings. I am not sure what inertial run on in DC really proves in this instance, driving on DC should be full controller control anyway, no one is chopping to zero and hoping the train stops in right place on interia only. I will be the first to admit that our loco is very much designed for DCC with DC being accommodated as best we can with the complexity that multifunction DCC provides. DCC (and very much DCC sound) is where the hobby is going and DC is kind of like still trying to make modern software to also be compatible with Windows XP. 🤷

We are currently working on an all in one plug and play upgrade kit with Cavalex Loksound V5 and ESU Speaker in one package. If you can wait a tad longer they will be available to purchase soon.

They do tend to vary. Photo angle also makes a difference.

The angle of the photo makes the bogie appear in different locations as the bogie is further in than the bodyside. The wheels are also not evenly spaced on the real one.

The Hornby one has none of the sector colours correct.

Here's the driving advice. We also have a version of this in the manual under driving experience.

The real one had them removed.

You should be able to access the functions on any DCC decoder, however the Hattons 66 decoder is set up for that particular loco so why would it work correctly with the 56?

The loco can negotiate some curves with the pipes in place. Probably not 2nd radius though. The screw link and bang grid are both removable at will so those should be ok. Just depends how much the inner pipes restrict coupler swing.

Hi Luke, 023 didn't have the plaques etc in the period modelled so are not included in the pack. Send us an email at cavalexmodels@gmail.com and we will sort out a set for you from 074.

Provided you choose a decoder with enough functions then you can still access them all. However you will have to determine which functions operate what. You do not need a preprogrammed chip for basic functions but if you require more then you will need the specific chip. With new ever complex lighting functions demanded by DCC users I am afraid that there is no longer a one size fits all approach.

That's very odd indeed. Can you send us an email to cavalexmodels@gmail.com with a close video to help us determine the issue.

Only one retailer didn't get them and anyone with a pre-order with them should contact us direct at cavalexmodels@gmail.com so that it can be sorted out.

The bogies are designed to split to allow for wheelsets maintenance and wheel changing. If you remove the bottom keeper plate (there are four clips, one on each corner) that will release the side frames and you can then slide them outward to release the wheels. Don't pull it too far. You should then be able to reset the wheels into the pick up bearings on the side frames and reclip the keeper plate back on. If you have issues you are welcome to return the model to us direct for a warranty repair.

DC Kits will be able to blow ESUs file on for you. I think currently they have programmed their own to access functions but of course the ESU version is the correctly tailored one that we recommend.

We are just sorting out the logistics of getting these to customers. The lokpilot file for the Cavalex 56 by ESU is currently available to download free of charge from their website should you have the ability to blow your own decoders.

It's possible however it is a breeze to remove the sector locos with some white spirit on a cotton bud.

I agree they do look great. We will keep you informed as soon as we know more.

We are still waiting on ESU currently, however is the ability for operating fans on DC so important that you need to risk not getting the model that you want? Most models don't have working fans at all.

Either way you still need to buy a decoder (unless running on DC only) so it makes more sense to buy a pre-programmed one and get the full functionality.

That's not really the case. Basic functions work with any decoder. You only need the programmed one if you want proper controllable lighting functions.

Lighting is loco specific. You will not get correctly operating lighting unless you purchase a pre programmed decoder. If the dip switches are set for a standard decoder or DC you will get basic lighting only.

No, on sound the fans are completely automatic and respond to simulate engine heating under load. The function just deactivates them if that's what you want to do.