Accurascale Selects The Nuclear Option; Modern FNA-D Nuclear Flask Wagons In OO/4mm

[Accurascale Fran]

Hi everyone,

 

Our second of our two GETS announcements is the modern FNA-D nuclear flask wagons in OO/4mm gauge.

The first engineering prototype (EP) sample has been received and is on show on our stand at the ‘Great Electric Train Show’ at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes this weekend.

 

Pre-order yours by clicking here!

 

Prototype History

 

NA 11 70 9229 011-5 and 11 70 9229 025-5 Parton North Jn 15 May 2021 - Copyright Dave McAlone

 

A total of forty of these striking vehicles were built in three batches for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) by WH Davis in the UK between 2014 and 2019, numbered 11 70 9229 001-040. They are used for carrying spent fuel from nuclear power stations and sites undergoing decommissioning to the facility at Sellafield for reprocessing or storage. The FNA-D continues Accurascale's popular and well-regarded range of nuclear vehicles that includes the KUA bogie flask carrier and the PFA two-axle container flat.

 

 

The wagons, which also carry the UIC code ‘Uas’ are a like-for-like replacement for the iconic fleet of BR and Procor-built FNA nuclear flask wagons that were built between 1976 and 1988, now all scrapped. The major updates are bodysides with exposed framing and the distinctive Barber BER22.5 ‘Easy Ride’ low track force bogies. Internally the vessel support structures are designed to carry a wider range of flask designs. Accurascale has obsessively replicated these characteristic features in the smaller scale with a composite die-cast and plastic design that includes full underframe detail and brake equipment.

 

Despite the number of working nuclear power stations shrinking dramatically since the turn of the millennium, the FNA-D wagons can still be seen over much of the UK, usually between one and five wagons behind a pair of Direct Rail Services (DRS) locomotives. These operational sites are Hartlepool, Heysham 1 & 2, Torness and Sizewell B.

 

However, three closed locations are undergoing the de-fuelling process and shipping irradiated fuel rods to Sellafield: Dungeness B, Hinkley Point B and Hunterston B. Meanwhile, Valley loading point, for the former Wylfa facility on Anglesey, completed this process in 2019, but still sees irregular visits by flask trains, as does Georgemas Junction, which serves the experimental reactors at Dounreay.

 

The Model

 

The latest addition to our very popular “Powering Britain” range of  freight stock which focuses on energising a nation, the FNA also compliments our growing  nuclear wagon range. They follow in the footsteps of the monster KUA wagons and the recent arrivals of the quirky low level nuclear waste PFA wagons featuring an array of interesting containers.

 

 

With these growing ranges in mind, the FNA-D has been on our ‘hit list’ for a long time, as we look to continue to serve the enthusiasts and modellers of the current era railway operations with prototypically short trains. After all, short trains are perfect for those modellers with space restrictions. A model of these wagons is essential for our range.

 

 

Working closely with WH Davis, the manufacturer of the real FNA-Ds, we were given extensive access to drawings as well as the opportunity to survey the real wagons in the quest to create the most accurate model of these distinctive prototypes. Once again accuracy, detail and build quality are at the top of our priorities and the FNA-D will feature a high specification including:

 

• Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius)
• Weight 133g
• Ten individually numbered wagons packaged in two-car sets
• Bogies include separate brakeshoes in line with wheels and brake adjuster plus rotating axleboxes
• RP25-110 profile OO gauge wheels with space to fit EM (18.2mm) or P4 (18.83mm) wheels
• Sprung buffers and dummy screw couplings are included
• Super fine separate plastic, metal wire and etched metal detail parts, including air pipes, brake handwheel, hood opening equipment, brake equipment, grabs, warning label holders
• Kinetic NEM coupler mounts at correct height with mini-tension-lock couplers
• Working tail light on one vehicle in each pack. This will be powered by a single CR1216 battery and controlled by magnet switch
• Bogies include separate brakeshoes in line with wheels and brake adjuster plus rotating axleboxes
• Posable and removable hood for operational interest

 

Tooling is complete with the first samples now in hand for evaluation, having been revealed at the ‘Great Electric Train Show’ at Milton Keynes. Each twin pack is priced at £74.95 with 10% off when you buy two packs or more direct via our website.

 

Pre-ordering is now open via local stockists and Accurascale direct, with an anticipated delivery date of Q3 2023.

 

Browse the range by clicking here!

 

Cheers,

 

Fran 

[ac1874]

Well, it is a new, modern, Accurascale announcement so naturally I've ordered a pack. I may as well just have my wages paid direct!

[E100]

Is there any difference between this and what has been announced by revolution trains already?

If so I can only assume this is much further ahead as Accurascale already have an EP.

 

In terms of the model it looks brilliant but not for me. I do enjoy the nuclear aspects and the competitive price point for these is to be applauded.

[Gilbert]

4 minutes ago, E100 said:

Is there any difference between this and what has been announced by revolution trains already?

If so I can only assume this is much further ahead as Accurascale already have an EP.

 

In terms of the model it looks brilliant but not for me. I do enjoy the nuclear aspects and the competitive price point for these is to be applauded.

I believe the Revolution is also an FNA-D

https://www.revolutiontrains.com/revolution-goes-nuclear-again/

 

[TomScrut]

11 minutes ago, E100 said:

Is there any difference between this and what has been announced by revolution trains already?

 

As far as I am aware it is for the same thing. I will decide what to buy when Revolution announce pricing etc. I might only want one.

 

I suppose this is the unfortunate thing when we have been asking for these for a while now!

 

11 minutes ago, E100 said:

Accurascale already have an EP.

 

I thought the EP for the Revolution one was going to be shown soon, but it says it's still at CAD stage.

 

 

And that's a tasty pic that can be done with the AS range!

 

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by TomScrut

[McC]

Every twin pack includes a magnetically switched flashing tail lamp also. As well as a replacement lamp iron should you wish to not have inaccurate lamps within the train (for liner or deliver runs). The hood is also posable with the interior modelled. 

[TomScrut]

59 minutes ago, Accurascale Fran said:

10% off when you buy two packs or more

 

@McC and @Accurascale Fran, does the 10% stack across ranges, or would I need to order 2 packs of these to get the discount?

[ERIC ALLTORQUE]

1 minute ago, TomScrut said:

 

@McC and @Accurascale Fran, does the 10% stack across ranges, or would I need to order 2 packs of these to get the discount?

As long as you order wagons it works as far as i have seen.

[TomScrut]

3 minutes ago, ERIC ALLTORQUE said:

As long as you order wagons it works as far as i have seen.

 

Thanks, not expecting to be ordering any soon, and I only want one or two, so was thinking I'd wait until another announcement and order with that if it's to my taste.

[cessna152towser]

I often see nuclear related rail traffic at Carlisle station or when flashing past the DRS depot at Kingmoor on the train from Carlisle to Glasgow so I'll probably have to order at least one pair of FNA-D.  The presence of a flashing tail light implies an FNA-D as the last vehicle on the train.   When I have seen them there is often a loco on each end or if there is no loco on the rear it is typically a trip working from Kingmoor to Sellafield with a PFA marshalled either side of the FNA-D, thus a PFA is the last vehicle.   I am open to correction, as indeed @TomScrut has already posted a photo of 37425 hauling a single FNA-D.

Edited October 8, 2022 by cessna152towser
typo

[McC]

56 minutes ago, TomScrut said:

 

@McC and @Accurascale Fran, does the 10% stack across ranges, or would I need to order 2 packs of these to get the discount?

You can actually order two or more of any wagon or coach packs across the website to avail of the bundle discount 

Edited October 8, 2022 by McC

[TomScrut]

4 minutes ago, cessna152towser said:

if there is no loco on the rear

 

They are often pulled by single locos down to Doncaster for wheel turning. Which also adds ECML between Newcastle and Doncaster as being a viable region for these.

 

But I believe that when loaded there are always at least two locos.

Edited October 8, 2022 by TomScrut

[ews60002]

I may need to order a few to re-create this as I was at Crewe station when 8 of them were to transfer from W H Davis to Crewe Gresty Bridge. 07-02-2019

37407 and 37403 hauling 11-70 9229 018-0, 019-8, 023-0, 024-8, 025-5, 026-3, 028-9, 030-5.

[ERIC ALLTORQUE]

Looks like our layouts will all be having some form of processing facility to accomadate the nuclear theme,have the flasks been tested by crashing a peak into them or is that to come.

[Gilbert]

 

My local is Berkeley FWIW

My plan is to use one of these...

[norfolkchinaclay]

Is there any difference between the available model packs in terms of livery/logos/time period (hazard warning flashes etc)? I cannot see any livery differences in the artwork* or mentioned in the descriptions so presume they just differ in the running numbers, but would be helpful to know as I want the most recent version if there is one.
 

*one wagon appears to have a red panel on the side where the others all appear to be black.

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by norfolkchinaclay
Add image

[McC]

All just individual running numbers. The wagons haven’t received any other time specific changes. 

[Michael Hodgson]

Saw these at GETS this morning.  They look great (apart from the EPs being in a hideous green), and they are a better price than the Bachmann FNAs, though you do have to buy them in pairs.  Plus the working tail light - what's not to like? 

That is, apart from they'll show up my kit-built ones!

[ERIC ALLTORQUE]

1 hour ago, Ruairidh Munro said:

 

Just need a decent model of the gantry cranes at Torness or Bridgewater now !!

Accurainfrastructure will be next in the portfolio......in a long narrow box to get all the writing on.......

[virginhst539]

1 hour ago, McC said:

All just individual running numbers. The wagons haven’t received any other time specific changes. 

Like the older FNA wagons do the remove the hazzard dimonds when these are running unloaded or are they a constant fixture regardless of load?

 

Either way a great addition and a perfect excuse to vist the site and fire the ballast wagons into the basket as well!

[69843]

13 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

They look great (apart from the EPs being in a hideous green)

 

Well at least they're not glowing!*


(*Which if they were, would be blue)

[CoBoLoco]

I read that these have that these will have rotating axles boxes. What has accurascale learnt from a retailers locomotive offering, in order to prevent these from falling out?

 

Those were plastic glued to a metal wheel. Are these part of the bogie assembly that are keyed or splined to the wheel axles, rather than glued on?

 

Not a criticism, just interested to know how moving axles boxes have been refined, since a previous model.

 

Thanks

[McC]

1 hour ago, CoBoLoco said:

I read that these have that these will have rotating axles boxes. What has accurascale learnt from a retailers locomotive offering, in order to prevent these from falling out?

 

Those were plastic glued to a metal wheel. Are these part of the bogie assembly that are keyed or splined to the wheel axles, rather than glued on?

 

Not a criticism, just interested to know how moving axles boxes have been refined, since a previous model.

 

Thanks

 

Our A Class Irish locomotive came with rotating axle boxes, as have our Tara mines wagons, and Keg, Fertiliser and container flat ranges in our Irish ranges without a single return or issue (some 60k+ vehicles). We've never had any issue with the technique or achieving reliable running and fidelity. HTH!

[TomScrut]

1 hour ago, CoBoLoco said:

What has accurascale learnt from a retailers locomotive offering, in order to prevent these from falling out?

 

In fairness, that was all down to a moulding error which misaligned the bogie outers from the bogie and axles, so actually whilst an annoying problem to us to solve probably quite simple for a manufacturer to.

[McC]

On 08/10/2022 at 18:50, Ruairidh Munro said:

If the covers are posable (Posable and removable hood for operational interest) then it would be great if they also did a seperate flask model.

 

We'll certainly look at the options.