TEA Painted samples
From left to right; KBA Barrier wagon, Weathered TEA, Total TEA
Whilst it has taken longer than we would have liked to receive the painted samples of our TEAs and achieve the weathered finish, we are really happy to showcase the weathered TEA and KBA pre production samples. Produced by multiple layers of tampo printing, using slightly different colours and tones; we feel we have achieved an authentic weathered finish.
Total TEA left, and the weathered TEA right
Sole bar differences - note the differing sole bars between the Total/Grey TEA (left) and the weathered TEA (right).
The modern TEA/KBA has the additional welded corner plates.
The Hazardous Chemicals board is present on the modern variants, whilst the earlier TEAs had this marking on the barrel.
The KBA has an additional box on the sole bar.
This photo also showcases the paint peeling texture on the weathered TEA, something we’re very happy with!
End detail differences - note the pipework on the end of the Total/Grey TEA. The weathered TEAs/KBAs have had this pipework removed, with just the retaining clips left in place. This difference has been faithfully represented on our model.
Etched walkways, wire grab rails and filler cap detail are all standard features across all variants of the Cavalex TEA
Total TEA
Weathered TEA
KBA barrier wagon
“From day 1 we have set out to innovate and push forward the RTR models we are producing. Not only with innovations never seen before on our BBA/PGA wagons, we want to raise the bar on factory weathering.”
Cavalex TEA features - all of our TEAs will include the following features:
Etched walkway
Fully detailed under frame with faithfully represented brake gear
Wire grab rails
Weld lines on the barrel
Sprung kinematic NEM couplings
Sprung buffers
RP25 profiled wheels
Easy conversion to P4/EM using 26mm axles as standard
Please see a showcase of each of the three samples received below. We will be contacting customers in the next couple of weeks to organise second payments before production begins.
TOTAL TEA
Fine sole bar printing on the Total TEA
Whilst we’re very happy with the overall assembly of the Total TEA; the overall grey barrel colour and the red in the Total logo are to be changed on the final models. Please see the photo of the updated sample below for sign off before beginning production.
Updated TEA tank barrel with adjusted paint colours
Weathered TEA
The weathered TEA, modelled on TEA 85962, is the culmination of months of work in conjunction with the factory, to achieve a weathered finish. The prototype wagons have weathered and then have been cleaned, creating an interesting mix of old grey showing through from the Total days, and a weathered brown top coat.
By using multiple layers of tempo printing, mixed with passes using an air brush, the factory have done a stellar job recreating our artwork. The artwork has been designed via tracing the peeling paint layers on the prototype wagons to create, what we feel, is the most authentic weathered finish ever seen on a RTR wagon to date.
Paint chips and weld lines - two prominent features of the prototype recreated in 4mm
Another close look at the weathered TEA; etched walkway, wire grab rails, paint chips and weld lines. Note the petroleum sector logos still hanging on in the current day
KBA Barrier wagon
The final sample of our TEA project is the KBA barrier wagon - used for transporting and transferring London Underground S-Stock. Running as pairs, these wagons are similar to the weathered TEA in terms of condition, however have distinctive markings on the barrel, as well as the box on the sole bar and buffers removed from one end.
KBA barrier wagon; etched walkway, wire grab rails, paint chips and weld lines. The original Total Grey can be seen beneath the layers of dirt
KBA barrier wagon; a NEM Dellner bar coupler will be supplied in the detail pack
The airpipes shown at this end can be coupled to the airpipes on the other barrier wagon.
Both sides of the KBA Barrier Wagon - both sides are modelled on the prototype and are different. Similar to the weathered TEA; both sides on the production model will be different - just like the prototype!