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 with the first batch of the production run models with distribution and delivery to our retailer network beginning 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 pioneer of the Class - 60001 named Steadfast, was amongst the shipment with its special box and memorabilia included.

The first show of the year for Cavalex was Model Rail Scotland held on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of February at the SECC.

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

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 of 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.

During the show and throughout the weekend there were numerous Ccavalex 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.

Here are some photos from the weekend:-

Class 60 project

As mentioned earlier in this update, the first batch of models from the production run of our Class 60 project have arrived and 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 models off of the production line edging ever closer to delivery to our customers.

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 60028 and 60029.

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

60029 passes Crofton with 6Z6010:34 Willesden to Merehead Quarry on the 11th of 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 of May 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second batch of models are currently on their way having left the factory two weeks ago.

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.

We are very pleased to share some photos of the latest production samples.

General range

Exclusives

We would like to take this opportunity to remind any customers that have experienced noise issues with their 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. We would suggest contacting 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.

In March we posted a video update on our Class 60 project, explaining the background and details of the project throughout the process. This also included our own Class 60 footage from Brush works in 1990!

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

PHA/JGA wagon project

We would like to personally thank our customers for their patience and apologise for the time taken to deliver this project. It has

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

The latest estimate is that the shipment will arrive – (? – update at time of writing)

Prototype photo

BBA alternate decks

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:

Link to Rails of Sheffield

Prototype photo

Class 56 project – second run

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:

Exclusives

AMRSS - 56302

Rails of Sheffield

Railway Icons