Railway Models UK

Ultimate Model Railways has commissioned Cavalex Models to produce a pair of limited‑edition Class 56 locomotives, based on the distinctive main‑line units 56301 and 56045, currently owned and operated by DC Rail.

56301 was built in 1978 at Doncaster Works and stayed on the network until 1999, when it was withdrawn in Loadhaul livery. It was among the first three Class 56s refitted at Brush Traction in Loughborough for Fastline in 2005‑2006; during that overhaul it was renumbered 56301, received a cut‑away at the base of its cab to remove corrosion and was fitted with later‑style cab front grilles, giving the original Doncaster‑built 56045 a refreshed appearance.

After purchase by the Class 56 Group, 56301 returned to the main line in 2012 and worked for DC Rail on a variety of movements, including Crossrail‑era Calvert‑Willesden runs. It also performed shunting at Dove Holes terminal during 2018‑2019 before being withdrawn again.

Since 2023 56301 has operated in DC Rail's debranded Fastline livery and was purchased by the aggregates company in 2025 to work alongside 56103. That summer it was repainted for The Greatest Gathering and restored as closely as possible to its original look, complete with BR blue finish and the classic Doncaster cab front grilles.

The two locomotives have now been made into limited‑edition sets by Ultimate Model Railways, available in either 56301's debranded Fastline paint or 56045's current DC Rail BR blue livery. Each set features bespoke tooling to depict the cab cut‑away accurately; 56301 displays original incandescent lights while 56045 utilises modern LED lighting.

The limited editions are priced at £199.95 DCC‑ready and £299.95 with DCC sound, and will be dispatched alongside the second batch of Cavalex Models Class 56s during the first quarter of 2026.

Ultimate Model Railways commissions new Class 56 limited edition

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