Class 92 revolution

Despite its complex shape and high detail ratio compared to other modern six-axle locomotives, Revolution Trains chose the Class 92 to be its first 'N' gauge locomotive model.

‘Dysons’ galore

IN the first release of its ‘N’ gauge Class 92, Revolution Trains produced a wide selection of models covering the history of the 46 Class 92s from their introduction from 1993 through to their use with DB Cargo, GBRf and Caledonian Sleeper, resulting in a wide choice of liveries and including one model without names and numbers, allowing the modeller to choose their preferred locomotive.

On removal from the box, the first impression is of a finely detailed model, particularly at the No.1 end bufferbeam where the brake hoses and fairing are fitted. The roof well stands out too, with its pair of fine posable pantographs.

Perhaps the surprise was the application of traction tyres to two wheels despite the fact that, for an electric locomotive model, it seemed to have a reasonable level of weight. One Class 92, in original Railfreight livery, was acquired for test and evaluation: No. 92003 Beethoven, which came in a typical clear plastic North American style box for ‘N’ scale locomotives with plastic inserts and instructions tucked away beneath the model.

Body shell

Composed of a single plastic moulding, the body shell comprises of the cabs and the central body section with the detailed flat roof of the pantograph well. It is very finely tooled, with excellent side grille detail and the curves around the cabs nicely represented. Cabside windows are neatly fitted with flush glazing which lacks the usual prismatic appearance. Windscreen glazing is not the best fit to the opening. Finer features of the body shell moulding include detail on the roof: the cab doors with well defined door handle recesses; the hand rail recesses and the rounded panel at the bottom of the cab fronts. Small components include separate moulded air horns, windscreen wipers and fine cabside hand rails. The light covers are also tiny mouldings, but are not particularly well fitted, showing some sprue on some edges. Overall, the body captures the shape and feel of the Class 92s well, including the pantograph well shoulder panels.

Pantograph well

On top of the body shell is fitted a wealth of small details, making this visually important part of the model authentic in appearance. The shoulder panels are applied to the roof as thin plastic mouldings, incorporating some fine grille detail. Between them are the various bus bars, insulators and a pair of fine posable pantographs of the correct pattern. The parts are well assembled to the model, with the profile of the shoulder panels matching cab shoulders well. The fit along the top of the body shell is very tight on the model and show no signs of distortion through forced fitting.

Adding to the impressive appearance of the roof detail is the thinness of the shoulder panel edges where some roof equipment is fitted beneath them. It is this thin section to the injection moulded panels that has perhaps contributed to a widely reported issue of depressions in the plastic in several places. There is a little roughness apparent along some of the panel edges too. Both cosmetic issues are easily seen on the test model due to the shine in the blue roof colour.