🤩 Exclusive Dapol OO Class 88 Production Samples Revealed

Posted by on
Class 88
Class 88
Class 88
Class 88
Class 88
Class 88
Class 88

Feast your eyes on the final production samples of our EXCLUSIVE range of OO Gauge Class 88 bi-mode locomotives from Dapol!


Four variations of this modern era dual-mode locomotive are to be produced in a selection of Direct Rail Services guises - replicating the standard 'compass' livery as well as the one-off 'Refrigerated Rail...' wrap scheme used on 88010 'Aurora'.


Amongst the usual high specification features you would expect from a new locomotive - these will feature various advanced digital, sound and lighting options as well as DCC servo operable pantograph.


The locomotives have now passed their testing phase and will be completed at the factory soon. We expect these to arrive between Q1 and Q2 2025.

Pre-Order Now

Watch our Video

Please note this video demonstrates an earlier decorated sample.

Product Features:

Finely moulded body with many separately fitted fine details

Authentic liveries

Printed nameplates with etched plates supplied separately - where appropriate

Sprung buffers

Heavy Diecast chassis and all wheel pick up and all-wheel drive

Smooth 5-pole motor with twin flywheels

Cast wheels with fine relief and appropriate colouring 

NEM coupling pockets as standard 

Latest Plux22 decoder socket

Comprehensive lighting package with white marker/headlights, red tail lights, Halo lights (DCC only), Cab lights

Lighting independently controllable in DCC and switchable in DC

Servo controlled pantograph (DCC only) (Pantograph posable in DC)

Factory DCC fitted options

Sound-fitted option using authentic sounds obtained with cooperation from DRS

Both electric and diesel sounds, switchable by function key

Prototype Information

Image by Clagmaster

The British Rail Class 88 is a type of mainline mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Stadler Rail for Direct Rail Services (DRS) in the United Kingdom. The locomotive is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family.


It is the first dual-mode locomotive in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification. Amid the fulfillment of DRS' order for the Class 68, Stadler's team proposed the development of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). Having been impressed by the concept, DRS opted to place an order for ten Class 88s during September 2013.


Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotives, amounting to roughly 70 percent of all components being shared. Primarily, the type has been used by DRS to haul freight using electric locomotives without the need to hire in electric traction from other operators. As with the Class 68, they are also capable of operating passenger trains. Even prior to the type entering service, it was decided that the first duty of DRS' Class 88 fleet would be the contracted services between Daventry and Mossend on behalf of the supermarket chain Tesco.


(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Back to blog