Dapol Class 323 in 00 Gauge Product Announcement and Why It Caught My Eye

I don't tend to cover new announcements on the channel but this week's Class 323 announcement from Dapol caught my eye.
As primarily as modern image modeller, I'm always interested when a new Class is introduced that hasn't yet been covered previously in 00 gauge. That might have been sufficient in itself, but when you take a look a the announcement, there's a lot more under the hood to get excited about.
So in this video, I want take you through the specification of the new model and highlight those items that certainly jumped out at me as being something I would interested in seeing a new 00 gauge model, not just in relation to the Class 323 but any model so let's get into it.
Link to announcement: www.dapol.co.uk/blogs/news/oo...
Attribution:
West Midlands Railway Class 323 No. 323214 at Aston
By PeterSkuce - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Class 323 on approach to Crewe in 1999, still in BR-era Regional Railways/Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive livery.
By Tutenkhamun Sleeping - www.flickr.com/photos/5454357..., CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Central Trains Class 323 at Birmingham New Street in 2003
CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Northern Rail Class 323 in de-branded First North Western livery at Manchester Piccadilly in 2007
By Jorvik - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
London Midland Class 323 at Birmingham New Street in 2014
By Hugh Llewelyn - www.flickr.com/photos/camperd..., CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Northern Trains Class 323 at Liverpool Lime Street in 2021
By By Phil Nash from Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 & GFDLViews, Attribution, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

[@ecmlelectrics]

Finally a manufacture has had the guts to do a 25Kv EMU. Considering the prices of some locos these days, I’d say it’s keenly priced. Whilst a 323 doesn’t fit in with my area of modelling, I hope it does well and opens the door for more EMUs.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. It should do.

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Liked on your commentary on the Dapol announcement

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@russellbenton2987]

Like others . Glad to see an AC emu , although we tend to forget about Bachmanns 350 . Afraid it’s just not my area. Would have much preferred a 313/314/315 family of 317/318 , something that’s much more widespread

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Russell, yeah the 313s etc would have been more common alright. My trusty Bachmann 350 isn't going anywhere though some of it's specs will be overshadowed by this new entry.

[@beanie.royalstar]

Only have about 10 of Dapols loco's at present, but as a modern day modeller, could see myself being very tempted for the sound Northern version, looks very promising indeed. Great video as always, Thanks for the information.

[@EuviRail]

Yes, the London-Midland and the Northern would likely be my targets.

[@jamtart606]

I was at NEC when they announced this, a very welcome addition to finally have another RTR EMU, it seems a lot of manufacturers these days are just ignoring them. Let's just hope the Dapol 323 lives up to the expectation in roughly a year's time when they arrive, because knowing Dapol they tend to be a bit of a hit and miss...

[@EuviRail]

Yes, hoping Dapol hit a home run on this one.

[@davidstrains4910]

Hi Euvirail, it was certainly a surprising announcement when I saw it yesterday morning on my Twitter feed, I am thinking of getting one as I don’t model any specific era or region although the most likely livery that I’m going to go for is Northern, if I do get one it’s going to be DC for me as I don’t operate a dcc layout plus the £350 for dc is excellent, it’s overall a good announcement and hopefully it can kickstart more EMUs and units in OO gauge.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that David

[@georgethepatriot2785]

Great video . I wont be rushing to buy. Ill wait to see what complaints materialise. Ive had enough of Dapol ' issues'

[@EuviRail]

Thanks George. I'm here to take that early pain so that others don't have to. My £400 pre-order with Hattons is in.

[@kevinblakeman8858]

Nice to see another manufacturer going to produce an AC unit hope the the sales will be good for this unit as other types may follow, I'm interested in the West Midlands and northern units

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Kevin. I have the Northern on pre-order. The West Midlands would be my no.2.

[@chrisj6321]

Great a few good ones for west midland modelling

[@EuviRail]

Yes, for sure.

[@lucysblade]

Ooooh, looks tempting.

[@EuviRail]

Fortunately, or unfortunately it does!

[@BritishRail60062]

Nice to see a Class 323 come into the OO gauge of model trains. I like the idea of speakers in each car with directional sound. Motor sounds in the middle car and the horn from the speaker of the leading cab wherever the train is moving. I am sure it will be a winner although I am patiently waiting for a OO gauge Class 319 to come out. Although I do American model trains mostly with some UK retro stuff. I would have one as an exception.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, the sound system here could be a bit of a game changer. The 319 doesn't need catenary to be prototypical so it should be popular with modelers. I've only seen it in N gauge up to now.

[@Simon-Davis]

After Bachmanns stalled entry into 25kV units with the class 350, I hope the 323 does well for Dapol. These units have operated past my house for 30 years, and I have to admit to hating them with a passion. But what this represent to us as modellers is something far beyond my prejudice. I truly hope it is a hit for Dapol and leads to further OHLE units from older generations which the 323s replaced, especially the likes of a 304 or 310.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for commenting. A lot of folks looking for those earlier Class 3xx to be covered.

[@roberthill6216]

The liveries I like on these are GMPTE, FNW blue with the gold star and current northern livery. I believe that they are going to start coming to Blackpool soon, so will be on my locals.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Robert.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

So sorry for my last comment I was watching your video about the upcoming class 323 but then watched another channel about the Blades but somehow my message that should have been for that one came to you instead it was a great video about the dapol 323 can’t wait to see what they look like Best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield

[@EuviRail]

No worries at all. They had a win today so all good :)

[@ChineseJohnCena]

Been waiting for one of these since 2007 😅

[@EuviRail]

I do hope it's worth the wait. Thanks for commenting.

[@ChineseJohnCena]

@@EuviRail no problem

[@lawrencecody4085]

I would like to know can you choose a specific unit number?..323s are one of my favourite present day units, and I love the sound they make, of a super-charged milk float. GMPTE is my choice, I also like the FNW livery. It is a bit pricey, as it is the equivalent of a single loco, motor-wise. and 2 dummy cars..but is a great addition to the modern railway modelling field., a gap that will be filled..

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for commenting.

[@97SEMTEX]

Looks very nice, I hope this is made to the same standard as their class 68 as well. It does seem very expensive though. £350 for DCC Ready is quite steep. I don't know if I can afford that; let alone the DCC Sound which is what I am trying to move towards. That being said; I think the connection they are using is the same as the new Bachmann DMU connectors. So they aren't untested technology but I could be wrong.

[@EuviRail]

We'll hopefully see the normal 10% discounting when they are released to soften the blow a bit.

[@godlydestroyer8658]

I still think its too expensive when compered to the similar spec 175 & 158, but im very interested to see how it turns out might still pick one up

[@EuviRail]

It's not cheap for sure but if it delivers and you're able to pick it up at usual 10% discount then it could still represent a good buy.

[@AllensTrains]

EMUs make good collector's items. Compared to steam, they seldom need attention. This offering from Dapol looks pricey for a 3-car set and makes the 4-car Bachmann S-stock set look more reasonable. I like the look of this Class 323. I don't know if I shall order one and will wait for your review of it!

[@EuviRail]

For a model in this price range, a wait and see approach could be a good one. Will be interesting to see the relative demand across the different liveries.

[@AllensTrains]

@@EuviRail A 'wait and see' approach won't help Dapol all that much! I think if you want to own this particular model, then you've got to place a pre-order, or you won't get one!

[@hurstinator]

Doing a quick comaprison between other brands EMU offerings (all dc for comparison). KR Models 4DD is £312.50, Hornby 4VEP is £362.99. Bachmann 3CEP Refurbished (retooled bodies compared to the orignal 4CEP) is £469.95. So it sits quite convientently in the Middle of the current EMU offerings price wise. Would of compared it against a Bachmann Class 350/450 but this is not a current bachmann offering. As for the 2nd hand market there is not many other EMUs comparible with only the Hornby Class 466 Networker (out of production since the mid 2000s).

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. I will probably compare it to the 350 and 450 I have, both of which are great, but it should be a step up.