Noting the title "RevolutioN trains appreciation thread", is it really the appropriate place to post "nah, they 'aint so special" type of message? Either express your appreciation, or start your own post to make your own comparative assessments.

For me Revolution is truly great for our hobby. They started as hobbyists with a vision and have continued to build a brand with continues to have N gauge as core business. And their products are well chosen, high quality, good value and even worth the wait.

Keep up the great work, guys. Can't wait for the Pullmans to hit the mailbox. maybe they will even find time to squeeze some LT CO/CP stock into their busy production schedule!
 

@njee20

Nice, the wcml has some much modern N gauge stock it's a brilliant era to do

It's funny actually - revolution trains are the reason why I started taking a stronger interest in the wcml myself

And that's a fair point about the class 66s, when you say the newer dapol one do you mean next18 dcc version?

And yes the class 37s I agree with you, good times ahead for the n gauge modeller

@Graham

you must have a awesome collection as well then, nice one.

Yup that's absolutely right thing to do, if something isn't right - then bring the issue to the attention

Yes I'm not a fan of the 321 coupling either - same as with the newer farish emu/dmu - but I assuming they do it this way for dcc reasons and to power all the cars I'm guessing?

In this instance I actually prefer dapol solution on the voyagers with the magnetic coupling system but I think the downside is if you dcc 2 decoder chips are required

can't say I know much about the TEAs other than they look great

@Roy L S

Ah i see, wasn't aware of the sonic situation, they are superb models though, Rails seem to have lots of exclusive partnership these days (which I'm not a fan of - but completely understand why they happen)

I guess though from revolution point of view its the most sensible thing to do and focus on modern stuff if they freely admit steam is not area of knowledge. Maybe in the future as there company grows they then might have more resources/knowledge to explore the possibility more

Dapol make some really nice detailed steam stuff, just I find there steam models very inconsistent, some I have run great, others run very jerky or not at all really

with a similar collection to Nick @njee20 I am a big fan of RevolutioN. Albeit I will call out when not quite right, e.g. the Mk5 coaches, even with all the help of Simon (what fantastic support) are a bit of a pain, and not a fan of the 321 couplers solution.
But I will still be accumulating more 66's, Pendolinos and looking forward to the 37's.
I am also hoping the TEA' get a rerun before too much longer.

@GWR_XC  In terms of steam locos, Revolution supported Sam (Sonic) with his first model, the 56xx but that was only in respect or assisting him with the sales an marketing side of things, i.e. they initially provided him with a means to arrange pre-orders and initial sales. I recall they also helped him in with his first wagons too in the same way.

However very soon after that, Rails of Sheffield went into partnership with Sam in respect of Sonic models in both N and OO and basically in exchange for them providing him with support, and taking the models he produces Rails has exclusivity in respect of all Sonic products.

The Team at Revolution freely admit that steam and steam era models is not their area of expertise/knowledge, and for the most part they prefer to stick to what they know which is the more modern stuff. However they still do contribute in a way that plays to their strengths as the Class 128 has demonstrated, with the 120 to follow at some point and now the Class 37 in the pipeline.

I admit I am highly likely to end up with 37s from both Revolution and Bachmann, depending on variants available in BR Green in both cases.

Yep, firmly a WCML modeller.

I'd argue the 66 is a bit of an unfair yardstick. The Farish (and old Dapol) model is 20 years old, the new Dapol one runs extremely well, I would say it has the edge over the Revolution one. The Revolution one looks better though. I prefer the Dapol solution for the decoder, not a fan of the lift off panel. It's disappointing that Dapol didn't fit working marker lights though.

The 37 will be interesting. The Revolution one looks better, and given they're more likely to do ones I want they'll almost certainly get my money in the first instance. 

@njee20

Wow that is an very impressive collection you have there, 11 pendos that's amazing - they are splendid models the pendo

Are you doing a wcml theme layout?


@Newportnobby

That is still a very nice collection you have

How do you find the class 128s ? As I do intend to get one of those

Isn't that good business sense though picking fights carefully?

Lets be honest though they went toe to toe with Bachmann & dapol on the class 66 - and revolution effort is best in class

Steam locos do they not help with sonic models - as I'm sure I see them on their website

@Roy L S

Yes I take your point, and best in class is subjective

And Bachmann & dapol do make some great models, class 350s are superb, and the class 50s dapol do are great just to name a few

But all due respect to those companies they have had years of experience and are very big companies in the n gauge world

And Bachmann taking over the original Poole farish stuff, Bachmann of course have taken the models to the next level, but I'm sure I read somewhere that Bachmann are owned by a much bigger company and as such have big resources etc

So for revolution to do what they have done with only a few team members and I'm assuming limited resources is incredible really

The models are of outstanding quality - yes I get that some people have had some issues - but no making excuses for anyone but I'm sure all companies have had minor hiccups but from what I have seen - revolution really engage with the community and do try to resolve issues

I don't mean to give the impression other companies are inferior, I like dapol & farish, I just really respect and appreciate what revolution do and they have produced models that is highly unlikely to have been produced by anyone else

Quote from: GWR_XC on October 02, 2026, 06:32:23 PM

Quote from: Roy L S on October 02, 2026, 04:04:53 PMSpeaking for myself, I think we should show equal appreciation for all manufacturers who produce our N Gauge models, I wouldn't personally wish to single out just one.

And that's absolutely fine, I too like other manufacturers and agree, however I think revolution trains are more unique and in my opinion - I think they are the best thing to happen to N gauge since the original Graham farish

Also unless I have this wrong, revolution trains journey so far - going from two enthusiasts of the hobby and built up a company which competes with dapol & Bachmann and offers best in class models is remarkable really

Therefore I think the appreciation of revolution trains is fully deserved

@njee20 how many do you have?

Respectfully just the same argument can be made for Bachmann who took over the original Farish Poole operation and have since grown their portfolio into by far the biggest range in British N there is, covering steam diesel and electric, and arguably of equally good quality..

"Best in Class" is subjective and I would respectfully disagree that it is necessarily always the case, for example Revolution do not make any steam locos and very little transition era stock so there is in many cases no comparison to even make.

So, much admiration as I do have for Revolution and their achievements to date and acknowledge some of their innovations that have definitely had a positive impact on N, that has also been true of other manufacturers at various times,  so I have to disagree that there is any special case to make.

I started all those years ago by ordering a Poppylino (11 coach DCC sound fitted), not because it fitted my DC transition era layouts, but because I wanted to help Revolution succeed in becoming a supplier of N gauge models. Since then I have stuck with them and now have:-

Class 128s
Tube stock (3 and 4 car sets)
Class A tanks
Class B tanks
Cemflos
Sturgeons
BoRails

I have 2 packs of K type Pullman coaches on order and will order a class 120, HJO/HJV hoppers and a class 37 when the order books open.
I am quite prepared to pay 50% up front to get the benefit of early bird savings but will not pay in full up front.

Quality wise I'd say they are slightly better than some offerings from Bachmann and Dapol but they pick their fights very carefully e.g. they have never, and I don't think will ever, offer any steam locos. They know their forte. The only issue I've had, as everyone has, is the class B tanks contain too much weight and it's not easy to open them up to remove some.
Having seen Nick's list above I have a paltry amount

A quick check of the stock sheet suggests...

- 11 Pendolinos
- 15 92s
- 12 66s
- 3 59s
- 18 TEAs
- 13 Drax IIAs
- 9 KFAs
- 28 IPAs
- Caroline
- 16 mk5 sleepers
- 4 sets of WIAs
- 12 IWAs
- 6 FWAs

More than some, and no doubt less than others!

I agree they've definitely moved the dial in N, and their genesis as a couple of enthusiasts crowdfunding a Pendolino, to a company competing with the 'big boys' on mainstream models is very impressive. I've been quite vocal about some of the frustrations generally relating to running qualities, but I think the hobby is immeasurably better for their presence.

Quote from: Roy L S on October 02, 2026, 04:04:53 PMSpeaking for myself, I think we should show equal appreciation for all manufacturers who produce our N Gauge models, I wouldn't personally wish to single out just one.

And that's absolutely fine, I too like other manufacturers and agree, however I think revolution trains are more unique and in my opinion - I think they are the best thing to happen to N gauge since the original Graham farish

Also unless I have this wrong, revolution trains journey so far - going from two enthusiasts of the hobby and built up a company which competes with dapol & Bachmann and offers best in class models is remarkable really

Therefore I think the appreciation of revolution trains is fully deserved

@njee20 how many do you have?