Class 89 Update November 2023

[Warbonnet]

We've been busy delivering a lot of new models in recent weeks and months, but what about the next projects?

Well, one of those is the Class 89, our rather wonderful one-off prototype electric model that we are producing in association with Rails of Sheffield.

Back in the summer we showed off the first decorated samples of our Badger, and they certainly got the modelling public salivating at the prospect of one gracing their layout or collection in the near future.

We did at the time outline one particular difficult area that we needed to nail in order to sign off on this model and that was the DCC sound file. The real locomotive is unique as we know, but this extends to its innards, and the 89 as a result sounds like nothing else on the rails.

We had hoped that the real locomotive would be back together and that we could record it in time, but this sadly has not been the case, despite the amazing skills and dedication to the people who are working on her.

As a result of this, we had hung on as long as we can, but now we must defer to historical recordings to replicate the sound for our model. This is easy enough done, but waiting for the real locomotive to be repaired resulted in us missing our production slot at the factory. We also had some work to do with the pantograph, which sits higher than the Class 92s so some fettling was also required which came up in the testing phase.

The good news is that these issues are no longer halting progress of our model, and it is now in production. However, this does mean there has been a further delay, with the finished models now due in stock in Q3, 2024. We sincerely apologise for this delay, but we really wanted the best sound file to match this unique locomotive to really take it to the next level. We're delighted that the sound file we are preparing will sound fantastic though, and will demonstrate it in the new year.

In the meantime production has commenced and we can no longer add any more capacity to the production lines, so remaining stock is limited. If you fancy an 89, now is the time to place your pre-order to avoid disappointment. Order via our friends at Rails of Sheffield, or below!

Pre-Order Your Class 89 Here!

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