03 November 2022
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The arrival of these new box opens for 2mm:1ft scale sparks interest – time for a first look, then...
JNA/MMA bogie box wagons have arrived from Revolution Trains for 2mm:1ft scale / N gauge. Previously manufactured for 4mm:1ft scale, it opted to offer the same wagons for N gauge modellers, revealing CAD images for the new design in 2020.
In February 2021, the manufacturer shared images of its first tooled samples, and more than a year later, models have arrived with customers who pre-ordered via its website.
The JNA/MMA EALNOS bogie box wagon was introduced in 2016 and more than 500 are now in service across a wide variety of locations and freight operators all across the network.
The prototype has two main types – Wagons in operation with DB and Tarmac have nine bodyside ribs, while the remainder have 11 ribs. Within both types some also have small bodyside doors to aid cleaning out the inside. Some have parking brake wheels on the lower edge of the body, while some have it on the bogie at one end.
Here are five things we think are impressive about the new models:
1
Revolution has tooled for all the variations of EALNOS – nine or 11 ribs, and with or without side doors. Such variation for the initial production run will be welcomed by more discerning modellers.
2
Wagons are available with a variety of different running numbers in DB red, Ermewa, Ermewa/Tarmac grey, Mendip Rail silver, VTG silver/VTG dark blue/VTG mid-blue, GBRf dark blue, Cappagh blue and Touax red oxide. Such variation on the tooling from an initial run of rolling stock is impressive, allowing some modellers to explore multiple traffic flows on the same layout.
3
Underframe detail is ever-present, as we've now come to expect from the manufacturer. Air equipment and handbrake wheels join the wagon spine trussing and outriggers to complete the faithful illusion. For 2mm:1ft scale, this level of detail still feels 'cutting-edge', such is the number and finesse of the components employed. Not so long ago, air tanks on models were often moulded in half-relief!
4
Not to be over-looked, wagons are supplied with loads, and these accurately reflect the way in which they're loaded from multiple points. Painted to reflect aggregates, I'd argue that their detailed imprint – representing ballast in the case of the Wascosa yellow for Network Rail above – is far more realistic in the scale than applying often over-coarse ballast across a hand-cut polystyrene filler.
5
The livery application on the two samples received in Network Rail/Wascosa yellow (N-EAL-109) and in VTG Mendip Rail silver (N-EAL-105) is nothing short of excellent. Though wagons feature an overall application to their bodies in a single colour, this is furthered by the numerous data panels and leasing/owner logos, often in more than one colour. Many of the tampo-printed details are applied in close proximity to the wagon side ribs, yet remain square and true.
Read Howard Smith's review of these new wagons in the January 2022 issue of BRM, on-sale December 1, or pick-up a copy from our stand at the Warley show!
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