Accurascale

I'll just leave this here... 😍 'As the sun comes down on a late September evening in 1999.'

BR Blue and NSE Class 50 Deco Samples Revealed! Great news! We can reveal further decorated samples of our Class 50 have showed up from the factory for assessment. We have now received BR Blue, BR Blue Large Logo with grey roof, and original Network South East liveries. These arrived with the Hanson and Hall and BR Large Logo with black roof we previewed before Christmas but we've only got around to photographing them now! As ever, some fit and finish issues are apparent on these samples, such as the headcode glass on D423 and the body to chassis fit on some examples, but these will be corrected on production models that you receive. Enough talking, more pics! As per our previous update, production is now underway with a delivery date of Q4 of 2024 envisaged. Order via your local stockist, or direct below. Please note that there is limited stock remaining across all running numbers as production is now in full swing! Pre-order here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-50/availability_pre-order

Andrew Barclay Saddle Tank Decorated Samples Revealed It's been a colourful few days here at Accurascale Towers, as we have been assessing and evaluating the decorated samples of the Andrew Barclay tank engines which we have taken over following the closure of Hattons. Following on from our colourful reveal last week of our O gauge Ruston 88DS decorated samples, we're thinking of selling sunglasses so you can cope with this kaleidoscope of colour! Overall, they're excellent and will certainly be up to the very best standards that the Hattons Originals errr... original (!) releases were. However, there are some minor corrections that need implementing to get them to those high standards once again. We noted on the NCB locomotive that the buffer shanks need to be black instead of red, and the handbrake centre section should be blue, not black. On the Caledonia Works locomotive, the lining on the cylinders does not extend to the full length of the cylinder, so this will be corrected too. "Efficient" also has some lining quirks which need correcting, including placement on the tank sides, the thickness and again around the cylinder ends. On "Victory", the factory have created a sample with the wrong cab windows, the motion bracket is incorrectly painted black and the base of the buffer shanks should be black. We will also be tweaking the shade. One further change we are looking to make is adjusting the three link chain couplings to give them a slightly more realistic appearance. Overall, these are very minor tweaks required to ready these locomotives for full production, which will now kick off in the coming weeks! This means that the delivery date to customers will be late Q4 of 2024. We are locked into the production run size that Hattons specified with the factory, so there is only a finite amount still available to pre-order. Anyone who has previously placed a pre-order for these locomotives with Hattons can rest assured that their pre-order is safe and has been transferred to us, unless they requested otherwise. Pre-order yours today, with no money down, directly via the Accurascale website below, for £99.95 per loco. Pre-Order today: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/andrew-barclay-14-16-0-4-0st-industrial

Well, Well, Well - A First Look At The Warwells In OO! Following on from the rather exciting news last Tuesday that we had taken on a number of the Hattons Originals toolings, beginning with the Warwells in OO, The Wainwright P Class and the Andrew Barclay tank engines, we can now bring you the first update on these projects. We will have news of the Wainwright P Class and Andrew Barclay tanks in the coming weeks, but first let's look at the production samples of the Warwell wagons in OO gauge! As reported in our announcement blog last week, production of these models is already complete and the models had already been signed off by the Hattons team. We are now responsible for the delivery of these models to market, with any Hattons pre-orders having been transferred over to us and is now logged on our system. If you have not heard from Hattons, or from us and you do have a Warwell pre-order, please get in touch with us immediately so we can safeguard it for you. We can report that the fit and finish, along with the decoration on these wagons is excellent, and a credit to the Hattons Originals team, making these distinctive wagons really stand out. We can now confirm that these wagons will leave the factory next week for their trip from the Far East to our warehouse in the UK. We envisage them landing with us in April, depending on the continued unrest and shipping disruption in the Middle East. Although some of the running numbers are now sold out, we still have a selection which you can pre-order via our website for £25 per wagon. Click on the link below if you fancy adding some to your fleet, and be sure to check out Trains4u who have also commissioned two Warwell Wagons in this production run. Pre-order today: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/50t-kwa-warwell

Rainbow Rustons - Decorated Samples Of Our First O Loco Are Here! We first revealed our debut O gauge locomotive at the 2023 GETS show last October, and it certainly raised some eyebrows! Accurascale not doing a large mainline diesel? Good heavens! Indeed! The large diesel sector of the O gauge market is very well catered for, and as a small market, the 7mm side is likely to not withstand two companies competing on the same class of loco. It's also quite new to us, so we said we would go small, cater for layouts large and small, from the sidings of the large empires to the fun shunting planks in the spare rooms around the country and go small, cute and colourful. Our little Ruston 88DS gives us just that. We're delighted to say that our first decorated samples have arrived for assessment, with one complete model for further testing, and a collection of fully decorated bodyshells to give you a flavour of what's coming soon! As with any product development process, there is a lot to like, and some changes that are required! So, what do we like so far? Tampo and overall body paint colours across all liveries are very pleasing. Some of the highlights include W.M.J.E.A No.1 with its lining and Ruston crest on the cab sides. Our BR Green, and two tone Rowntree Mackintosh lined green and shadowed lettering are also pretty highlights! Sticking with our green theme, the Bowaters Northfleet 88DS in its Opaline Green and running gear in red, which really stands out and looks very striking. The cab interiors are very pleasing, with nice, detailed cab desks. We're also delighted with the weight! They are very, very solid and have a real quality feel to them, with excellent haulage capacity for a locomotive of their size as you will see when we demonstrate them in the coming weeks! Of course, there are areas we can further improve on and correct too. For instance, the yellow that has been applied across the Wasp Stripes and Warning panels is a bit ‘thin’ on these samples, so the density needs to be increased. Masking also needs to be improved, but both these issues are normal at this stage and something we have encountered on our OO locomotives at this stage of the process, being fully corrected on the production models customers receive. In places, the excellent fit of the parts has led to that fit being adversely affected by the paint layers; notably on the removable engine panel that covers the PCB which is now too tight and the Donkey Engine panels, which do not sit as flush as they should. Again, this is easily remedied. The glazing panels also suffer from not being cleaned up diligently, which is a common problem on EPs/Deco Samples. Again, this will be corrected for production models. Buffers, Drawhooks and Wheels have not received their chemical blackening, which is normal for this stage, but which does look odd even so. The Panhard Red used on the Tottenham Gas Works 88DS is wrong, but a definitive colour swatch has now been sent, and the red will be adjusted accordingly. Overall, our little rustons are progressing very well indeed through the design process and are bang on schedule. Sound recording for our digital sound fitted models will commence in the coming weeks and we will look forward to bringing you some footage of the finished sound files once we have them prepared. Delivery is anticipated for Q1 2025. Pre-order your O Gauge Ruston and Hornsby 88DS today via your local retailer, or direct for no money down via our website by clicking here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/7mm-locomotives

Exciting news, Further EPs to our all-new GWR Pannier project have arrived and they're jam-packed with never previously done detail! We're pleased to be able to show you some variants for the first time including the NCB Pannier '7754', which correctly doesn't have a toolbox or train brake (and heat), also seen here are our 67xx samples which bring another variety of pannier to the market for the first time. These models are also without train braking but do still have their toolboxes. Another feature not yet shown is the BR-era smokebox door with its separately applied etched numberplate. With all these variations and many more, it's a real game of spot the difference. Browse the full range and Pre-order today with NO money down: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/gwr-57xx-67xx-8750-pannier-tank

Did we mention these have now arrived? 😁 Grab yours today: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/mdo-mdv-21-ton-mineral-wagons

Did we mention they're here! 😍 At the time of posting they're are only 12 left in stock, grab them before they're gone!! https://www.accurascale.com/collections/mdo-mdv-21-ton-mineral-wagons/products/br-21t-mdv-mineral-wagon-tops-bauxite-exclusive

After a period of locomotives, coaches and railcars, we are going back to our roots and will now bring you a whole new range of beautifully detailed, uniquely Irish wagons. We have been famed with making use of common chassis for wagon ranges since our inception, and it is a number of years since our last mammoth wagon project, the hugely successful "Project 42". So, where do we go this time? Well, we wanted a range of wagons that would be widely useful to modellers, widespread across the network and eras, and uniquely Irish. So, we decided there was only one place to go, the Bulleid triangulated chassis, starting with the CIE corrugated open wagons. History In 1950 the board of Corás Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) appointed Oliver Bulleid as its Chief Mechanical Engineer. Bulleid, renowned as designer of the distinctive Merchant Navy and Light Pacific locomotives during his tenure with the Southern Railway in England, did not have an opportunity to pursue his legendary innovativeness to the same extent in Ireland, but his arrival nonetheless heralded a period of modernisation and standardisation. Apart from implementing the complete transition to diesel motive power, he also set about standardising CIÉ’s fleet of rolling stock with his patented triangulated underframe providing the basis. Perhaps the most recognisable of the goods vehicles was the humble open wagon with its galvanised pressed metal body. More than 2,500 were constructed at Inchicore between 1956 and 1969, with up to twelve being outshopped each week at the height of production. They quickly replaced older wooden-built equivalents, many of which had entered service with CIÉ’s predecessor, the Great Southern Railways, or its constituent companies. The welded construction of the underframe provided excellent strength despite being relatively light and the pressed metal panels used to create the bodywork were both durable and easily replaceable, resulting in a hard-wearing wagon which could cope with rough treatment in unfitted trains and less-than-careful handling during loading and unloading. The wagons were a common sight across the entire CIÉ network, from major yards in Dublin and Cork to the most rural of branch lines, carrying a wide variety of loads ranging from peat briquettes to gypsum, pre-ISO shipping containers and farm machinery. However, their most famous duty was the conveyance of sugar beet during the annual autumn-winter harvest season, when trainloads of the crop would be transferred from loading points across the country to plants at Carlow, Mallow, Thurles and Tuam. Even as more modern continuously-braked goods stock was introduced in the 1970s, rakes of these open wagons were retained for beet season, persevering in traffic until replaced by vacuum-braked wagons in the 1980s. Wagons were initially outshopped with ‘Flying Snail’ totems before giving way to the CIE ‘Broken Wheel’ logo during the 1960s. Typically for Irish Rail, the wagons were rarely, if ever, repainted, with many of the wagons ending their careers with the earlier Flying Snail logos in the 1980s! The Model With an abundance of recent locomotive releases, particularly in the CIE era of the 1950s-1980s timeframe in recent years, we felt it necessary to provide the most numerous and important wagons from this golden era to help the modeller to build accurate trains. The Bulleid triangulated underframe was a standard unit that gave birth to a whole host of wagons, which will be reflected in our range in the months and years to come. We kicked off this adventure with the Bulleid open, oft our most requested wagon model for IRM and one that reached every corner of the network from the mid 1950s all the way to the 1980s when they made up the now legendary sugar beet trains. An essential wagon for any Irish modeller with Silver, green, grey, black, black and tan and supertrain locos, these are a must and the first step in our CIE unfitted wagon range, which will feature other wagons yet to be announced. We took a trip to Dunsandle over the summer of 2021 to survey their excellent open wagon undergoing restoration. A big thanks to Maurice Mitchell at Dunsandle for facilitating our visit and survey. The open wagon may seem like a fairly simple wagon to produce, and for the most part it is. However, there is one tricky piece to the puzzle, and something that is essential to capture the essence of these characterful wagons; the interior. Due to their corrugated construction, the inside of the wagon required extra tooling to capture the distinctive ribbing inside. Our factory came to the rescue here, with intelligent toolmaking to ensure this was achieved. We also wanted to get some weight into the wagon, but not compromise with a false floor to spoil the look of the wagon interior, so we have a fully diecast floor as part of the underframe structure. A wealth of separate plastic detail consisting of all the braking and underframe gear, door bangers, sprung buffers and brass bearing cups to allow the smoothest of running complete the make up of these beautifully detailed wagons as you come to expect from IRM. Available in our typical triple packs, our first production run covers a variety of eras, from original flying snail, to CIE roundel and then both beet and permanent way packs. Priced at €89.95 per triple pack, and 10% off when you buy two packs or more, they are due to arrive in stock in Q3 of 2024. Click the link below to place your pre-order. Pre-ordering early is recommended to avoid disappointment as production slots will be limited. Pre-Order your Bulleid Open Wagons here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/bulleid-12t-corrugated-open

A few shots taken over the weekend. The new 88ds looks right at home in this single shed by JSModels!

Class 31 Production Update - October 2023 Launched at Model Rail Scotland in 2022, our Class 30 and 31 has been cooking way while our Class 37 and Manor arrive in stock. We're still playing catch-up with factory schedules due to COVID lockdowns in China in early 2023, but recently we travelled to China to see our Class 31 progress into assembly. As reported in June, we had to go through the first EP samples with a fine toothcomb. On the surface, they looked lovely, and many of you will have seen them in our cabinets at recent shows. However, a lot of work was required to get them spot on. We executed 99% of this successfully, but following our last update, there was one area that modellers pointed out still just was not quite right; the bodyside grilles. Unfortunately the consistency of the bodyside grilles was incorrect, with an uneven fitting of slats. It has taken more work and altering than we would've liked to get this correct, but we have finally got it spot on following some tooling alterations. As we saw in the factory, it is now where we want them to be. Another area of improvement of fit and finish required was around the bufferbeam area, which has also now been solved to our satisfaction. While we were working on the fit and finish of these areas we were able to work to improve the locomotive on the electronics side. Oddly, our first sample with fully working cab dials came with them in red, offering a rather odd and bright appearance. These are now corrected to a colour consistent with out Class 37, 92 and Deltic. Hellfire! (but for all the wrong reasons!) We have also taken an opportunity to up the already extensive lighting functions present on our current locomotives even further, with an industry first! From the 50s to the late '80s/early '90s, the drivers head light was operated as a single light - either side. The 31s kept individual switches for tail lights, so there is a L/H tail light switch that is ON-OFF and a R/H tail light switch that is ON-OFF. Our model will be able to faithfully capture this prototypical feature, on both DC/DCC! Not only that, but our working fan, although powered by a separate motor, can also work on DC as well as DCC! For DC users, it will be controllable with the switches under the magnetic roof panel. For DCC users, your decoder will have all this functionality. We have just returned from visiting the factory in China and we saw that production is well under way. Everything has been cast and moulded and painting is almost complete for batch 1, with assembly about to get underway. Batch 2 is also moulded and painting is underway. They're wheely coming along! (sorry!) Body shells awaiting painting as part of batch 2. Chassis blocks being prepped before paint. In further good news, we brought the factory the specifications required for our drop-in EM and P4 wheelsets, so look out for updates on those ahead of delivery for you fine scale modellers. And finally, the biggest news of all; we managed to finally track down a high quality sound recording of the original Mirrlees power unit and we are in the final stages of perfecting the sound file for these original Brush Type 2s. Watch out for a video preview of these in the coming weeks! It will be offered as a separate plug and play decoder which modellers can install along with a large Accurathrash speaker for full effect! So, the big questions are; when? Is the loco delayed further? Yes, there is a further slight delay. We're really disappointed about that, and we know you are too. The 31 has proven to be a massive challenge to get right. Could we have just accepted it as a 98% model with the grilles buffer beam and put it out there? Perhaps, but we just couldn't be cynical and do it. We see how many people love the standard of our locomotives, and we just cannot let the standards diminish. So, we take that extra time to make it better. It's our way. We hate delays, but it has got to be where we are happy with it before we can put it out there. Now it is in a place where we are happy with it. So, the updated schedule is as follows; Batch 1: ACC2741-5544 ACC2742-5544DCC ACC2745-31248 ACC2746-31248DCC ACC2749-31409 ACC2750-31409DCC ACC2753-31402 ACC2754-31402DCC ACC2761-31432 ACC2762-31432DCC ACC2781-31128 ACC2782-31128DCC These will arrive in stock at our warehouse in Q1 2024. Batch 2: ACC2729-D5549 ACC2735-D5615 ACC2737-5803 ACC2738-5803DCC ACC2739-5674 ACC2740-5674DCC ACC2755-31110 ACC2756-31110DCC ACC2769-31420 ACC2770-31420DCC ACC2771-31514 ACC2772-31514DCC ACC2773-31421 ACC2774-31421DCC These models are due late Q2 2024. Our exclusives including 31407, 31466, our Network Rail pair and limited edition models for Hornby Magazine, Model Rail Magazine and Rails of Sheffield will be Q3 2024. We apologise for this delay, but with production now well underway delivery will be smooth. For those of you who know what to expect following delivery of our Class 37, 92, Manor or Deltic, you know that getting it right now ahead of delivery will be well worth waiting for. Most of these locos are sold out direct, but we still have some of our exclusives available. Make sure you check them out via the link here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/brush-type-2-class-30-31

Brand New LNER J68 Exclusive Added To Our Line Up! Our first tank engine, the beautiful 'Buckjumpers', have been very well received since we announced them earlier this year at the London Festival of Modelling at Alexandra Palace. This has gone up another level since we previewed our first tooling samples in late August, with the modelling public very much enjoying the first glimpse at the depth of our tooling suite, covering the wide variety of detailing differences among each loco. But, some modellers felt that there was something missing. A small gap in our range. The lack of a later LNER liveried model. Well, fear not. Here it is, due to popular demand, and another for our "Accurascale Exclusives" fleet! HILL G75 (LNER J68) 0-6-0T No. 7027. The second batch of Hill’s ‘improved’ 0-6-0T locomotives, GER Nos.21-30 to Order G75, differed from the initial C72 order by being designated for shunting duties and differed in build accordingly. Sixteen spoke, unbalanced cast iron wheels were fitted, along with lever reverse and the side tanks were straight topped, lacking the raised chambers of the passenger tanks. Steam brakes were fitted from new, along with a wide-rimmed, parallel sided chimney, but the high arched, wooden cab roof was retained; a feature removed from the final I89 order which were fitted with elliptical wooden cab roofs. Built at Stratford,as GER No.27, in December 1913, the locomotive was allocated to Cambridge Shed from new and by Grouping was present at Peterborough East on shunting duties, before being renumbered as 7027 under the LNER. The distinctive high arched roof was removed in August 1928, being replaced by an LNER pattern elliptical steel roof and the three bunker rails were filled during September 1931. 7027 was also the pioneer locomotive for the trial fitting of grease lubrication to the coupling pins and connecting rods in 1936. At Grouping 7027 was still in GER Austerity Grey but from 1925 carried the LNER goods livery of unlined standard black with shaded 7.5" LNER lettering and 12" numbering, unlike the final I89 order that were painted in standard black with red lining, along with the ‘E’ area number suffix and either L&NER or LNER. Pre-order your LNER 7027 in DC/DCC Ready or DCC Sound Fitted formats direct only via our website, with no money down and options to spread the payments over 6 months ahead of delivery to make the purchase kinder to your wallet. https://www.accurascale.com/collections/j67-j68-j69

Hi, Thanks for the feedback it looks like you have a Friday afternoon build, Doh! If you could get in touch with us directly, the team will be more than happy to assist. 😊 support@accurascale.com

Class 66 Update August 2023 - Let There Be Light Time for a quick update on our lovely Class 66, which has been progressing nicely though the Accurascale works! Having taken on the excellent Hattons Class 66 tooling, we documented how we made several tweaks to these models, unlocking more detail variations and taking on customer feedback. This has been very well received. But, as some modellers pointed out, there was an extra yard we could go to to really bring the best out of our shed So we listened, assessed, designed and implemented some further tweaks on these already brilliant models to make them truly special. All lighting units have been revised. We were unsure about changing these early on for the EP and we held out to see what they looked like on the decorated samples. The size of the units have been changed as well as the internal light guides to give a better appearance. We also now have the option of both types of LED light cluster. The Freightliner green has been revised to the proper shade of green for this period. Previously the backing to the Freightliner logo on our first decorated sample was a different shade of green. In order to replicate this properly, we have used the same shade of paint with different gloss levels. It's very subtle but the camera flash shows it to good effect. Both styles of cab interior have been modelled, featuring either wrap around desk or central "pedestal". The correct shade of grey for the roof of the DB liveried locos has now been used. Warning panel yellows have been tweaked. There are actually three different shades used over the period the 66 covers. Here are two of the them! We have tooled an additional buffer beam plate (centre) to correct the position of the lashing eyes on the first 200 EWS machines. 66001 (and 2's) unique arrangement can be seen on the left. and the later "standard" on the right. Among the other smaller and subtle tweaks we have also looked at and improved the fit of the handrails on the bodyside for the doors to give them a more realistic appearance. With all these tweaks in place we can now confirm that the production run is signed off and underway. Not only that, but we are still on course for delivery for Q1, 2024 as originally announced back in February. Pre-order your ultimate Class 66 via our network of retailers, or direct via our website below, with no money down pre-ordering or monthly instalments at no extra cost available. At just £169.99 DC/DCC Ready and £259.99 DCC sound fitted they represent excellent value for money considering the ultimate specification of these models. Make sure you don't miss out. Pre-order your Accurascale Class 66 today: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-66

We'll just leave these here... 😍 The latest in the Accurascale UK ‘Supplying Britain’ range, the Southern Railways Banana Vans inches closer. We took our decorated samples for a play, Big thanks to John G over at Digitrains Ltd for the invite onto his layout 'Halland'. Click here to discover more about our new vans here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/sr-banana-van

Our FNA Wagons Have Arrived And Are Now In Stock! Great news! Our FNA nuclear flask wagons have arrived in stock! Our latest current era wagon project was announced at the 2022 Great Electric Train Show last October and has arrived in Q3 of 2023 as per the initial announcement. Created with the assistance of W.H Davis, the builders of the prototype wagons, our FNA model is the latest in a growing line of nuclear flask wagons, alongside our monster KUA wagons and our various nuclear loads for our lovely little PFA wagons. With an unbeatable specification featuring diecast chassis, rotating axle caps, working tail lamps (on one wagon per twin pack) a wealth of separately applied plastic and etched metal parts and an array of printed warning labels, our FNA wagons offer exceptional value for money at £74,95 per twin pack, and of course 10% off when you buy two packs or more. As you can see when we took the pre-production models out for a spin on the wonderful "Bradwells Point", they make for an excellent short current era freight movement and also look great behind our modernised Class 37s. We are currently breaking down the pallets after their sea voyage and counting the wagons into stock. They will be checked this afternoon and shipping will commence from tomorrow (Wednesday) Fancy some? Check out your local stockist, or order yours below from the limited remaining stock! Order yours today: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/fna-d-new-generation-nuclear-flask-carrier

With the Accurascale Manor just around the corner, we couldn't help but share these images of production sample '7801 Anthony Manor'! We're particularly proud of the finer detail on the running plate, inside the cab and the matt paint around the Smokebox. Don't miss out, register your interest today to be first to know if any become available: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/gwr-7800-manor-class

Large Logo Lookers - The Next 37 Trio About To Arrive! More good news! The next three running numbers of our awesome new Class 37 are about to arrive in stock. Due at our warehouse early next week, the three running numbers consist of the hugely popular 37043 'Loch Lomond', in 1980s guise with Scottish car headlight, 37409 'Lord Hinton' in current condition as a modernised Class 37/4 and "Accurascale Exclusive" no 37402 'Stephen Middlemore', again a modernised Class 37/4 in current condition. All three wear the iconic BR Large Logo Blue, and well... we'll let the following images do the rest of the talking! These will be checked, packed and shipped and begin arriving with you towards the end of next week. As you know, we are currently sold out on pre-order, but there should be some stock left over for sale! This will be offered for sale after all pre-orders and stock to shops are sent out, so make sure you sign up to the email notifications on the website for the running number you fancy once they go on sale. Register your interest here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-37

Shedding Some Light On The Network Rail Class 31s, Our Latest Accurascale Exclusive Pair! We are very happy to reveal a pair of very special Class 31s in our Accurascale Exclusives range, Nos. 31105 and 31285 in Network Rail yellow. Like many past models in this series, such as ‘Deltic’ No. 9016 Gordon Highlander in Porterbrook purple and Class 97/3 No. 97301, these additional releases showcase a considerable amount of unique tooling to accurately depict these locomotives in 4mm scale. The acquisition of the venerable Brush Type 2s by Network Rail, which eventually totalled five locomotives, was something of a formalisation of the previous arrangement between its predecessor Railtrack and Fragonset to provide motive power for infrastructure monitoring trains. This deal had even seen one member of the class, No. 31190, repainted in Railtrack’s blue and green house colours before the company was forced into administration. No. 31285 was the first Class 31 to be outshopped in NR yellow, being released from Fragonset’s workshops at the former RTC site in Derby in October 2003. While the livery was striking enough, even more dramatic was the addition of five large spotlight brackets (two on the lower cab front and three on the cab roof) and a forward facing camera in the plated nose door at the No.2 end. The ultra violet spotlights – of various designs over time – gave it the nickname ‘scooter’ and were deployed when running with the Structure Gauging Train and were also fitted to Nos. 31233 and 31602 (cab roof only). Meanwhile, the No.1 end also featured various sockets for connecting to the test coaches. At the start of 2008, No. 31285 debuted new larger LED tail lights and, at the same time, lost its original windscreen washer jets and baffles in favour of new wiper-mounted versions. After 12 years of service with NR and some 54 years after being delivered to Tinsley as D5817 in October 1961, it was retired and sold to Harry Needle in August 2015. It has been based at the Weardale Railway ever since, still with full light package, and is operational. No. 31105 was the third of Network Rail’s Class 31s to return to traffic and the only former disc headcode-fitted locomotive in the fleet, although it could often be found partnered with Howard Johnston’s hired in Fragonset, later BR blue-liveried, ‘skinhead’ No. 31106 on test trains. The former D5523, new to Stratford in March 1959 and withdrawn from Bescot in May 1997, was selected in 2002 for rebirth in NR’s QADD pool along with No. 31107. While the latter fell by the wayside, No. 31105 was released from Derby in yellow in August 2004, externally almost unchanged from its previous condition, even retaining the extra lamp iron on its plated nose doors. However, by the second half of 2005, Derby had taken the opportunity to remove the cab roof vent cover from the No.1 end cab roof to match the No.2 end that had been rebuilt in early 1984. While in late 2007, the front ends were further modified with same LED tail lights and the washer jet modifications described above with No. 31285. All good things come to an end though and No. 31105 was withdrawn for the second time in February 2015, leaving just No. 31233 still active for NR. Still in working order, it was occasionally used as a shunter at the RTC site before being sold into preservation at the Mangapps Railway in Essex in October 2018. Accurascale’s extensive Class 31 tooling suite has been designed to cover Nos. 31105 and 31285 and Network Rail’s other trio of Brush machines, Nos. 31233, 31465 and 31602. As well as the modified cab roofs, fully functioning spotlights and No. 31105’s additional lamp irons, other never before produced tooling on our initial NR pairing correctly dates these locomotives to the period from 2008 onwards with LED tail lights / washer jet modifications. Of course, the lights should be more purple in hue and they will be on the finished production models. The brightness will also be dulled down on the production models too. This latest pair of 'Peds' are now available to pre-order direct via the Accurascale website only in both DC/DCC Ready and DCC sound fitted formats. We are due decoration samples towards the end of this year and delivery will take place in Q3 2024. As will all Accurascale Exclusives, both locomotives will be complete with special presentation packaging. Pre-order with no money down by clicking the link: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/brush-type-2-class-30-31

All The Colours Of Route 66 - Class 66 Decorated Samples Revealed Our big announcement at the 2023 Model Rail Scotland show was the addition of the ubiquitous Class 66 to the Accurascale Diesel Depot. Adding the most numerous diesel locomotive of the current era (and indeed, the last 25 years!) was essential to match the vast array of wagons we have produced over the last five years, and indeed what we will produce in the near and longer term future. The announcement of the Class 66 has gone down very well indeed, with significant demand from current era modellers, and those becoming nostalgic for those early years of privatisation, going by the demand for our model of 66001 as delivered with red grilles. As you can see, we have now reached the decorated sample stage as we look to assess the colours of the new batch of locomotives, as well as the fit and finish to the additions to the tooling suite we have made, and the changes to the original Hattons tooling. Overall, we are delighted with how the model is shaping up so far, but as always, some subtle tweaks are required. Firstly, the yellows will be tweaked ever so slightly shade wise. the DB grey band is too light in its shade and the Freightliner green is also too light in our view. The TOPS panel on 66779 will also be altered in colour. We will also be improving the fit of the removable hatch to fit a DCC decoder. The typeface on 66763 is also hilariously wrong and will be corrected on the production models you receive. Overall though, we are pretty pleased with how this locomotive is shaping up, so here a look at each livery announced to date that make up the first run, including Accurascale Exclusives of 66001 and 66779 'Evening Star'. The best news of all is that these minor tweaks have not impacted on the delivery schedule, so we are on course for delivery in Q1 2024 with production soon to get underway. Place your pre-order today via your local stockist, or direct via our website (the only place you can buy our Accurascale Exclusives!) via the link: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-66

Badgers Break Cover! Check Out Class 89 Decorated Samples And Update Great news! We've received decorated samples of our exciting new Class 89 special edition locomotive produced in association with our friends Rails Of Sheffield! Yesterday we previewed the beautiful GNER blue Badger on our social media channels and promised a full update on one of our most hotly anticipated projects to date. Now we can bring you up to speed with the progress of the project and reveal the one off loco in its as delivered Intercity Executive livery and of course the Intercity Swallow from its BR days and as it is currently in preservation. As you can see, it has progressed very well since announcement last summer, with the tooling samples and now these decorated samples looking very well indeed. Our factory has done a truly fabulous job in tooling this marvel of Brush Engineering in miniature, with the complex shape around the face of the locomotive being spot on and matching perfectly with our scan and drawings. Utilising the same DCC operated pantograph mechanism as our much loved Class 92, the 89 has tried and tested technology throughout meaning we have been able to develop this locomotive at a much quicker pace than our Dyson, which once again is the benefit of now having several cutting edge locomotives under our belts. The locomotive is an excellent performer too, with excellent smooth running characteristics, weighty chassis meaning excellent haulage capacity, and of course, our industry leading specification of Powerbank capacitors, helical gearing and multiple lighting configurations means it will be a talking point on any layout. Sound will be of course provided via ESU Loksound 5 DCC decoders with a full custom sound file. It will also make use of our much loved Accurathrash sound set up with large speaker and smaller sugar cube speaker for maximum sound performance. We are anxiously awaiting completion of the repairs of the real locomotive at Brush Loughborough before recording the loco sound in the coming weeks. You can bet that the sound file on this locomotive is going to sound awesome! With China now returning to normal after their change on COVID policy in early 2023 production is gearing up but has been slightly delayed due to the shut down of factories earlier this year. We will now see delivery in Q4 2023 instead of Q3 2023 as mentioned when first announced but as you can see, the slight delay will be well worth it. Make sure you get your order in via Rails of Sheffield, or direct via our website by clicking the link below. With production about to commence we are about to confirm production numbers with the factory so expect these to sell out quickly in the coming weeks. Don't miss out! Pre-order your Class 89 today right here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-89

Blue Badger - The First Decorated Class 89 Breaks Cover Great news! We received decorated samples of our exciting new Class 89 special edition locomotive produced in association with our friends Rails of Sheffield! These samples arrived a couple of weeks ago and this morning we're revealing the first one, starting with the gorgeous GNER livery it wore in the late 1990s. Look out for a full project update tomorrow as we show you both intercity executive and swallow liveries (they are well worth seeing by the way!) In the meantime, enjoy the photos below and remember to place your pre-order with Rails of Sheffield or us (below!) soon as they have been selling fast... https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-89

A First Look At Our Class 50 Our all new Class 50 has been very well received since we announced the project at the 2022 Warley show last November. At that time we presented the project with a 3D print and some early tooled parts. A fully made EP came to us around the turn of the year, and although we teased shots of it via social media, we haven't shown them in all their splendour, until now! We've been busy assessing these samples and testing them thoroughly, ensuring that we create the very best possible Class 50 we can. While the shape and detail is spot on, and the finesse is largely where we want it to be, there is always room for improvement. Firstly, the body isn't sitting exactly right on the chassis, but this is a fit and finish issue which is common on first samples and will be sorted for production with ease. The pick up strips will also be chemically blackened so they do not stand out on the bogies as they do on these samples. The fit and finish of the bodyside grilles will also be addressed, as although they look very nice indeed, they just require minor fettling to get them spot on. The battery box switch was mounted incorrectly and some of the roof parts also need attention. However, these are minor improvements that are required and will be addressed on the finished models. We're delighted with the overall look and feel of the model, as well as the performance and features like motorised fan, power pack, lighting arrangements and smoothness of the drivetrain. Decorated samples are currently underway at our factory and we will preview them in the coming weeks, along with our samples in action with our sound file to give you a feel for performance and how these beasties will sound on your layout. At this time we are on course for delivery of Q4 2023 at the end of this year. Are you as excited as we are? With Vacs, Mark 2b and Mark 2c coaches all on the way, it's an amazing time to be a BR Western Region modeller. Make sure you get your pre-order in today via your local stockist, or no money down with us direct, including 'Accurascale Exclusives' models of 50 007 and 50 149. Pre-order your Class 50 now: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/class-50

Class 37 Delivery Update June 2023 The first delivery of our highly anticipated Class 37s took place in April and has been met with amazing praise and feedback by modellers who took delivery of our EE Type 3s. Of course, with only three running numbers delivered in the first drop, modellers eagerly awaiting the other 18 running numbers are very excited and wondering when their models will arrive so they can experience the joy of their very own Accurascale Class 37. Well, the good news first! The next three running numbers, 37026, 37027 and 37051 are in our warehouse and shipping begins today (June 2nd) now that the Siphon G pre-orders have more or less cleared. Also now in stock are the DCC decoders for the 37s, as well as the EM and P4 drop in wheelsets and Class 37 drivers from Modelu. We were delighted to join the 'Charwelton into the 80s' team at Railex last month to give these three locos an outing. The exhibition visitors certainly seemed to enjoy seeing them! We are currently reviewing the next three locos to be delivered which will be 37043, 37402 and 37409 and will share photos of these production samples later next week. These will arrive in stock in late June 2023. Batch 2 will see delivery of our Class 37/6 locomotives, including 37610 for our friends Rails of Sheffield and it will also include Accurascale Exclusive Network Rail 97301. Delivery for this larger batch of locomotives will now be mid August 2023, with production samples due with us in early July. Finally, batch 3 which consists of the original 5 locomotives in as-built condition (D6700 NRM special edition, 37001, D6702, Accurascale Exclusive D6703 and D6704) are now due in late August 2023. We apologise for this delay, but due to the sheer demand for our Class 37s the production run has been very taxing for the factory. Production of these locomotives begun over 12 months ago, and is three times greater in volume than our Deltics. As it is the biggest locomotive production order our factory has ever dealt with to date they have learnt a lot during the process when it comes to time expectations. As you can see from the reaction so far, they will be well worth the wait and we have plenty more planned for the future. With the first run pretty much sold out direct, make sure you check out our retail network for availability. Also, sign up for our email notifications on any sold out 37 as you never know when some may come back into stock. Just be prepared to act fast! In the meantime click below if you want to order DCC decoders, drivers, wheelsets or pre-order production run 2: https://www.accurascale.com/en-eu/search?q=class 37