Demu update 2025 - A busy start to 2025!

As the first half of the year draws to a close, following a busy start to 2025, we wanted to provide an update on our projects.

January saw the arrival of our second locomotive, the class 60; with distribution and delivery to our retailer network beginning on schedule late in the month. The majority of this batch were of the Super 60 version catering for those modelling the current day scene and recent time period, although the hugely popular pioneer of the Class - 60001 ‘Steadfast’, was amongst the shipment with its special box and memorabilia included.

The first show of the year for Cavalex Models was Model Rail Scotland held on the 20th, 21st and 22nd February at the SECC. The reception of the Class 60 being overwhelmingly positive from visitors to the stand.

In March we posted a video update on our Class 60 project, showing what the project means to us personally and the development journey we both went on. This video also included our own Class 60 footage from Brush works way back in 1990!

If you have not seen the video, here is a link to our YouTube channel where the video can be viewed:

Not long after visiting Glasgow it was off to Alexandra Palace for The London Festival of Railway Modelling.

60001 running on Barrowmore Model Railway Group’s Mostyn

Our thanks to the Barrowmore Model Railway Group for kindly allowing us to put a model of 60001 through its paces on the excellent Mostyn layout during the weekend.

On the 24th April we visited DB Cargo UK’s Doncaster Headquarters. Our thanks to DB Cargo and Roger Neary for all their help and support with our Class 60 project and recreating 60062 in the striking Steel on Steel livery in model form.

The next show on the calendar was Model World Live at The NEC at the end of April. Just ahead of the weekend we received production samples from the factory of Class 60s from the second batch. These samples proved very popular to visitors of our stand over the weekend as excitement levels increase ahead of their arrival.

60062 with PHA and JYA wagons running on Making Tracks.

During the show and throughout the weekend there were numerous Cavalex Class 60s running on layouts including Making Tracks, Poulton Le Fylde and Cardiff Canton.

Our thanks to Pete Waterman and the RailNuts, Darren Stephens, and Chris Fordham for kindly running models throughout the weekend.

Darren Stephens’ 60007 on Poulton Le Fylde

TransRail 60034 on Chris Fordham’s Cardiff Canton

Class 60 project

As mentioned earlier in this update, the first batch of models from this production run of our Class 60 project have arrived and limited numbers are still available from our retailers.

Having spent many years developing this project from scratch, from survey to visiting the factory in China, it is extremely rewarding to see the remaining models off of the production line edging ever closer to delivery to our customers.

The second batch of models have left the factory and are currently on their way. Subject to shipping, we are expecting the second batch shipment to arrive with us and in stock with retailers in July which includes the iconic eagerly awaited and accurately reproduced Trainload Freight Sector liveries as worn by the Class from new.

60028 leaves Princes Risborough with the 6M22 09:53 Quainton Railhead to Wembley Receptions 1-7, 1st of May 2025

Returning to examples from the first batch, with the forthcoming run of JNA wagons arriving imminently from Revolution Trains, we thought it would be useful to customers to include some prototypical inspiration with Class 60s.

Operated by DC Rail in blue, with and without Cappagh branding, these make perfect wagons to accompany our 60028 and 60029.

60029 passes Crofton with 6Z60 10:34 Willesden to Merehead Quarry on the 11th April 2025.

On hire to DC Rail from GB Railfreight, 60085 works 6M89 09:01 Middleton Towers - Chaddesden Sidings loaded sand at Beggars Bridge, 3rd May 2025. (60085 can be renumbered from our model of 60087 if customers would like to faithfully recreate this working!)

GB Railfreight also use the JNA box wagons on several flows for aggregates.

Photo courtesy Mick Page - 60087 at Selside with the 6F69 12:54 Ribblehead VQ-Tuebrook Sidings loaded stone, 30th April 2025.

Photo courtesy Mick Page - 60087 passes Newsholme with the 6F69 12:54 Ribblehead VQ-Tuebrook Sidings loaded stone, 7th May 2025.

Photo courtesy John Whiteley - 60087 heading 6F69, the 12.54 Ribblehead - Tuebrook, having just run round at Blea Moor on the 8th December 2022.

MMAs can also be seen operated by DB Cargo out of Peak Forest.

Photo courtesy Phil Chilton - 60010 crosses over onto the goods lines at Trowell Junction while working the 6M04 1201 Dowlow Briggs Sidings - Toton stone on 13th Feb 2023.

The second batch of models are currently on their way having left the factory. Subject to shipping, we are expecting the second batch shipment to arrive with us early in July which includes the eagerly awaited Trainload Freight Sector liveries as worn by the Class from new.

Production line samples - remaining Cavalex Class 60s

General range:

Exclusives:

We would like to take this opportunity to remind any customers that have experienced any noise issues with their first batch Class 60 to please get in contact via our website, social media pages or via email to cavalexmodels@gmail.com. Remedial fix drop in wheelsets are available which will resolve the noise issues that have affected some models from the first batch.

For those that model finescale, EM and P4 gauges, drop in wheelsets are due to arrive with the second batch of models. Please contact your chosen retailer to order your wheelsets.

As with the Class 56, Cavalex are pleased to offer a DCC Sound upgrade kit to DCC Ready customers looking to add sound to their Class 60 models. The DCC Sound upgrade kit will allow any customers that missed out on DCC sound fitted versions to turn their DCC Ready models into Sound fitted models and enjoy the full functionality of the Cavalex Class 60.

Two versions of the sound upgrade kit will be available, one for the original BMAC lighting and one for the modern BMAC lighting unit. Please contact your retailer for availability.

PHA/JGA wagon project

Photo Courtesy Janet and John Cottrell - 60012 passes Bagworth with 6M54, the 12:30 Thorney Mill to Bardon Hill on the 3rd April 1996.

Photo courtesy Dave Smith - 60054 passes Irthlingborough road, Wellingborough with 6M79, the 12:31 Angerstein wharf to Bardon Hill on the 9th April 2003.

We would like to personally thank our customers for their patience and understanding, and apologise for the time taken to deliver this project. It has taken a lot longer than we had hoped and Cav and I are extremely frustrated and disappointed.

However, these wagons were put back due to the factory having to remake our first run of HAA hoppers causing these wagons to be knocked back year behind schedule, on top of that there were the delays caused by Covid.

The models are in the final stages of packing ready for leaving the factory to make their way to the U.K.

We will provide further updates once the models have reached us in the UK.

PXA/JXA wagon project

The PXA covered steel coil carrying wagons and JXA scrap wagon project has now moved to the production stage of the process. These models are exclusive to Rails of Sheffield and can be pre-ordered from their website:

https://railsofsheffield.com/search?q=pxa&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

We will provide further updates as the production stage of the process progresses.

PXA and JXA wagon samples - Rails weathered version.

Class 56 project – second run

56019, 56008 and 56093 - examples from the first production run of our Class 56.

Now that production of the Class 60 has been completed, our attention turns to the second run of the Class 56. The factory is now preparing for production which will start soon.

This will also include several exclusive models in addition to the general release versions, as a reminder we thought it would be helpful to potential customers to show some illustrations which includes the recently announced Key Model World exclusive model of DC Rail’s 56103.

Due to the Class 60 project taking longer than expected, the second run of the Class 56s are now due to arrive at the end of 2025.

GENERAL RANGE