Dapol 2D-026-004D

Tooling

Dapol’s 2019 retooling of the British Rail Class 86 in N gauge marked a significant upgrade over earlier versions. The Class 86, introduced in the mid-1960s, was a cornerstone of British Rail’s AC electric fleet on the West Coast Main Line. Dapol’s tooling aimed to capture the locomotive’s distinctive features while meeting modern expectations for detail, performance, and digital capability.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Finely moulded plastic bodyshell with metal components; chassis combines plastic and metal for strength and weight.
• Detailing: Factory-fitted separate details including door handles, handrails, jumper cables, etched nameplates (user-fit), roof electrical gear, bufferbeam detail packs, and fully painted cab interiors with glazing and seating.
• Pantographs: Brecknell Willis high-speed and Stone Faiveley AMBR types, poseable but unpowered.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with Rapido-style couplers; accessory pack includes magnetic couplings and cosmetic screw-link options.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: 5-pole “Super Creep” motor with twin flywheels for smooth, slow-speed control.
• Drive: All-wheel drive and all-wheel electrical pickup for reliable performance.
• Lighting: Directional head and tail lights; later batches added cab lighting and independent control via decoder.
• Weighting: Internal chassis weighting for improved adhesion.

DCC Capability

• Early 2019 releases: 18-pin DCC socket.
• Later runs: NEXT18 socket with enhanced lighting control.
• No factory provision for sound speaker, but space exists for custom installation.

Liveries Produced

Dapol has offered a wide range of liveries across production runs, including:

• BR Electric Blue
• BR Blue (Full Yellow Ends)
• InterCity Executive and Swallow
• Caledonian Sleeper
• EWS (English Welsh & Scottish)
• Freightliner (Green and Powerhaul)
• Special editions such as Rainhill 150 commemorative schemes

Reviews & Commentary

Retailer showcases and enthusiast reviews praised the model’s fine detailing, smooth running, and improved digital features. The poseable pantograph and accessory packs were highlighted as strong points. Some feedback noted delicate pantographs and occasional lighting quirks, but overall reception was positive. Forum discussions welcomed the upgrade to NEXT18 sockets and improved lighting control.

Media & Social Media

Video reviews from Hattons and independent channels demonstrated excellent slow-speed performance and crisp decoration. Community forums (RMweb, N Gauge Forum) discussed reliability and decoder compatibility, with most users reporting good running qualities when properly maintained.

Interesting Notes

• The tooling covers multiple subclasses: 86/2 (passenger), 86/4 (push-pull capable), and 86/6 (freight).
• Accessory packs include vacuum pipes, knuckle couplers, and magnetic couplings for enhanced realism.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.

BR Blue, also known as Rail Blue or Monastral Blue, was introduced in 1965 as part of British Rail's comprehensive corporate identity overhaul that accompanied the rebranding from British Railways to British Rail. The colour was officially defined by British Standards BR28/6001 (airless spray finish) and BR28/5321 (brush finish), representing a dark, greyish blue tone specifically chosen to hide dirt and weathering effects well.

The livery was prototyped on the experimental XP64 train in 1964 before becoming the standard scheme from 1 January 1965. Rail Blue was applied to all diesel and electric locomotives with yellow warning panels (initially small, then extending to full yellow ends from 1966). The standardised application included the iconic double arrow logo and Rail Alphabet typeface, creating one of the most successful transport corporate identities of the 20th century.

The livery dominated British Rail operations for over two decades until sectorisation in the 1980s began fragmenting the unified appearance. Despite initial colour fading problems in early applications, these were resolved by the late 1970s when the Large Logo variant was introduced featuring extended yellow areas and full-height double arrow symbols. Rail Blue's enduring appeal among railway enthusiasts reflects its role as the definitive British Rail image during the organisation's most unified period.