Model Railway News

Dapol have released artwork images and details of the liveries to be produced on their recently announced new tool N Gauge GWR 78xx Manor steam locomotive.

The six numbers and liveries planned for release are as follows:

2S-001-005 Granville Manor 7818 GW Green Shirt Button

2S-001-006 Fringford Manor 7814 GW Green 'GWR'

2S-001-007 Compton Manor 7807 GW Green 'G Crest W'

2S-001-009 Draycott Manor 7810 BR Lined Green Small Early Crest

2S-001-010 Barcote Manor 7803 BR Lined Green Late Crest (Revised Name & Number - Previously announced as 7812 Erlestoke Manor)

2S-001-011 Cookham Manor 7808 BR Lined Green Late Crest

Also released are more detailed livery PDF documents which are available to view at the Dapol Digest

Dapol report that the 2nsd EP samples received last month are currently undergoing evaluation, and now the artworks are complete they hope to receive livery samples mid year, with the models still expected to be released during Q3/Q4 2025.

Dapol have announced a new run of their popular N Gauge Dogfish ballast wagons, with 3 liveries set to be available shortly.

The models feature finely moulded body with many separately added details, accurately applied livery & painted details and NEM coupling pockets with self centring couplings.

Liveries due to be released are:

2F-041-008 Dogfish BR Black Dogfish 983233

2F-041-009 Dogfish BR Black Dogfish 992769

2F-041-010 Dogfish BR Olive DB 983195

2F-041-011 Dogfish BR Olive DB 993592

2F-041-012 Dogfish BR Dutch Grey/Yellow DB 983174

2F-041-013 Dogfish BR Dutch Grey/Yellow Mainline Branding DB 983192

Release is expected during Q1 2025 with the wagons retailing at an RRP of £20 each.

For more information visit the Dapol website.

Review by Justin Sobeck/photo by Pamela Varney

Bachmann’s revised N-scale models come decorated in the passenger carrier’s current Phase VI scheme, and feature car-specific details (café or coach), with a great stainless-steel finish and precision graphics, lit interiors (which are also correct by type), and see-through tinted windows (the cars glow nicely, an improvement versus the overly radiant illumination of their predecessor models from the 1990s). The lighting is flicker-free on both DCC and DC operation, and the non-directionally lit Marker Lights on both ends of the cars are a positive aspect of these reproductions, and their red glow is aimed so as not to be apparent unless one is looking only at the end of the train. Underbody detail is great, all the modern passenger car boxes and appliances are captured in good relief under both sides of the car — dual HVAC units, battery boxes and chargers, air tanks, 26C rack and transformers are all there. The 1:160 models come ensconced in Bachmann’s oversized jewel cases with clear plastic nests inside, along with warranty paperwork and some additional details for use.

 

ABOVE: Bachmann’s N-scale Budd Amfleet I passenger car models come assembled, are scale-length, include illuminated interior, smooth-rolling wheels, and knuckle couplers. These three examples wear Amtrak’s Phase VI livery.

 

This review appeared in the March 2025’s issue of Model Railroad News. Subscribe Today!

The post Bachmann Phase VI Amfleets in N Scale appeared first on Model Railroad News.

As I unboxed the recently produced Bachmann N-scale Amfleet passenger car models (reviewed by Justin Sobeck in the March 2025 edition of Model Railroad News), I kept thinking how much better the tooling for these Budd prototypes is versus my memory of Bachmann’s model. I finally pulled vintage samples from my collection to confirm this was the same tooling or an enhanced edition of this design introduced in the 1970s by Bachmann. My findings are shared in the pictures on this page, showing Bachmann’s older Amfleet in Phase III livery and the newer model later phase paint with the contemporary wave herald.

I am not certain how I missed this change, but as the pictures confirm today’s N-scale Amfleet passenger car models from Bachmann have little or no relation to the earlier tooling. Look at the detail around the car’s ends, the fidelity of the fluting, the wheels, and coupler design (including the change from Rapido to knuckle couplers).
This is a popular prototype and Bachmann’s reinvestment in the car series pays off with a much improved 1:160 replica for hobbyists to enjoy and appreciate.
So much changes in the hobby as the years roll by, and it is fun to discover upgrades like Bachmann’s effort on these Amtrak models.

 

“From the Archive” is a regular Model Railroad News feature.

 

 

The post From the Archive: N’s first Amfleets appeared first on Model Railroad News.

By Tony Cook
Rebuilt by Electro-Motive Diesel/Progress Rail from GP9 donors (though few parts beyond the recycled units’ rebuilt DOFASO trucks saw use from those first-generation Geeps), sporting a  ,000-hp 710G3A prime mover, with new hoods, cab, and frame, the GP20C-ECO delivered to Canadian Pacific (CP) in 2013. The goals of this project included CP’s desire for meeting U.S. Government
EPA emission standards and enhanced crashworthiness levels for cab, frame, and tanks (the first “C” in the unit’s designation refers to these features). The railroad received a relaxed emission standard (Tier 0+), similar to the road’s 63 SD30C-ECO units (offered recently by Bowser as a limited-production HO release) built around the same time. The first 30 (2200–2229) were followed by two more CP orders for 40 (2230–2269) and 60 (2270–2329) additional units. The 130 GP20C-ECOs are exclusive to the CPKC roster. CP 2213, shown below on New Year’s Day 2024 at the west end of Knoche Yard, is from the initial GP20C-ECO production.  — Tony Cook photo

 

 

 

 

Model Railroad News presents Prototype Profile each month providing readers with additional information on new model releases and their prototypes.

 

The post Prototype Profile: Canadian Pacific’s GP20C-ECO appeared first on Model Railroad News.

Prairie Shadows plans a fourth quarter arrival for the company’s first locomotive in its growing line of HO products. Featuring an injection-molded plastic body, an HO-scale GP20C-ECO diesel locomotive reproduction is coming from Prairie Shadows in non-sound, standard DC (with 21-pin socket for conversion to digital operation) and DCC-sound models will come with ESU’s LokSound V5 decoder. The ready-to-run release will be offered in six Canadian Pacific road numbers: 2237, 2241, 2247, 2253, 2263, and 2269 (featuring the red body with black from the sill down scheme with white lettering, as shown on the prototype below). The model’s highlights will include metal railings with plastic stanchions; accurate DOFASO trucks with rotating bearing caps; separately applied grab irons, hoses, wipers, and more; and operating ground lights, step lights, and interior lighting, as well as headlight and ditch lights. The non-sound GP20C-ECO lists for $209.99, while DCC-sound offerings carry a $309.99 suggested retail price.

Prairie Shadows Model Railway Co.
prairieshadows.com

This article appeared in the March 2025 issue of Model Railroad News. Subscribe Today!

The post Prairie Shadows first HO-scale locomotive release will be CP’s GP20C-ECO appeared first on Model Railroad News.

Revolution Trains have received the first livery samples for their N Gauge Alcan PCA wagons, displaying them for the first time at the 2025 Model Rail Scotland exhibition.

The four variations recieved are original Alcan livery, faded Alcan, Lochaber/Liberty and Alvance. Still to come are the RioTinto versions.

The models will feature NEM Coupling pockets, RP25 profile wheels, etched ladders fitted to appropriate versions, optional discharge chute plate, high levels of separately fitted detail and fine etched walkways.

Being samples, they are not fully representative of the final fit & finish of the production models, and Revolution advised that unfortunately they suffered a rough transit from the factory in China to the UK, with some damage occurring to ladders and buffers!

Original Alcan livery Alcan de-branded/faded livery Lochaber Liberty livery Alvance British Aluminium livery

The wagons are being offered in packs of four, all with different running numbers. Pre-orders can now be placed for £149.95, which will rise to £169.95 at the end of the early bird period.

For more information, visit the Revolution Trains website.

Hot on the heals of the 2nd EP for the 63xx Mogul, Dapol have also released images of the 2nd EP for the N Gauge 78xx Manor.

First announced at the 2024 International N Gauge show, the Manor is the 3rd all new design steam locomotive from Dapol, and will feature the same high specification as the Mogul and Bulleid Light Pacific.

As with the Mogul, improvements have been made to the location and size of the boiler split, in addition to rivet details now being included. Dapol also expect to share the finalised liveries and artwork for the manors in the next few days.

Model Specifications

Body

• Diecast boiler

• Diecast footplate

• Appropriate Buffer types 

• Tall vacuum pipe on the tender 

• Lower vacuum on the locomotive 

• Smoke box number plate for B.R. period

• Highly detailed cab interior 

Chassis

• Diecast chassis – split frames for live bearing pick-up 

• Blackened nickel plated diecast driving wheels 

• Brass bearings 

• Plastic keeper plate with brake shoe/linkage details 

• Sprung centre driving wheels

• Wheels to NMRA standard 

Electrical

• Pickup from loco driving wheels and tender

• Coreless motor

• Tender body to be easily removable

• Space for sugar cube speaker in tender

• Firebox glow

• DCC Ready with provision for a NEXT-18 Decoder in the tender

• Locomotive to tender with electrical connections for motor and locomotive pick-up via pin and socket vertically mounted under the cab

For more information visit the Dapol website

Dapol have released images of the 2nd EP sample the have received for their forthcoming N Gauge GWR 63xx 2-6-0 Mogul locomotive.

A number of improvements are immediately obvious from these latest samples, including a repositioning of the boiler split to a much less conspicuous location lower down on the boiler moulding, as well as more refined detailing all round.

Dapol report that EP2 shows excellent running qualities down to 2nd radius curves and through medium length point work, but also that testing continues.

The Mogul will feature the following specifications:

Body

• Diecast boiler

• Smokebox with/without cylinder steam pipes

• Diecast footplate

• Churchward tapered buffers

• Collett straight shank buffers

• Tall vacuum pipe for early version

• Lower vacuum pipe for later period

• Tall safety valve cover & Short safety valve cover

• Smoke box top mounted lamp bracket

• Smoke box door mounted lamp bracket for B.R. period

• Smoke box number plate for B.R. period

•  Highly detailed cab interior

Chassis

• Diecast chassis – split frames for live bearing pick-up

• Blackened nickel plated diecast driving wheels

• Brass bearings

• Plastic keeper plate with brake shoe/linkage details

• Sprung centre driving wheels

• Wheels to NMRA standard

Electrical

• Pickup from loco driving wheels and tender

• Coreless motor

• Tender body to be easily removable

• Space for sugar cube speaker in tender

• DCC Ready with provision for a NEXT-18 Decoder in the tender

•  Locomotive to tender with electrical connections for motor and locomotive pick-up via pin and socket vertically mounted under the cab

For more information on proposed liveries, visit the Dapol website.

Revolution Trains have been able to sign off the CAD, begin tooling and open the order book on their N Gauge all steel K-Type Pullman Coaches, with several packs available covering the life of theses distinctive vehicles through to the modern day.

Development of these models has taken much longer than anticipated, partly because of the variations involved and partly because of the difficulties in combining prototypical appearance while ensuring the models could cope with 2nd radius curves.

In all Revolution is offering five different cars, with two also offered in revised modern condition.

The coach packs available are as follows:

LNER / BR (E) Queen of Scots (1928 – 1950s)

Queen of Scots Pack A

(Third Brake – Third Kitchen – Third Parlour – First Kitchen)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

Queen of Scots Pack B

(First Parlour – Third Parlour – Third Kitchen – Third Brake)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

GWR / Southern Railway Pullman packs (1928 – 1938)

These Pullmans were used by the GWR first and subsequently by the SR on services such as the Ocean Liner Express (mixed in with other stock) and Bournemouth Belle (all Pullman of various types). Third Class Cars 81-84 were built in 1931 and used by the SR to strengthen their existing Pullman services. They were later transferred to the ECML.

GWR / SR Ocean Liner Express or Bournemouth Belle Pack A

(First Kitchen – First Parlour – First Parlour – First Kitchen)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

Southern Railway Ocean Liner Express or Bournemouth Belle Pack B

(Third Kitchen – Third Kitchen – Third Parlour – Third Parlour)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

BR (S) Bournemouth Belle (1960s)

By the 1960s the Pullmans had been repainted into a revised livery with grey roofs, a new Pullman coat of arms, simplified lining and the Third Class car branding style changed to “Car No. XX” instead of “Third Class Car No. XX” (following the removal of Third Class).

Pack A and B represent coaches used on the Bournemouth Belle in the 1960s.

Pack A (Second Parlour – First Parlour – First Kitchen – Second Parlour)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

Pack B (First Parlour – First Parlour – First Kitchen – Second Parlour)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

BR (E) (1950s)

By the 1950s there was a transition period as the services started to expand. As well as the Queen of Scots, new services were formed of Pullman cars (often a mix of types of Pullmans) such as: the Yorkshire Pullman; Tees Tyne Pullman; and the Master Cutler. This pack is useful for the 1950s period.

BR (E) ECML 1950s pack (Third Brake – Third Brake – Third Kitchen – Third Brake)

Early Bird Price £209.95 / Standard Pre-order price £239.95

BR (E) (1960s)

By the 1960s the majority of the Pullmans had been transferred to the Southern Region (see the BR Bournemouth Belle above) but the Pullman brakes were retained on the ECML to run with the new Mark 1 Pullmans as no Mark 1 Pullman brakes were built. This twin pack is perfect to go with Graham Farish Mark 1 Pullmans.

Early Bird Price £104.99 / Standard Pre-order price £119.99

VSOE modern pack

The final pack is a triple pack of the all-steel K-type Pullmans which survive in service on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) to the present day. This pack has Gresley bogies and under-frame trussing representing the modern changes to the Pullmans since their withdrawal in the late 1960s.

Early Bird Price £175.50 / Standard Pre-order price £179.99

1928-1966 The Queen of Scots and other prestige trains

The 1928 K-types built by Metropolitan-Cammell in Birmingham were the first all-steel Pullman cars. They had no need for conventional truss bars and this, combined with their smooth sides compared to the matchboard wooden planking of their predecessors, gave them a sleek and modern appearance.

The eight Kitchen First cars were named BELINDA, NILAR, PHYLLIS, THELMA, EVADNE, IONE, JOAN and LORAINE, while the seven Parlour First cars were named AGATHA, SHEILA, EUNICE, JUANA, LUCILLE, URSULA and ZENA.

The eighteen third class cars were numbered from 67-84 and were a mixture of Third Kitchen, Parlour and Brake cars.

Thirty-three were constructed, and on introduction were split between the LNER’s prestigious Queen of Scots, and the GWR (Torquay Pullman Limited and Plymouth Ocean Liner Express). 3 years after introduction the GWR’s Pullmans were transferred to the Southern Railway where they ran on the Bournemouth Belle and Ocean Liner Express.

Pullman services were halted during WW2 and BR reintroduced Pullman services in 1948 with services such as: Queen of Scots; Tees-Tyne Pullman; Yorkshire Pullman; Master Cutler; South Wales Pullman; Devon Belle; and the Bournemouth Belle (all of which featured all-steel K-type Pullmans at various stages).

In later years the arrival of the Mk1 Pullmans in the early 1960s saw them released to the Southern region, however some of the brake third cars continued in use on the East Coast (along with Brake Second cars converted from Kitchen Third cars) as no Mk1 brakes had been constructed.

VSOE/Belmond British Pulllman

After withdrawal several K-types passed into preservation or private ownership. From the 1980s-late 1990s five were acquired by VSOE, now Belmond British Pullman, and restored with Gresley heavyweight bogies and underframe strengthening trusses.

Three – IONE, LUCILLE and ZENA – remain in regular service and, now approaching 100 years old, continue to offer their passengers the zenith of rail luxury and style.

You can pre-order all of the above coach packs via the Revolution Trains shop

Dapol have revealed images of of the decorated samples for their next batch of N Gauge Class 33s, with 7 liveries to be available.

2D-001-009 Class 33/0 D6509 BR Green NYP

2D-020-010 Class 33/0 D6523 BR Green SYP

2D-020-011 Class 33/0 33056 BR Blue FYE The Burma Star

2D-020-012 Class 33/0 33025 DRS

2D-020-024 Class 33/1 D6580 BR Green VSYP

2D-020-025 Class 33/1 33107 BR Blue

2D-020-026 Class 33/1 33103 Fragonset Swordfish

Model specifications:

• Detailed body with etched grills and separately fitted handrails

• RP25.72 darkened wheels with pin point bearings

• 5 pole Super creep motor with huge pulling power and incredible slow running speed

• All wheel drive and pick up

• Independently controllable directional lighting

• Dapol’s low friction mechanism for efficient quiet running

• Heavy split frame chassis for excellent running and haulage qualities

DCC ready versions have an RRP of £145.00, with DCC fitted versions at £175.00

Dapol state:

Decorated samples are currently being reviewed by the design team and feedback will be sent to the factory in China. Two obvious things that initially stick out are the shades of blue on the DRS model and the presentation of the lining across the grilles, both need some refinement. Once any adjustments to the decoration are complete we will have a clearer view of when we can expect these models in shops. For the meantime we anticipate we will see them during Q4 2025

For more information visit the Dapol website

The return of the 64xx Pannier and a trio of Class 47s are the highlights from the Bachmann Spring 2025 announcements in the Graham Farish N Gauge Range.

Great Western Railway 64xx Pannier Tank

The excellent 64xx makes a welcome return to the Graham Farish range, with five different models to be available.

371-986B 

GWR 64XX Pannier Tank 6406 BR Black (Early Emblem) 

RRP £119.95

371-986C 

GWR 64XX Pannier Tank 6413 BR Black (Early Emblem) [W] 

RRP £124.95

371-987A 

GWR 64XX Pannier Tank 6408 BR Lined Green (Late Crest) 

RRP £119.95

371-987B 

GWR 64XX Pannier Tank 6416 BR Lined Green (Late Crest) [W] 

RRP £124.95

371-990 

GWR 64XX Pannier Tank 6412 GWR Green (Shirtbutton) [Preserved] 

£119.95

BR Class 47

A trio of Class 47s are included in this periods announcements, all three of which use the latest chassis with pre-fitted speaker and Next18 DCC scoket. All will be available as DCC ready or DCC Sound fitted.

Bachmann indicated that further Class 47s will be announced throughout the year.

372-245A / 372-245ASF

Class 47/7 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' BR ScotRail 

RRP £179.95 / £289.95

372-263 / 372-263SF

Class 47/4 47555 'The Commonwealth Spirit' BR RF Distribution European

RRP £179.95 / £289.95

372-266 / 372-266SF

Class 47/4 47849 BR InterCity (Swallow) 

RRP £179.95 / £289.95

Rolling Stock

The following items of rolling stock were also revealed during the Spring announcements.

374-775B 

BR Mk1 NBA Brake Gangwayed High Security Rail Express Systems 

RRP £42.95

374-776B 

BR Mk1 NBA Brake Gangwayed High Security Rail Exp. Sys. (Royal Mail) 

RRP £42.95

373-600D BR VGA Van EWS 

RRP£24.95

373-600E BR VGA Van EWS 

RRP £24.95

373-601E BR VGA Van BR Railfreight Red & Grey (Speedlink) 

RRP £24.95

373-601F BR VGA Van BR Railfreight Red & Grey (Speedlink) 

RRP £24.95

373-602D BR VGA Van BR Railfreight Distribution Sector 

RRP £24.95

373-602E BR VGA Van BR Railfreight Distribution Sector 

RRP £24.95

373-604 BR VGA Van 'Lovat Spring' Grey & Yellow 

RRP £24.95

373-604A BR VGA Van 'Lovat Spring' Grey & Yellow 

RRP £24.95

For full details of all of these announcements, visit the Bachmann Europe website

First announced back in 2022, Revolution Trains have now opened the order books for their N Gauge PTA/JTA/JUA box wagons and JSA steel carriers, and released new CAD images for them.

The box wagons will be supplied in packs of five; either an 'outer' pack containing two outers and three inners or an 'inner' pack containing three inners, to enable prototypical ten wagon cuts to be assembled.

Each PTA outer pack will feature one end wagon with a working tail lamp, and one without. Both inners and outer wagons are provided with working representations of the buckeye couplers for additional realism, along with cosmetic air hoses.

PTA/JTA/JUA Liveries now available to pre-order are as follows:

The steel carriers will be supplied in twin packs, in either British steel blue or VTG blue and silver.

Revolution state that CAD is now complete and the models are in tooling. Whilst all development is about to be subject to the annual Chinese New Year festivities and associated shutdown Revolution expect to have the first EP samples in March, hopefully in time for the British Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace.

'Early Bird' pricing currently applies, with the PTA/JTA/JUA box wagons currently available to pre-order for £174.95 per 5 wagon pack, and the JSA Steel carriers currently available to pre-order for £69.95 per twin pack.

For more information and to place a pre-order, visit the Revolution Trains website here