POST-DEMU SUMMER UPDATE

N gauge PGA wagon project

From day one of starting Cavalex Models, the intention has always been to release all our OO gauge products in N gauge, so we are very excited that our first N gauge models will soon be arriving in the U.K.

Production of our PGA hopper wagons is complete, with the factory having packaged up the models ready for shipping to the U.K. We are expecting the PGAs to arrive later this month subject to shipping.

The Cavalex N gauge PGA wagons are currently available to pre-order from Rails of Sheffield, please see below link:

https://railsofsheffield.com/collections/n-gauge-wagons-freight?tags_brand_td93xydblb7cxukrqni65zsz=Cavalex-Models

SVMRC Loughborough show - 12th and 13th of August 2023

Last month we attended the Loughborough show with Cav's N gauge layout 'Burton on Trent'.

This gave a perfect opportunity to run the first production models of our eagerly awaited N gauge Redland PGA hoppers which we had shipped over especially for the show. The wagons were very well received by the viewing public and looked amazing behind 56010!

As a company we are committed to releasing more N gauge products in the future. We hope that the N gauge community can get behind us and support our PGA project to allow us to consider other products in our range being replicated in N gauge too.

PHA/JGA bogie hopper wagon project

We are working closely with the factory to get the PHA/JGA project to the production stage of the process as soon as practically possible. Unfortunately, Covid has impacted this project, with the delays caused by the epidemic and other resulting issues in China, causing a backlog in the factories.

Updated decorated samples have arrived from the factory for final approval ahead of the project moving to the production stage of the process. We are now just awaiting a production slot at the factory for the PHA/JGA wagon project.

We will be contacting customers shortly requesting second payments in preparation for production.

The PHA/JGA wagons are expected early 2024 and make a perfect working for our forthcoming Class 56 and Class 60 locomotives.

HAA and variants wagon project

ECC CDA wagons on Jeremy Good’s Wheal Elizabeth.

De-branded CDA wagons on Rich Pedder’s Wheal Imogen at DEMU showcase 2023

HAA wagons

From the start of the project, our HAA family of hopper wagons, in collaboration with KMS Railtech and Trains4U, we wanted to offer modellers the opportunity to faithfully recreate a standard Merry-Go-Round rake of 36 individually numbered red cradle wagons.

Each of the 36 wagons have running number specific details and livery elements to replicate an authentic and prototypical rake of HAAs in model form.

All different as per the prototype from extensive research which include the following variations:

• Hand painted vs stencil TOPS number panel

• Axle box type

• Door actuator type

• With and without OHLW board

• With and without OHLW stickers

• Colour of door actuators

• Colour of lower cradle

• OHLW style

• Different livery elements (TOPS number and wagon code panels)

In addition to the ‘full rake’ all of the other versions of the HAA family (including the CDA’s) have a similar level of observation taken regarding details and decoration as follows:

1. Hand painted vs stencil TOPS number panel

2. Axle box type

3. Door actuator type

4. With and without OHLW board

5. With and without OHLW stickers

6. Colour of door actuators

7. Colour of lower cradle

8. OHLW style

9. Different livery elements (TOPS number and wagon code panels)

All of the wagons are different as per the prototype to offer an authentic prototypical rake of HAAs/MGRs and CDA. These are still available to purchase via KMS Railtec/Trains4U.

PHA/JYA bogie box wagon project

We have received the first decorated samples of the PHA/JYA bogie (O&K) box wagons from the factory for review and we could not be happier with how these wagons have turned out. It may appear as a simple box wagon but the prototype is very complex in construction and detail and we have captured this faithfully in model form. The factory has really delivered on this wagon with the first painted samples arriving with us to a standard that we would be more than happy with as a production model.

Following our inspection the project is now ready to move to the production stage of the process.

We are currently working with Ultimate Model Railways to finalise the running numbers for the packs ahead of production.

More details and information will be released shortly.

The PHA/JYA bogie box wagons can be pre-ordered by clicking on the below link:

https://ultimatemodelrailways.com/

CLASS 56 PROJECT

Last November saw the arrival of the first decorated samples of our Class 56 which caused a lot of excitement at Cavalex! When the lid of the box was lifted off for the first time revealing something rather special sitting in the box, it was a moment in our history which we will never forget.

Rekindling teenage memories of hours spent watching Class 56s plying their trade during British Rail days…..we were overwhelmed by the incredible samples that the factory had produced and sent us, surpassing all expectations.

We are very grateful to be working with a factory that encompasses a wealth of talent and knowledge that is keen to help us deliver the most highly detailed models practically possible, pushing the boundaries of what can be done and delivering on that.

However, as we strive to produce the most accurate Class 56 locomotive to date, there were a couple of minor niggles for us which had to be addressed. Nothing major but we felt that a couple of areas on the model were not quite up to our expected level of detail and accuracy.

The first area that required attention was the previously fitted etched horn grille on the front of the locomotive, this part of the model just didn’t capture the prototype for us and, in our opinion, spoilt the look of the front of the model. Something that we just could not accept as the horn grille is a feature and characteristic of the Class 56.

Following internal discussions and design tweaks here at Cavalex followed by several conversations with the factory, we worked closely with the them to find a solution which was duly delivered (see below) enhancing the look of the model and satisfying our demanding expectations.

The other area that caused some irritation & frustration, was the frame around the main grille on the side of the body. The frame, although fine on the initial samples, was too thick on the painted versions and were instantly attracting your eye in a negative way which needed addressing.

Once again, our thanks to the factory as they not only produced a finer frame for the main grille but were also able to reproduce our revised mesh design, enhancing the grille mesh which helped improve the look of the model overall. The new square woven mesh for the Romanian built examples and diamond mesh for 56031 onwards, have really made a difference to the look of the model.

It has to be said that following the final tweaks ahead of production, we are now extremely happy with our Class 56 model and delighted to be at the production stage of the process. After many years of hard work and effort to get the project to this point, it is very pleasing to see just how detailed and accurate the model has turned out to be.

We have received three fully working samples for test and evaluation of the newly developed speaker from ESU, with the 56 being the first production locomotive to be fitted with this new product. In addition to the working samples we have also received final pre-production samples of the bodies of all sixteen versions to sign-off the livery decoration and printing elements.

The test and evaluation of the the latest sound file from ESU and speaker is currently being conducted in conjunction with our trusted panel of knowledgeable enthusiasts.

We are very pleased with the sound file so far but are expecting some minor tweaks before the final sound file is written to the chips in production.

In lieu of sound the production of the models themselves is progressing well with the factory, working towards delivery which is expected November 2023, subject to factory issues, China and shipping.

Making Tracks 3

Thanks to Pete Waterman, Chris Clenton and the Railnuts team we had the opportunity to stress test a few of our Class 56 samples on the excellent Milton Keynes at Chester. Allowing the locomotives to work long hours none stop over several weeks.

2023 saw Pete Waterman OBE and his Railnuts team return to Chester Cathedral with their newest instalment of Making Tracks, a 64 foot long model of Milton Keynes railway station.

With 247 metres of track, the scale replica of Milton Keynes station including its seven platforms, makes for an impressive sight. It took Pete Waterman and his team six months to build the layout and complete the mammoth undertaking. This was the team’s third visit of Making Tracks to Chester with all monies raised going to Chester Cathedral.

Chris Clenton kindly provided us with the final figures for Making Tracks 3 for 2023:

Number of visitors - 54,047, a staggering 30% increase over last year!

The number of children that drove trains on MT3 - 4,565.

Railcam views:

Stream 1 - 37,860

Stream 2 - 41,527

Stream 3 - 23,136

Total - 102,523

The above figures show what a huge success Making Tracks 3 has been for which Pete Waterman, Chris Clenton and everyone that has been involved should be incredibly proud.

It is great to see that interest in model railways is still very much thriving with keen younger generations entering the hobby which bodes well for the future.

Our thanks to the Making Tracks 3 team

We would like to pass on our thanks to Pete Waterman, Chris Clenton and the Railnuts team for allowing us to run our Class 56 samples and rolling stock on Milton Keynes. The Great Electric Train Show next month will see all three incarnations of Making Tracks coupled up together to form what will be an impressive sight!

CLASS 60 PROJECT

Since our announcement, the reaction to our class 60 has been very positive, with 3D printed samples being on show at exhibitions and livery artwork giving a taste of what’s to come.

In addition to the general release models we are also looking at some exclusive liveries available for retailers to adopt if the demand is there, what would people like to see? We have short listed some favourites but are always happy to take on board customer requests.

Please get in contact and let us have some suggestions!

Whilst we eagerly await out first EP samples don’t forget to look out for another update on our Class 60 project very soon!