REVOLUTION TRAINS ‘CAROLINE’ in OO gauge. The Caroline Project part 1

[@roystudds1944]

Fantastic in depth look at this item, John. Thanks for sharing. Roy.

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi John, A super coach made even better by the Piccadilly treatment well done. Cheers Robert.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thanks Robert, its does look even better with a weathered 37418, no hints or tips ahead of time, lol

[@MrVinnyh]

Thanks to you John, I have just ordered the same carriage, with a FNA-D wagon from Rainbow, Caroline wass not a planned purchase for my layout, but having watched your review, I thought sod'it hang the expense I will only die once! 😵‍💫🤣

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Fantastic, I should have gone for some commission lol. It’s truly a lovely model and Rainbow Railways will look after you. I’ve not bought from them before this but their quality of service is great.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Once again, John, nothing wrong here. Adding the detail really improved an already lovely model. I'm looking forward to seeing Dinting.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thank you. Dinting is complete, finished it yesterday.Will be nice to move on from it now. 4 weeks in the making, 2 weeks of 5he holiday left, eeek wheres that gone! Lol

[@iansngauge]

Hi John! What a lovely looking, and detailed coach! It's amazing what you can do with DCC lighting, and I was definitely impressed by the "step" lighting! It's a real shame that there doesn't seem to be a way to turn off the cab or running lights at one end! I'd wager there'll be a CV value you can modify! I had an issue with my class 31 where the headcode lighting was abysmally dim, and lo and behold there was a CV value to make them brighter! I see even in OO, they haven't come up with a way of easily getting the body off! All of that lovely detail could be ruined by an over zealous poke or prod with a pry tool! You also hit on two of my personal bugbears when it comes to models : 1) the instructions are more often than not hopeless, and 2) the exquisite detail they put on the underside of the model - why? I've just finished making a video reviewing the NGS Ferry Van, and comment on this very subject!!! On to the next one... Cheers, Ian.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

I agree, when you think of the cost of this coach compared to the Accurascale class 37 for only £10 more. The lighting features are simply so much more advanced. Something I’m sure could have been done. On the detail front Rev Trns do do this. I’ve just received one of the nuclear flask wagons along with 2 Accurascale ones. The detail on the rev one is far superior to the Accurascale, BUT I put it up by the flask, it’s loose the wagons falls and breaks the NEM pocket, why????? Needless to say it’s glued on now, as is the NEM pocket it was held on a 1x1mm post. I had to use superglue and bicarb to get a strong secure bond. Detail for detail sake at the expense of practicality. Oh well. Rant over lol Part 2 on Friday on 37418, cheers

[@canofbeer99]

Hello,thanks for posting the video if it was'nt for your video I would have missed the step lighting when allocating my functions,when you allocated "Caroline"its decoder address(I used 9725) by changing direction FWD-REV your marker and tunnel inspection lighting will change ends. I used the recomended Dapol Imperium 6 function decoder.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Glad the video was helpful. There are a few ways to code the chip. Personally I made it a separate ‘loco’ then created a consist with the 37. The address is personal choice, whatever fits with your way of working.

[@vcs00railway]

Interesting about the derailing, i had exactly the same problems both bogies derailing push and pull. I snipped the bottom of the jumper cables slightly, and eventually tried lossening the bogie screws slightly and like yours that cured the problem The detail is phenomenal though well done Revolution

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Yes definitely, the detail is phenomenal. Have to agree, loosening the bogies on all my Rv Tns stock has been a thing right back to my N gauge pendolino. Least it worked and runs reliably now. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@vcs00railway]

@@piccadillymodelrailways did you get to grips with the correct decoder? I think there must be 8 functions because 3 are directional + carriage lights + step lights. When I tried the Dapol Imperium 6 it was ok for a short while but then went to very limited function. Occurred to me its a motor dcc not a function only and powering the motor was affecting it. Its not clear some of the lights are logic or full power control 🤔 . On mine I can get tunnel lights at one end not the other!

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Rainbow Railways recommended the 6 function imperium 1. The functions are 0 = front lights (still cannot turn these off separately from reds), 1 = interior lights, 2 = red lights (press to switch on), 3 step lights, 4 front/top flood lights, I could not find any others. Hoping thats helpful.

[@vcs00railway]

@@piccadillymodelrailwayssince my message I spoke to Coastal DCC and they are suggesting the Imperium 3 eight function decoder. They think the Imperium 1 is incompatible on some aux functions, but sounds like you've had no issue other than turning the loco end lights off. That sadly not possible because of the way the pcb is set up. Thank you for your help, much appreciated 👍

[@StormmyStormmy]

Hi, great video content, this is an amazing and unique coach, it's a lot of money for a coach without a decoder or a stay alive capacitor, i guess thats what Revolution Trains do, not sure if this is a limited edition run of these coaches, if so then once they have gone there gone, this is the best coach i have seen to date, many modellers will be put off because of the price, i'm sure they will sell out thus the secondhand prices will be eye watering, thanks for sharing.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, yes it is lovely can’t question that. The video outlines my niggles. As you said it’s all about the price and does the quality, finish and functions match this. On the first two counts yes, sadly lacking on function for me. Everything Revolution make is done to a limited run, plus extras for the shops. But… when they are gone, that’s it, unless there is a re-run. That’s rare. Thank you for watching.

[@StormmyStormmy]

@@piccadillymodelrailwaysHi, i really like the BR blue/grey livery version as its more appealing to me, the price is the price, you got a bit of discount on yours compared to the other liveries, i'm sure the light issues can be sorted, not sure we will see another coach like this for a while now, its a serious bit of kit to be honest, won't be many left now, there will be other models that we will say are too expensive because we all have different budgets, our desire for model railway items is hard to describe, after all we are only human.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Fantastic, the blue grey version may not have the same lighting issue as the lights are different. Not sure, that version has not appeared on KZbin as far as I can see. Rainbow Railways told me the other versions had not arrived so they might be a good bet for getting one. Really should have gone after commission, that’s two sales off this video lol.

[@andyt741]

looks nice, you shouldnt really have to modify lighting on a new model, i didnt catch the part of the video where you said how much it cost but have looked it up myself and after i fell off the sofa and realised i hadnt entered a alternate reality i know that i will never be getting one of these, accurascale are making locos for the same price, all the best and good review👍

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Yes exactly, ordinarily nor would I entertain it. BUT… its a complete train… if I bought a rake of wagons even at £15 each Id only have 10 for the price I paid, and they’d all probably need work updating them, thats assuming I could find as many for that price ( Im taking older stock also). I had a real job trying to find 7 blue grey mk 2s for the same or less. So Im looking at it in that manner. It is a gorgeous coach I cant complain at that, and so it should be the the price. You are right, I honestly think cab lights should have been separate and standard, along with the switchable headlights. Its just decoder function after all. Of course, adding detail will always be up to the individual. Hope you enjoyed the video anyway.

[@Eccles_Hall]

I’ve got the same problem you had with the original decoder, in that I opted for a Lais decoder and it just won’t fit snuggly. It’s loose and I’m afraid to push down so hard that it risks cracking the pcb, irrespective of Rainbow Railways’ confidence that it won’t crack! I tried popping tape over the decoder, but it couldn’t be read.

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, you could put a piece of card or something under the PCB to fit the decoder. Alternatively remove the PCB, fit the decoder and refit the board. I did push quite firmly on the decoder, all was fine. The other option is take it to the place you got it or local model shop and ask them to fit it, but they probably would charge.

[@andrewmeah3082]

Hi John When you have fitted the decoder do you have tp programme the decoder and give the decoder a number to work the lights only asking as i have just got one and i am waiting for the decoder to come excellent video and great layout and some great tips thanks

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi Andrew, You will need to ‘program’ the decoder or change the address (same thing). It’ll come set as address no 3. You could run it as no3 though if you wanted. I bought a dapol imperium 1 four function decoder. Other decoders may have different results. To work the lights you operate the function keys on your controller. ( the way of doing this depends on your controller.) Function 0 = front / rear lights Function 1 = carriage lights. Function 2 = turn off / on rear light only( only works with Fnc 0 on. Function 3 = step lights. Function 4 = spot lights above cab if you have green one. Other liveries may use different functions. Have a play. Hoping that’s helpful.

[@andrewmeah3082]

Thanks very much for your reply very helpful

[@andrewmeah3082]

I have ordered the same decoder thanks

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Just thought, you will need to set the address WITH the locomotive, as Caroline does not have a motor and will not program without a motor present. Then remove Caroline and reset the locomotive to its former address

[@andrewmeah3082]

Thanks very much for the info much obliged

[@Mav_at_Pwll-Y-Ddraig]

Hi John. Enjoyed yet another video from yyou. Question: Why do you have the Joker in one of the cab end? Ok so it's a blue hat instead of blue hair but at that scale does it even matter? 😆 It is a really detailed model and such a shame that after putting in so much effort into the aesthetics that they let themselves down on the electronics. At least though you're 'over the moonwith it' which is what counts 🙂 Cheers, Mav

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Thanks Mav, yes I really like it, and it forms a complete train with the 37s, at least when I have 37418, lol. The man with the blue hat called Frank, he is a bit of a joker, but likes to dress in outrageous outfits. Lol.

[@chrishall8730]

Hi there i have recently fitted a dapol imperium 1 decoder but i cant activate f3 or f4 i dont suppose you had this problem??

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, I didn’t have this issue I’m afraid. However two things come to mind. - Forgive me just wondering if you have the decoder in the right way around or even upside down? My video shows the correct orientation at 9’ 10” and is pressed on flat to the PCB. It does take a fair amount of force. This is from the dapol website- ‘ Note: This decoder has an index pin, check that the ‘missing’ pin in your model aligns with the ‘missing hole’ in the decoder’ Alternatively, if the decoder was fitted correctly try a reset, it’s usually set CV8 to 8, however the information in the box would, Im sure, mention this, if different. This would also reset the address (ieCV1) back to 3. Failing this I would return the decoder for a replacement. Hoping that’s helpful.

[@Dannyboy6483]

You lost both of the horns on one end of the roof in the end part of the video

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, yes I know, just noticed after video had uploaded. Annoying thing is I found one, put it safely in the box for later, go to put it on, its gone! Then there were none, lol oh well Im not that worried, Ill see what can be done.

[@garylewis1422]

Have a word with revolutions they've been sending spares out customers. Also with the lights on one end no one has found a solution for turning them off other then taping over the contacts to stop them working. I'll have to do the same in time. Great video though

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi John Great review and I have the same one . I have not yet put a decoder in and have an Imperium to use for it . I was going to put it in the same time as I add passengers . So thanks for the heads up for getting the body off. Agree about cab lighting and maybe a little steep at £150 but boy do I like it 😀😂 Cheers Kev