Revolution Trains announce N Gauge Class 37 range
In what may be their most significant announcement to date, Revolution Trains have announced they are to produce the iconic English Electric Class 37 in N Gauge, brining some innovative features and never before seen subclasses to the scale.
As with their acclaimed Class 66, the Class 37 will feature an extensive tooling suite, allowing sub classes never produced in N Gauge before to be released and many with details specific to individual locos as they appeared during six decades of service.
The tooling will include as-built Class 37/0 locomotives with both split and centre headcodes, locos refurbished in the 1980s into sub-classes such as 37/4 and 37/5, and the distinctive Class 37/6, 37/7 and 37/9 variants.
Many of these, such as the well-known DRS Class 37/6 subclass with Electromech WIPAC-type light clusters and cab roof lights and the 37/9 locomotives with their modified roofs – a legacy of their use as test-beds for the Mirrlees or Ruston engines being considered for the proposed Class 38 – have never been offered RTR in N gauge before.
A bugbear of English Electric locomotive models is the ride height. The bodyside tumblehome, wheel diameter and squat ride height of the prototype can cause problems for modellers with trainset curves. Traditionally, this has been overcome either with underscale wheels, a raised body or a combination of both in a compromise solution that helps no one.
Revolution have designed their model with scale wheels and, as supplied, with a scale gap between the body and the bogie. This will suit collectors or those with generous curves or end-to-end layouts. For those with tighter radii, the bodyshell can easily be raised and clicked into a new position with an extra 1mm of clearance; enabling it to run on trainset curves.
As supplied scale bogie/body gap Adjusted body/bogie gap using 'One Click' system
Affectionately known as ‘tractors’ or ‘growlers’ due to their distinctive engine sound, the model has been designed from the ground up to optimize the use of modern DCC to faithfully recreate both authentic sounds and prototypical lighting options.
Revolution has arranged bespoke recording sessions for original, refurbished and Mirrlees engined locomotives to ensure sound accuracy, and the lighting suite includes switchable illuminated headcodes, red tail lights, high-intensity headlights, marker lights and cab interior lights where appropriate.
Revolution’s tooling suite incorporates numerous variations, allowing them to tell the full story of these much-loved locomotives. Detail variations are too many to list exhaustively, but the options include:
Fabricated bogies or cast frame either ex class 50 or ex class 55.
Appropriate alphanumeric headcode, with adjustable display, sealed beam marker lights, headlights or Electromech WIPAC-type light clusters.
Original or strengthened windscreens
12- or 9-blade roof fans, visible beneath etched roof grilles with either square or diagonal mesh
Customer-fit frost grilles
Optional boiler port plating
Prototypical lamp iron arrangements
Plated bodyside windows
Fuel tanks or water tanks
12 bladed radiator fan variant 9 bladed radiator fan variant
In the first run, Revolution is offering Class 37/0 versions with split and centre headcodes in green and blue; Class 37/6 locos with Electromech WIPAC style light cluster and the Class 37/9 ‘Slug’ locomotives with Mirrlees engines and the very different roof profile.
Pricing, exact running numbers and livery specifics will be confirmed soon, and other models may be added to the launch offer in due course.
Tooling is now underway and the models are expected to ship in Q3-4 2027.
Revolution have kindly provided the renders blow from the model's CAD designs. Liveries are indicative and not necessarily representative of those models to be announced.
For full details, visit the Revolution Trains website
