Accucraft UK Ltd

November 2014 marks the centenary of the start of World War 1.  Over the next four years Accucraft (UK) will produce a number of commemorative models in honour of those whose served and died with the Railway Operating Division during the conflict. Both standard and narrow gauge railways played a vital role supplying the front with ammunition, food and equipment and we will mark this contribution with appropriate releases.

Accucraft at ‘Tracks to the Trenches’

Accucraft (UK) was delighted to support the Moseley Railway Trust’s ‘Tracks to the Trenches’ event in September. The firm had a stand in the marquee for the duration of this action packed and extremely successful event which featured half a dozen locomotives in steam and numerous petrol tractors in action, as well as infantry, cavalry, armoured cars, lorries and even a Mk IV tank! Commemorating the role played by narrow gauge railways behind the trenches, the Apedale Valley Railway had been transformed into a field railway network serving a trench system, military camp and supply depot. With appropriate rolling stock and locomotives drawn from a number of other railways, the scene was set for a well organised weekend displaying the workings and hazards of a WW1 light railway.

Accucraft will be running a special edition of the highly successful War Department Baldwin 4-6-0T during the course of 2015 and a percentage of the sales profits from these models will be donated to the Moseley Trust. Orders placed through the Trust will be accompanied by a copy of a reprint of the 1920 Railway Gazette ‘Special War Transportation Number’, produced to record the role the railways played during World War 1.

Graham Langer (Accucraft UK) with Gareth Roberts and Phil Robinson of the Moseley Trust with the Greensand Trust Baldwin and Accucraft’s 1:19 scale model

Commenting on the project, Graham Langer of Accucraft said, “We are pleased to be able to help another preserved railway in this fashion and look forward to working with the Trust and the War Office Locomotive Trust on future projects. Personally I have been delighted to have taken part in events commemorating the start of World War 1 in which both my grand-fathers fought.”

The model will be available through all Accucraft retailers as well as the Moseley Railway Trust.

Graham also took part in events in Belgium in August and is seen here with the Light Cavalry Association at Tertre, near Mons, during the dedication of a new memorial to the West Kent Regiment

Notes on ‘The Railway Gazette – Special War Transportation Number’

2014 marks the centenary of the start of the Great War. This was a war unlike any which the world had seen before, not least in the application of mechanical means to transport. In 1920, The Railway Gazette published a special edition to record transport used in the war. This would have been the first time that most readers would have become aware of the machines and techniques used to achieve the recent victory – much of it had been secret until then. Since 1920, copies of this special edition have been highly prized collectors’ items.

As part of the events to mark the centenary of the conflict, the Moseley Railway Trust has worked with Railway Gazette International to re-print the 1920 special edition. The original has been professionally scanned and enhanced, to maximise the reproduction of the many original pictures. New colour covers and a foreword have been added. The book is “A4” size, and contains 160 pages. The print run is limited, and demand is certain to be strong. Please note that the hardback version of this book is now sold out.

This month we are able to bring you a breaking story from Australia, including the announcement of two new 1:32 scale live steam engines.  From Accucraft (US) we have word of another coal-fired D&RGW locomotive in production.

Exciting news from ‘down under’

Following the successful production and imminent delivery of the Victorian Railways NA Class 2-6-2T, Michael Ragg and Gordon Watson of Argyle Loco Works have formed Accucraft (Australia) to develop a range of live steam and electric models based on Australian prototypes.  This range will be made available exclusively through Accucraft (US) and Accucraft (UK) in the same way in which the NA was brought to the market in these countries.  Not letting the grass grow under their feet, Accucraft (AUS) have announced not one but two new models in 1:32 scale.  Michael Ragg picks up the story, “The formation of ‘Accucraft Australia’ has been a gradual evolution since its origins in the early 1990’s when Argyle Locomotive Works was established as a bespoke and batch builder of steam locomotives in gauges ‘O’ and ‘1’ at a time when the commercial production of garden gauge live steam models was in it’s infancy.

For over a decade, Argyle has supported and represented Accucraft products throughout Australia and New Zealand and cooperates with Accucraft in design and development work. Our most recent efforts have culminated in the production of the Victorian Railways narrow gauge 2-6-2T ‘NA’ class “Puffing Billy” which is about to be released.  The formation of ‘Accucraft Australia’ has been a natural progression and a solidification of the partnership established over many years of working together.”

We look forward to working closely with Michael and his team and wish them the best of luck in a growing market. We feel sure that the NA Class will come to be regarded as the benchmark for accuracy and quality in Australian outline models.

New South Wales Government Railways C38 Class ‘3801’ 4-6-2

With the imminent arrival of the much awaited ‘NA’ class Puffing Billy model, Accucraft (Australia) has announced their first venture into 1:32 scale main line steam with a model of the NSW Government Railways Streamlined C38 Class ‘3801’ on 45mm gauge, Australia’s best known and most widely travelled standard gauge steam locomotive. This streamlined locomotive was designed to haul express trains such as the ‘Newcastle Flyer’ and ‘Melbourne Limited’ for the New South Wales Government Railways. Built in 1943 by Clyde Engineering, No. 3801 was the first of the ‘38’ class locomotives. The impressive service provided by this class of locomotive was enhanced when No. 3801 achieved the fastest journey from Sydney to Newcastle by rail (2 hours 1 minute 51 seconds) for a non-stop run on the 28th June 1964.

No. 3801 was the first steam locomotive to cross the continent of Australia when it hauled the ‘Western Endeavour’ special train from Sydney to Perth in 1970.

Accucraft (Australia) is offering three versions – Live Steam Alcohol fired with locomotive boiler, Live Steam Gas Fired and Electric. Pilot Model 2015 – target UK RRP (gas fired) £3000.00, alcohol and electric UK RRP TBA.

New South Wales Government Tramways Baldwin Steam Tram Motor and Trailer

Also from Accucraft (Australia), to be offered as a set of Motor and Trailer (as pictured) with extra trailers available separately. Live steam, 1:32 Scale, 45mm gauge. This attractive set will make a welcome addition to the Gauge One model fraternity offering an appealing balance to the much larger models normally associated with the scale. Pilot Model 2015 – UK RRP TBA.

Steam trams were introduced to Sydney as a temporary transport for the International Exhibition of 1879. The steam tram motor is basically a small enclosed saddle tank locomotive steam motor with four driving wheels in an 0-4-0 arrangement. A wooden cab encloses the entire locomotive, which features five windows along each side. Access to the cab is through doors from either the front or back platform. Steam Tram Motor No. 103a, (1891) is preserved and operates a regular public service at the Valley Heights Steam Tramway west of Sydney.

Coal-fired Denver & Rio Grande Western C-25 2-8-0

Following the success of their coal-fired K-28, Accucraft (US) are producing a limited run of the attractive little C-25.   The locomotive originally existed as # 103 of the Crystal River Railroad, a narrow gauge line located in the Elk Mountains of central Colorado. It was built in 1903 as C/N 21757 of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, had 33” drivers, 18×20” cylinders, and a tractive effort just short of 25,000 pounds. It was a standard Baldwin design, and other narrow gauge locos of this size and type were built for railroads in the Western Hemisphere.

The D&RG purchased this locomotive from the Crystal River in 1916, numbered it # 432, this number subsequently being changed in 1924 to # 375. Originally the locomotive was a class 112, this number reflecting the total weight of the locomotive, but eventually the D&RGW changed the classification numbers of their locomotives to reflect their tractive effort, and thus the classification of C-25. Interestingly, for a while the cab of this loco carried “C-25-112” as its classification.

The C-25 was affectionately known as the “Baby Mudhen” because its pulling power was close to that of the K-27 class, those engines being known as “Mudhens.” The 375 when it was put into service in 1916 was the best steamer on the railroad at that time. Sadly, on June 21, 1949 the one and only C-25 on the D&RGW was scrapped at Alamosa, Colorado.  The model features coal-firing, two cylinders, D-valves, simulated Stevenson valve gear, safety valve, lubricator and is R/C ready (gas-fired model illustrated).  UK RRP £5150.00, due Q1 2015.

Specifications:

Well, August was a hectic month for the firm, hence the late arrival of this newsletter!  At Llanfair we were honoured to be joined by Bing Cheng and a team from the Accucraft factory and, following the show, we were able to make our way to Porthmadog to present the Ffestiniog Railway with a cheque for the proceeds raised by our limited edition model of ‘Lyd’ – Paul Lewin (FR General Manger) said this would pay for a new set of tubes for the real locomotive when she needs her first overhaul!  Thanks to all those who purchased these models.

Sunny (Accucraft US), Graham Langer, Paul Lewin (FR), Ian Pearse, Bing Cheng and Naomi Ding (Accucraft) during the presentation of the cheque for £6000 raised for ‘Lyd’ by our model – Andrew Thomas

Bing Cheng and Paul Lewin in ‘Lyd’s’ cab – Andrew Thomas

LMS Black 5 4-6-0 in 1:32 scale

At Llanfair we were delighted to be able to unveil the engineering sample of our new live steam Black 5. The model is in 1:32 scale and 45mm gauge and features all metal construction with three versions. The model is gas-fired and has all the features the Gauge 1 fraternity have come to expect from an Accucraft locomotive.  The chassis is constructed from stainless steel. The boiler is copper, the cab and tender are constructed from etched brass. Like other fine scale models from Accucraft, it will provide many years of enjoyment.  With a target RRP of just £2250.00, we regard the model as a steal!  The locomotive will run round 6′ radius curves and is happy on code 332 or code 250 tracks.

Trackshack ‘Sea lion’ in 1:13.7 scale

We were also able to show the first example of ‘sea Lion’ at llanfair.  TrackShack has commissioned Accucraft (UK) to produce a model of  the Groudle Glen Railway Bagnall 2-4-0T in live steam.  The model will be to 7/8ths” scale (1:13.7) for 45mm gauge track and will happily harmonise with the Trackshack/IP Engineering range of 7/8ths” scale Groudle Glen rolling stock kits.  Built to Accucraft’s usual high standards, the loco will be constructed of copper, brass and stainless steel and carry the enhanced level of detail that scale allows.  The target UK RRP is hoped to be about £1000 and the models will be exclusively available from Trackshack.  At least 50% of any profit from this model will go to the Groudle Glen Railway to help fund the construction of ‘Brown Bear’, a new Bagnall 2-4-0T to take the place of ‘Polar Bear’ (now preserved in Sussex). Purchasers of this model will also gain similar benefits as those donating £178.10 to the new construction.  You can see more about the ‘Brown Bear’ project here.  You can pre-order one of these enchanting models here.

Trackshack County Donegal / Isle of Man railcar in 1:20.3 scale

Also shown for the first time at Llanfair was the County Donegal / Isle of Man diesel railcar.  Full details can be found on the Trackshack website here.

Just a quick reminder that we will be attending the Llanfair Garden Railway Show on the 30th & 31st August and news of yet another new American locomotive!

Llanfair Garden Railway Show

We will, as usual, be bringing our stand to Llanfair but this year we will also be bringing a selection of items for sale!  A thorough examination of the scrap bins at the factory has produced a plethora of trial pieces, unfinished items and damaged models, many of which will be ideal for the scratch builder or those looking for a ‘fixer-upper’.  All items will be ‘sold as seen’ with no warranty and cash buyers will be given preferential treatment!

We will also be revealing some brand new additions to the range and will be supported by a team from Accucraft (US) and the factory.  Don’t miss out!

The event is being held on Saturday, 30th August and Sunday, 31st August 2014 at Llanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre, SY21 0HW, and in addition to numerous layouts there will be over forty traders present.

Times: Saturday 10am to 4.30pm. Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Prices: Admission £5.00.
Additional Info: Free parking. Free bus link to the W&L Railway. Refreshments available.

Southern Pacific P-8 4-6-2

Accucraft Trains is proud to announce Southern Pacific P-8 class 4-6-2 locomotives in 1:32 scale, 45mm gauge live steam. Production is limited. These fine scale butane fired models will be constructed from brass and stainless steel. The following features are included:

• Fine scale brass model
• 60 psi working pressure
• Pressure gauge
• Water sight glass
• Lubricator
• Axle water pump with bypass valve
• Hand water pump

Constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1921, Southern Pacific’s fifteen P-8 class 4-6-2s #2461-2475 were obtained primarily for passenger service over the Ogden-Carlin segment of the railroad’s famed “Overland Route”. Over the route’s maximum gradient of 1.5%, a single P-8 was rated for a trailing load of 875-tons, approximately an eleven car passenger train. The P-8s thrived in this service until delivery of the larger, more powerful Mt-class 4-8-2s in the late 1920s. Most P-8s were then transferred further west for service between Oakland and Sacramento, along with the demanding Peninsula commute service between San Francisco and San Jose. Espee’s P-8 class 4-6-2s lasted until the mid-1950s, at which time they were replaced by diesels and retired.

Engineering sample of the forthcoming SP P-8 4-6-2 – a most handsome locomotive!

Two Southern Pacific P-8 class locomotives were saved. SP #2467 was donated to the City of Oakland in 1960 and placed on display at Harrison Railroad Park. In April 1959, SP #2472 was donated to the City of San Mateo and placed on display at the Fairgrounds. In the early 1990s, the Pacific Locomotive Association acquired SP #2467 and began its restoration. Completed by July 1999, the locomotive made its operational debut at Sacramento’s Railfair in 1999. SP #2467 is currently on loan for static display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

In 1976, a group of volunteers began work on full restoration of SP #2472 back to operable service. In the early
1990s the locomotive was used on several local excursions. In 1992, SP #2472 was doubleheaded with SP GS-4
class locomotive #4449 on excursions operated for the National Railway Historical Society convention. Today, the locomotive operates at the Niles Canyon Railway.

AL97-035      Southern Pacific P-8 class #2467, butane fired      £3,950.00
AL97-037      Southern Pacific P-8 class #2472, butane fired      £3,950.00

We are pleased to say our dealers have just taken delivery of another batch of ‘Doras’, track and Welshpool & Llanfair goods vans so make sure you don’t miss out.  We can also bring you the first images of the new private owner wagons commissioned by Trackshack and a first glimpse of the superb Norfolk & Western J Class that Accucraft (US) are producing to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.

New Private Owner versions of W & L open wagons

In addition to the ‘J. Ll. Peate’ versions of this popular wagon, Trackshack have commissioned an additional four private owner liveries and a bauxite example.  We will be shipping the first two of these with our next production run of open wagons, along with bauxite and more ‘Peate’ branded ones.

Norfolk & Western J Class 4-8-4

We have now received the first images of  Accucraft’s gorgeous N & W J Class #611.  Featured in last month’s newsletter, this model is being produced to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Accucraft (US) – you can see the full details here.

The model certainly captures the power and elegance of the prototype and with a UK RRP of just £5630.00 we feel it represents incredible value for money.

Photo courtesy of Norfolk & Western Historical Society

C & O CUPOLA CABOOSES

Accucraft (US) has announced the upcoming production of 1:32 scale, 45mm gauge steel cupola cabooses for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. These cabooses will nicely complement the forthcoming 1:32 scale C&O “Allegheny” (in both live steam and electric). The cabooses will be of all brass construction and come factory painted and lettered to represent the late 1940s to mid-1950s era. Features will include:

• Brass and steel construction
• Metal wheels
• Detailed underbody detail and draft gear
• Four road numbers
• Working knuckle couplers

American Car & Foundry built 100 cabooses in C&O series 90200-90299 in 1949. Delivered in bright red, beginning in the late 1950s they were repainted into overall yellow with blue lettering. Our models will represent the as-delivered appearance. They will not feature an interior. The C&O caboose is limited to 100 units, 25 of each number.

AL93-055 to AL93-058 Chesapeake & Ohio steel caboose, red #90200 UK RRP £395.00

C & O THREE BAY OPEN HOPPERS

Accucraft (US) is also producing 1:32 scale, 45mm gauge 3-bay open hoppers. Again, these are perfect for the “Alleghenys”. The hoppers will also satisfy discriminating modellers who desire interesting rolling stock to operate behind their 1:32 scale locomotives. Features will include:

• Finely detailed plastic body
• Sprung die-cast trucks
• Detailed underbody
• 24 different road numbers for C&O
• One version lettered C&O but without car number (allows you to number your own)
• Working knuckle couplers
• Offered with or without end scatter shields, based on prototype

The open hoppers accurately represent a group of 3-bay cars built by Bethlehem Steel Corp. for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. C&O obtained 1000 cars in series 105000-105999, constructed on builder’s Lot # DF-152, between January and March 1951. The cars have a rated capacity of 2622 cu. ft., measure 40’ 8” inside length, and 41’ 9 3/4” over strikers. The model is developed directly from the builder’s General Arrangement drawings. Cars decorated for the Virginian Railway will not be 100% accurate. However, the 3-bay hopper can still serve as fine ‘stand-in’ model, particularly for those interested in operating coal trains behind their Virginian edition 2-6-6-6 “Allegheny”.

AM32-600 to AM32-624 C&O 3-bay Hopper w/ end scatter shields UK RRP £135.00

H8 ALLEGHENY 2-6-6-6

In production now for delivery later this year is the ideal locomotive the haul these nice hoppers and cabooses, the incredible Allegheny 2-6-6-6 – don’t miss out!

AL97-411 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Early Version in 1941 C&O #1601 Live Steam UK RRP £6,850.00
AL97-413 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Late Version in 1948 C&O #1648 Live Steam UK RRP £6,850.00
AL97-415 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Virginian #900 Live Steam UK RRP £6,850.00
AL98-411 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Early Version in 1941 C&O #1601 UK RRP £6,375.00
AL98-413 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Late Version in 1948 C&O #1648 UK RRP £6,375.00
AL98-415 Allegheny 2-6-6-6, Virginian #900 UK RRP £6,375.00

This month we bring you news of a new dealership in Derbyshire, a re-run of the W & L cattle vans, the announcement of a lovely new Canadian Pacific locomotive and a reminder about warranty returns.

Malc’s Models, Ilkeston

We are pleased to say that we have recently added Malc’s Models to our list of dealers.  Having traded in Ilkeston for some years, Malcom Grubey has recently moved into larger premises in Pelham Street, the expanded showroom offering more space to display a wide variety of garden scale equipment including a range of Accucraft products.  We wish Malc every success in the new location and hope that modellers in the area support his business.

W & L cattle vans

Due to overwhelming demand we will be running the Welshpool & Llanfair cattle vans again this year.  Make sure you have your reservation in with your local dealer if you missed out last time!

Canadian Pacific T-1c Class 2-10-4 ‘Selkirk’

Accucraft (US) is proud to announce the Canadian Pacific 2-10-4 ‘Selkirk’ #5935 in 1:32 scale, 45mm gauge live steam in an edition limited to 50 models. These fine scale alcohol-fired models are constructed from brass and stainless steel. The following features are included:

• Fine scale brass construction
• 60 psi working pressure
• Pressure gauge
• Water sight glass
• Lubricator
• Axle water pump with bypass valve
• Hand water pump

Accucraft’s ‘Selkirk’ #5935 represents the last T-1c class 2-10-4 built. Constructed by Montreal Locomotive Works in February/March 1949 as CP 5930-5935, these six oil burning T-1c class locos remained in service less than 10 years; the railway was already replacing steam with diesels. The first of the ‘Selkirks’ was built in 1929, in total twenty were constructed during this year numbered 5900 to 5919. The Canadian Pacific Railway’s classification was T1a. They weighed 340 tons fully loaded. They were named after the Selkirk mountain range that they crossed.

Another ten were built in 1938 and the Canadian Pacific Railway assigned these T1b class, numbered from 5920 to 5929. The T1b class was ten tons lighter with the boiler pressure increased from 275 to 285psi.The final six Selkirks, classed T1c, were built by the Montreal Locomotive Works shop in 1949. They were the last standard gauge steam locomotives built in Canada for a Canadian railroad. Much the same as the T1b except that they incorporated two cross-compound air compressors for rapid recharging of the air brakes. They were equipped with boosters and all were built as oil burners. The tenders held 12,000 imperial gallons of water and 4,100 imperial gallons of fuel oil and were equipped with six-wheel trucks.

The last Selkirks were taken out of service in 1959. All but two of this (T1c) class were scrapped. None of the earlier T1a class or T1b class locomotives was preserved. The 1:1 scale CP #5935 is preserved and on display at Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant, Québec.

All Accucraft Trains models are designed and built to exacting standards from carefully researched plans and prototype measurements. Painstakingly hand-crafted from brass and stainless steel, the model is designed to give a lifetime of enjoyment.

UK RRP £5865.00

Warranty returns

Unfortunately we have had a number of casualties among locomotives coming in for warranty repairs.  Please may we remind you that unless the model is packaged as it left the factory it is unlikely to survive the vagaries of carriage in one piece.  Unbelievably we have received a number of locomotives in just the red inner box, devoid of any sensible packing material; in consequence these have been damaged in transit and a charged for repair has been needed to return them to full health.  Please ensure that your dealer supplies you with both the inner (red) and outer (cardboard) boxes and all the associated packaging when you purchase an Accucraft model and that if warranty work should be required the model is re-packed accordingly before our carriers collect it.  Failure to do this will attract a charge for any repairs not covered by the warranty as well as the cost of any additional packaging to ensure a safe return.  Please remember that we have extended our warranty period to two years for models purchased since 2013.

Welcome to our May bulletin!  This month we bring you news from the National Garden Railway Show at Peterborough, a new Accucraft dealership in Lancashire, a last call for ‘Tornado’ models and some video footage of the 61XX in action!

1:19 Scale Welshpool & Llanfair Sheep Wagon

At the 2014 National Garden Railway Show at Peterborough we announced another addition to our collection of W & L rolling stock, the sheep wagon!  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.

Available in W&L Light Grey, G W Dark Grey, 4 different running numbers in each colour; or Data only in light grey.  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

Z33 – W & L SHEEP WAGON BODY KIT W&L LIGHT GREY

Accucraft (UK) and ‘Alice’

We were delighted to sponsor the transport of Julian Birley’s Quarry Hunslet ‘Alice’ to the 16mm Show where she was put on display with a pair of typical slate wagons.  To complete the ensemble, Julian brought Ivo Peters’ beautiful Bentley as well.  The photograph shows Julian Birley, Ian Pearse, Tom Birley and Graham Langer with ‘Alice’ and an Accucraft Quarry Hunslet (on Alice’s running plate) at the show.

As ever the Accucraft stand drew huge crowds and, this year, was enhanced by video unit scrolling images of the entire UK and US ranges.  The 1:32 Scale Southern Pacific M6 2-6-0 proved a popular centre piece as well.  The images shows the stand before the show opened and the hordes descended!

Carnforth Models open at ‘Brief Encounter’ Station

Mike and Jennifer Lowe have taken over the premises previously occupied by Bay Models on the platform at Carnforth Station and are trading as Carnforth Models.  Carnforth was the station famously used in “Brief Encounter”, the famous film made in 1945 when the war was still on, starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, and directed by David Lean (released in 1946) and you can still use the buffet where much of the action was filmed.  The Lowes are already well known for producing the Pendle Valley Workshop range of garden scale buildings and accessories so why not drop in and see what they have to offer!

Last Call for ‘Tornado’

With production about to start at the factory this is the last chance you have to guarantee getting the livery you would like.  Although there may some free stock after we have made the batch we will only be able to supply the liveries we have left in stock and although we take care to ensure the split is balanced we may no longer have any examples of your particular choice.  The UK RRP will be £2895.00 with a release date of 2014 and the model will be available in apple green, blue and BR green.  The image shown here is of the engineering sample.  The model will be available from the A1 Steam Trust, Accucraft UK and selected retailers.  The retail profit from sales of this superb model will go to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to complete the financing of Tornado herself. You can download the Tornado-order-form here.

Accucraft Gauge 1 61XX in action at Bakewell

While we were attending the National Garden Railway Show, our friend Bram Hengeveld took the engineering sample of our soon to be delivered GWR 61XX 2-6-2T to the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association Show in Bakewell.  By all accounts the locomotive acquitted itself well, hauling a heavy train of 10mm Scale coaches for its allotted time on the layout.  Bram sent us this video:

We would like to remind you that we will be attending this year’s National Garden Railway Show in Peterborough on 12th April and look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.  As ever we will be bringing a good selection of our products and possibly springing one or two surprises!  In addition we are sponsoring the centre piece of the show, Julian Birley’s Quarry Hunslet ‘Alice’ and a rake of slate wagons; Julian will also be bringing Ivo Peters’ Bentley.  You can see full details of the show here.

Accucraft (US) Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson – only a handful left!

Designed by Henry Bowen and introduced in 1937, the semi-streamlined Hudson was selected to haul the 1939 Royal Train that carried King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their journey across Canada. No 2850 was chosen and was turned out in a spectacular Royal blue and stainless steel livery to match the 12-coach blue and silver train.  So impressive was 2850’s performance on the 3224mile trip that Canadian Pacific applied to Buckingham Palace for permission to officially designate the class as Royal Hudsons, a request that was granted. Subsequently all 45 members of the class carried a cast Royal Crown on their front running board skirts.

Although designed as express passenger engines and capable of over 90mph, the Royal Hudsons were also used extensively on freight duties, but it was on the prestigious passenger trains such as the daily Dominion that they made a name for themselves with 1250 mile runs between Calgary and Ft William (Thunder Bay). On the cross-country runs it was common to have several express reefers at the head end between the engine and baggage car.  The Royal Hudsons ran in service right upto the withdraw of steam by Canadian Pacific in the summer of 1960 when most of the class were scrapped. Happily four have survived to this day in preservation, including No. 2860 currently in steam in British Columbia.  No. 2850 is preserved in its Tuscan and grey livery and has pride of place at the Canadian Railway Museum at Delson just Outside Montreal.

The highly detailed Accucraft model is still available for an astonishing £3595.00 from your local retailer and would grace any Gauge 1 line.  You can see full details here or enjoy watching video footage of one in action:

Accucraft (US) commercial changes

Accucraft (US) has separated the Accucraft Trains and American Mainline Websites as part of creating a ‘stand alone’ brand for the 1:29 Scale range.  You can find the new AML website here.  As of 1st April we will be working from revised U.S. price lists, links to which can be found below.

AT & AML LOCO PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AT 1-32 PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AMS 1-32 PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AML 1-29 PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AMS 1-20.3 PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AML CODE 332 TRACK PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

AMS On30 PRICE LIST APRIL 2014

This month we are able to bring some exciting news from Accucraft (US), their first commercial electric model of a diesel locomotive in 1:29 scale and some amazing bargains to be had in their Mad March Sale!  We are also issuing a last call for orders for the Australian NA Class 2-6-2T.

Last call for the NA Class 2-6-2T!

Argyle Models have now pressed the ‘go’ button on production of these superb models and there are only a few remaining.  All the black electric samples are now sold out and most other versions will soon follow suit.  Contact us to make a reservation now!  You can see full details of the locomotives here.

1:29 Scale GP60 / GP60M

We are delighted to announce the production of these 1:29 scale, 45mm gauge models. The EMD GP60M in Santa Fe “Warbonnet” livery should be very popular! In addition to the paint schemes announced for the GP60s and GP60Ms Accucraft (US) will also be producing the very similar GP59 in Norfolk & Southern colours.

Developed and manufactured between 1985 and 1992 by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division (EMD), the four axle GP60-series locomotives produced 3800 h.p. from a 16-cylinder, 710-series engine. Most were initially purchased for use on fast intermodal trains. Including the three demonstrators, EMD constructed a total of 294 GP60s for seven different U.S. customers.

At the request of Santa Fe, EMD also built 63 wide-nose GP60Ms featuring a “safety cab”. These units were delivered in Santa Fe’s famous aluminum & red “Warbonnet” paint scheme. EMD also built 23 cabless GP60B “booster” units for the railroad. Santa Fe initially assigned its GP60Ms in sets to their most time-sensitive intermodal trains.

To appeal to railroads requiring slightly less horsepower and wanting to conserve fuel, EMD also built three GP59 demonstrators. Featuring a 12-cylinder 710-series prime mover with 3000 h.p. peak output, they have a few minor spotting differences when compared to the similar looking GP60. EMD’s GP59 demonstrators were sold to Norfolk Southern, who also purchased an additional thirty three units. Interestingly, NS also purchased fifty regular nose GP60s from the builder. The GP60, GP60M and GP60B were the last new four axle high horsepower freight locomotives built by EMD.

The model has a rugged plastic body, individually powered die-cast trucks, Plug-and-Play modular PC boards, directional LED headlights, front ditch lights, battery power connectors, lighted front numbers, cab interior lights, realistic driver figure, sliding cab windows, cab mounted mirrors, rooftop mounted air conditioner (specific road names), see-through steps, sturdy plastic handrails and stanchions, front pilot plough, coupler lift bars, grab irons on sides and ends, MU hoses, rotating rooftop fans, cast brass rooftop lift rings and a brass underframe bell. Minimum radius 2’ 6″.

Available Q4 2014 – UK RRP £530.00 – Versions as follows:

EMD GP60

G801-01A  – Santa Fe, Blue/Yellow #4022
G801-01B  – Santa Fe, Blue/Yellow #4035
G801-02A  – Rio Grande, Black/Orange #3154
G801-02B  – Rio Grande, Black/Orange #3156
G801-03A  – Unioin Pacific, Yellow/Gray #1994
G801-03B  – Union Pacific, Yellow/Gray #2098
G801-04A  – Southern Pacific, Gray/Red #9757
G801-05A  – Southern Pacific, Gray/Red #9785
G801-06A  – Vermont Railway, Red/White #381
G801-07A  – Norfolk Southern, Black/White #7100
G801-08A  – Norfolk Southern “Operation Lifesaver”, Black/White #7140
G801-09A  – CSX Transportation, Blue/Yellow #6897
G801-09B  – CSX Transportation, Blue/Yellow #6899

EMD GP60M wide-nose

G801-51A -Santa Fe, aluminum/red #100
G801-51B -Santa Fe, aluminum/red #101
G801-51C -Santa Fe, aluminum/red #144
G801-51D -Santa Fe, aluminum/red #157
G801-52A – BNSF “heritage”, green/orange #117
G801-52B – BNSF “heritage”, green/orange #145
G801-53A – BNSF “wedge” logo, black/orange #130
G801-53B – BNSF “wedge” logo, black/orange #150

EMD GP59

G801-10 -NorfolkSouthern, green/gray #4610
“Southern Railway”  100th Anniversary

Accucraft (US) March Madness Sale!

We are able to pass on some incredible discounts for Accucraft (US) live steam and electric models!  Contact you local dealer to check availability – once the discontinued items are gone, they’re gone!

DISCOUNTED AND DISCONTINUED ITEMS – 1:20.3 Scale Live Steam UK RRP

AC77-015 Ruby #5 0-4-0 with Pressure Gauge £ 495.00
AC77-020 Ruby #3 0-4-0 Ida Saddle Tank £ 435.00
AC77-045 Plantation 0-4-2 £ 795.00
AC77-048 Plantation 0-4-2 £ 795.00
AC77-632 Climax Two Truck, Mich Cal #4 £1695.00

1:20.3 Scale Electric

AC78-201 Porter 0-4-0 £ 555.00
AC78-514 Plymouth Diesel, yellow £ 555.00
AC78-520 Diesel Switcher D&RGW £ 555.00
AC78-531 Whitcomb 45-ton Diesel, Grey £ 875.00
AC78-532 Whitcomb 45-ton Diesel, Yellow £ 875.00
AC78-533 Whitcomb 45-ton Diesel, Blue £ 875.00
AC78-534 Whitcomb 45-ton Diesel, Green £ 875.00
AC78-631 Climax Two Truck, Straight Stack £1595.00
AC78-632 Climax Two Truck, Mich Cal #4 £1595.00

DISCOUNTED ITEMS – 1:32 Scale Live Steam

AL97-081 Royal Hudson #2850 Royal Blue 1939, Gas Fired £3595.00
AL97-081A Royal Hudson #2850 Royal Blue 1939, Alcohol Fired £3595.00
AL97-082 Royal Hudson #2850 Maroon ‘As it is Today’, Gas Fired £3595.00
AL97-082A Royal Hudson #2850 Maroon ‘As it is Today’, Alcohol Fired £3595.00
AL97-083 Royal Hudson #2850 Maroon ‘As it Ran in Service’, Gas Fired £3595.00
AL97-101 Pennsylvania T1 4-4-4-4, Alcohol Fired £4895.00

AL97-391 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4012 Gas Fired £7895.00
AL97-392 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4004 Gas Fired £7895.00
AL97-393 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4008 Gas Fired £7895.00
AL97-394 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4015 Gas Fired £7895.00
AL97-395 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4018 Gas Fired £7895.00
AL97-396 UP ‘Big Boy” 4-8-8-4 #4014 Gas Fired £7895.00