Andy Y Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Revolution’s first steam locomotive is 56XX! Revolution Trains is offering the attractive GWR/BR(W) 56XX 0-6-2 tank engine as its first steam locomotive. This model is being produced in conjunction with new entrant Sonic Models, and will feature high levels of detailing and a smooth reliable running. Though the engineer behind the model has a track record of producing highly regarded steam locomotive models in N, the 56XX has been selected in part because it does not feature complex outside valve gear. 200 of the attractive 56XX locomotives were built at Swindon (with a small number built in the North East due to capacity issues) and designer C B Collett borrowed heavily from the proven south Wales valleys engines inherited by the GWR. The locomotives were reliable and sturdy and while originally intended for traffic in south Wales they rapidly saw service across the GWR, and subsequently the western region of British Railways, from the South West to the Midlands. All were withdrawn by the end of 1965, and nine are now preserved. The models will be available in GWR green, BR green and BR black, and will feature coreless motors, NEM 6 pin decoder socket, NEM couplers, original or later style driving wheel balance weights, Swindon or Armstrong (NE) safety valves, detailed cab interior and accessory detal pack. The models are expected to retail at approx £90, with delivery expected Q4 2019. CAD for this model has now been approved and an image is attached. Like the VEA van produced by Sonic models, this product is not being crowdfunded but sold via retailers in the traditional way. For more information see www.revolutiontrains.com 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted November 24, 2018 Author Share Posted November 24, 2018 Bump Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted November 24, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 24, 2018 Now that is an exciting announcement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted November 24, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 24, 2018 Fantastic. Great to see Revolution branching out into Steam! Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted November 24, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 24, 2018 Though the engineer behind the model has a track record of producing highly regarded steam locomotive models in N, the 56XX has been selected in part because it does not feature complex outside valve gear. I seem to remember the chap behind Sonic models was responsible for the Farish Duchess, so although it's perhaps a sensible move to keep it simple with a first loco release, I believe we have a lot more to look forward too from him! It certainly appears from the CAD image above that the model will follow the Farish practice of pickup bushes, making this a relatively simple 2mm FS conversion prospect. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stivesnick Posted November 24, 2018 Share Posted November 24, 2018 Hmmmmm.... Might need to relocate my possible GWR branch layout to South Wales!! Or.... Anyone got any pictures of a 56XX in Devon or Cornwall? Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Richard E Posted November 24, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 24, 2018 (edited) My wallet has just developed a shrinking feeling. At least it is expected Q4 19 so there is time to save some pennies, need about £10 a month per loco put to one side ... (edited for fat finger spellings) Edited November 24, 2018 by Richard E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJ Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Hmmmmm.... Might need to relocate my possible GWR branch layout to South Wales!! Or.... Anyone got any pictures of a 56XX in Devon or Cornwall? Nick Well they used a small fleet of the 42xx 2-8-0 for the clay traffic so there’s no reason why they couldn’t have also borrowed a 56xx for some of the lighter trains!! Moving China clay can’t be that different to coal. At least that’s my excuse. I think some were used in the Midlands as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 56xx 6695 used to run on the preserved Swanage Railway. As I am modelling this line it is a good reason to buy one. I am surprised that Graham Farish did not make one as Bachmann produced one in 00 gauge. Hornby Dublo's N2 0-6-2T was originally a generic locomotive. They could not produce an 0-6-0T because most of the Great Western tank locos were pannier tanks and looked different. I think that Hornby Dublo's Great Western 0-6-2T was supposed to represent a 56xx. Models have come a long way in appearance since then although the Hornby Dublo engineering was very good and many of their 80 year old engines are still running as smoothly as when they were made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold queensquare Posted November 26, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 26, 2018 There were a handful shedded at Westbury for banking trains up to Warminster, I'm sure they would have been used on other services as well. Jerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted November 26, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 26, 2018 (edited) There were a handful shedded at Westbury for banking trains up to Warminster, I'm sure they would have been used on other services as well. Jerry Were they just for banking? I thought they were used on Mendip stone traffic as well. Edit to add: Although not normally a GW person, I do like the 56xx. A small South Wales Valleys project may result. Edited November 26, 2018 by Joseph_Pestell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold queensquare Posted November 26, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 26, 2018 Were they just for banking? I thought they were used on Mendip stone traffic as well. Edit to add: Although not normally a GW person, I do like the 56xx. A small South Wales Valleys project may result. Very probably, here is one as train engine heading up Upton Scudamore bank as train engine being banked by a Hymek! https://www.railpixtc.co.uk/Steam/60s-Steam/60s-Steam-Western/i-qn7WKd9 Jerry 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted November 26, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 26, 2018 Latterly used around Brymob - 6697 being one example. http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1309d.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomJ Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 Well I'm glad I didn't get round to ordering the 56xx kit body in time!! Still got a Farish 57xx for the project, will need to find something else to do with it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 (edited) There WERE ex-GWR 0-6-2 tanks in North East collieries, but these were al from the stock that the 56xx replaced. Two, Area No.2 no.52 aka TVR 85, and Area No.2 No.67 Gordon, survive Indeed No.52 as a loco displaced in service by the 56xx survived in colliery service longer than the last 56xx on BR.... The Lambton system also had Nos 53-56 of various origins, and there were more North of the Tyne. Did the Bowes Railway also get one? It is a bit galling to think the GWR could afford to build at least 50% more of the class than they actually needed. Some of the displaced locos were actually quite modern. Compare that with the LNER where Gresley could afford to build fewer locos IN TOTAL than Collett was able to build 0-6-0 pannier tanks. I feel a rule 1 purchase coming on as a 56xx, and maybe another if the dimensions are close enough to make an N10 using the chassis. Les Edited November 26, 2018 by Les1952 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 What brilliant news and an excellent choice of prototype. Sign me up for one as soon as the order books open. I cannot believe I managed to miss this thread ! In spite of their association with the welsh valleys, they did get all over the system. A couple were shedded at Oxford and often turned up on pick-up goods in the Thames valley. Here is a shot of 6664 at Slough in 1955. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 Anyone got any pictures of a 56XX in Devon or Cornwall? They were not common but they did get down that way. 5645 was allocated to Laira in the early 60s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 I prefer the tall safety valve cover on these locos. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-farms Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Great news for me with my model being a GWR Junction station. At least one of these will be needed for coal trains off the branch. Any ideas which GWR you will be doing? "Great Western", shirtbutton or "G W R"? The more variants you do the more I ill buy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffAlan Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 How do I sign up? I've looked on their site and found no mention. Of course I've probably missed it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 I don't see anything either. Perhaps they are waiting until the project is a bit more advanced before opening the order books. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Ben Posted November 30, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 30, 2018 (edited) Hello all, Thanks for the encouraging response. As we are happy to admit, a steam locomotive is outside our comfort zone and will be something we will learn from. The order book hasn't opened yet and as this is a Sonic model and as such is not crowdfunded we probably won't start taking orders until the New Year. In terms of liveries there will definitely be BR Black and BR lined green but we haven't yet finalised which GWR versions will be offered. For we are very grateful for any feedback - I have already had some very helpful notes PMd to me - and we will of course show progress on our website, facebook pages and here. Cheers Ben A. Edited November 30, 2018 by Ben A 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium steam-driven boy Posted November 30, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 30, 2018 (edited) Hi Geoff and Matt, The models are expected to retail at approx £90, with delivery expected Q4 2019. CAD for this model has now been approved and an image is attached. Like the VEA van produced by Sonic models, this product is not being crowdfunded but sold via retailers in the traditional way. How do I sign up? I've looked on their site and found no mention. Of course I've probably missed it. Sorry, Ben beat me to it... Edited November 30, 2018 by steam-driven boy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted November 30, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 30, 2018 In terms of liveries there will definitely be BR Black and BR lined green but we haven't yet finalised which GWR versions will be offered. Hi Ben. Might you consider using a number from a preserved example? There are 9 of this type still in existence with 3 currently operational,1 in BR unlined black (5619) and 2 in BR lined green (5637 & 5643). Potentially a few extra sales there from people modelling a preservation scene? Farish have done this on several recent releases. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted November 30, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 30, 2018 I'd missed this announcement until today; I have to say it's terrific news as a 56Xx in N has long been top of my private wish-list. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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