Southwich

56 minutes ago, nickb4141 said:

Have Cavalex announced anything beyond the class 60 in the pipeline? 
(Class 60’s look amazing B.T.W)

Nothing further at this stage, concentrating on getting the 60 out alongside our various wagon projects and Class 56 second run next year.

Kind regards,

Will

All set up and ready to go on stand A30 for Day 1 of Model World Live at the NEC - visit our stand for a look at the latest painted Class 60 samples, including these two modern examples in GBRF/DC Rail Freight liveries! 

17 hours ago, NickL2008 said:

Nice work on the 37s Will, how did you get on with the Bachmann sanding pipes? sadly broken two of mine so now ive had to replace with fuse wire mounted on a block heavily filed down to reduce its vsability, some of the retooled parts are fragile!

 

NL

Hi Nick - I went well till I snapped them during spraying so likewise will be replacing them, most likely with thicker wire as per @Daddyman’s thread he’s done. That’s on the more difficult list to complete in a few tasks time after I’ve ticked more items off on the list!

Kind regards,

Will

The grids look even better together in the yard! Great work as always Pete.

Kind regards,

Will

Long time no update - a selection of photos of projects I’ve been working on last few weeks weeks - with thanks to @P.C.M for his help and use of facilities. All described below:

- 37308: Kernow LTD edition William Cookworthy. Buffers swapped, headboard clips removed, Shawplan fan grille added, Shawplan WR lamp brackets added, replica HI headlight added, Pete Harvey lamp bracket added (only one each end per the prototype, end details added, wire handrails replaced, Pete Harvey steps added (albeit corrected), chains replaced with finer versions and Penbits brake gear added. Initial roof fading completed and chassis work started with a coat of nato black.

- 37605/607: Accurascale 37s - main work includes gluing and filling the roof, Shawplan reinforced window surrounds, Shawplan horn grilles and Shawplan fan grille. The 37/0 sandpipes have been removed to be correct to the prototype, locos have been rewheeled to P4, had an initial fading on the bufferbeams and a coat of Tamiya nato black on the underframe.

- Cavalex 56007/56072: triple grey base models have had the livery elements removed, roof painted to bed in the black new Loadhaul roof panels ready for weathering, ends detailed and underframes weathered. 56007 has had an etched reinforced window added at the number one end, scavenger ports added on the roof, and  class 92 buffers added at the number two end. Inside of the radiator grilles and cab interiors have also been weathered.

Hopefully some more progress and better photos over the next month!

Kind regards,

Will

Loving the photos Tim. Excellent modelling sir

Kind regards,

Will

1 hour ago, brushman47544 said:

That photo reminds me to ask. Which was the lowest numbered 56 that did NOT have the grid under the buffer beam that gave them the nickname? Was it 56087?

Depends which era you’re modelling though, as some were removed later in life. E.g. 56007 in 1988:

2003 condition that I’m trying to replicate:

Picture links from Flickr. Moral of the story they’re all different so check your chosen prototype before fitting! I fell foul of that after realising 56018 didn’t have them fitted…

Kind regards,

Will

10 hours ago, Daddyman said:

Hi Will. The chain is 40 links per inch from Branchlines.

I've only used Brian's brake levers on my first loco, on which I ripped the Bachmann chains off a bit too enthusiastically, breaking some of the levers in the process. I just superglue them to the underside of the underframe, but the bond is not the best, so I've just retained the Bachmann levers on all later ones.

Details on how/where I attach chains to levers on page 1 here. 

 

And an additional photo here: 

Best, 

David 

Thanks David - exceptionally helpful!

Kind regards,

Will

Just a quick Question for you David, do you have any details on what you used to replace Bachmann’s bogie chains? Are you also able to take a photo of how you’ve attached Brian’s brake levers as well please assuming you’ve used those?

I’m looking at my new tractors thinking that could be a nice upgrade.

Thanks in advance,

Will

1 hour ago, WCML100 said:

Great to see 302 in colas livery announced!
 

Any ideas on when the next full batch will

be announced? 

Next month or so all being well - we’re happy to accept suggestions in the meantime though! 

Kind regards,

Will

153 looks class - great work!

Kind regards,

Will

34 minutes ago, RBE said:

Having fitted the clips to a few returns I can now understand 1: How hard it is to apply the clip from the top and ensure that it engaged both sides fully without specifically checking afterwards and 2: How much force is required to pop them off when you want to remove a bogie. 

 

Based on this I would air towards them not being fully home during assembly. 

 

Needless to say we have made the factory aware of the issue and also already tweaked the tooling for the clips in the next run to make it easier to fit positively.

 

On the cradle, we do not intend to move away from this as it protect ms the models and their detail like nothing else. However we do intent to change the design a little where the wheels sit, and also add thumbscrews rather than normal screws to make removal and reattachment easier.

 

I personally have an easier time putting locos back in this than clam packaging, I guess it's down to practice.

Just on this I have flown back to Australia over the weekend with three grids in my hold stored luggage and they have been protected perfectly. The cradle has worked really well and ensured there is not a mark on the loco nor are there any bits floating about in the box. Safe to say the box has done its job! 

Kind regards,

Will

Grid and layout are looking great Tim!

Kind regards,

Will

5 minutes ago, atom3624 said:

TBH I've accumulated all sorts of paints over the years - mainly acrylic.

I painted the shoes, chairs and 'dotted' the eyes in black.

Eyes after a cream, red mix for skin colour on the hands and faces.

Overalls were a mixed dark blue - I simply used Rail Blue plus a little black ....

I then used the paint in an orange paint pen for the Hi-Vis jackets over the dark blue jackets.

Hair - I've used black on one, copper on another!!  Just to be different.

The thought was there, the effect sort of!

 

Hope that helps!!

I'm no artist, and many on here will be miles better, but I'm quite pleased with the result.

Al.

Just saying there is significant offence going to be caused if my ModelU scan ends up with “copper” hair 😉

Pic attached for colours worn during the scan.

Kind regards,

Will

21 minutes ago, Vulcan905 said:

Had the same with my pair of dcc ready 56's, though not paid anything yet. Told to look elsewhere for them. One is available from their suggested alternatives but not the other.

Drop us an email (cavalexmodels@gmail.com) with confirmation of your preorder details and we’ll do what we can to ensure you get your order sorted!

Kind regards,

Will

13 minutes ago, Mark Forrest said:

I've already had to stop him eating the package from Modelu containing the crew for the 56!

Even if it is out of era I’m hoping I’ve made the cab rather than my old man!

Will

10 minutes ago, 2ManySpams said:

 

Well done on the article Mark. 

 

Think you need to photo the 56 on the big orange box it came in....

Slightly disappointed you didn’t say nice new 47 if I’m honest… 🤣

3 minutes ago, Wayne 56089 said:

Received the first of my 4 just now and WOW!!! Absolutely stunning and I can’t really add anymore than what has been added here allready.

Only minor gripe is a guardrail has come adrift and ended up in the foam covering the loco and lost some paint.

Send us an email (cavalexmodels@gmail.com) with your address and we’ll get a spare in the post to you.

Kind regards,

Will

15 minutes ago, 47423 said:

Does any retailer still have the GBFf twin pack in stock (DCC Ready). Waited to accept my 093 first and now it looks like I've missed the boat.

https://ultimatemodelrailways.com/products/cavalex-class-56-gbrf-farewell-railtour-twin-pack-56081-56098-2022-condition?variant=42341600690341

Looks like ultimate model railways have @Ultimate Model Railways

Kind regards,

Will

Awesome Pete! Looking forward to seeing it when I’m back in Melbourne 

Kind regards,

Will

Final 5 sound fitted versions available for mail order at John Dutfield.

Kind regards,

Will

15 minutes ago, AshleyH said:

It appears that all the DCC Sound versions are completely sold out at all retailers, unless anyone knows any different? 😢

Some limited availability here:

https://ultimatemodelrailways.com/collections/cavalex-grid-class-56?sort_by=price-descending

As well as mail order from John Dutfield.

Kind regards,

Will

15 hours ago, James Makin said:

There’s a very feint texture ghosting of the logo but based on past experience I’d be more than comfortable just varnishing over that and having as an unbranded loco! 

 

It was a real struggle to angle the loco under direct light to see it (you can just see a bit of the diagonal chevron on the lower grey) but even without varnishing it’s so hard to see, and once the other varnish layers go on, that’ll fully disappear!
 

Over time I’m planning a few unbranded and of course some lovely Transrail ones, pleased how smoothly the de-brand went, and the thinners was not even getting close to attacking the rail grey & flint grey - magic stuff!

Thanks for your experiments James! Funnily enough I had a spare hour for the first time in quite a while so also did a bit of tinkering - first testing a triple grey shell:

I used cotton buds and white spirit on both the tests.
 

And then moving onto a 120 which is a donor for ‘078 in 2003 condition - removing all of the OHLE stickers and numbers:

Ready for new numbers and OHLE stickers before weathering.
 

I think it goes without saying that I’ve now invalidated my warranty though  🤣
 

Kind regards,

Will

After a long week delivering Class 56s up and down the country we are pleased that all of our retailers have now received their models.
 

Please get in contact with us or your retailer if you have any questions or issues with your Class 56s. 

Thanks to @P.C.M in Australia for sharing the below photos of his weathered model of 56008 on his excellent layout Llanbourne. We’re looking forward to seeing photos of 56s on layouts in the next few weeks!

Kind regards,

Will