Revolution Mike

Hi Justin As our my reply on email - we have to sort out any changes in order to submit the PO to start production (deadline for orders is 20/9). We’ve set up a form on our website for people to make changes to orders where necessary: https://www.revolutiontrains.com/3-2-1-its-the-final-countdown/ (ignore any reference to needing to do that by 30/8 - that was to establish if Strathclyde Orange and Silverlink could go ahead). If you have a second choice livery that is going ahead (and your first choice isn’t) then you will automatically get your second choice (unless you tell us otherwise). Any refunds will be after 20/9. On the plain white / undecorated versions - we’re definitely able to offer one or the other. We’re still working with the factory to establish exactly the level of painting that will be possible - as a minimum it will likely have common parts eg cab front and windows painted. The bodyshells are likely to be either plain plastic or in a light primer colour. We’re also discussing level of assembly to try and make it as easy as possible for people to repaint eg can we supply the glazing painted but unfitted etc. NB the form doesn’t allow a change from a 321 to 320 or 320 to 321 - we can do that but it is a more manual adjustment as it involves a change in price as well as livery! I’ll be sending out a newsletter detailing all this during this week. Cheers Mike

The order deadline is 20 Sept so that we can start production - we announced that on our website sometime ago. You can check that sort of thing very quickly by clicking on Projects for an overview of any deadlines that we’ve set. We start production as soon as the order book closes.

Yes the link is that Heljan were not doing a 37 in full DRS livery so we asked Heljan and DRS if we could - both agreed and DRS gave us exclusive permission. cheers Mike

The Rolls Royce reactor test facility was at Dounreay but the last reactor was shut in 2015 and the next design of sub reactor hasn’t been confirmed (the MoD has also said computer modelling should be sufficient rather than test reactors). I’m not sure if either of the test reactors was ever refuelled or not. Cheers Mike

Hi Jack Empties can run without escort coaches (they are not for barriers but armed security). They do some bits of maintenance at Sellafield IIRC what one of the guys at DRS said, but as you say it could have been just for training or testing. You know that if there are no escort coaches that it is empty! Loads don't go north to Georgemas (for Dounreay) but come south to Sellafield and the southbound train will have needed the escort coaches once loaded. Cheers Mike

We've put indications of prices on the page linked above by Mike. However at this stage we're not asking for money but Expressions of Interest. Cheers Mike

Sorry no immediate plans to re-run the TEAs at the moment - we've got plenty of 4mm wagons on the go at the moment! Ecofrets, IWA vans and timber carriers, IPA car carriers and there are even a few JNAs still available plus of course Caroline. I'm sure we will re-run them in the future. Cheers Mike

Yes, you can see any cut offs on our Project page: https://www.revolutiontrains.com/projects/ 31/08 for early bird ie same as tour competition entry. Cheers Mike

No it doesn't, it says "We can not provide individual updates on your order" but that wasn't what you asked for and it then goes onto say "If there is an issue with your order then we will contact you". Like many organisations we try to give people information as to where they can find information more quickly then we can respond. I accept that could be clearer but that is not the same as saying we won't reply (nor do my actions bear that out). Mike

We agree that it has taken too long to produce the 320/321 however as I said both here and in my email to you there were reasons beyond our control that have been well-documented. As I also said in my reply, they have not been shunted aside for any model - no two models (even if they go through the same factory) will take the same length of time to develop or produce - for example a wagon is largely one vehicle rather than four and unpowered so takes less time at each stage of development. Sorry but it was not our first project at all - the Pendolino was, followed by the TEA tank wagon then the 321. Of course you are right to expect a proper reply, but equally I think it is only fair to give people opportunity to make that reply. I've explained why we have an auto-reply set. Best wishes Mike

Yes (and no), it isn't just about rubbing against rails but weight distribution and min radius. You are right in terms of the pivot points of the bolsters determines the degree of overhang of the central section but that is a lot further in than say on a Mk3. The KUA bolster pivot point is underneath the ends of the main frame ie well inbound of the full length of the wagon. Cheers Mike

Joseph I'm not sure what your expectation is of anyone's ability to reply to your email (regardless of whether they do it in their spare time), but for sake of balance - you had a reply (and your request actioned) within 30 minutes of your request. I was able to do that as I was having my lunch late, but the auto-reply is to remind people or tell people who might not be familiar that they shouldn't expect that we can reply in that sort of timeframe. There's no point in us pretending otherwise. I realise you are disappointed with the length of time the 320/321 has taken, though the reasons are well documented (and I have also explained in my reply to you). Best wishes Mike

Each wagon has 6 pivots - each of the four bogies has a pivot and then the bolster (2 bogies attach to the bolster at each end) has a pivot. When we were researching them the guys at DRS said that this allows them to go round some very tight dockyard curves more easily than say a 66. Cheers Mike

Hi folks There is indeed an NEM coupler pocket on the bogie behind the super detailed end. The detailing is a (tight!) interference fit and with a bit of care/force should pull out so you can fit a coupler if you wish. Cheers Mike

We showed off the first images of the Class A CAD last night in our FB Live session and we also said that we would be doing a re-run of some of the Class B liveries at the same time (though those are not available to order yet). Cheers Mike

No DCC ready only. Option suggests those features are optional - they're not, you get them whether you want them or not! As Mick says it is on our website in the News section, our project overview page (and I think on the order page)! We'll have the draw after the early bird deadline of 31/8 and announce the winners shortly after. Cheers Mike

We've looked at the possibility but it means a bit more tooling - we've not definitely decided but probably not. Cheers Mike

That is a lesson we've learnt from previous expressions of interest ie you can leave expressions of interest open too long. We're asking for interest at this stage not deposits. We completely understand that people might be wary given the coronavirus situation, but we won't be putting everything on sale at once! Like others said we'd rather give people clarity on what is happening than for projects to drag on. Cheers Mike

Not too long - the CAD is in progress to make it work for OO.

Until the factory tells us that they’re ready to ship we won’t know any more information. The latest is that they are due to send us production samples for approval. Once they arrive and assuming there are no problems(!) then it shouldn’t be long before production is completed.

Unless I’m being dim (entirely possible!) I don’t see any pictures of the P&G bogie tanks on the incline!

Hi Mark Looking unlikely at the moment as British Fuels is comfortably the lowest seller but we’ll continue to review the position. Cheers Mike

I grew up in Whitehaven and we always pronounced it Cor-kick-ell. Don't think the P&G tanks went up the incline (IIRC they were loaded at St James St). Cheers Mike

Correct.

The official term for the current green is Mid Brunswick Green. cheers Mike