Dapol has announced progress on its proposed release of OO Gauge Class 323 Electric Multiple Units (EMU).

Artworks have been produced and sent to Dapol’s partner factory in China; decorated samples are expected to arrive by the end of this summer.

An engineering prototype has been produced and is being evaluated for both its running characteristics and its aesthetic qualities.

Early and later versions of the Class 323 units feature several differences, such as:

• Earlier versions have a destination board in the middle of the centre coach, but it is plated over in later units.
• The centre coach in later units has some of its windows plated over.
• Early driving cars had WIPAC lighting, whilst later have modern group standard LED twin lamp light clusters.
• Production models will have a pantograph that can be positioned either raised or in a down/stowed position.
• All cars have electrical interconnections, with the jumper cables located in recesses in the leading and trailing units, as in prototype units.

Proposed liveries:

• No. 323203 Regional Railways Centro.
• No. 323227 Regional Railways Greater Manchester PTE.
• No. 323213 London Midland.
• First North Western “Barbie” with Northern branding.
• No .323241 West Midlands Trains.
• No. 323225 Northern new – white/blue.
• Class 323 Regional Railways Centro heritage repaint.

Unfortunately, Dapol has had to revise previously announced prices, but Dapol will honour the price for pre-orders placed before the increase. Revised prices are £361.55 for DCC Ready, £397.71 for DCC fitted, and £485.51 with DCC Sound.

Earlier this month, Dapol announced OO Gauge models of Great Western Railway OO Gauge 0-4-2 tank engines, and complementary Great Western Railway Churchward top-light corridor coaches.