NEWSDESK
Dapol unveils decorated ‘OO’ Class 73s Pre-production livery samples of the much-anticipated electro-diesels have arrived with the manufacturer. THE start of August saw Dapol release the first images of its ‘OO’ gauge Class 73 in decorated form, no fewer than eight pre-production samples being unveiled. However, modellers were quick to spot that a number of substantial errors, such as incorrect roof colours, had escaped notice at the artwork stage and made it on to the samples.
Fortunately, the manufacturer has indicated that it will take note of corrections it receives with a second set of pre-production livery samples to be produced as a result. This does mean that the release of the models will be delayed until the end of the year though. Pictured here are four of the samples, these being No. 73102 Airtour
Suisse in InterCity Executive (complete with BR arrows and nameplates at the wrong ends; an error that Dapol is aware of), No. 73105 in BR large logo blue, ‘JA’ No. E6003 in as delivered BR green condition and early BR blue No. E6039. The other liveries to be unveiled were No. 73124 in BR standard blue (as pictured two issues ago), ‘Dutch’ grey/yellow No. 73138, GB Railfreight’s
No. 73206 and plain BR green with yellow warning panels No. E6001, the latter being exclusively for the Dapol Collectors’ Club. In other news, Dapol has stated that its much delayed ‘O’ gauge Class 08 is now undergoing tooling while the first engineering sample of the 4mm scale Class 68 should arrive shortly. www.dapol.co.uk
Hornby releases Class 71 details
Revolution Trains shows off first CAD images RECENT weeks have seen Revolution Trains unveil largely complete CAD images of its two upcoming ‘N’ gauge models, the Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ and the modern TEA tanker. Both models are being produced in conjunction with Rapido Trains and it is hoped to have the first pre-production samples on display at the International N Gauge Show on September 12-13 with a working version of the Virgin Trains EMU following in time for Warley. The ‘Pendolino’ CAD pictured here still requires further work around the cab, including adding the windscreen wipers, panel details and lower valance. After a customer vote, the nine-car sets to be modelled are Nos. 390001 Virgin Pioneer, 390005 City of Wolverhampton, 390006 Tate Liverpool and 390045 101 Squadron. Meanwhile, the 11-car sets will be Nos. 390104 Alstom Pendolino complete
Supplement No. 137
with Alstom vinyls, 390114 City of Manchester, 390122 Penny the Pendolino, 390138 City of London and 390151 Virgin Ambassador with ‘Business is Great Britain’ adornments. Additionally, there is No. 390103 Virgin Hero with its poppy vinyls, where every model sold will bring a donation to the Royal British Legion with pre-orders currently signalling that more than £1000 has already been raised. The TEA CAD files are all but complete, this including the detail variations between the various batches of the current-day tanker design. Both models remain available to pre-order in all liveries via www.revolutiontrains.com
THE new ‘OO’ gauge Class 71 electric loco being produced by Hornby has been given a provisional release date of May next year. The company has also announced the liveries that will appear on the first batch of models, these encompassing Nos. E5022 in BR green without yellow
panels, E5001 in BR green with small yellow panels and 71012 in BR blue with full yellow ends. The recommended retail price has also been set at £149.99 with a fully working engineering sample now undergoing testing at Hornby’s offices. www.hornby.com
IN BRIEF ■ In a not entirely unexpected move, DJ Models has revealed that it has dropped its plans to produce the Class 59 in both 2mm and 4mm. Announced just over 12 months ago, the decision has been blamed on one of the type’s owners refusing to discuss a licence to reproduce its two liveries. Without these popular schemes, the model was said to be unviable, while the recent unveiling of CAD images by Dapol of its rival ‘N’ gauge model cannot have helped either. It remains to be seen whether anyone else will claim the popular GM class for production in ‘OO’. www.djmodels.co.uk ■ Due for release in the next few months is a 4mm scale kit for the Class 508 EMUs. Produced by Ayjay Models, the kit will be comprised of one-piece resin bodyshells,
underframes, seats and bogies. Nickel silver window frames will also feature with either a Tenshodo or Black Beetle motor bogie required to complete. Prices are expected to be in the £260-£270 range for a four-car set with three-car versions also available at a lower price. www.southernregionmodels.co.uk ■ PH Designs is now offering a set of 3D printed bodies in 2mm scale of the Hunslet-built Class 323 EMUs. Available as three-car packs, the bodies are designed to be used with a Graham Farish Class 170 ‘Turbostar’, the latter providing the bogies, mechanism and some internal parts. The bodies can either be supplied cleaned and ready for painting (£100) or with primer also applied (£105). www.phd-designetchings.co.uk
September 2015 RAIL EXPRESS Modeller M7