Review: Revolution Trains TEA Wagons for 00 Gauge

As a Hornby Class 60 owner with some modern era liveries, TEA Tank wagons were always going to be on my shopping list at some point. I held off going down the Bachmann root due to the high costs involved, but these wagons from Revolution Trains looked like the business so I took the plunge. So how did they turn our for me and would I recommend them who is in the market for this wagon type?
Sections:
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - Unboxing
06:53 - Close-up Views
09:47 - Running Session
12:11 - Summary
13:40 - Scoring
15:51 - Recommendation
Link to full running session: • Hornby Class 60 (60087...

[@user-wo6qn3vf9n]

I have to say you are the best model railway reviewer on KZbin, very professional giving us the correct information about the review.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Iain, I appreciate all feedback, but feedback like is always to nice to get.

[@revolutiontrains]

Thanks for the fair and well-reasoned review. I am glad your overall experience is positive - as fellow enthusiasts that is all we ever want - and they look good on your layout with the 60! To answer a couple of your points and those in the comments below: Sprung buffers: These wagons were the first we produced in 00 (we are all N modellers) and at the time (2015 - nearly a decade ago) we were advised against them as it was not routinely expected and, unless you are using scale screwlink couplers, the springing adds no benefit to operation. When preparing for the second run (by which time expectations had changed) we considered adding sprung buffers but it would've upped the price and in the present economic climate we were determined to hold the price at the same level as 9 years ago. Loose weights: We have had some weights come loose and where necessary have sorted these for customers. We have redesigned this area to prevent it next time. We apologise to anyone who has encountered this issue. Ladder and catwalks: The ladders are plastic, for durability as they can get caught during handling, but the catwalks are photo-etched. Pricing and pre-ordering: Our pre-order price is always low as this rewards those who commit which give us confidence to produce more. We are a tiny company with only four employees - we can't take big risks on products not selling. Once we close our order book we don't onsell as we are also conscious that these are challenging times for retailers too and we want to support them. Our mantra is that those who can step up and pre-order get rewarded for their patience, while those who cannot are still able to get the models, albeit at a fair price to retailers. Kinematic couplers: We get mixed feedback on this. Some customers like them, some do not. Because of the open nature of the underframe to incorporate a kinematic mechanism would have resulted in some of that detail being sacrificed; so we decided not to but I accept this will be a negative in the eyes of some. What do folks think? Weathering: A tough one. I like my own stuff weathered, but I have seen very few factory weathered models that truly convince; perhaps only the Dapol Silver Bullets really do it for me. If we were to offer a weathered option we would only do it if we were able to match that standard, but it is something we are investigating for the future. Apologies for the long post but we do listen to our customers! Thanks again!

[@EuviRail]

Appreciate your considered response on the various points raised. This has helped clarify a number of points for myself at least and provided some good insights into the decision making process and trade-offs you've considered. I think all modelers appreciate openness like this. The commercial considerations are very understandable in the current climate. Thanks again for taking the time on this response.

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

Thanks for another great review. These do look a highly detailed and presented model however I do agree with you regarding weathering as this to me would be the icing on the cake. I feel that we are entering a golden age for model railways as these companies like Revolution, Accurascale, Cavalex are producing highly detailed models at more realistic prices than the big 2 companies. I always look forward to your reviews as I find they give they give the information I require to base any purchase decision without spending excessive time unboxing and looking at the box ends!

[@barryrigby1568]

I think Revolution trains are right not bothering with spring buffers. They obviously add to the price and as everyone is complaining about prices these days I think they are right. The wagons are spot on and are well worth buying

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Barry. Mine are certainly going nowhere. May add a few more in future runs.

[@GoodfordModelRailway]

Nice review, thanks for putting it together. I received 1 out of 16 EWS with a loose weight so it derailed. I contacted Revolution Trains and they were quick to respond and confirm I should return to the retailer for a refund. The only suggested improvement would be a tail lamp fitted version, or preferably the option to open the wagon to fit my own tail lamp however Revolution Trains confirmed the tank itself is glued so this is not possible (and this is why the loose weight issue cannot be fixed by the end user). The constant price hikes from other manufacturers is laughable, so glad there are other, arguably better quality, options now. Overall very pleased with these wagons 👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and for sharing your experience. The weight in the tank does appear to be an issue based on other comments though Revolution Trains will sort you out. As per my comments elsewhere, I believe a metal underframe rather dead weight in the tank area would have been a better approach and avoided this issue. The prices hikes are crazy alright. I have a lot of reviews pending but this is a topic I would like to return to. Thanks again.

[@BritishRail60062]

Thanks for this video Eugene. I had 8 of these which are the Blue and the Red ones but I am selling mine off as I have moved over to German and Austrian model trains from this point onwards. My reviews will be up in May, June and July. These are way better than the Bachmann models and the price is excellent value. A much for any present day Class 60 owner. Like you said mate, they compliment the Hornby Class 60 nicely. Here is a like from me mate. All the best, Peter.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that Peter. Best of luck with the switch to European H0 models. It's a whole new world.

[@stephenchambers5900]

It’s interesting to see the Challengers such as Revolution, Accurascale, Cavalex, Rapido all making significant in roads into the market. These look to be pitched at a really fair price point.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stephen. Absolutely, I was never going to purchase the Bachmann versions due to the cost unless I got them on some sort of offer.

[@onnomulder9775]

A great review as always Euvirail!! Many thanks for sharing. Cheers Onno.

[@johnoneill5661]

Great review of some very nice looking tankers. 👍

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Nice review.Cheers from overseas the United States

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and wishing you a Happy St.Patrick's Day!

[@PaulGrimshaw-gg3fd]

I bought 8 of these waggons and in my opinion for the price I think they are absolutely perfect they run smoothly , the detail is top notch,I have a lot of points on my layout a mix of hornby bachmann and peco and these waggons have not derailed once at any speed highly recommended

[@alanrobertson9790]

I got a rake of the Bachmann TEAs a few years ago which were cheaper than the Revolution version today. I also have one each of the Hornby, Lima and Revolution version of the TEA. The Revolution version is clearly the best as you have assessed in the video. I have the EWS 3 beasties version. The Hornby barrel looks mounted too high on the bogies to my eyes. The Lima model was better and looks OK running with the Bachmann.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing Alan. I was nearly tempted by the Hornby version at one stage but glad I didn't go there.

[@clipperrail8988]

Lovely wagons and essential for modern image and class 60. I picked up a rake of the Hornby VTG ones. Although they are old Lima tooling and showing their age, the paintwork and labelling are surprisingly good and I have weathered them up. Simple and robust and at £24 each it meant I could afford a 7 wagon rake. Really happy with them.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Hornby versions. At £24, it's hard to complain.

[@petertate8366]

Great review Eugene.Enjoyed the full running session too with the Colas 60. Tankers are not my cup of tea but they do look good and perform well. Looking forward to your next one.😊

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter. Tankers weren't on my list either until I picked up a few contemporary Class 60s and then the issue was cost with the Bachmann TEAs. If these hadn't turned up I wouldn't have taken the plunge.

[@lucysblade]

Thank you for a very useful revue.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@breintonjunction791]

Hi Eugene, nice review I bought 10 of these they run really good would have liked a few more but these short runs manufacturers are doing you can’t afford to buy them all at once cheers Al

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Al, glad you are pleased with them. It really a serious investment if going for a very large rake of these and I don't see many available pre-owned.

[@jonathanmillar1975]

Great review as always. Agree that these are great wagons. I have 14 all from the second batch grey and blue livery. They are much better than offerings from different manufacturers. I pre ordered 12 of them direct so get them cheaper and then order a further two. I am not overly bothered about sprung buffers but they don't have much metal parts. Walkways seem to be plastic as are the ladder. Would have liked these to be metal for the price as some parts of the underframe. I have had one issue with a couple of the wagons and this is with the weight which is inside the tank itself. I have had two with the weight loose inside and as a result they derail. Looking at the instructions there does not seem to be an easy way to fix this i.e. get inside the tube without causing damage to the model. The fix could be as simple as a dab of glue. Been in contact with Revolution Trains and they have been great and said to send them back and have fixed them. Also had the same issue with some of their PCA alumina tankers but managed to fix these. Saying all this Happy with the wagons.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing that Jonathan as it will be a help to anyone suffers the same fate. The ideal for a wagon like this would be a metal underframe that provides the necessary weight. I'd expect it to be more expensive model as a result so it's a compromise I guess.

[@9501599]

When I could afford buying trains, I bought a business, Hattons had the Bachmann TEAs in an eight pack so I bought them, the hornby ones aren't very good. These look good and its good to see a review. I like my Bachmann TEAs but to buy more dose cost as you say but theses tanks will cost $98 at £48 where as the Bachmann ones are about $120.... thats New Zealand 🇳🇿 dollars. They look good in the rake.

[@tradtrain]

I bought eight of them,no problems at all so very pleased with them.A good price too.Thank you for your review.

[@Mitche01]

These do look a great value for money choice, I would like to see how the small newer players like revolution can up their volume output without crippling themselves and increasing the range to cover more eras, I myself would want 7 to 8 so grey total or early green bp. I guess others have done this but they could easily take my money of they produced the total or bp ones at the price that these are at.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@geordielad9636]

Hello again Eugene, Bought 3 packs of 3 VTG wagons in 2018 for £148 for 3 wagons (about £48 each) so expensive considering so long ago. I really wanted the EWS version but they were all gone, I had the totally over-scale Hornby TEA EWS so sold them as the Revolution were so much better. Alas to get the EWS wagon which came back into stock with a retailer in 2019 I had to pay £70 each, and I have 8 OUCH, but worth it. They run beautifully as yours do and have never been a problem, I doubt they were made by Accurascale as I haven't had to file anything off and no bits have fallen off. As regards the tension locks which I deplore I replaced them with Kadees. I noticed you were struggling to recall the name of the kinematic coupling and you were probably thinking are they kinetic? (as I used to call them🤭) or kinematic? As you know I hate Kinematic (or Kinetic😀) couplings, they are a pain flinging off wagons, much better with NEM coupling fixed to bogie. Sorry for putting the word kinetic into your thoughts, Bill.

[@nedlooby7419]

was wondering if anyone had experience with the muphys 141/181 given their new release (and their new price tag) is it worth it for a model from 2009 or there about

[@EuviRail]

Hi Ned, I hope to complete a review for next weekend. It's not the cheapest model in the world for what is an older design but the original was a very good model in it's day. I don't want to pre-empt any judgement until I've put it through it's paces.

[@nedlooby7419]

@EuviRail I will keep a look out and the purse strings closed for a little longer thanks for this review incidentally

[@user-wo6qn3vf9n]

If a class 66 weighs 126t what is its scale weight in OO gauge?

[@sapphirejunction8993]

I don't get why Revolution don't do sprung buffers on these as well as on their JNA's which are really expensive for a box wagon at nearly £50 each, sprung buffers should be a given at this detail & price level. Also I find Revolution's pre-order pricing a bit annoying being cheaper direct with them to a certain point until the order book closes and then it jumps up at the retailer even though it's still at the pre-order stage, Accurascale do the pre-order on new products way better without retailer increases. Anyway nice wagons but yes doing a suitable rake of 8 or more will be expensive and yes at least they are cheaper than Bachmann's offerings and good these are current for today's running.

[@alanrobertson9790]

From the consumers point of view I would agree with you. Maybe the reason for the Revolution jump in price nearer the time is to be fairer to their retailers? Just guessing.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for commenting. Yeah, I'm on that page re. the sprung buffers. I guess the favourable pre-order pricing is a reward for those willing to make a commitment early on. I only became aware of it in hindsight so I'm sorry I missed out on it.