Accurascale Fran

Class 50 Update November 2023 - First Decorated Samples Arrive Hi everyone, It's been all go here at Accurascale Towers, with the final batch of Class 37s, 21 ton mineral wagons and Manors arriving into stock, the first batch of Class 31s in production along with other goodies too and of course, Warley this weekend! But what about our Warley announcement from last year, the Class 50? Well, it's long overdue an update, and we are delighted to announce that the first of our decorated samples have arrived ahead of the show this weekend, and how fine they look too! As ever, usual caveats about fit, finish and paint application on the pre-production samples applies, but gives you a good impression on what to expect! More pics and full update has just gone live on our blog: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/news/class-50-update-november-2023-first-decorated-samples-arrive Cheers! Fran

Hi @David Bigcheeseplant, It would be an interesting variant for sure. We wonder what demand would be like? Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Following the recent success and reaction to our GWR 78xx Manor Class locomotives, and the feedback following the launch of our GER Buckjumpers, we thought we would combine the love for GWR prototypes with our new found knowledge of tank engines. This delicious recipe will bring you the ultimate model of one of the most iconic tank locomotives of them all, the GWR 57xx, 67xx and 8750 Class Pannier Tanks! Why Pannier Tanks? Before anyone says the 'D' word (and we don't mean Duck!), we need to explain where our Pannier Tanks differ to what has gone before. Like our class 37 project, amongst others, we have done our Panniers in "The Accurascale Way", with lots of variations and detail differences. We have started by ‘filling the gaps’ and cover variants never before offered in ready-to-run format. This means locomotives with backplate feed (not top feed fitted) feature heavily in our launch range. Another striking variation amongst the contractor built locomotives was the use of rivets for constructing the tanks. Later modifications like the large “8750” cab is also included as is the 67xx sub class that were built without steam heat or vacuum brakes – with relevant pipes and equipment missing from the model as per prototype. Read more about the detail variations including a brief history of each loco in our launch range as part of our launch blog: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/news/holy-duck-an-accurapannier Price And Availability As you can see from our lovely pics, the locomotive is now fully tooled, with first samples being on display on our stand at the 2023 Warley MRC Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham this weekend. These samples are currently undergoing testing and evaluation by our technical team before they progress to the decoration and production stages. It's anticipated that the locomotives will arrive in stock in Q1, 2025. Our Pannier Tanks are priced at £139.95 for DC/DCC Ready models, and £239.95 for DCC Sound Fitted models. Locomotives can be pre-ordered via our website for no money down or via monthly installments at no extra cost, or via our network of local stockists. A further announcement of an “Accurascale Exclusive” model, available exclusively via the Accurascale website only, will take place in the coming months. Browse the full range right here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/gwr-57xx-67xx-8750-pannier-tank (As per, the usual caveats of "fit and finish" of certain parts and assembly combinations not being quite correct apply on these first engineering samples and will not reflect the final models!) Cheers! Fran

Hi Bob, Can you PM me the name of this retailer please? Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, No, not the EEC, ECC! Due to a deluge of requests from modellers, and to mark the recent withdrawal from service of the real wagons, we are delighted to announce an all new run of our beautiful CDA hopper wagons in the iconic English China Clay (ECC) livery as they first appeared in service in early 1988. Can it get any more classic Cornwall than these? Check out our launch blog of these wonderful wagons on our website: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/news/we-join-the-ecc-original-liveried-cda-china-clay-wagons-on-the-way As you can see in the photos above, our CDA wagons feature a wealth of detail and crispness which signifies 'The Accurascale Way'. A diecast chassis, brass bearings and 26mm pinpoint axles means smooth running and excellent performance on your layout. Particular attention has been paid to the detail differences over the traditional HAA wagons these were based on, such as the equipment at the wagon end, holes in the bodyside on one side, the underframe and of course, the hood/canopy. Given the flexibility of our tooling we can also cater for those wagons as built as CDAs from new, as well as those converted from HAA hoppers, giving the modellers a true variety in their wagon rake. Tempted? At a price of just £79.95 for 3 wagons, and 10% off when you order two packs or more, why wouldn't you be? Remember, you can pre-order direct for no money down, or spread the cost between now delivery via our monthly payment plans via partial.ly for no extra cost! As you can see, the decoration samples are complete and have been signed off, allowing for production to get underway. Pre-order yours via your local stockist, or direct below for a Q3 2024 delivery. More info: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/cda-china-clay Cheers! Fran

BUMP!

Hi everyone, Thank you to everyone who came to visit us at GETS and of course Great Eastern Models, and a big thank you to Anne and Helen for facilitating our visit there last Saturday! Our next outing is this weekend in Dublin for the annual three day show this Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Blackrock College. @Islesy, @Patrick and I will be there spreading the IRM and Accurascale gospel with an all new model announcement for IRM as well as revealing samples of our IRM 22000 Class Intercity Railcars and Park Royal CIE coaches. So, if you are in Dublin this weekend, drop by and say hi. We will also have models for sale too! Cheers! Fran

Hi @zr2498, Loads land at our warehouse separately next week. Cheers! Fran

Hi John, I can indeed update you; the manors are in our warehouse and are currently being QC checked. We could not get bodies there to do it until today due to GETS over the weekend. Dispatch begins from tomorrow afternoon should everything be in order. We would like to apologise for all these delay’s regarding the manor. We know it’s not good enough and we are putting in better proceedures to mitigate these delays in the future. Thank you for your patience. Thanks, Fran

Hi everyone, So, who guessed right? Welcome to the first Accurascale locomotive project in O gauge/7mm scale, the cuteness that is the Ruston and Hornsby 88DS. Why? Well, is there a more useful engine possible in 7mm? We wanted to "dip our toe" further into the O gauge water, and offering a cute small shunting locomotive for a very competitive price seems the ideal place to start! As you can see, we have the loco lined up in all sorts of colourful industrial goodness, including NCB and of course, not forgetting a couple of National Network Rustons which gained BR livery to almost cult like status. A model that we begun work on in the days before the pandemic, the Ruston 88DS has been a long time in development as we look to further build our range in O gauge. Following surveys of a couple of prototype subjects, not to mention our usual extensive research and development, we kicked off our tooling earlier this year with the first tooling sample was just received ahead of the "Great Electric Train Show" this weekend. Our adorable little Ruston is progressing nicely, with tooling already completed and testing of the first prototype samples well underway. We will continue this testing process and then progress to decoration stage, before signing off for production. Delivery at this time is envisaged for Quarter 1 of 2025. Both DC/DCC Ready and DCC Factory Sound fitted variants will be offered, with the latter making use of an ESU loksound 5 decoder and our own bespoke recordings of a real 80DS. RRP will be £229.95 for the DC/DCC ready locomotive and £319.99 for the DCC sound fitted loco. Pre-order via our network of local stockists, or direct for no money down, or using our partial.ly system of flexible monthly payments at no extra cost right here: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/ruston-88ds Full blog including history of each loco in the first run and our launch video featuring Project Manager Paul Isles right here: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/news/o-my-accurascale-goes-big-with-cute-ruston-88ds-as-first-o-gauge-loco Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, It’s that time of year again as the modelling season gets underway with the big shows coming thick and fast. As usual we kick off with the Great Electric Train Show at the Marshall Centre, Milton Keynes on October 14th and 15th where we will announce our first O gauge locomotive with a full tooling sample on display. Ahead of that however, some of the Accurascale team are on tour in a different way. Both @Pixie and I are currently in Hong Kong, and tomorrow cross into Shenzen to meet our factory partners over the next 10 days ahead of GETS. Following the visit we will have a full update on projects like The Class 31, 50, Mark 2s and more as we run through everything underway, and we will also bring you all an insight into the production process behind our models. I’m unsure about the availability of RMWeb in China so I won’t be online over the next 10 days, but @McC will be on hand in my absence. Look forward to seeing you at our stand at GETS in just under 2 weeks time! Cheers! Fran

Hi @Stevielad, I can confirm that they have left the factory and are in transit to us! FINALLY!!!! We will have a clearer ETA tomorrow, but next week sometime is how it stands ATM. Thank you all once again for your patience. We really appreciate it and have learned a lot on this one about going forwards. Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, As stated at the start of this thread, the best course of action for anyone having any issues is to email us at support@accurascale.com and our team will look after you. Cheers for the feedback! Fran

Hi @The Evil Bus Driver, That's the plan! Look forward to seeing you there. Cheers! Fran

Hi Fred, As @cctransuk points out, they're a longer coach. However, if our first batch of Mark 1 subs is a successful seller, then you never know, we might be encouraged to tool up the bigger variant in time. Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, An accurascale delegation will be visiting the factory in a couple of weeks time and a full update will come out after that (post GETS) Cheers! Fran

Hi Chris, Yes, there is a sugar cube speaker in the loco already, so it will work fine. I'm not sure what lighting functions etc you may or may not have though. Cheers! Fran

Hi Geordielad, Our factory test runs each loco before packing it up to see if it works correctly. Otherwise it doesnt pass their QC. Each one gets a couple of zips around a loop to ensure all connectivity etc is good. Cheers! Fran

Hi Rory, There will be, we just want to get the final drop from run 1 out to customers first, as they've waited long enough, with interest! Cheers! Fran

Hi @Neil, Apologies, nobody on this thread has said they’ve used such an old controller, it was just a previous support case I saw where a 50 year old clipper was used (with a DCC concepts volt meter) and in the video showed a spike of 27.9 volts into an Accurascale loco. We’ve seen a few cases where thoroughly ancient (and possibly unsafe due to age) controllers were used, so thought it was worth mentioning as they have a habit of causing spikes. We’ve reached out to the folk at sprog too to assist their customer having issues. We are also compiling a list of controllers we do not recommend using on our locomotives and will publish it on our website and include in future literature in new locos. We believe our friends at Rapido do this too. Cheers! Fran

Hi SRman, Would a laptop adapter provide enough amps? We're not sure it would be. Could be the issue? Cheers! Fran

Hi Peter, We most certainly will produce a 37 in that condition in a future run! Cheers! Fran

Hi @CazRail, Very glad to be of assistance. We find when there is a QC issue that has resulted in a loco failure it is either a rogue motor or the DCC decoder has gone pop. Very occasionally a loose wiring connection but those could be counted on one hand. A fault occurring on the user side is almost always a voltage issue with layout, either not enough, or way too much. Occasionally too there is something plugged into the layout that should not be. The way too much voltage is very much the cause of using ancient controllers which leak and see massive voltage spikes. Cheers! Fran

Hi Phil, My apologies, I should have been clearer. The oleo fitted locos will have silver, the other buffer variants will not as per prototype. Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Obviously there is a lot of excitement around the 37/6s arriving on layouts, and the original pilot batch are on the high seas are to come next month, but we have also received decorated samples for run 2 recently and they are now in production. Full update and some snazzy snaps of them right here: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/news/class-37-run-two-decorated-samples-are-here-full-update Cheers! Fran