Ahead of the DEMU Showcase exhibition this weekend, Cavalex Models are pleased to provide an update on our Class 60 project following the review of the painted samples received in advance of the Key Model World Show, as well as revealing further features on our Class 60. As expected all variants of the Class 60 are a part of our tooling suite, to accurately cover all 100 locomotives produced between first delivery of 60001 in June 1989 and the present day operations of the fleet, with the final member of the Cavalex Class 60 run being announced tomorrow at DEMU Showcase.

As with all of our models, the Class 60 has taken years of significant research and development time, which we believe has been well worth it to capture all of the features of this iconic modern type 5 freight loco. We have poured over the samples and provided our shortlist of feedback to the factory in advance of receiving the final production samples. Small tweaks are being made to the smaller components of the locomotive for fit and finish, however as you’ll have seen from the samples across numerous shows, Cav has really captured the basic shape of the loco perfectly!

The painted samples can be seen on our stand at DEMU Showcase this weekend, as well as two examples running on Mick Bryan’s Deadmans Lane throughout the show.

The RRP of the Cavalex 60 is £194.95, with the sound models being £294.95, with an expected delivery date of late early Q1 2025.

We would like to extend our thanks to both Wabtec UK and DB Cargo UK, for their significant help in allowing us to faithfully recreate the Type-5 locomotive. Our thanks also to Colas Railfreight, GB Railfreight and DC Rail for their help and assistance throughout this project.

A closer look at the DISTINCTIVE & Innovative features of the cavalex class 60

Announcing Cavalex Models brand new model innovation, Adaptable Magnetic Detail (A.M.D). Adaptable Magnetic Detail is Cavalex Models new market leading feature, allowing our models to now be rapidly customisable for all running and display modes, depending on your requirements. A.M.D allows the model to be quickly altered to meet the requirements of your particular running session and then returned to its former state just as rapidly.

The first of our models to feature this new innovation is our forthcoming Class 60 locomotive, which will offer for the first time on any ready to run OO gauge locomotive, the option to instantly run as a fully detailed buffer beam and plough (even at both ends) or partially decorated buffer beam and plough with coupling slot for NEM couplers. There are four buffer beams supplied with the model, pre-decorated in both fully detailed and a partially detailed coupler friendly format, allowing you to quickly change the look of your model without the need to add detailing parts to the model straight out of the box. The coupler version has a slot for NEM couplers, which can be attached simply by removing the fully detailed magnetic buffer beam and snapping the alternate one in place for your running session.

See a video of the A.M.D buffer beam in action on the Cavalex Class 60 below:

Clean Air bay lighting:

No longer is model locomotive lighting purely directional, in addition to the suite of directional and cab lighting options, we have of course captured the distinctive lights behind the bodyside grilles which can be seen during night time operations of the Class 60. Both photos above show the additional element of realism this adds to the locomotive.

Visit our stand at DEMU Showcase this weekend to see the Class 60 samples, Class 56 second run news and our other latest project updates.

THE CAVALEX CLASS 60 SPECIFICATION:

21 pin DCC interface with invisible removable roof panel to allow for easy DCC chip installation and access to the comprehensive dip switch control for DC users. This allows access to all of the DCC functions for lighting, without the need to remove the model from the track.
Photo etched grilles throughout the model including body side, roof and etched grilles within the clean air bay.
A wealth of separately fitted parts across the model, including bogies which aren’t just one piece mouldings to allow for proper detail relief as well as the under frame.
Fully detailed, loco specific model of the Class 60 clean air bay visible through the photo etched bodyside grilles.
Full independently controlled lighting, allowing for parked, yard, light engine, and ‘on train’ modes, with realistic levels of brightness and colour representative of the prototype being modelled across both original light units (with incandescent soft start LEDs) and the new two lens LED type (with cool white instant start LEDs with dual colour centre lights) . Prototypical day/night lighting configurations for the modern livery examples. Clean air bay and cab lighting independently controllable via DCC functions.
Realistically bright (or dim depending how you look at it) cab lighting that showcases the driver’s desk with individually printed dials and decorated full depth cab interior as per the prototype.
Hall sensors for fully adjustable automated flange squeal on sound fitted models. This feature automatically provides the characteristic screech as the wheels enter sharp curves. Not having to activate the sound manually only adds to the immersive effect whilst driving the locomotive.

Power bank providing smooth uninterrupted running, which combined with floating centre axles, allows trouble free road holding and power.

5 pole motor with twin flywheel and low ratio gearbox for prototypical running speeds typical of the class.
Provision to order drop in wheelsets to easily convert the loco to EM and P4 gauges with our sliding bogie frame system, for those modellers that wish to showcase the unparalleled levels of detail and accuracy of the model with equally accurate trackwork.
Highly detailed and accurate underframe with numerous separately fitted parts.
Individual details and finish that has been rigorously researched and applied to each model to represent the individual prototype as accurately as possible, including accurately detailed and painted cab interiors with superfine moulding and printing to bring the controls and desk dials alive.

DCC sound with custom ESU project for our factory fitted sound version and stay alive fitted to all models. EM1 size ESU Passive Radiator Speaker in the chassis as standard for a balanced combination of low and high frequency sounds to accurately reproduce the prototype via a custom recorded sound project.
Authentic heavily researched liveries and decoration custom for each numbered loco and era .
Etched name plates and relevant plaques supplied as appropriate to each model number.
Two styles of cab roof mounted horns to accurately recreate all prototypes.
Newly redesigned Kinematic NEM pocket for faultless close coupled performance.