At the start of the video I thought, 'Ha, some fool has put that number eight on upside down!'. Only for that to actually turn out to be further evidence of the incredible attention to detail in these models. Great stuff.
I started my working life at Doncaster Plant Works. I seem to remember hearing due to poor build quality of Romanian built 56's that large round buffers were used due to inconsistant ride heights, I might be wrong or not heard the conversation propperly though. So far as the model goes, I love it and the packing cradle is a great idea, I actually said "wow look that's a great idea" and no contact with any of the surfaces by foam or plastic film. Good detailed review without going on too long.
Hi thanks. I can’t stand reviews that go on and on and on. I recently saw someone do a 50+ minutes video on a Hornby railroad loco lol. What can you get to say for that long?! 20-30mins is more than long enough for this type of video. Cheers.
It is a lovely made model. Bachmann and accurascale also make amazing diesel models. Just a pity Hornby only seem to up their game when it’s a steam loco!
Great video Dave, for me the 3 samples I've got are amazing, the attention to detail between variants is what strikes me the most and how much detail they've managed to incorporate into their tooling. Simply breathtaking. I'll catch you at Model Rail Scotland, I'll be there Friday and Sunday if you are around then? James
I have 4 of these! 3 turned up perfect one has had to go back as the bogies had twisted in transit on the cradle and it had no drive at all and made a horrific noise! They are an exceptional model
Another excellent video Dave. I bought the Colas liveried 56 from Cavalex and I’m really pleased with it. A weighty model with a quiet motor and really great sound. I like the packaging, nothing loose in the box! I’d have preferred the etched nameplates & front buffer beam detail to be factory applied as my eyesight and finger dexterity isn’t what it used to be. However, the supplied template is a clever idea which makes the task of fitting the nameplates so much easier. Fitting the pipework is a wee bit of a faff, this is true for other manufacturers too. A fair bit of filing of the pipework is needed to locate them in the relevant holes on the buffer beam. Well worth the effort though. I too had an issue with the kinematic coupling causing derailments to leading wagons, especially Dapol JNA Falcon wagons & Hornby KFAs. I seem to have resolved this by using an alternative coupling from my spares box. A slightly longer coupling avoids buffer lock. The kinematic coupler seems to have loosened up too. No issues now. I’m curious to know if anyone has ‘experimented’ with functions 29 & 30, the station announcements? Does anyone know what CVs they use? I’m hoping there might be alternatives on the factory supplied sound decoder, preferably something with a Scottish theme.
I like this format for a review, and how you'll revisit it in a few months! When Cavalex announced this model, they said you could model all 135 class 56s built. However, with this design, you can't do 56042, which had the unique CP1 bogies, which were eventually installed under the class 58. This is a very good model, and I wonder if they'll dare do a class 47! And, I'll be at Model Rail Scotland on the Saturday, as usual, so I'll be popping into the west hill stand, for a few things, and maybe a blether with you!
Another fair, accurate and balanced review Dave!! You never disappoint. I had 2 on pre order and just bought a 3rd. Very pleased with them. Cheers, Gary.
I got four of these beauties as in Colas 56049, DCR 56091 & the GBRf Farewell Railtour Pack (56081/56098) and to be honest this will be close to getting Model of the Year 2024. All of them were delivered unscathed and in absolute perfect condition within the box and yes they are absolutely sublime, I would rate them as equal to Accurascale's Class 37 which I own 4 current day ones but yes different loco's with different detailing etc. but to me the Accurascale Class 37 is a class leader in current diesel loco's and the weight is insane where the Class 56 is noticeably lighter. All my loco's come with sound and this 56 does bring a smile to my face, it really sounds like a 56 thus Cavalex have engineered the chassis and sound installation perfectly. I think a second run couldn't come soon enough, would love the current day condition of ex-Fastline 56301 and more Colas variants.
Hi Dave. I have 56120 and it runs fantastically and the sounds are superb. I only ordered one as this is Cavalexes first model and I wanted to see how it would be. I now want a couple more with sound but they are all sold out. I can't wait for the next run off them. I think it is on par with Accurascale if not better. I can't find anything wrong with my model so I would give it a 100% score
The Epping Ongar Railway has Pitchford Hall, a Pannier Tank and a small fleet of various diesel locomotives which includes a Class 08, Class 37, Class 25, Class 20 and Class 45, just to name a few!!
Looks amazing, the level of detail is out of this world. Still think I’ll stick with my Hornby ones. I did notice some bluring if the yellow on the side cab window and some yellow streaks in the cab rail recesses. Apart from that the livery application is superb.
The paint finish looks really good on the blue one, I like the sound as well. Overall it looks a very good model and pleased to see Cavalex thinking more about performance than all wheel drive. making things that work is more important to me than having a finely detailed cab that you can hardly see. The packing is far better and like my Roco snow blower came, that impressed me too often these days you get models with loose bits in the packing. I like your review and hope to see after a good bit of work if it still performs well or even better. Just give it some heavy loads to stop the coupler sticking. Looking forward to the Glasgow show.
Great review, well balanced. Agree with you on the couplings mine is the same,.have to be choosy with what wagons to pull behind it. Hopefully will loosen off in time.
We, that’s only my Dad’s Army layout, Walmington-on-Sea!! I’m in the process of creating a loft layout of the Epping Ongar Railway, at which I used to work.
Enjoyable video and review! Good choices as well … I also purchased two of the new 56’s, choosing 56120 in large logo (as one of my first models was the Mainline 56 in that livery many years ago!). Very good models … I’ve noticed the coupling heights are a teeny teeny bit different to other stock, mainly because most other stock have droopy NEM pockets! Potentially another factor why you had a few derailing issues? Thankfully mine have been ok when testing and hauling my rakes so far. BTW am looking forward to travelling up to Glasgow again this year to visit Model Rail Scotland although looks like I’ll miss you again as I’ll be attending Friday! Look forward to the trip and show … 👍
A beautiful model indeed. I have 56077 and am incredibly pleased with it. I also have three Hornby examples, which I will be keeping. Love the sound, too. Try some PTFE dry lubricant on the coupling sliders. Worked a treat on my Hornby 56’s. Was having the same issue with leading wagon derailing as the kinematic coupling didn’t return to centre. Don’t like them, but cant have it all. Great review.
A Great review Dave and your attention to detail is impressive. I learnt so much more about the Class 56 variants. First time I have seen 56077 featured and this is the one I went for. Really impressed and your score does it justice. Hope to see you at Model Rail Scotland on Sunday: got a certain rugby match at Murrayfield on Saturday🏴🏉🏴
A very good and fair review - this is a superb model, but there are a few issues, which you've picked up on nicely, without offending anyone. BTW, all locos up to 56055 had alloy cabs, 56056 onwards were steel - this is the reason why they have a differing cab profile and isn't related to where they were built.
Thanks. I try to keep my reviews balance and fair. It’s not all about pointing out the obvious, as sone viewers like to know the smaller details, good or not so. It is a lovely model. Cheers Dave
It’s an overall good first locomotives from Cavalex from what I have seen so far, I do admit I am tempted to get one or two, for me if I do get one it’s most probably going to be the coal sector livery that I go for as I already have a rake of 25 hornby HAA hoppers which would go very nicely with them, good video on this loco here Dave.
I'm interested in which 56 was recorded. It's a good recording and functions well, but on cold start up it sounds like a bag of spanners, and oddly un-56 like. Lovely model.
I went for 008, 019 and 023. Unfortunately, 008 had a paint blemish on the cab front and 019 was missing a cantrail grille cover so I'm waiting for Rails to send replacements. Nevertheless, I think these are stunning models. The rich sheen of the paintwork, the sound and lighting functions (love the 'heavy load' function!), the incredible detail and the 'straight out the box' driveability of the things all put a big smile on my face. Throw in the great customer engagement and obvious love for this project from the chaps at Cavalex and all I can say is bring on the second run (they told me on Facebook there will be one, of different numbers next time), and bring on the Class 60s! I'd gladly take an HST from them too... Cheers Rich
With every new model comes the ‘make an HST’ lol. Shame about your faulty models. I look forward to the 60 and another run of 56’s. I’ve been very pleased with mine so far.
If I had carried on modelling then yes these look great, The remind me of the Westbury based stone trains locos used to love the scream off a 56 when starting from a signal check.
It is a good looking model but I think the sound falls short with the Ruston thump missing. I imagine the sound would become very tiring - as it sadly did in your excellent video.
Good review - DP, good that another manufacturing making good OO models, the price of Non digital loco not bar around £180 and it's no brainer for Cavalex to do another production run - hope to pick one up later.
Nice model!! Pity it’s diesel rather than steam!! I’m an absolute steam fanatic. Three of my steam locomotives have a DCC Sound and the rest are analog controlled. My controller is the ANEMODEL LD101, which controls both digital and analog models.
Great review. I have grabbed the 56008 and 56070 (Romanian and Doncaster) for BR blue. I found out when looking at RMWeb there is a failed cold start and restart sound facilty. F1 on/off and on again - with short intervals in between. I don't think that is in the manual.
I had left Doncaster before the Doncaster-built units were produced, but I am certain that the Romanian units are pretty much true to prototype. I also knew someone who worked at BREL in Doncaster and I can remember him telling me about how badly finished the Romanian locomotives had been, as he was working on rebuilding them.
As mentioned in a comment after watching your December video, my DC version failed. I await a new blanking plate- I understand that a few others have had similar problems. I will see if the new plate does the trick. The doors are not as good as the Hornby version, otherwise looks a good model- hope mine is ok- I will update my comments
Yes that is correct. Apologies to Dave we blanket covered the 091 to 135 as Crewe based on the series 4 cab design whereas both Doncaster and Crewe built the series 4 from 091 onwards.
Overall its an absolutely stonking model that knocks the socks off Hornbys Grid. My one gripe with it is with the packaging. BOTH of mine arrived with bogies wedged a little off to the side, and on one of them this has damaged the drivetrain as the locomotive only drives off one bogie. According to Cav, this will be down to a part holding the worm drive in place becoming unclipped, but IMHO the packaging should not be capable of causing damage in this manner and is something which should be addressed for further models. I'd rather deal with rubs in the paint which I can hide with weathering than need to disassemble the model to get it running. It does suggest that the drivetrain isn't all that robust as well as the packaging being a potential problem if you were to repackage the model for storage and damage it when you screw the model back into its cradle. It is an issue known to Cavalex as they have been quite helpful on the forums in diagnosing this fault with others.
They're lovely looking models, for a first effort at producing a locomotive they've done a fair job. 4 axle drive vs 6 axle drive has always been a huge debate. 4 axle drive is very much a continental europe HO way of doing things, the 450 euro Marklin / Trix class 66 is 4 axle drive machine with a pair of traction tyres on the inner wheels. The first gen Bachmann class 37 is 4 axle drive , along with Heljans tubby class 47. 6 axle drive is very much a north American HO railroad feature of Walthers / Aethearn. If you have the Bachmann class 66 or 70 they are well known for the pivoting middle axles when under load on the slightest bit of uneven track or pointwork. The original mainline class 56 from 1984 featured 3 axle drive on the powered bogie & coupled with the finescale wheels it was problematic. I guess Cavalex noted these issues & went for the more trusty 4 axle drive, if its good enough on stuff costing nyon double 00 models then its more than good enough for 00. Continental HO has a far more demanding customer base & there is no way on gods earth would they tolerate Bachmanns output on that front . The only real issue the arms race thats underway of keep producing more & more heavier freight stock / carriages that requires more & more heavier locos to haul all the die cast metal about. As weve seen with the class 31 announcement today from Bachmann , how long before a Bachmann class 56 hits the market?
Just received my DCR rail 56, unfortunately it has issues so is going back, but it looks superb and hopefully I can get a replacement soon as I look forward to putting on my layout
@GaryNumeroUno i phoned the model shop i purchased it from. it is the drive shaft that has come loose during transit. Its a quick 30second fix. Really glad as it's a gorgeous model. No loose parts when I got it out of the box
Hi, thanks for watching. Oh now that’s interesting. Have you passed your comments on to Cavalex directly? I’ve have to compare it to a 25 and see if I hear similarities.
Your rating system is a bit more scientific than the old one. Both are beautifully detailed models. Although I don't own any, I do think the removable roof panel is a step forward from having to remove the entire detailed body, with the potential to damage small parts, to instal a chip. Weathering could cover any slight discrepancies in colour and, in any case, apart from the day it left the factory, I doubt all the roof panels on the real thing remained uniform in colour. See you at Modelrail Cheers.
Real locos may not have had matching panels, but a model should give you that option when it’s new. Many people won’t want to weather it. The bogie is so easy to remove, actually easier than the panel. It’s a feature in modern tooled locos from the newer companies. but id rather have my body colors matching. cheers.
@@DeanPark In all fairness Dave that is the only model out of all of the ones that we have dealt with that has had any kind of colour match issue. We would be more than happy to replace the panel or body to remedy that.
Excellent video. I used to have a Hornby one many years ago and it's very much like a toy in comparison (I guess the price would be hugely different too). Does anyone know if and when they ever turned the number 8 the right way up?
I don't collect 00, and I don't like the class 56 in real life. But I really like these! Fantastic review. I only have one complaint. And that's that you don't review steam. You'd be bloody good at it. :) By the way, the era you model does have the best liveries.
Cheers. Glad you like my reviews. I don’t have a lot of steam. I did cover the flying Scotsman dublo briefly in a video last year. But if I get a new steam loco I’ll be sure to add a review into a video!
I have to agree a great loco but I have dome one mod to mine, I’ve swapped out the esu speaker and replaced it with an em1 which improves the sound significantly.
We will agree to disagree. We trialled an EM1 during our assessment of which speaker to use and it was significantly lacking in clarity compared to the ESU speaker.
Looking at photos of the prototype compared to the model, the bogie is set some 2-3mm too far away from the buffer beam. The outside end axle box is noticeably too far behind the handrail.
@@EE12CSVT 2 to 3 inches in 1-1 isn't 2 to 3 mm in 1-76.2 though is it? Photo angle also makes a massive difference to the perceived position of the axle and steps.
The only problem I have is that 56008 had to be returned due to a pittedwheel on the non powered axle and it runs a bit erratic this has gone back to rails my other 2are fine message to cavalex tho functions on a Gaugemaster prodigy only go up to 28 and there’s 30!
Yes we are aware of that, some people's controllers only go up to 12 or so. However we have made a concerted effort to keep all of the main functions in the top 10 in order for the most people to be able to drive the loco effectively. People with more access to functions can obviously do the extra functions on the locomotive. F29 and F30 are station announcers anyway which we felt the least important features for a freight loco.
DP - Good model maybe - plaese stop giving these overated models 9/10 Value for money. They are not - you are promoting the rediculous prices's of new models and destroying the future of model railways - Q - are model railways in decline - YES - because of the price -Stop encouraging these astronomical prices for a model !!! or is it financially benificial to you to do so ???? GET IN THE REAL WORLD.
First off. NO it is not financially beneficial for me to say it is good value for money. I don’t appreciate what you are insinuating either. I pay for ALL of my models and do NOT get incentives or financial benefits for giving a review. Are model railways in decline… NO! Not from what I see, I hear and I read. Ok, a retailer stopped trading, but that does not set the trend for the hobby. I occasionally stand in and volunteer in my local hobby shop and trust me, model railway sales have never been so good. People are buying and buying a lot. And that includes kids buying railroad and starter sets. As I say in my model reviews….what is cheap these days? If you put it in perspective and compare it the European market our models, while not cheap, are in most cases, pretty good value for money. Gone are the days of £90 locos and £20 coaches. Those were 2012 prices! Look at inflation, the exchange rate and the growing wage rates in china… on top of that the modellers now demand more and more detail on their models. That cost money. That pushes up prices. So the same people who squeal at the prices now are the same people who demanded the increased realism and detail. I never say models were cheap. Nothing is. But when you compare this Cavalex 56 or the Accurascale class 37 with the models of 10 years ago, the game has clearly moved in. I am firmly in the real world. Perhaps you are living in the world of a decade ago. Go do a weeks shop in the supermarket and see what a trolley of groceries costs you for the week. Then you might get some perspective about the cost of things. I love how people think this hobby is immune to global economics!! It’s not! Everything has doubled in price. Loaf of bread 70p 3 years ago. Now £1.40 for a warburtons loaf. 2012 a VW Golf GTI… was £21,000. Today, £39,500! So how are model railway any different?? Get real.
I already have 6 Hornby and 1 Mainline version so I don't need any others.
Brought two last week...
hi, great video,the blue one looks great.
I do like the blue. However it suits the grey so well that I can’t chose between them :-)
At the start of the video I thought, 'Ha, some fool has put that number eight on upside down!'. Only for that to actually turn out to be further evidence of the incredible attention to detail in these models. Great stuff.
I started my working life at Doncaster Plant Works. I seem to remember hearing due to poor build quality of Romanian built 56's that large round buffers were used due to inconsistant ride heights, I might be wrong or not heard the conversation propperly though. So far as the model goes, I love it and the packing cradle is a great idea, I actually said "wow look that's a great idea" and no contact with any of the surfaces by foam or plastic film. Good detailed review without going on too long.
I visited the Plant in 1960 or 61 a lot of Footballers [ B17 ] and the W1 waiting to go for scrap... very sad ... I was14yo.
@rogerwolstenholme2710 I had a similar sight when I started there when I saw a row of Deltics on the scrap road.
@@Kev5565
Hi thanks. I can’t stand reviews that go on and on and on. I recently saw someone do a 50+ minutes video on a Hornby railroad loco lol. What can you get to say for that long?!
20-30mins is more than long enough for this type of video.
Cheers.
A thorough review of what looks to be almost a new standard in model diesels. These look awesome.
It is a lovely made model. Bachmann and accurascale also make amazing diesel models. Just a pity Hornby only seem to up their game when it’s a steam loco!
Great video Dave, for me the 3 samples I've got are amazing, the attention to detail between variants is what strikes me the most and how much detail they've managed to incorporate into their tooling. Simply breathtaking.
I'll catch you at Model Rail Scotland, I'll be there Friday and Sunday if you are around then?
James
I’m there over the weekend :-)
Decent and fair review i think 👍
Superb models from Cavalex, very pleased with them 😊
I have 4 of these! 3 turned up perfect one has had to go back as the bogies had twisted in transit on the cradle and it had no drive at all and made a horrific noise! They are an exceptional model
Another excellent video Dave. I bought the Colas liveried 56 from Cavalex and I’m really pleased with it. A weighty model with a quiet motor and really great sound. I like the packaging, nothing loose in the box! I’d have preferred the etched nameplates & front buffer beam detail to be factory applied as my eyesight and finger dexterity isn’t what it used to be. However, the supplied template is a clever idea which makes the task of fitting the nameplates so much easier. Fitting the pipework is a wee bit of a faff, this is true for other manufacturers too. A fair bit of filing of the pipework is needed to locate them in the relevant holes on the buffer beam. Well worth the effort though. I too had an issue with the kinematic coupling causing derailments to leading wagons, especially Dapol JNA Falcon wagons & Hornby KFAs. I seem to have resolved this by using an alternative coupling from my spares box. A slightly longer coupling avoids buffer lock. The kinematic coupler seems to have loosened up too. No issues now. I’m curious to know if anyone has ‘experimented’ with functions 29 & 30, the station announcements? Does anyone know what CVs they use? I’m hoping there might be alternatives on the factory supplied sound decoder, preferably something with a Scottish theme.
When experimenting with mine , 56077, did not seem to work. I am no expert and have queried it with Cavalex
I like this format for a review, and how you'll revisit it in a few months! When Cavalex announced this model, they said you could model all 135 class 56s built. However, with this design, you can't do 56042, which had the unique CP1 bogies, which were eventually installed under the class 58. This is a very good model, and I wonder if they'll dare do a class 47! And, I'll be at Model Rail Scotland on the Saturday, as usual, so I'll be popping into the west hill stand, for a few things, and maybe a blether with you!
No need for a third class 47. Bachmann one is superb. Heljan one… not so
I used to see 56s on my way to school every week on oil trains between Grangemouth and Prestwick airport
I have Pre ordered The Projected Class 60 from Rainbow Railways.... I've got a new Class 56 in Loadhaul livery and I'm very pleased with it .
What a stunning model!!! Thanks for sharing Dave! Cheers Onno
Thanks Onno. Dave
Another fair, accurate and balanced review Dave!! You never disappoint.
I had 2 on pre order and just bought a 3rd. Very pleased with them.
Cheers, Gary.
Cheers Gary. I like to give as full a picture of a model as I can. Also being impartial and fair. So I’m glad you thought it’s was good. Cheers. Dave
As well as being used as part of the Epping Ongar Railway, I also use my locomotives on the digital layout at the Hoddesdon Model and Railway Cllub.
I got four of these beauties as in Colas 56049, DCR 56091 & the GBRf Farewell Railtour Pack (56081/56098) and to be honest this will be close to getting Model of the Year 2024.
All of them were delivered unscathed and in absolute perfect condition within the box and yes they are absolutely sublime, I would rate them as equal to Accurascale's Class 37 which I own 4 current day ones but yes different loco's with different detailing etc. but to me the Accurascale Class 37 is a class leader in current diesel loco's and the weight is insane where the Class 56 is noticeably lighter.
All my loco's come with sound and this 56 does bring a smile to my face, it really sounds like a 56 thus Cavalex have engineered the chassis and sound installation perfectly.
I think a second run couldn't come soon enough, would love the current day condition of ex-Fastline 56301 and more Colas variants.
Hi Dave. I have 56120 and it runs fantastically and the sounds are superb. I only ordered one as this is Cavalexes first model and I wanted to see how it would be. I now want a couple more with sound but they are all sold out. I can't wait for the next run off them. I think it is on par with Accurascale if not better. I can't find anything wrong with my model so I would give it a 100% score
The Epping Ongar Railway has Pitchford Hall, a Pannier Tank and a small fleet of various diesel locomotives which includes a Class 08, Class 37, Class 25, Class 20 and Class 45, just to name a few!!
As our Class 47 has a Scotts Terrier on the side, I hope they bring that livery out when I start building the Epping Ongar Railway layout.
Looks amazing, the level of detail is out of this world. Still think I’ll stick with my Hornby ones. I did notice some bluring if the yellow on the side cab window and some yellow streaks in the cab rail recesses. Apart from that the livery application is superb.
The paint finish looks really good on the blue one, I like the sound as well. Overall it looks a very good model and pleased to see Cavalex thinking more about performance than all wheel drive. making things that work is more important to me than having a finely detailed cab that you can hardly see. The packing is far better and like my Roco snow blower came, that impressed me too often these days you get models with loose bits in the packing. I like your review and hope to see after a good bit of work if it still performs well or even better. Just give it some heavy loads to stop the coupler sticking. Looking forward to the Glasgow show.
Great review, well balanced. Agree with you on the couplings mine is the same,.have to be choosy with what wagons to pull behind it. Hopefully will loosen off in time.
Hi thanks. That’s interesting to know. I thought it was just my two that were like that.
We, that’s only my Dad’s Army layout, Walmington-on-Sea!! I’m in the process of creating a loft layout of the Epping Ongar Railway, at which I used to work.
Enjoyable video and review! Good choices as well … I also purchased two of the new 56’s, choosing 56120 in large logo (as one of my first models was the Mainline 56 in that livery many years ago!). Very good models … I’ve noticed the coupling heights are a teeny teeny bit different to other stock, mainly because most other stock have droopy NEM pockets! Potentially another factor why you had a few derailing issues? Thankfully mine have been ok when testing and hauling my rakes so far. BTW am looking forward to travelling up to Glasgow again this year to visit Model Rail Scotland although looks like I’ll miss you again as I’ll be attending Friday! Look forward to the trip and show … 👍
A beautiful model indeed.
I have 56077 and am incredibly pleased with it. I also have three Hornby examples, which I will be keeping.
Love the sound, too.
Try some PTFE dry lubricant on the coupling sliders. Worked a treat on my Hornby 56’s. Was having the same issue with leading wagon derailing as the kinematic coupling didn’t return to centre. Don’t like them, but cant have it all.
Great review.
Cheers for that advice. Ok give that a go. Dave
A Great review Dave and your attention to detail is impressive. I learnt so much more about the Class 56 variants. First time I have seen 56077 featured and this is the one I went for. Really impressed and your score does it justice.
Hope to see you at Model Rail Scotland on Sunday: got a certain rugby match at Murrayfield on Saturday🏴🏉🏴
A very good and fair review - this is a superb model, but there are a few issues, which you've picked up on nicely, without offending anyone. BTW, all locos up to 56055 had alloy cabs, 56056 onwards were steel - this is the reason why they have a differing cab profile and isn't related to where they were built.
Thanks. I try to keep my reviews balance and fair. It’s not all about pointing out the obvious, as sone viewers like to know the smaller details, good or not so.
It is a lovely model.
Cheers
Dave
It’s an overall good first locomotives from Cavalex from what I have seen so far, I do admit I am tempted to get one or two, for me if I do get one it’s most probably going to be the coal sector livery that I go for as I already have a rake of 25 hornby HAA hoppers which would go very nicely with them, good video on this loco here Dave.
I'm interested in which 56 was recorded. It's a good recording and functions well, but on cold start up it sounds like a bag of spanners, and oddly un-56 like. Lovely model.
It was 56105 on Shrewsbury depot.
Worked on the full size versions from when they were new at Canton. Models look great
I went for 008, 019 and 023. Unfortunately, 008 had a paint blemish on the cab front and 019 was missing a cantrail grille cover so I'm waiting for Rails to send replacements. Nevertheless, I think these are stunning models. The rich sheen of the paintwork, the sound and lighting functions (love the 'heavy load' function!), the incredible detail and the 'straight out the box' driveability of the things all put a big smile on my face. Throw in the great customer engagement and obvious love for this project from the chaps at Cavalex and all I can say is bring on the second run (they told me on Facebook there will be one, of different numbers next time), and bring on the Class 60s! I'd gladly take an HST from them too...
Cheers
Rich
With every new model comes the ‘make an HST’ lol.
Shame about your faulty models.
I look forward to the 60 and another run of 56’s. I’ve been very pleased with mine so far.
It looks stunning
Great video there mate. They are nice models overall.
If I had carried on modelling then yes these look great, The remind me of the Westbury based stone trains locos used to love the scream off a 56 when starting from a signal check.
It is a good looking model but I think the sound falls short with the Ruston thump missing. I imagine the sound would become very tiring - as it sadly did in your excellent video.
Sound does eventually get on your nerves. I don’t always run it with sound.
In person and certainly in heavy train mode the thump is there.
Good review - DP, good that another manufacturing making good OO models, the price of Non digital loco not bar around £180 and it's no brainer for Cavalex to do another production run - hope to pick one up later.
Good review Dave, it bodes well for the 60. I could do with a transrail version of this but no manufacturer seems to be into it much
Nice model!! Pity it’s diesel rather than steam!! I’m an absolute steam fanatic. Three of my steam locomotives have a DCC Sound and the rest are analog controlled. My controller is the ANEMODEL LD101, which controls both digital and analog models.
Great looking model sounds great still prefer a class 37 or 55.
Great review. I have grabbed the 56008 and 56070 (Romanian and Doncaster) for BR blue. I found out when looking at RMWeb there is a failed cold start and restart sound facilty. F1 on/off and on again - with short intervals in between. I don't think that is in the manual.
I had left Doncaster before the Doncaster-built units were produced, but I am certain that the Romanian units are pretty much true to prototype. I also knew someone who worked at BREL in Doncaster and I can remember him telling me about how badly finished the Romanian locomotives had been, as he was working on rebuilding them.
As mentioned in a comment after watching your December video, my DC version failed. I await a new blanking plate- I understand that a few others have had similar problems. I will see if the new plate does the trick. The doors are not as good as the Hornby version, otherwise looks a good model- hope mine is ok- I will update my comments
A replacement blanking plate has arrived and so far my 56 is working well. I will give it a quite rigorous test
Only 56116 to 56135 were built at Crewe. 56091 to 56115 at Doncaster, but with several variations to the previous batch.
I received that information from Cavalex.
Yes that is correct. Apologies to Dave we blanket covered the 091 to 135 as Crewe based on the series 4 cab design whereas both Doncaster and Crewe built the series 4 from 091 onwards.
Overall its an absolutely stonking model that knocks the socks off Hornbys Grid. My one gripe with it is with the packaging. BOTH of mine arrived with bogies wedged a little off to the side, and on one of them this has damaged the drivetrain as the locomotive only drives off one bogie. According to Cav, this will be down to a part holding the worm drive in place becoming unclipped, but IMHO the packaging should not be capable of causing damage in this manner and is something which should be addressed for further models. I'd rather deal with rubs in the paint which I can hide with weathering than need to disassemble the model to get it running. It does suggest that the drivetrain isn't all that robust as well as the packaging being a potential problem if you were to repackage the model for storage and damage it when you screw the model back into its cradle. It is an issue known to Cavalex as they have been quite helpful on the forums in diagnosing this fault with others.
They're lovely looking models, for a first effort at producing a locomotive they've done a fair job. 4 axle drive vs 6 axle drive has always been a huge debate. 4 axle drive is very much a continental europe HO way of doing things, the 450 euro Marklin / Trix class 66 is 4 axle drive machine with a pair of traction tyres on the inner wheels. The first gen Bachmann class 37 is 4 axle drive , along with Heljans tubby class 47. 6 axle drive is very much a north American HO railroad feature of Walthers / Aethearn. If you have the Bachmann class 66 or 70 they are well known for the pivoting middle axles when under load on the slightest bit of uneven track or pointwork. The original mainline class 56 from 1984 featured 3 axle drive on the powered bogie & coupled with the finescale wheels it was problematic. I guess Cavalex noted these issues & went for the more trusty 4 axle drive, if its good enough on stuff costing nyon double 00 models then its more than good enough for 00. Continental HO has a far more demanding customer base & there is no way on gods earth would they tolerate Bachmanns output on that front . The only real issue the arms race thats underway of keep producing more & more heavier freight stock / carriages that requires more & more heavier locos to haul all the die cast metal about. As weve seen with the class 31 announcement today from Bachmann , how long before a Bachmann class 56 hits the market?
Just received my DCR rail 56, unfortunately it has issues so is going back, but it looks superb and hopefully I can get a replacement soon as I look forward to putting on my layout
What we're the issues mukka? I have three in the pipeline... two of which are Romanian... so I'm a bit worried now! 😅
@GaryNumeroUno i phoned the model shop i purchased it from. it is the drive shaft that has come loose during transit. Its a quick 30second fix. Really glad as it's a gorgeous model. No loose parts when I got it out of the box
I never heard a class 56 sound like a class 25 when it was stood still but this model class 56 does
Hi, thanks for watching.
Oh now that’s interesting. Have you passed your comments on to Cavalex directly?
I’ve have to compare it to a 25 and see if I hear similarities.
Your rating system is a bit more scientific than the old one. Both are beautifully detailed models.
Although I don't own any, I do think the removable roof panel is a step forward from having to remove the entire detailed body, with the potential to damage small parts, to instal a chip. Weathering could cover any slight discrepancies in colour and, in any case, apart from the day it left the factory, I doubt all the roof panels on the real thing remained uniform in colour. See you at Modelrail Cheers.
Real locos may not have had matching panels, but a model should give you that option when it’s new. Many people won’t want to weather it.
The bogie is so easy to remove, actually easier than the panel. It’s a feature in modern tooled locos from the newer companies. but id rather have my body colors matching. cheers.
@@DeanPark In all fairness Dave that is the only model out of all of the ones that we have dealt with that has had any kind of colour match issue. We would be more than happy to replace the panel or body to remedy that.
Fair enough Dave
@@DeanPark
Excellent video. I used to have a Hornby one many years ago and it's very much like a toy in comparison (I guess the price would be hugely different too). Does anyone know if and when they ever turned the number 8 the right way up?
The Hornby one is more expensive.
When you test run the Rumainian did she dump all of her coolant and failed?;-)
I don't collect 00, and I don't like the class 56 in real life. But I really like these! Fantastic review. I only have one complaint. And that's that you don't review steam. You'd be bloody good at it. :) By the way, the era you model does have the best liveries.
Cheers. Glad you like my reviews.
I don’t have a lot of steam. I did cover the flying Scotsman dublo briefly in a video last year. But if I get a new steam loco I’ll be sure to add a review into a video!
I have to agree a great loco but I have dome one mod to mine, I’ve swapped out the esu speaker and replaced it with an em1 which improves the sound significantly.
Cheers. I bet that sounds great.
We will agree to disagree. We trialled an EM1 during our assessment of which speaker to use and it was significantly lacking in clarity compared to the ESU speaker.
Is it my imagination that the number 8 is upside down on 56008???
It is. And it’s supposed to be. I talk about it in my review
Looking at photos of the prototype compared to the model, the bogie is set some 2-3mm too far away from the buffer beam. The outside end axle box is noticeably too far behind the handrail.
Thanks for that. It’s something I noticed when filming.
@@DeanPark Apart from that it's a great looking model, and you made a most interesting review of it with the prototype history.
It absolutely isn't 2-3mm too far back.
@@outonroad I which case the 1:76.2 model is correct and the 1:1 1435mm gauge prototype has the bogies sat 6-9 inches too far forward...
@@EE12CSVT 2 to 3 inches in 1-1 isn't 2 to 3 mm in 1-76.2 though is it? Photo angle also makes a massive difference to the perceived position of the axle and steps.
The only problem I have is that 56008 had to be returned due to a pittedwheel on the non powered axle and it runs a bit erratic this has gone back to rails my other 2are fine message to cavalex tho functions on a Gaugemaster prodigy only go up to 28 and there’s 30!
Yes we are aware of that, some people's controllers only go up to 12 or so. However we have made a concerted effort to keep all of the main functions in the top 10 in order for the most people to be able to drive the loco effectively. People with more access to functions can obviously do the extra functions on the locomotive. F29 and F30 are station announcers anyway which we felt the least important features for a freight loco.
Ha ha brilliant!
Give me a grid over a 66 anytime
DP - Good model maybe - plaese stop giving these overated models 9/10 Value for money.
They are not - you are promoting the rediculous prices's of new models and destroying the future of model railways - Q - are model railways in decline - YES - because of the price -Stop encouraging these astronomical prices for a model !!! or is it financially benificial to you to do so ???? GET IN THE REAL WORLD.
First off. NO it is not financially beneficial for me to say it is good value for money. I don’t appreciate what you are insinuating either. I pay for ALL of my models and do NOT get incentives or financial benefits for giving a review.
Are model railways in decline… NO! Not from what I see, I hear and I read. Ok, a retailer stopped trading, but that does not set the trend for the hobby. I occasionally stand in and volunteer in my local hobby shop and trust me, model railway sales have never been so good. People are buying and buying a lot. And that includes kids buying railroad and starter sets.
As I say in my model reviews….what is cheap these days? If you put it in perspective and compare it the European market our models, while not cheap, are in most cases, pretty good value for money.
Gone are the days of £90 locos and £20 coaches. Those were 2012 prices! Look at inflation, the exchange rate and the growing wage rates in china… on top of that the modellers now demand more and more detail on their models. That cost money. That pushes up prices. So the same people who squeal at the prices now are the same people who demanded the increased realism and detail.
I never say models were cheap. Nothing is.
But when you compare this Cavalex 56 or the Accurascale class 37 with the models of 10 years ago, the game has clearly moved in.
I am firmly in the real world. Perhaps you are living in the world of a decade ago. Go do a weeks shop in the supermarket and see what a trolley of groceries costs you for the week. Then you might get some perspective about the cost of things.
I love how people think this hobby is immune to global economics!! It’s not!
Everything has doubled in price. Loaf of bread 70p 3 years ago. Now £1.40 for a warburtons loaf.
2012 a VW Golf GTI… was £21,000. Today, £39,500!
So how are model railway any different??
Get real.