Revolution Trains Clayton Class 18 battery hybrid loco

[RedgateModels]

On 30/07/2022 at 10:04, norfolkchinaclay said:

This coming weeks episode of Train Truckers on Yesterday channel, Thursday at 9pm (Sky) is about moving one of the CBD80’s from Burton to the Chasewater railway. 
 

 

Watched it the other night - there was a "I know him" moment early on - Used to Work with Clive Hannaford when he was involved with the DO/Permaquip at Harsco Track Technologies many years ago. Wonder if he's getting a RevolutioN model for his desk .....

Edited September 7, 2022 by RedgateModels

[Revolution Ben]

 

Hello all,

 

Those who attended the Warley National Model Railway exhibition at the NEC this weekend will have seen first samples of the two Clayton CBD-90 battery hybrid locomotives we are developing.

 

These represent the locomotives in operation with Tata Steel (yellow model) and the Class 18s owned by locomotive leasing company Beacon (blue model) and currently undergoing final certification at Wolverton before entering service at a variety of locations.  We are also offering the two in operation at Sellafield.

 

 

These samples are assembled from first shots off the moulds and do not yet incorporate motors or lights; these will be tested next and there will be a more complete update when these are received shortly.

 

The models are exclusive to Rails of Sheffield and can be pre-ordered here: https://railsofsheffield.com/collections/clayton-class-18-cbd80-cbd90

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[PenrithBeacon]

Can you offer any insights as to the ease of conversion to EM/P4, please. A photo of the underside of the bogies might do it.

The Wikipedia page doesn't mention the wheel diameter this might also help.

Edited December 31, 2022 by PenrithBeacon

[Revolution Ben]

42 minutes ago, PenrithBeacon said:

Can you offer any insights as to the ease of conversion to EM/P4, please. A photo of the underside of the bogies might do it.

The Wikipedia page doesn't mention the wheel diameter this might also help.

 

The bogie frames have 22.5mm between the inside faces, which should be enough for EM or P4 conversion, and the wheel diameter is 10.4mm.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[PenrithBeacon]

9 hours ago, Revolution Ben said:

 

The bogie frames have 22.5mm between the inside faces, which should be enough for EM or P4 conversion, and the wheel diameter is 10.4mm.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

OK so Alan Gibson 4007 Lowmac wheels should do it providing the axles are 2mm diameter. Thanks for that most helpful.

[Revolution Ben]

2 hours ago, PenrithBeacon said:

OK so Alan Gibson 4007 Lowmac wheels should do it providing the axles are 2mm diameter. Thanks for that most helpful.

 

Hi there,

 

Yes, the axle diameter is 2mm.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[adb968008]

Will there be any etched parts on this ?

 

Are horn, buffers, rails all plastic ?

[Revolution Ben]

10 hours ago, adb968008 said:

Will there be any etched parts on this ?

 

Are horn, buffers, rails all plastic ?

 

HI there,

 

There are photo etched grilles and ventral lifting plates but the buffers, handrails and horns are plastic.  If we were offering the models in N we'd probably etch the handrails for strength, but in 00 the circular section is more obvious so we feel moulded plastic is the best option.

 

 

There is an exception - the bonnet corner handrails are wire.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[Simon Bendall]

Class 18s clearly hunt in packs, 18002-010 doing very little at Wolverton. https://youtu.be/b3d67oYJvz8?t=186

[Revolution Mike]

I think that they’re waiting for a few minor changes before they head out en masse on to the network (April-May time I suspect). Not sure if the changes will be done at Wolverton or if they will be moved first. 

[black and decker boy]

2 hours ago, Revolution Mike said:

I think that they’re waiting for a few minor changes before they head out en masse on to the network (April-May time I suspect). Not sure if the changes will be done at Wolverton or if they will be moved first. 

Word elsewhere is that the trial with GBRF at whitemoor has been terminated and loco / class rejected by the operator. 18001 to return to Beacon.

 

rumour is inability to shift the loaded trains.

 

tine will tell if true and if Beacon / Clayton have a plan B

 

 

[Revolution Ben]

5 hours ago, black and decker boy said:

Word elsewhere is that the trial with GBRF at whitemoor has been terminated and loco / class rejected by the operator. 18001 to return to Beacon.

 

rumour is inability to shift the loaded trains.

 

tine will tell if true and if Beacon / Clayton have a plan B

 

 

 

Hi there,

 

This is incorrect; 18001 is being moved away but only for an engineering assessment to check for any unexpected wear and tear issues following the trial.

 

The locos stored at Wolverton have been awaiting type approval because they need to 'touch' the network; my understanding is that this process is complete.

 

We have been told the operators and locations for the first nine Class 18s in confidence so we cannot elaborate now but as Mike said above the deployments will become clear in the next couple of months.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Revolution Ben

[black and decker boy]

6 hours ago, Revolution Ben said:

 

Hi there,

 

This is incorrect; 18001 is being moved away but only for an engineering assessment to check for any unexpected wear and tear issues following the trial.

 

The locos stored at Wolverton have been awaiting type approval because they need to 'touch' the network; my understanding is that this process is complete.

 

We have been told the operators and locations for the first nine Class 18s in confidence so we cannot elaborate now but as Mike said above the deployments will become clear in the next couple of months.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

That’s good, hoping these are a success for many reasons.

[Michael Hodgson]

8 hours ago, Revolution Ben said:

We have been told the operators and locations for the first nine Class 18s in confidence so we cannot elaborate now but as Mike said above the deployments will become clear in the next couple of months.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

Can you say whether that means you will be producing additional liveries (without yet specifying what they might be)?

 

[Revolution Ben]

2 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

Can you say whether that means you will be producing additional liveries (without yet specifying what they might be)?

 

 

At the moment we are sticking to the three versions on offer.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[BR Blue]

If KR models had gone ahead and done it there would have been multiple liveries to choose from - NSE, Loadhaul, GWR, LNER, LBSCR, Intercity Swallow, CSX,  SNCF etc. However there is a good chance it would also have had the cab in the centre instead of at one end or even 3 bogies.

Edited April 5 by BR Blue
Grammar

[gpplumy]

On 15/03/2023 at 11:47, Revolution Ben said:

 

At the moment we are sticking to the three versions on offer.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

 any news on how the models are comming along at the moment and how long we are away from them ?

 

 

On 15/03/2023 at 22:34, BR Blue said:

If KR models had gone ahead and done it there would have been multiple liveries to choose from - NSE, Loadhaul, GWR, LNER, LBSCR, Intercity Swallow, CSX,  SNCF etc. However there is a good chance it would also have had the cab in the centre instead of at one end or 3 even bogies.

You say that, there is a centre cab variant ! so wouldn't be wrong lol

[Revolution Ben]

4 hours ago, gpplumy said:

 any news on how the models are comming along at the moment and how long we are away from them ?

 

 

You say that, there is a centre cab variant ! so wouldn't be wrong lol

 

Hi there,

 

We are still waiting for the first working sample for checking.  Once it is here we will post images etc.

 

As to the centre cab variant - my understanding is that is intended for the export market.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[PhilJ W]

On 15/03/2023 at 22:34, BR Blue said:

If KR models had gone ahead and done it there would have been multiple liveries to choose from - NSE, Loadhaul, GWR, LNER, LBSCR, Intercity Swallow, CSX,  SNCF etc. However there is a good chance it would also have had the cab in the centre instead of at one end or 3 even bogies.

Or perhaps a London Transport version, battery only with a tube profile cab at each end.

[gpplumy]

9 hours ago, Revolution Ben said:

 

Hi there,

 

We are still waiting for the first working sample for checking.  Once it is here we will post images etc.

 

As to the centre cab variant - my understanding is that is intended for the export market.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

Look forward to it.

 

I understand their have been discussions for a uk customer for the center cab too

[Sweetling Park]

Could someone tell me how long the models are likely to be, please?  I would like to ensure that I make a siding in the yard long enough to accommodate the loco without the risk of fouling the points or adjacent lines.

[Revolution Ben]

 

Hi there,

 

The models are 179mm over buffers.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[Sweetling Park]

1 hour ago, Revolution Ben said:

Hi there,

 

The models are 179mm over buffers.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

Hi @Revolution Ben,

 

That's great, thank you for letting me know and it is appreciated.  I'll make a note so I have it to hand when I plan the yard and siding.

 

Thanks again.

[gpplumy]

any more news on these, how they are progressing ? 

ive also not heard much on the real locomotives lately besides the Tata units , nothing regarding the "class 18s" themselves 

[Revolution Ben]

 

Hi there,

 

The model is progressing in development but the Class 18s have been delayed entering service due to some modifications required so they can 'touch' Network Rail track.

 

At locations such as Eastleigh or other larger industrial areas (refineries, quarries etc) it may be that while the locomotives spend 90% of their time on private tracks, they may need to draw trains out onto exchange sidings that come under the purview of Network Rail.

 

It's our understanding that the first few will be entering service in the next month or so, once these modifications are complete.  We have a provisional arrangement to go and film the first two locos when they are deployed and of course once we have some images, footage and more information we will share.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.