The popularity of its VTG Rail UK TEA 102.6-tonne bogie tanker in ‘N’ gauge twisted Revolution’s arm to produce this wagon in ‘OO’ too. As with the ‘N’ gauge project, Revolution commissioned Rapido to produce the wagon in 4mm:1ft scale.
This model has been produced with the full co-operation of the prototype’s owners, VTG Rail UK Ltd. VTG kindly allowed us exclusive access to its drawings archive, which is usually strictly off limits, to create the artwork for this project, as well as arranging a day out for the Revolution team and photographer Tom Smith to do some first-hand research. Â
The de facto ‘standard’ 100-tonner of the modern railway system, the TE014 series was developed from a Powell-Duffryn design from the 1990s. The first examples were built by Marcroft Engineering in Stoke-on-Trent in 2001 although the actual type chosen by Revolution were constructed in Poland by Greenbrier Europe from 2006 onwards.
These tankers have mostly usurped older designs and can now be seen over much of the country, with the Midlands, North Lincolnshire and South Wales being particularly good places to see these wagons. The refineries and terminals at Humber, Lindsey, Milford Haven and Port Clarence all regularly receive these wagons. 
VTG has three different colour schemes on its fleet of TEAs (red, blue and grey), along with operators Greenergy (two liveries) and EWS/DB Schenker. Revolution has also offered Freightliner Heavy Haul’s attractive ‘British Racing green’ livery, although these wagons have since been rebranded VTG.
The ‘OO’ gauge TEA features includes NEM coupler pockets, etched-metal roof walkways and myriad prototypical detail differences applicable to each version.
These wagons are no longer available new. Click HERE to explore the rest of the Revolution range.
