Revolution Trains MMA/JNA Ealnos box wagons
GAUGE ‘OO’ PRODUCT Revolution Trains OO-EAL-104C JNA Ealnos box wagon, VTG blue; OO-EAL-105C JNA Ealnos box wagon, Mendip Rail silver PRICE £55.00 each AVAILABILITY Revolution Trains Web www.revolutiontrains.com or Kernow Model Rail Centre Tel 01209 714099 Web www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com
This handsome fleet of open box wagons was built by Astra Rail in Romania, and first appeared on UK rails in 2016. They were designed to carry heavy, loose materials such as stone, sand, ballast and spoil and quickly proved their worth, which has led to further orders.
Given a European designation of Ealnos (and TOPS codes MMA or JNA), over 500 examples are currently in service with DB Cargo and GBRF, plus wagon lessors VTG and Ermewa.
At first glance, each batch appears identical, but
some have nine vertical ribs per side and small cleaning hatches (MMA), while others boast 11 ribs and no hatches (JNA). There are also slight differences in brake equipment, with bogie or body-mounted handbrake wheels.
Revolution Trains has catered for both the JNA and MMA variants with its second foray into the ‘OO’ gauge RTR wagon market. Livery options consist of DB red, Ermewa grey, Ermewa/tarmac grey and VTG dark blue. There is also a pair of additional versions, available exclusively from Kernow Model Rail Centre, featuring GBRF blue and Vtg/mendip Rail silver colour schemes.
CLASSY LIVERIES
We received two wagons for review. One sports the classy VTG blue scheme and the other is turned out in Mendip Rail silver. Both are the 11-ribs-per-side JNAS with no side hatches, and have bogie-mounted handbrake wheels. They may not be the most exciting looking vehicles, but the more striking liveries, such as DB Cargo’s bright red and Mendip’s silver, suits them very well indeed.
Revolution Trains has managed to reproduce the appearance of the real thing admirably, with a good level of definition in the raised rib detail, and authentic shafts of ‘daylight’ through the gaps in each upper corner. The characteristic circular depressions are present in the end panels (finely rendered in etched brass) and separately applied lamp brackets add further finesse.
As with previous products from this stable, livery application is to a high standard, with the subtle metallic silver being particularly impressive. All logos
and the extensive data panels are beautifully rendered and fully legible. The interior of the body has been treated to a generic oxide/rust shade, which appears a little bland and would benefit greatly from weathering, whether or not a suitable load is installed.
Turn the model over and you’ll see the longitudinal and lateral strengthening ribs, along with the impressive air reservoir tank, pipework and actuating arms and levers.
Solid, unsprung buffers are installed, with the correct rectangular head profile, along with small wire grab handles mounted below each shank. The bufferbeams feature sockets for the drawhooks, dummy screw couplings and twin air pipes that are provided as spare detail parts in a plastic bag.
Bogie detail is impressive, with the springs, dampers and roller bearing axleboxes all faithfully reproduced. The brake shoes are aligned perfectly with the fine-profile ‘OO’ disc wheels, which is a welcome feature for all except those who’ll want to fit ‘EM’/‘P4’ wheelsets.
ROBUST DETAIL
Extra dampers are secured at each corner of the chassis, just behind the headstocks and, while these are linked to the bogies on the real wagons, the model provides just enough clearance for the bogies to rotate. The large brake hand wheels are rendered in a tough but flexible plastic, which should withstand careful handling.
Standard low-profile tension lock couplers slot into pivoting NEM pockets that are mounted to each bogie frame. There’s just enough space between each vehicle to cope with tight radius curves without the gap appearing excessive.
The models boast a pleasing amount of mass – 80g per wagon – which helps to ensure smooth, sure-footed performance. Pinpoint axles are fitted, running direct into the plastic bogie frames (without brass
bearings). Both of our samples ran well under test conditions, but three of the axles on the Mendip silver example were a little stiff to begin with, although prolonged running will probably remedy that issue.
This is another superb model from Revolution Trains, encompassing what has become an essential freight vehicle for modellers of the contemporary UK scene. In terms of fidelity and appearance, it’s very difficult to find fault, while – stiff axles aside – the performance and value aspect are also highly satisfactory.
As is becoming the norm, modellers who really want to invest in a rake of these wagons will need to move fast, as the limited production run is unlikely to hang around for long. Highly recommended! (GD)
The models boast a pleasing amount of mass – 80g per wagon – which helps to ensure smooth, sure-footed performance