Accucraft UK Ltd

You may have noticed that we have been rather quiet announcing new products in the last few months.  We have taken a decision that in future we will only announce new models when we have a production sample available to display; this means that all the tooling will be complete and the project can be produced in a six to nine month window following its launch.  Hopefully this means we will be able to eliminate the frustrating delays that have accumulated in recent years and permit prompt delivery of new lines.  This policy also means that at almost every show we attend we will be displaying a new project, such as our Gauge 1 ‘starter’ loco at Bakewell in July.  You are coming to Llanfair, aren’t you?

Kerr Stuart ‘Victory’ 0-6-0T in 1:32 scale

We are delighted to announce what we feel to be the most significant Gauge 1 locomotive for a generation. Although many seem to view 1:32 scale as elitist, we feel that this perception has been caused by live steam manufacturers pursuing models of ever larger prototypes suited to those with very deep pockets, indeed it has been said by some that “there are no more locomotives worth modelling in Gauge 1” – we beg to differ!

Given the demand for our 61XX we were certain that what was needed was a ‘starter’ locomotive for new live steam entrants to the scale. The challenge was finding a prototype that had a long lifespan, good geographical coverage in the U.K. and that offered characteristics that would result in a robust, simple to operate model. Enter the ‘Victory’!

Our model will offer strength and simplicity and we hope it will become the benchmark for starter locos in 1:32 scale in much the same way as ‘Ragleth’ and its predecessors have in 1:19 scale. The loco is internally gas fired with a centre flue boiler, opening smokebox door and has un-insulated wheels as standard. The axles run in bronze bearings and all the rods and valve gear are manufactured from stainless steel. The cab roof flips up and over sideways to give access to the gas, water and lubricator fillers. The boiler is fitted with a water level check valve, a removable dome to allow the fitting of a Goodall valve and the displacement lubricator has an under floor drain valve. The coal in the bunker can be lifted out to give access for radio control fitting. The model is built from stainless steel and brass, and with the correct maintenance, will give a lifetime of pleasure. It is offered in two variations, black with twin safety valves or in ‘Swindon’ condition GWR green with a safety valve bonnet. UK RRP £1050.00 – contact your local retailer now!

Specifications:

Scale: 1:32
Gauge: 45mm
Length: 305mm (12 ins)
Width: 87mm (3 ½ ins)
Height: 120mm (4 ¾ ins)
Min Radius: 1.25m (48 ins)
Weight: 2.95 kg (6 ½ lbs)
Boiler: Centre Flue
Working Pressure: 60psi
Reversing Gear: Piston type, reverse by lever in the cab
Fuel: Butane Gas
Valve Gear: Simulated Stephenson’s link
Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water level check valve.
Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverser, lubricator drain valve.

Colours available, subject to production batch:

S32-14A GWR Green (Swindon safety valve bonnet)
S32-14B Black (Swindon safety valve bonnet)
S32-14C Black (twin safety valves)

WD Baldwin water lifting hose

Rob Bushell of Swift Sixteen is producing a very nice resin water lifting hose for our WD Baldwin 4-6-0T.  The prototype locos used these hoses to re-supply their tanks from rivers, ditches and shell holes!  Our next batch of Baldwins (due this autumn) will be delivered with these as standard (as well as the hoods over the cab spectacles).  However, Swift Sixteen are offering the part as an after-market accessory for those who already have a Baldwin.

You can see full details on the Swift Sixteen website here.

Llanfair Garden Railway Show

As the dust settles from our relocation we have been able to deliver a batch of Gauge 1 A3s to our retailers.  In other news we have acquired a new dealer, the Vale of Rheidol Railway and have received the first samples of the Welshpool & Llanfair sheep wagons, and very nice they are too (make sure you have reserved some with your local dealer).  By the way, don’t forget the Llanfair Garden Railway Show in September, the same weekend as the railway gala!

Welshpool & Llanfair sheep wagons

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway was well provisioned with goods rolling stock when it was opened in 1902, all of which was supplied by Pickerings and the majority of which survived the closure of the line.  The flat wagons also formed the basis for the W & L sheep wagons with removable side frames dropped into sockets on the wagon floor. The body is also available as a kit for those who wish to update their flat wagons, these kits comprise the four moulded sides only in unpainted plastic and need assembling and painting.

Available in W&L Light Grey, G W Dark Grey, 4 different running numbers in each colour; or data only in light grey and bauxite.  The wagon comes with a 45mm insulated wheel set fitted but a 32mm wheel set is provided for use on ‘0’ gauge. Couplings are chopper type but have a hook fitted if you wish to remove the chopper hook and use 3 link chains.  Versions available, subject to production batch:

R19-23A – W & L SHEEP WAGON W&L LIGHT GREY, choice of numbers
R19-23B – W & L SHEEP WAGON W&L LIGHT GREY, DATA ONLY
R19-23C – W & L SHEEP WAGON GW DARK GREY, choice of numbers
R19-23D – W & L SHEEP WAGON W&L LIGHT BAUXITE, DATA ONLY (only from Trackshack)
Z33 – W & L SHEEP WAGON BODY KIT – UNPAINTED MOULDINGS ONLY

The Vale of Rheidol Railway joins the Accucraft ‘family’!

Geraint Roberts and John Pickersgill from the VoR shop with an Accucraft Shay

We are delighted to announce that the Vale of Rheidol has recently been appointed an Accucraft dealership, filling a geographical ‘hole’ in our national coverage.  It is great to be working with another preserved line and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.  Accucraft (UK) has established a reputation for supporting preservation groups in the United Kingdom and aims to continue this policy wherever possible.

Llanfair Garden Railway Show

There has been a slight pause in our delivery of projects while we concentrated on moving the business from Shropshire to Herefordshire.  Ably assisted by Brookes Transport Ltd. of Hereford, all the stock and office equipment were moved over the space of a few days and now all that remains is a mammoth sorting out job at the new unit.

Of course, one of the advantages of the new location is that certain members of staff can commute to work using ‘green’ transport…..

This month we issue a last call for No. 14 and the 28 ton Shays, bring you further news on our move and warehouse sale and some images from the National Garden Railway Show at Peterborough this year.

Welshpool & Llanfair Railway No. 14

Following the debut of the sample model at the National Garden Railway Show we are pleased to say that we have now authorised the construction of the batch.  This means that there are only a limited number still available to reserve so make sure you have one booked with your local retailer.  Delivery is on schedule for this summer.

Built in 1954, No. 85 was the last of 32 built for the Sierra Leone Government Railways to a standard design by Hunslet. Completed as works number 3815, No. 85 was delivered to the Sierra Leone port and capital of Freetown with sister engine No. 84, the pair costing £21,273. They were set to work on the extensive Sierra Leone Railway, which had a mainline extending 227.5 miles.

By the time No. 85 arrived, the Hunslet 2-6-2s were confined mainly to shunting and banking heavy trains out of Freetown. Their working life was to be short too – with the Sierra Leone Government Railways finally closing in 1974. No. 85 was brought back to the UK to work at the preserved Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, where it regularly hauled passenger trains until April 2010, when its last 10-year boiler ticket expired. It has recently been on display at the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

The model is internally gas fired and has slide valve cylinders. The boiler is fitted with a water gauge and a water top-up valve is supplied. It is available in four different colours. The engine is re-gaugeable from 32mm to 45mm by the customer. It is available in either manual control or radio control.  UK RRP £1700.00 (Manual) £2000.00 (Radio control fitted).  you can see the full specification here.

Versions available:

S19-26/7B No. 14 W &L 2-6-2T Black
S19-26/7BU No. 14 W &L 2-6-2T Blue (lined out)
S19-26/7G No. 14 W &L 2-6-2T Green
S19-26/7R No. 14 W &L 2-6-2T Red (lined out)

We are moving!

We are moving!  In May we will be re-locating our warehouse to Herefordshire (full details to follow) and need to clear the unit in Church Stretton of as much accumulated clobber as possible.  Therefore on the 16^th May we are having the equivalent of a ‘garage sale’ of equipment including locomotives and rolling stock not fit for retail sale through our dealers.  Locomotives are ‘sold as seen’ and, in the case of those needing rectification, carry no warranty although boiler certificates will be included as appropriate. Some locomotives are offered following their return after suffering damage in transit hence nothing can be ordered by ‘phone or reserved in advance – first come, first served! There are also items of rolling stock in ‘open box’ condition, some lacking wheels or running gear.

We will also be offering ‘sweepings from the workshop floor’, engineering samples, parts and components as well as some tools that we no longer require, again, sold as seen with no warranty.  Doors open at 10.00am and close at 15.00pm.  Although we can process credit/debit cards cash is preferred!

National Garden Railway Show – Peterborough 2015

Another excellent show by the 16mm Association.  We were pleased so many of you visited our stand this year.  It is always good to put a face to a name and to be able to chat, discuss new projects and existing products.  We had an extremely good reception for our production sample of W & L No. 14 and look forward to delivering these to our customers this summer.

Dave Mees, Bing Cheng and Ian Pearse on the Accucraft stand at Peterborough

Some of the young team responsible for organising a great show

Last call for the 28 ton Shays

With the first examples due for delivery to the UK shortly, the factory has completed a second batch to mop up residual back orders.  There are few of each type still available and these can be shipped from the U.S. at the end of May.  If you missed out on the first run, be sure to reserve one from the second batch – these may be the last Shays for a while.  The live steam model features butane firing, a single flue boiler, safety valve, lubricator, water level gauge and a hand operated water pump.

Specifications:

Scale / Gauge: 1:20.3 / 45 mm
Construction: Brass & Stainless Steel
Minimum Radius: 48 in. (1.2 M)
Length: 19.17 in. (486 mm)
Width: 4.13 in. (105 mm)
Height: 6.18 in. (157 mm)

The part numbers and UK RRP are as follow:

AC77-217 Three Cylinder Shay – Class B, 28T Oil burning – Live steam £2,195.00
AC77-218 Three Cylinder Shay – Class B, 28T Coal burning – Live steam £2,195.00
AC78-217 Three Cylinder Shay – Class B, 28T Oil burning – Electric £1,995.00
AC78-218 Three Cylinder Shay – Class B, 28T Coal burning – Electric £1,995.00

We are moving!  In May we will be re-locating our warehouse to Herefordshire (full details to follow) and need to clear the unit in Church Stretton of as much accumulated clobber as possible.  Therefore we are having the equivalent of a ‘garage sale’ of equipment including locomotives and rolling stock not fit for retail sale through our dealers.  Examples of ‘open box’ items available to collect on 16.05.15 include:

AM54-012 Jackson & Sharp coaches, RGS red, #253/4/5

AL88-751 Mason Bogie 2-6-6T DSP&P #4 (electric)

AC87-812 Fairymead Baldwin 0-4-2T Black – 7/8ths Scale

AC78-531 Whitcomb 45 Ton Diesel, grey, unlettered

AL97-001B SP Daylight 4-8-4 GS4 #4449 Live Steam Butane

E32-6 Black 5 – BR Black – Early Emblem – 45080 (electric)

E32-7 Black 5 – BR Black – Late Crest – 45010 (electric)

Locomotives are ‘sold as seen’ and, in the case of those needing rectification, carry no warranty although boiler certificates will be included as appropriate. Some locomotives are offered following their return after suffering damage in transit hence nothing can be ordered by ‘phone or reserved in advance – first come, first served! There are also items of rolling stock in ‘open box’ condition, some lacking wheels or running gear.

We will also be offering ‘sweepings from the workshop floor’, engineering samples, parts and components as well as some tools that we no longer require, again, sold as seen with no warranty.

Doors open at 10.00am and close at 15.00pm

Although we can process credit/debit cards cash is preferred!

Accucraft UK Ltd
Unit 8, Mynd Industrial Estate
Crossways, Church Stretton
Shropshire SY6 6EA
Tel/Fax: ++44 (0) 1694 723799
E-mail: info@accucraft.uk.com

Gauge 1 RCH Seven Plank Wagons in 1:32 scale

Ever since we announced that we intended to make a range of Gauge 1 locomotives we have frequently been asked about rolling stock to go with them. We are pleased to say that we have approved production (for delivery this summer) of the archetypal Railway Clearing House seven plank wagon. Based on the 1923 RCH design, our wagon represents a type that was built by the tens of thousands, many of them for private owners.

The Railway Clearing House, originally set up by the railway companies to handle charges for vehicles used on another company’s line, introduced standard minimum specifications for private owner wagons. The RCH 12 ton design was the most numerous design of coal wagon built in the UK after 1923. A rugged and simple design employing standard RCH fittings throughout and originally they had to be built with seven side planks. Various configurations of side doors, end door and bottom doors were permitted, but the weight of the unladen wagon was not to be above 7 tons 5 cwt. Oil lubrication and brakes on both sides were mandatory. The main line railway companies adopted RCH fittings for many of their own designs, and the LMS and LNER adopted the RCH 1923 mineral wagon as their standard.

Initially we will be offering the wagon in the liveries of the ‘Big Four’ and in BR grey and Bauxite and will be encouraging our dealers to commission private owners in liveries pertinent to their location or personal whim! We are bringing these wagons to the market with a UK RRP of £70.00 each.  The model has a moulded plastic body with cast metal running gear, sprung buffers and sprung coupling hook.  You can see full details of the wagon and choices of livery here.

‘Ragleths’ now in stock for the Spring

We have just received a batch of ‘Ragleths’.  These models feature the revised side tank shape which allows more room for fitting radio control.  Available in four colours – contact your local retailer now!

National Garden Railway Show – Peterborough 11th April 2015

As ever, we will be supporting the 16mm Show at the Peterborough Arena, bringing a full stand to showcase many of the new models due this year.  We will be bringing at least one brand new production sample that has not yet had a public debut.  Drop by and say hello.

The Accucraft stand at last year’s National Garden Railway Show

With a distinct feeling of Spring in the air we are pleased to say that recent deliveries have included a consignment of ‘Ragleths’, 61XX tank locomotives and some more ‘Doras’ all of which are ideal motive power for the new running season!  The batch of 61XXs included the first examples of the BR green version, illustrated here.

ELECTRIC ‘MANNIN’

We are also pleased to say that we have received the revised engineering sample of the electric ‘Mannin’ which is nothing short of a work of art.  The model features full cab interior detail and a powerful but very quiet 24v motor.  There are only a limited number of these models and the live steam version still available – don’t miss out!  You can see full details of the live steam locomotive here and those of the electric model here.

MIDLANDS GARDEN RAIL SHOW – LARGE SCALE MODEL RAIL

Once again we will be attending the Midlands Garden Railway Show at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre over the weekend of Saturday 14th March and Sunday 15th March 2015.

The Show for larger scales covers O Gauge, G Scale, Gauge 1 and 16mm and more, featuring live steam, gas & coal fired locomotives.  The exhibition attracts enthusiasts from all over the UK. The event provides inspiration if you are planning your garden railway and has all the ideas you could possibly need.  You can see full details here.

As part of the long term strategy to position Accucraft as a global brand, we are delighted to announce that the range of European locomotives made by Accucraft for M.B.V.Schug will now be obtainable direct from Accucraft (UK) or through our dealer network.  With stock readily available from Germany we are confident that these will prove to be an exciting addition to the UK and US locomotives and rolling stock that we already supply.  The range includes a number of Saxon narrow gauge locomotives in 1:20.3 scale, the Decauvilles in 1:19 scale and the mighty DB Class 45 2-10-2 in 1:32 scale (reviewed in Garden Rail in January).

The delightful Decauville 0-4-0T in 1:19 scale, 32mm or 45mm gauge

You can see full details of the range here. Currently we are able to supply the following (prices include VAT):

Part No.       Description & UK RRP

AL87-011B   Saxon IK 0-6-0T (1:20.3 scale) – due April £1,745.00
AL87-012     Saxon IIIK 0-6-2T (1:20.3 scale) £2,089.00
AL87-013G   Saxon VIK 0-10-0T (1:20.3 scale) Green £2,320.00
AL87-013R   Saxon VIK 0-10-0T (1:20.3 scale) DR Black £2,320.00
AL87-212A   Decauville 0-6-0T (1:19 scale) 45mm Gauge – due 2015 £1545.00
AL87-212B   Decauville 0-6-0T (1:19 scale) 32mm Gauge – due 2015 £1545.00
AL87-211A   Decauville 0-4-0T (1:19 scale) 45 mm Gauge £1,235.00
AL87-211B   Decauville 0-4-0T (1:19 scale) 32 mm Gauge £1,235.00
AL97-045     DB BR45 2-10-2 (1:32 scale) £3,495.00

NEW RELEASE! The pretty little Saxon IK 0-6-0T due in April

The massive DB Class 45 2-10-2 in 1:32 scale

A belated happy new year to our readers!  We have held up the January newsletter in order to cover the release of the new Accucraft (US) Chinese ‘QJ’ Class 2-10-2 at Diamondhead as well as bringing you footage of ‘Mannin’ under test in North Wales.

Gauge 1, 1:32 Scale, Chinese Railways ‘QJ’ Class 2-10-2

The QJ (a derivation of the Soviet LV class) was the last Chinese steam design to go into production and was the most numerous steam class to run in China. The first prototypes were introduced in 1956. Eventually more than 4,700 QJs were constructed, the majority between 1964 and 1988. Initially the locos were designated HP class, Heiping, meaning ‘peace’. Later the locos were changed to FD class, before becoming the QJ class in 1971.

The QJ class 2-10-2s were the primary mainline freight locomotive on the Chinese rail network, and also used on heavy passenger trains. Their displacement by diesel locomotives began during the 1990s. Some were then used on industrial lines, also on the Jitong Railway located in Inner Mongolia. A few QJs remained in minor use until 2003 when they were finally withdrawn.

After withdrawal from active service, three Chinese QJ class locomotives were imported to the United States. QJ class #6988 and #7081, both last used on the Jitong Railway, are currently owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad. IAIS #6988 was “Americanized” in time for use at Train Festival 2011, which took place at Rock Island, Illinois. IAIS #7081 still retains much of its Chinese appearance, except for specific mandatory changes as required by U.S. law and safety requirements. The modifications included additional hand rails and installing a bell.  The third QJ-class that came to the U.S., former #7040, is owned by R.J. Corman Railroad. The #7040 has been heavily modified, including removal of the distinctive “elephant ear” smoke lifters, and renumbered to #2008.  The three U.S. based QJ-class locomotives can be found in regular excursion service.

The models will, as ever, be built to Accucraft’s high standards using brass, copper and stainless steel.  The UK RRP will be £4395.00 for the butane-fired versions, £4795.00 for the alcohol-fired ones.  Due for release later this year.

Specifications:
Scale / Gauge: 1:32 / 45 mm
Construction: Brass & stainless steel
Mini. Radius: 10 ft. (3 M)

Features:
60 psi working pressure
Pressure gauge
Water sight glass
Lubricator
Axle water pump with bypass valve
Hand water pump

Versions available:
AL97-531 – IOWA INTERSTATE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #7081, BUTANE FIRED
AL97-532 – CHINESE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #6506, BUTANE FIRED
AL97-535 – IOWA INTERSTATE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #7081, ALCOHOL FIRED
AL97-536 – CHINESE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #6506, ALCOHOL FIRED
AL97-537 – IOWA INTERSTATE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #7081, COAL FIRED
AL97-538 – CHINESE QJ-CLASS 2-10-2 #6506, COAL FIRED

‘Mannin’ – the movie!

Through the good offices of Dave Mees we can share some video footage of the engineering sample of ‘Mannin’ being put through its paces (in less than perfect weather!).

Welcome to our December newsletter.  May we start by wishing you all the compliments of the season and hope that you have a Happy Christmas and relaxing New Year. 2014 has been a busy year for the firm and although we haven’t delivered as many projects as we might have liked (for which we apologise) we have been able to re-run a huge amount of rolling stock, much of which has been in demand for some time!  We have just delivered a batch of the simply gorgeous Australian NA Class 2-6-2Ts and, owing to cancellations, still have black and red examples available (£2200.00) – contact us if you would like one!

Warley 2014

The NA Class formed the centre piece of our stand at Warley this year.  The show was extremely well attended and it was good to see live steam operating on layouts there.  Tallylyn Railway No. 1 and the iconic T.R. guards van were just two of the full size exhibits on display and it was good to catch up with some of the preserved railways we have worked with in the past couple of years.  Thanks to those of you who took the time to drop by the stand for a chat and discuss our wares, feedback is always invaluable to us.

Last call for ‘Mannin’!

With production about to start and delivery scheduled for the Spring this is a last call for ‘Mannin’.  If you haven’t reserved one with your local dealer, don’t delay!  This will be the only Isle of Man Railway steam locomotive for 2015.  Here are a couple of images of the engineering samples at the factory, one live steam (red) the other electric (green).

‘Mannin’ was the last locomotive to be supplied to the Isle of Man and built in 1926 by Beyer, Peacock & Co. (works number 6296).  No. 16 was by far the most powerful 2-4-0T locomotive on the line. She was purchased to haul the heavy Port Erin boat train, a job which had previously taken two locomotives either double-headed or banked. Much larger than her older sisters, she was latterly used as Peel-based engine and appears to have never negotiated the Ramsey line.  She remained in service until 1964 and later was repainted into Ailsa spring green and placed on static display at St John’s and later Douglas stations until entering the railway museum in 1975.  It is unlikely that she will work again in the immediate future.  Our model carries the same level of detail and equipment as our previous Isle of Man locos and will be available in both Holly Green and Indian Red.  The live steam model carries a UK RRP of £1600.00, the electric version an RRP of £1375.00.

Specifications (live steam):

• Scale: 1:20.3 Scale
• Gauge: 45mm Gauge
• Minimum Radius: 1M (39 in.)
• Power: Live Steam
• Length: 398mm (over couplings)
• Width: 107mm
• Height: 148mm
• Boiler: Centre Flue
• Working Pressure: 60psi
• Weight: 4.3 kg (9.2lbs)
• Reversing Gear: Piston type, reverse by lever in the cab
• Valve Gear: Simulated Stephenson’s link
• Fuel: Butane Gas
• Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water gauge
• Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverse lever, syringe-type lubricator

Versions available subject to production batch:

S20-1G – ISLE OF MAN 2-4-0T Mannin #16, Holly Green – live steam
S20-1R – ISLE OF MAN 2-4-0T Mannin #16, Indian Red – live steam
E20-7G – ISLE OF MAN 2-4-0T Mannin #16, Holly Green – electric
E20-7R – ISLE OF MAN 2-4-0T Mannin #16, Indian Red – electric

Southern Pacific M6 2-6-0

Through the good offices of Peter Spoerer we were able to give the Accucraft (US) Southern Pacific M6 Mogul a good work out during November.  This great little locomotive represents outstanding value for money (UK RRP £2760.00) having, as it does, a hand pump, axle pump, water bypass valve and all the functions and detail a discerning Gauge 1 audience would expect.  Peter shot some lovely video footage of the machine, including and ascent of his demanding harbour branch (1 in 24!) with a heavy load of gondolas in tow.  You can see the full specification here.

Only unlettered ones remain in stock.  Contact your local retailer to order one now or reserve one from the next batch.