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The bogie detailing looks absolutely superb!! I'm trying to figure out how I routinely handle mine once she arrives, other than carefully! Al.

Just been drooling over the Rails photos!! I always 'weather' / fatigue my locomotives to some extent - wondering how long I can keep mine 'ex shop' ... just looks too good to weather! Are the bodies 'clip on' or are there 'additional requirements'? Al.

Superb! Thanks for the information.

Any thoughts to 'issuing blanks', like Dapol did with the Westerns - supplying plates, etc separately? Al.

Considering the substantial investment - for me - I'll be putting into Accurascale, like many others (many a huge amount more than I) - this is incredible news and THANK YOU. Accurascale continues to tick all of the boxes!! Al.

Fantastic News - Class 56 has landed!! Al.

LOL !! Would love to .... Have to hold at one! Al.

Love the look of the Steel on Steel, but I'm going for the IKB variant. Al.

It was just a point. I suppose I may like to run more than many do. I understand that engineering / manufacturing tolerances are tighter than previous years, but over time, these bushes do wear. Also, being the 'hot end', lightly arcing brushes, then light oil will dry out relatively quickly in the bushes. Some have mentioned comparisons with 'sealed units' like washing machines which can be similarly 'run hard' which never need regular lubrication, but these do use sealed, lubricated bearings, and are generally a much larger scale. 0.04mm wear in a washing machine bearing will be neither here nor there, but in a much smaller scale can be much more significant. Regarding oil onto brushes, I have actually encountered that before, 53 years ago with a Champion slot racing Ferrari, which ended up burning the oil - quite an impressive smoke trail it left - before the motor burnt out!! Al.

Thanks for the reply. I do understand. Perhaps I run my locomotives a lot more than many, but there's not one which hasn't needed a touch of oil on motor bushes somewhere along the line. Very astute comment regarding possible over-oiling, and oil reaching the treads - I have the t-shirt on that one!! Al.

Both the Class 56 and 60 are looking to be absolutely superb models. I don't seem to have much support, but will put this out there. Is there consideration for routine maintenance? As I use models, quite a lot on occasions, they'll suddenly start that 'dry squeal' indicative of non-lubricated metal on metal. Is there easy access to worm, axle (obviously yes) and motor bushes? I think it was the later Bachmann Class 40's which had access points underneath the chassis where in situ motors could be lubricated without need to totally disassemble the locomotive. This is a 'pet peev' of mine currently!! Al.

Hi there. We're all wary of various 'Gulf disruptions' and that there'll also be the Chinese New Year (10th February). I see Rails mention the Batch 2 Class 55 'Deltics' are due 'Q1 2024'. Is this still a fair estimate or what is the approximate ETA please? Al.

When is Evening Star expected to be available? Al.

That's just my point, oiling is routine maintenance. A quick couple of drops can save bushes, and save fathing around with screaming bushes, even motor replacement. Sorry, this is one detail I will not change. I wouldn't go to the dealership I bought a car from to ask them to check the tyre pressures - I do that myself every 2-3 weeks. Al.

One problem I have is that I like running my model railways, not just looking at them. This previously meant running some from 20 minutes to up to 3 hours - for an 08 at 15-17 mph equivalent for example. I've stopped this practice, certainly since I had the need for a replacement motor on my 37 - resolved without any issues and many thanks. My proposal is that bushes and motors now tend to be very difficult to access without dismantling substantial parts of the recently issued, highly detailed models. I believe much more consideration should be given to assist the modeller in the general 'routine maintenance' which will include the occasional few drops of oil on each and every bush, including motor bushes in particular. Some Bachmann diesels (37 or 40?) even had slots / access points underneath to permit access to add a little oil to the motor bushes without any dismantling. Perfect!! Mentioning the motors, in the event a replacement motor is required, quite major surgery is required. This should be as straightforward as possible, wiring trunked where able to avoid risk of disabling cab lights, etc .... Al.

Which 'beast' has been awoken - that's the question unfortunately !! I would probably consider 'the safer option' despite the extra time, fuel and costs, unless UK / USA - who else? - could guarantee safe passage and to knock out of the sky any marauding drones and missiles. It's a strange one. I too sincerely hope it has been calmed .... Al.

Looking forward to seeing the locomotive ... !! End of Q1 it is was mentioned earlier - ties in well, for me - Birthday present to myself! Al.

Looking at today's news, I think most shipping will be taking the longer route for a while!! Top up with fuel now, for those of us non-eco-conscious !! Al.

Q1 started last week!! 😀 Could be up to 31MAR24 as well 🫢 They arrive when they arrive. Should be yet another superb model!! H66 was excellent (but flawed) to start with. Al.

I've had 'the motor issue' which was quickly resolved by Accurascale without any delay - many thanks. I've a 'loose laid' track on the garage floor - small part is carpet, most concrete, so definitely no major engineering standards. I had a 'series 1 Deltic' which kept derailing - I'm assuming it's probably through an issue indicated in this recent 37 derailing video. That Class 37, a Loch Lomond, has never had a single running issue - never derails and performs perfectly (before and after motor change). As just stated, A/S have handled all situations very professionally, and THANK YOU for that. Al.

I had to read the post / link a few times to fully understand - and I'm a fan of Wizard Models as well. Nice idea and thanks for sharing. Al.

Bone of contention for many I know, but one way out was / is the adjustable mount in the tender Bachmann approach - this may be better applied, but is simple and quite reliable. Even if it were to be part of the link screwed on at both ends, making this 'adjustable' would resolve the issue. A bit late now with the new 'drawbars' with their inbuilt connectivity. Al.

I've tried that with these 2 - thanks anyway. I'd have to remove the pesky 4-pin plug each time as the tender screw location is right alongside the socket. Without the plug, you can; leaving the plug in place (preferred) you cannot. It just seems as if so many design details are excellent, but some are simply 'afterthoughts', that 'diesel fitter' thing (diesel [aka these will] fit her ... get the picture!!). With both SWAS and W1 there's no 'slot' where the closed coupling could move into to permit closer coupling. I've done this with quite a few locomotives, as there's 'nowhere to go'. The other option is simply I custom make drawbar links each time (couldn't think of the correct phrase initially!). Al.

I've fairly recently purchased a couple of locomotives I've wanted for a while. One is Sir William A Stanier FRS - beautiful looking latest tooling rebuilt Coronation. The other is 60700, a BR Rebuilt W1 Hush Hush. The thing is, both have tender drawbars with a close-coupling option, but there's nowhere for the bar to go - it can only be positioned in the extended, tighter curve radius setting. I'll consider this option if required for my layout, but like to close-couple when I place them on display, as I do sometimes. I usually end up with a compromise, selecting an alternative bar or slightly 'folding' the bar to close in a little whilst still permitting safe operation. Bottom line is something which appears to be a functional option doesn't work. Anyone else observed this? Al.

Thanks for the fast reply and TBH, as with most on here, when they arrive, they arrive with a huge thank you for your efforts .... !! Al.