Our range of exclusive OO gauge locos just got a bit bigger - introducing the uniquely tooled Cavalex class 56 56301 & 56045!
The first 56 to reappear on the network after the final EWS examples were withdrawn in 2004, the former 56045 received an overhaul at Brush Loughborough for Fastline and was outshopped as 56301 in 2006. As part of this overhaul, the loco gained a unique cut-away bufferbeam and later style series 3 horn grille.
The small subclass of 56301-3 saw use on intermodal and infrastructure trains until the collapse of Fastline’s owners Jarvis in 2009. Happily the loco was eventually acquired by the Class 56 Group for use on spot hire contracts - and continued to run in an unbranded-Fastline livery from 2012 up to mid 2025.
Our first model depicts 56301 in this era — with it’s uniquely tooled cabs and long lived unbranded livery. A Fastline 56 has long been a popular request at model shows, and 301 presents modellers with lots of potential for weathering and customisation.
In its’ almost 20 years of carrying the livery, 56301 has seen varied use — on intermodal services under Fastline, moving coaching stock, working coal and flyash trains, attending various galas, as a super shunter at Dove Holes quarry, and more recently on Crossrail spoil trains and DC Railfreight aggregate trains.
56301 is a great accompaniment to 56091 from the initial Cavalex 56 range, Key Model’s exclusive 56103 (available here), and various DC Railfreight Class 60s.
Preorder 56301 in Unbranded Fastline livery here
Enthusiast favourite and star of 2025’s Greatest Gathering, last year the loco was renumbered as 56045 and repainted back into retro BR Blue with its original horn grilles reinstated. 045 can be seen hauling heavy aggregate traffic for it’s new owners DC Railfreight, alongside classmate 56103, and recently appeared at the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala.
Our model of 56045 includes the same cut-away bufferbeam as 301, but with the reinstated original style horn grilles. Lighting has been tailored to each loco, with 56045 carrying a unique combination of LED high intensity headlight with incandescent bulb marker lights.
Preorder 56045 in BR Blue/DC Rail now
Joining the second run of the Cavalex 56, and due towards the end of next month, 56301 & 56045 finish our trio of exclusive grids — alongside class pioneer 56001 Whatley in late 80s/90s era Construction sector.
Due to the additional bespoke tooling required specifically for these two models, we have had to slightly increase the RRP of 56301/56045. The two models will retail at £199.95 DCC Ready and £299.95 DCC Sound — and are available exclusively to preorder on our website now.
Our thanks to DCRail and Cavalex Models for all their help with this project.
Please note - The photos above show sample models and specification is subject to change. The bodyshell for 56045 appears on a chassis for 56301.