CAVALEX MODELS ANNOUNCES HIGH-SPECIFICATION CLASS 56
With the Br/brush Class 56 in the news recently, Cavalex Models revealed that it will be producing a range of high-specification ‘Grids’ in ‘OO’ gauge. This will be an ambitious project, encompassing each of the many variants within the 135-strong class. Based on original works drawings from Electroputere and BREL, Cavalex says prototypes have been deliberately chosen not to conflict with existing models of the class, principally the Hornby Class 56, and that the model was an obvious choice given Cavalex’s previous and upcoming RTR wagon releases.
Four designs are being created by Cavalex: Romanian-built 5600166030 with full bufferbeam cowling, square mesh side grilles, cant rail grilles and roof grille; Doncaster-built 56031-56055 with partial bufferbeam cowling, removed side plates, steel cabside windows and diamond mesh side, cant rail and roof grilles; Doncaster-built 56056-56090 with cutaway buffer beam, diamond mesh side, cant rail and roof grilles and steel cab and cab side window frames; Doncaster and Crewe-built 56091-56135 which featured an additional air conditioning vent on the Secondman’s side.
Individual detail differences of specific prototypes will also be replicated, such as different cab styles at each end, plus various headlight, air conditioning vents and coupling bang plate anomalies.
Cavalex’s Class 56 will be powered by a five-pole motor with twin flywheels, geared for prototypical running speeds and slow speed control, a 21-pin decoder with stay alive options and all-wheel pick-up. ‘EM’/‘P4’ wheelsets will also be made available once the model has reached the UK.
Currently in tooling, the RRP of the Class 56 has not yet been revealed, nor has a delivery date, but Cavalex Models is keen to stress that this is not a crowdfunded project and will not need a minimum number of orders to proceed.
Cavalex has also recently received painted samples of its HAA and CDA hopper wagons.
For more updates on Cavalex’s wagon and Class 56 projects, see www.cavalexmodels.com