Is this the UKs best ever model?? Cavalex Class 56 close look and running.

The Cavalex 56 has arrived and it does not disappoint!
I have 4 of these highly anticipated models so lets have a look at them!
Do you own one? What are your thoughts?? Let me know!
Have you ordered your class 60 yet? :-)
www.CavalexModels.com for more info on the upcoming class 60!

[@janetlewis7145]

With quality products like these locos from Cavalex, who says this is a dying hobby? Bill from across the pond in California

[@UndergroundEric]

Its not dying at all matey, prices are becoming a sticking point but the hobby itself is great i think!

[@2010ditta]

Thats the standard the others have to reach now. Amazing what Cavalex have done. The sound quality coming through my speakers is top class too. Very enjoyable Eric, thank you.

[@UndergroundEric]

Yeah! This will push the market forward for sure matey. Glad you liked it

[@jackhstproductions649]

Just imagine if Cavalex continued with their class 91 project instead of a certain company beginning with H making a competing model🙄. That could have been the best 00 gauge electric locomotive ever 🔥

[@UndergroundEric]

I said that to them also, i bet a lot of people would go for one even now

[@FormallyknownasE100]

I would for a start

[@FormallyknownasE100]

and yet I should add I haven't got a Hornby one!

[@lukejackson8741]

I was thinking after this came out maybe they’d do a class 91… (new to the hobby)

[@tonycarrington1]

Stunning locos looks like leicester station and road bridge on the front of the box definitely gonna have to get the dc Rail version.... Got the class 60 on preorder so hopefully thats as stunning as these beauties

[@UndergroundEric]

I will have to look at some pictures to see what you mean! The signal box is a copy of Chesham :-)

[@kitchenhamfarm]

loved the night scene Eric just like being there

[@UndergroundEric]

Thanks! Looks cool i think!

[@Ansmo87]

Excellent detailed review - I have x3 and it's very useful to see a useful breakdown of what is located where with decoders, speakers, releasing the cabs etc. before attempting the same. Please keep up the good work Eric!

[@UndergroundEric]

Glad you liked it matey, thankyou

[@marcdempsey5850]

Wow the bar had truely been risen. What a collection to add to the railway, they look and sound fantastic. Look forward to seeing the next model, the joys of playing trains. All best Marc from Leighton Buzzard

[@UndergroundEric]

Thanks so much Marc, im so pleased with them!

[@dh9033]

Thanks for your considered review. Amazing that they have even modelled the secondman's hotplate. I was very surprised to see this when I cabbed a 56 on Brighton shed in the 1980's. Cheers, Dudley

[@HemelDownModelRailway]

Great in depth review, such a fantastic model and very well detailed thanks for sharing 🍻

[@UndergroundEric]

Cheers pal appreciate it. Been watching a few of your vids lately as it happens.

[@davidportch8837]

excellent update Eric... much appreciated... they look brilliant...

[@UndergroundEric]

Cheers matey

[@user-cn4rg2bs4p]

thanks for this eric. the sounds at load as similar to what i heard daily when i worked near manton colliery where the locos were working hard up the hill.

[@frankkie3849]

Nicely done,,thanks for sharing..😊

[@Mousehole-Rail]

I have the DC Rail 56 which I got to say it is one of my favourite models I own from Cavalex Models which I also agree it will be up there for model of the year for this year

[@UndergroundEric]

Yeah id be shocked if it doesnt win tbh mate

[@Mousehole-Rail]

@@UndergroundEric there are some good models coming this year and it will be hard to choose one

[@johnwebster2525]

Great in-depth review, you add information which sometimes is not mentioned by other people. Yes I bought the rail freight coal sector one which will look great pulling my MGR wagons. Top marks Cavelex ! Regards John

[@PeterHHodge]

I’m not a modern image modeller but seeing as I was on the Farewell Tour felt compelled to get the set. No regrets whatsoever. What incredible models! So robust, sound and operate amazingly and just so much fun! I had them running on our exhibition layout at Princes Risborough on Saturday gone (funnily enough not far from where 56098 was actually running that day) and they were noticeably louder and better sounding than anything else we had running, Bachmann and Accurascale included (the latter still very impressive but the Cavalex just that bit better). Seriously good models. Next step is to try to recreate the railtour as best I can with these two beast top n’ tailing.

[@UndergroundEric]

Brilliant stuff mate. Sounds like you are chuffed!!

[@Michaelgoestofrance]

Best review I've seen!

[@johnwright6418]

Fantastic models iv got the DCR 56 have yet to run it and yes iv ordered the class 60 in DCR as well lol and another great video from yourself 👍

[@UndergroundEric]

Awesome mate, im looking forward to seeing the 60 develop!

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Great video, young Eric. Cavalex have done them selves proud. They run like the wind and sound most excellent so much so I now have 5, I'm unlikely to leave it there when the second batch is announced. Class 60 isn't my thing, but after hearing the sound of class 56, I put a class 60 on order. I also emailed Accurascale telling them if their class 50 sounds as good as the 56s, they won't go far wrong. I've uploaded a Rail Tour Locomotives video last night just not as good as yours. By all means please comment. Like and share

[@UndergroundEric]

5!!! Wow you have more than me! 😂 Yeah i will need a DCR or Cappah 60 to go with the 56, a GBRf one would be tempting mind! Will have a look :-)

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

@@UndergroundEric Class 56 Fastline livery is definitely on my list.

[@UndergroundEric]

@@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway fastline im sure was talked about as a potential for batch 2? Dont quote me Though!

[@warwickroadmodelrailway]

Great video Eric, I purchased 56091 which is fantastic, the only issue I had was 1 of the bogie towers had become detached so it ran with an awful clicking sound. A 30 second fix and its running superbly. I have 6 Hornby class 60s and wasn't going to consider a Cavalex 60, but now after owning a 56 I am going to look at getting at least 1. Keep up the great videos. All the best David

[@UndergroundEric]

Yeah thats been an issue for a few people, luckily just a small amount and also a very easy fix! The 60 should be great!

[@davew2452]

An excellent and detailed review. Thanks. Floating centre axle makes good engineering sense as it is virtually impossible to get all three in perfect alignment due to moulding tolerances - and of course it allows for 'uneven' track even if only a small amount on change of inclination for example. Just subscribed.

[@UndergroundEric]

Cheers mate! Yeah the theory works mate. My 5” gauge class 52 western has a floating centre axle too, it can pull a fat bloke & 10 coaches no problem 😂

[@Madonsteamrailways]

The DCC Soundchip makes a wonderful sound!! Very very accurate!!

[@UndergroundEric]

It sure does sound well

[@Cookie2k]

SLW’s class 24 was the first OO gauge loco to be screwed to a plastic plinth Eric…..maybe produced at the same factory!

[@UndergroundEric]

Ah yes you are quite right, funnily enough i own one and still forgot 😂 Mind you the plinth on the Suttons doesnt protect the front end ect so i guess its still a little bit of an advancement. Both amazing models hey! Bet the 25 will be nice

[@Cookie2k]

@@UndergroundEric yeh you’re right about the ends but the Cavalex didnt come in a metal box lol, the sound on the 24 was something else as well. I think they set the bar back then but these Cavalex 56’s are a notch above! Its all good news for us modellers…I’ve pre-ordered the DCR 60 too. You got one on order mate?

[@paulaylesbury]

And, of course, 56098 is currently seeing service between Willesden and Quainton every day (or at least it was last week and, I believe, this coming week as well.

[@UndergroundEric]

Yeah! How good is that eh! Now even more reason for it on my layout 😍😍😍

[@smallrails6831]

Awesome. Yes look too clean. All the best. 😊

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi, superb in-depth review, the best I’ve seen to date, I have the Railfreight grey livery model dcc ready as I’m not sure what sound file to go with yet, such an amazing model Cavalex could do justice to any model they take on in the future, a class 08 or 58 or 73 would have my full and undivided attention, an HST class 43 would be a dream to see, did you know that there was an Porterbrook livery class 56 loco? Maybe that could be an exclusive model in the future, thanks for sharing.

[@UndergroundEric]

Cheers, i have a Hornby 56 here with Legomanbiffo sound and an EM2 fitted, id recommend the Cavalex file personally though, its just a bit nicer sounding, the biffo one is all turbo noise. I agree, i think we are eagerly anticipating their next announcement now 😉😉

[@StormmyStormmy]

@@UndergroundEric Thanks for the information regarding the sound file, your the second person in the know to suggest the Cavalex sound file, I also have a Hornby class 56 in Railfreight grey livery, is it worth having the Legomanbiffo sound in that or could I get a Cavalex sound file for my Hornby class 56?

[@UndergroundEric]

@@StormmyStormmy the biffo file is cool, just doesnt sound nearly as good i think. No reason you cant use the cavalex file in a hornby model, just need to adjust the function mapping for the basic hornby lighting ect

[@StormmyStormmy]

@@UndergroundEric Thanks Eric, I will look into it as soon as I can, such a shame you have issues with you Viessmann Plasser Theurer, did you give Hovermotion on KZbin as he knows the European H0 models like the back of his hand and he has very good connections in the model railway technical world.

[@wasted-blaster.]

Eric you beautiful son of a .... glad to get your opinion on national grid!

[@UndergroundEric]

😂😂 its a rather long winded opinion!

[@wasted-blaster.]

@@UndergroundEric I think your opinion is detailed not long winded.

[@UndergroundEric]

@@wasted-blaster. cheers pal

[@247Trains]

@@UndergroundEric!

[@Cookie2k]

I have the DCR one with sound and a large loco blue without sound. Thinking of getting 049 too

[@UndergroundEric]

Awesome mate. 49 is great with the 2 different cabs!

[@roadjdr4678]

Great review on those Locomotives they look great. I have one question of your layout how much room do you have under the first station that you made? Because I am seeing you have a lot of freight and passenger cars that you probably are taking them off the track when you’re not using them. I was thinking that you probably could make a stub end staging yard under the first station connected to the loop track by the door so you don’t have to keep taking these cars off the track at least you have them on the rails ready to go. But at the end of the video I just noticed that you probably have draw cabinets under the first station to store the cars so there may be a lot of modifications you have to do to make the stub end yard there.

[@UndergroundEric]

The unfinished incline section leads down to a loop under the boards by the door you are quite right! The plan was/is to build another board from there and have a dead end set of storage sidings, so you are spot on in your thinking 😎 Currently yeah i take everything on/off, though with me building stuff all the time, it would just all get dusty anyway :-)

[@bobtudbury8505]

there is one problem that shoudn't be , if it struggles around bends and seems to have no torque it will more than likely be only driving on one axle. to fix it remove the bodyshell and look at either end of the drives above the boogie and you'll find a clip is loose. Just re affix with a small screwdriver and away you go ( they are being del. with a half fitting clip! )

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Hi Eric I saw you're original review and was quite impressed. I've got 56008 and it is a fantastic model with no issues whatsoever 😊 When I can afford I'm hopefully going to get another if there are any left. I still however think the SLW class 24 is more detailed but only because its an older diesel and is more detailed than the newer 56. I missed the dcc sound versions, don't ask! But have fitted a Legoman sound file and EM speaker and it sounds amazeballs. Anyone know if they are doing a second run soon?

[@UndergroundEric]

Im not sure how the SLW 24 can be more detailed than this, they are both top of the range locos. Run 2 next year i believe

[@247Trains]

Can I just ask in the thumbnail where did you get that maintenance train from? I’ve been looking for one but I can’t find any

[@UndergroundEric]

Its a (broken) Veissman Tamper buddy

[@247Trains]

@@UndergroundEric !

[@JamesPetts]

I approve of good models. I have some 56s in N gauge.

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

To be honest I don't really like the class 56 but that model is well made hope you have fun

[@Coling92]

My 56018 in ews, has knocked my accurascale 37 off my favourite model top spot. So much so I have ordered 60018 from John dutfields with sound of course. My EWS fleet is going to be growing again. As I have also purchased an accurascale 66 🤦‍♂️. So much for br steam into early diesel era for me.

[@UndergroundEric]

That seems to be the common reception to it i think! You arent the only one 😇 Yeah i was tempted with a 66 as they are doing 66763, which is the first loco i drove solo on the mainline, though i have a few already so really dont need another 😂

[@Coling92]

@@UndergroundEric always room for more...... 🙈🙈

[@smallrails6831]

Hi Eric are you game enough to weather these ?

[@UndergroundEric]

Worth a go, right?

[@AllensTrains]

That collection must have cost you a pretty penny! I just hope the locos hold up long-term and don't burn out. They sound very realistic and Cavalex and ESU have done a good job with the sounds. From that point of view its worth the money. Great review. Thanks for uploading.

[@UndergroundEric]

Not sure why they would burn out any more than another manufacturer, seem to be doing well so far 🙂 Yeah the ESU tie-up was a good idea

[@AllensTrains]

@@UndergroundEric Although Cavalex has produced these models to a very high standard, the fact that they are an inexperienced manufacturer worries me. This fear could be unfounded, but time will tell!

[@UndergroundEric]

@AllensTrains why is it worrying? You can see for yourself the quality is there. Theyve been doing rolling stock for years now!

[@stephenollerhead5325]

Hi I got the calvalex 56 dc. Grey love have hornby version Olivia’s sound but the screw threads have come out of body fool I glued them back in but can’t get body to screw up any surgestions

[@UndergroundEric]

The screws in the Hornby one you must mean? As the Cavalex body is just clips.

[@mrbluesky2050]

the only issue I have is that I don't think the headlight is bright enough , seems to be out shone by the markers....

[@UndergroundEric]

Hmm, ive not seen anyone else mention that. Can probs turn them up with a CV change unless they are at max already

[@outonroad]

You also have to realise that we have modelled the ribs on the lights so that they are brighter from head on just like the real ones.

[@outonroad]

Also on the later locos the headlight was still incandescent and the markers LED so you get a different colour and intensity.

[@trainskitsetc]

Very tidy

[@breintonjunction791]

Hi Eric, I’ve ordered the DC RAIL class 60 to go with the DC RAIL class 56 which when it turn up was the original rail freight grey ☹️ but still a nice locomotive but the pulling power is not as good as expected on my layout inclines alright on the level track cheers Al

[@outonroad]

@breintonjunction791 There is something wrong with your loco in that case. Please contact Cavalex models direct and we will sort it out.

[@standclear502]

Love them❤ possibly the best models out there, I got 56 in Rf red stripe & 56 Coal Sector both dcc sound 😊

[@UndergroundEric]

I would check if the gear towers are correctly clipped in, you may have one bogie not functioning correctly. Id contact Cavalex about it and theyll give you some pointers. The pulling power shouldnt cause an issue at all if its all working!

[@andydavidson9440]

Great review Éric, one of the best I have seen. I have the Cavalex 56077 sound fitted and love it. You could be right about model of the year 2024. Yes I have a Class 60 on pre order and like to support the guys. Their wagons are pretty good too!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

A handsome locomotive with a good sound chip and all that is something worth having in your fleet if you run diesels rather than steam. I’m running steam rather than diesel!!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Good afternoon Eric!! Nice locomotives, but on my layout, they would look somewhat too modern!! My layout is a Dad’s Army layout and could only use Southern steam!!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

These models are absolutely stunning for diesel locomotives!! But they are also very fine locomotives and are more detailed than those from Hornby or Bachmann!!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

The models are something very special indeed!! My problem is that I don’t really like diesel locomotives. It’s thought that my Asthma was caused by our national reliance on petrol and diesel engines in road vehicles AND railway locomotives!!

[@irishsixtysixfanGbrf66739]

Dapol imperium decoder will give you the same amount of functions for half the price of the lokpilot

[@UndergroundEric]

8 function rather than 10, and with the lokpilot you fan control all the outputs where and however you want

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Hope they have left room for an exhaust smoke generator.

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Ther every wher

[@Keikdv]

34:05 ??!! They are not coupled close? 38:26 they are much closer to each other. (will not order. Do not like the class. Nevermind a good model so to see.)

[@UndergroundEric]

I used a bar coupling i had lying around as tension locks arent good when double heading. Its also a wide angle lense which makes it look worse

[@UndergroundEric]

Just had a look, yes it is indeed due to the wide angle lense and how close the camera was so it distorts the image a bit. Its the same coupling in both clips so they are actually pretty close coupled