RBE

Just now, Markn said:

If anyone has one yet, what DCC chip is recommended for the DCC ready versions please?

I would recommend an ESU Lokpilot as we are currently working with ESU on a custom set up for that chip to correctly operate the complex functions. Due to the way that the lighting etc works there is no guarantee that a standard out of the box decoder will operate the loco's functions as expected.

19 minutes ago, atom3624 said:

Any thoughts to 'issuing blanks', like Dapol did with the Westerns - supplying plates, etc separately?

 

Al.

The locos aren't blank but all etched plates and plaques etc are supplied separately with fitting jigs and 3M tape to fix them with. This allows you to leave them off and change numbers if you like. Beware of detail differences though. It's a minefield.

Just now, franciswilliamwebb said:

 

56008 in BR Blue 😎

Nice, will it stay as 008 or are you planning a renumber?

2 minutes ago, 97406 said:

56008 (DCC ready) has just been shipped from Rails if that’s of any assistance 

Nice. 

20 minutes ago, franciswilliamwebb said:

Just received a despatch e-mail from Rails of Sheffield - things are moving!

Which did you order?

14 hours ago, BritishRail60062 said:

Well to be honest brother, the sound version is going to have a EM2 speaker installed in the model and that will be epic in its own right. It will have a better bass sound for the low frequency rumbles that should try to help capture the real sound more effectively when its decoded by the amp. Also make sure to reward yourself after all the hard work we do because we deserve it and I am happy that I am able help inspire others 😉. 

 

You won't believe what I have planned for my dream model railway when I get it built once I have moved to another part of the world. Exciting times ahead and I am loving the energies from my goals. I look forward to seeing the artwork of the Class 60 packaging from Cavalex Models when they develop it. 

It won't be an EM2, it will most likely be an ESU speaker as per that class 56 but we will of course assess the best speaker for the sound file once it has been recorded.

30 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

I’m a bit confused by the 56 . Was it a preorder max quantity job ? I was thinking I might get one if the reviews are good , but collets don’t list the EWS one and trains 4u have the 60 preorder but no longer any list of cavalex in the diesel list ?

 

 

No it wasn't a max pre-order job. The retailers decided on their order quantities, pre order and general stock items, and we delivered to them to suit. I know that a lot of them are now selling through. Also I think a lot of websites are now changing over from pre-order to stock items so maybe give it a while to see where it lands after the changeover.

15 minutes ago, Wayne 56089 said:

Just watched the latest video on the rival magazines YouTube channel and it’s only heightened the anticipation for their arrival!

 

From it I think I heard that the sound kit ie decoder and speaker will be made available separately?
 

Is this the case? As if it is I’d rather order 3 non sound now as opposed to 2 sound fitted before they sell out and then retrofit sound later on when funds permit rather than just the one with sound.

 

Hi Wayne, it's not a rivals magazine, it may be Hornby mag but it is actually nothing to do with Hornby. It's kind of like a vacuum cleaner mag calling itself Hoover magazine. Anyway we digress, we are planning to make the chips available as aftermarket upgrades but have not nailed down the details as yet. The speaker is the new ESU passive radiator sized the same as an EM1and has been made available commercially recently. 

Just now, lego legs said:

 

Can I just clarify something though, the DCC sound versions have a hall sensor fitted but the non-DCC versions don't? I'm in the dark to be honest as to how they work. 

No the hall sensor will be fitted to all models as it's part of the main circuit board. There is a small magnet on the bogie that triggers the hall sensor on the main board. 

3 minutes ago, 97403_Ixion said:

Hi Cavalex, hopefully an easy question to answer -

 

Does the Analogue DC Class 60 come with speaker(s) pre-fitted, requiring just a sound decoder to upgrade it to DCC Sound?

   Or...

Does it require both a speaker (or speakers?) and a sound decoder to upgrade it to DCC Sound? 

 

From a similar query on the 56 topic, I gather the DC Analogue 56 has no speaker(s) pre-installed, so would require both speaker(s) and DCC Sound decoder to upgrade it to DCC Sound.  I also understand that to do so is pretty much plug and play, requiring no soldering... which I presume would be the case for the 60 too, if no speaker(s) is/are fitted?

 

Thanks,

Ixion.

Yes correct. The none sound model doesn't have a speaker fitted as we are using the new ESU passive radiator speaker in our locos which was developed in tandem with our class 56. Either way it is plug and play for both speaker and DCC chip.

43 minutes ago, PeterH said:

With the Farewell Tour duo, does the pack come with a model headboard of the trip?

Yes it comes with two. On those models the drivers side lamp iron is left out of the model and you can choose either the normal lamp iron or the headboard from the detail pack.

12 minutes ago, atom3624 said:

It was just a point.  I suppose I may like to run more than many do.

 

I understand that engineering / manufacturing tolerances are tighter than previous years, but over time, these bushes do wear.

Also, being the 'hot end', lightly arcing brushes, then light oil will dry out relatively quickly in the bushes.

 

Some have mentioned comparisons with 'sealed units' like washing machines which can be similarly 'run hard' which never need regular lubrication, but these do use sealed, lubricated bearings, and are generally a much larger scale.

0.04mm wear in a washing machine bearing will be neither here nor there, but in a much smaller scale can be much more significant.

 

Regarding oil onto brushes, I have actually encountered that before, 53 years ago with a Champion slot racing Ferrari, which ended up burning the oil - quite an impressive smoke trail it left - before the motor burnt out!!

 

Al.

Yes I get that but the motors are not intended to be oiled. If you need to then it is a strip out of the circuit board which is not a major deal and could be part of a major overhaul.

2 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

The one place you should NEVER oil is the brushes!

 

A sure way to soften them and clog the commutator slots.

 

I thought that this was the most basic of model maintenance knowledge!

 

How does a motor NEED oil on the motor brushes?

 

CJI.

He stated bushes not brushes but still there should be no need to oil them. Oil tends to pick up crud over time and can make issues worse.

2 hours ago, atom3624 said:

Both the Class 56 and 60 are looking to be absolutely superb models.

I don't seem to have much support, but will put this out there.

Is there consideration for routine maintenance?

As I use models, quite a lot on occasions, they'll suddenly start that 'dry squeal' indicative of non-lubricated metal on metal.  Is there easy access to worm, axle (obviously yes) and motor bushes?

I think it was the later Bachmann Class 40's which had access points underneath the chassis where in situ motors could be lubricated without need to totally disassemble the locomotive.

This is a 'pet peev' of mine currently!!

Al.

The drive mechanisms are designed to be maintenance free and the lubrication applied at the factory should not need replacing however oiling the bogie gears is a doddle by either removing the bogie keeper plate and oiling from the bottom or inserting a fine nozzle through an access point on the bogie side, we would advise caution here though as excess oil can lead to leakage and potentially oil on the wheel treads which can effect traction. As for access to the motor is a strip down internally, however the motor shouldn't require any maintenance whatsoever so not sure that it would be necessary on routine maintenance. 

16 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

Er, right there , I think . What’s the full story then if the 60 costs nothing but the 66 costs a lot ?

The 60s don't cost nothing though, they have gotten to a point where some investment is necessary to do a proper overhaul but DB aren't willing to pay the costs and do the work.

The 60 can out perform 66's all day long and according to the chap at DCR is more fuel economical as well. 

13 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

I think you are overlooking the fact , I believe they are still paying leases for 66s . The 60s cost nothing, inherited from BR. So would you rather have an asset costing , say, £25k a month ( absolute guess , I have no idea on train lease costs ) working , or let it rot and still pay that much .

I don’t think that’s “ bean counters “ gone mad, I think it’s common sense .

Who's suggesting letting 66s rot? Just quoting what the chap who oversaw the refitting of the 60s for DCR said. He is an ex employee of DB. 

3 minutes ago, The Meerkat said:

 

is it because they going mad with this hivo or what ever it called bio fuel?

Well it's because the bean counters have decided that the 66 costs less to operate however they are not taking into account the full story regarding the 60 and how efficiently it can operate, so quite sad really. 

3 minutes ago, The Meerkat said:

 

they doing something with the class 66 i think re gearing some of them to make them similar to freightliner,   they are to do job of the 60s

Yeah that's correct however it isn't going to work. You'll just have a train that a 60 can do with it's feet up vs a train that a regeared 66 is thrashing it's knackers off to move.

Oh well.

6 minutes ago, Scottish-Exile said:

Pre-order made for 60 062 sound fitted. Bit of a risk given that final price is TBC and the £30 deposit is non-refundable. I don't see why they can't give the price given that all the others in the range are known.

It may or may not be extra, however the paint scheme requires a different decorating process and at this point we are in discussion with the factory whether this will incur extra costs to produce. Once we know the process costs we will be able to give an accurate figure. 

They are all arriving together.

19 minutes ago, younGGuns7 said:

Good luck 🫣 we are getting all sorts of delays and changing of dates at the moment due to the Red Sea situation such unprecedented occurrences just can’t be factored in 🤦‍♂️

Yes agreed, our ship was diverted via the cape rather than the Red Sea so hence the 10 day delay.

52 minutes ago, atom3624 said:

Any sign of 'the boat' yet?

Just asking!!

Al.

It due to arrive mid January as previously reported. 

We will of course keep you all updated!!

Regards

Cav

Great to see all of our wagons being put to good use!!!

2 minutes ago, Fair Oak Junction said:

It does also seem like the sort of lighting used for professionally photographing models is very unforgiving on lighter red colours!

For example the red on the Rapido Titfield Thunderbolt looked too bright in the promotional photos, but in the flesh looked much nicer.

That's very true.

I will say however that 019 looks amazing in the flesh and is actually my favourite of them all I think.

9 minutes ago, paulbb said:

Great news , but although the blue one looks great but the red in the red stripe railfreight looks way off !

The red on the red stripe is the exact code used on the real livery. It's rail red and always looks to be on the lighter end of the red spectrum.