The Railfreight Distribution Class 47 selection box

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of the Class 47 diesels coinciding, the opportunity to mark the occasion proved too good to miss! We have teamed up with ViTrains to bring you a run of appropriately chosen 'Special Edition' Class 47s all with a ‘diamond’ theme.

THIS YEAR is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee but another, equally impressive railway milestone is that which arrives at the end of September when the commonplace Class 47 diesels will have achieved an impressive 50-year service life. This deserves recognition; so to follow a rather contrived theme we’re producing a selection of made-to-order models displaying the ‘double diamonds’ of BR’s Railfreight Distribution sub-sector.

With the co-operation of Italian manufacturer ViTrains, RAIL EXCLUSIVE has commissioned no less than four different locomotives featuring both the original Railfreight Distribution and the later ‘European’ colour schemes (some of the most common liveries on Class 47s during their latter years). Surprisingly, this has yet to feature on what could be termed ‘third generation’ models.

As well as being priced below that of similar items from another well known manufacturer (not counting over £8.00 worth of complimentary etched fittings), ViTrains have promised to ‘pull out all the stops’ to get them to us for September!

We’ve also listened to our customers... Although widely accepted as the best 4mm scale ready-to-run Class 47 to date, it has often been criticised for the number of parts that need to be fitted by the purchaser. However, this issue is no more as we’ve reached agreement to have handrails and the majority of the detail parts fitted at the factory for the first time.

Additionally, two of the locomotives will provide extra detail variety and come un-numbered and un-named allowing modellers to personalise their purchases. To assist with this, a transfer sheet and a good selection of photo-etched plates will be included completely free of charge along with the etched double arrows, kickplates and depot plaques.

The ‘once only’ production runs, never to be repeated, are:

• V2107: No. 47365 Diamond Jubilee – Original RfD with bufferbeam cut-away and long range tanks.
• V2108: Un-numbered – Original RfD with bufferbeam fairings and battery box underframe.
• V2109: No. 47555 The Commonwealth Spirit – RfD European with fairings and battery box underframe.
• V2110: Un-numbered – RfD European with bufferbeam cut-away and long range tanks.

Pete Binger, Managing Director of The Hobby Company (ViTrains' UK distributor), commented: "I am absolutely delighted to be working with RAIL EXCLUSIVE. I have nothing but admiration for their quest for accuracy and attention to detail, with the ultimate aim of supplying the best possible models to their customers. The deal to produce these Class 47s is a demanding one, especially with the ViTrains factory at maximum capacity with Italian production, and it represents a glowing endorsement of the ViTrains model. The much-requested liveries should be extremely popular with modellers and collectors alike."

RAIL EXCLUSIVE’s Philip Sutton, added: "It’s great to be working with The Hobby Company and ViTrains again. They have listened and responded to our requirements, making the production of these four locos in a short timescale a viable proposition. Personally, I cannot believe the Railfreight Distribution schemes have been neglected for so long and we will be making every effort to ensure these models are as special as possible in every way by adding value through optional numbers and nameplates. Experience tells me that all modellers love to personalise their locomotives, especially if we can make it easy for them."

All the models will be available to purchase individually and presented in our own unique packaging, including certificates plus free etched stainless steel detail pack. As is normal, we will offer DCC chip and sound-fitted options as well as a numbering and nameplate fitting service. Staged payment plans are available and, because many of you will want to purchase both pairs, we have decided to provide a multiple purchase discount.

We have only a few weeks to confirm quantities for our strictly limited run ‘production slot’ so don’t hang around if you want to be guaranteed of securing these highly collectable models. Why not place your reservation now? As an additional incentive, everyone pre-ordering before April 30th will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win a Badger airbrush, compressor and weathering DVD package worth £160.

For more details and prices, visit the Class 47 section on the website here, download the information sheet here or call us anytime on 01780 470086.