Accucraft UK Ltd

Following a lengthy gestation period, ‘Peveril’ is on the way, an electric ‘Caledonia’ is racking up the miles in Northumberland, more W.D. Baldwins are in production and we have news of the lovely Southern Pacific 4-6-0 that Accucraft (US) has recently released.

‘PEVERIL’ – LIVE STEAM AND ELECTRIC

Following fine tuning of the pre-production sample we are pleased to say that we have given the go-ahead for a run of both live steam and electric versions of this attractive Isle of Man 2-4-0T. This batch is being produced in Indian red only and should be available at your local retailer in February or March at an RRP of £1175.00 for the live steam loco and £895.00 for the electric version.  Reserve yours now to avoid missing out.  You can see the full specification here.

The Isle of Man Railway favoured locos built by Beyer Peacock with a 2-4-0 wheel arrangement.  No 6, ‘Peveril’ was built in 1874 and carried the standard Beyer Peacock characteristics – the outside framed bogie, the lack of a bunker behind the cab and the angled cylinders. Like most of them, ‘Peveril’ has its number in brass numerals on the chimney. She was withdrawn from service in 1960 and was stored for several years together with No. 5 “Mona” in Douglas carriage shed. She was cosmetically restored by members of the Isle Of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association in 1994 and is now resident in the railway museum at Port Erin carrying the Indian red livery of the post-war years.

‘CALEDONIA’ AT BARTER BOOKS, ALNWICK

This may be one of the most unusual railways running Accucraft locomotives and rolling stock!  Established by Mary and Stuart Manley, Barter Books in Alnwick is one of the most eclectic second-hand book shops in the UK.  The business is housed in Alnwick’s beautiful railway station designed by William Bell in 1887. At 32,000 sq. ft, the building is one of remarkable size and grandeur for a small market town. This is because, as seat of the Dukes of Northumberland, an imposing railway station was deemed necessary in the 19th century to impress visiting royalty. The branchline, itself, however, was closed in 1968 with the notorious Beeching cuts.

The shop has many features, open fires in the winter, coffee and cookies, a mini-cybercafé (well, two computers!), generous seating, a children’s room with enough toys to allow parents and grandparents to browse elsewhere in peace, a whole huge room lined with glass cases containing many of the more interesting antiquarian books. In addition to all this,there is a G scale model railway acting as a link between the book columns of the central room, round which now trundles an Accucraft ‘Caledonia’ and Isle of Man coaches!

‘Caledonia’ and Accucraft coaches crosses a bridge in front of a mural of famous writers

David Champion, who works at Barter Books, said, “Could this be Britain’s hardest working G scale railway? There are 3 circuits which operate 10 hours a day contionuously in Summer, and 8 hours a day continuously in winter – and the only day they get off is Christmas Day!  Rails have to be changed every 18 months when the head of the rail gets worn off due to the constant traffic. ‘Caledonia’ and her train are on the main circuit and travel 9 actual miles per day, (approx.200 scale miles), and she has already clocked up well over 300 actual miles without a hitch, indeed she has settled into her new task running increasingly sweetly.” David, founder of the A1 Steam Trust, is the happy owner of several Accucraft live steamers including his favourite, the 3 -cylinder Shay, which run on his private 175 yard long woodland railway in Northumberland.

Why not drop in to Barter Books?  Have a browse and watch the trains go by….

W.D. BALDWINS – AN UPDATE

In view of healthy demand for these popular locomotives we are bringing production of the next batch forward and anticipate getting them to our dealers by March.  Quite a number of this batch has been pre-ordered and there may not be much free stock when the consignment arrives.  We have held the RRP at £1295.00 – book yours now!  More details of the model can be found here.  Remember that these engines are not gauge-adjustable and need to be ordered according to your line’s requirements.  Watch out for the review in “Garden Rail”!

The ever popular W.D. Baldwin will be available again in early 2012

SOUTHERN PACIFIC 4-6-0 #8 & #9

While on the subject of Balwin 4-6-0’s, here’s another!  These attractive little 3′ gauge ten-wheelers were built by Baldwin in 1907 for the Nevada, California and Oregon Railroad and acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1929.  The SP rebuilt them for oil-firing and used them in its 3′ gauge network on short lines such as the Owens Valley line and two have been preserved. Accucraft (US) made a  limited production run of the SP 4-6-0 in 1:20.3 scale and 45mm gauge in live steam. The chassis is constructed from brass and stainless steel. All valve gear, drive rods, and wheels are machined from stainless steel. Like other fine products from Accucraft, these models will be meticulously hand-crafted. Full details of the model can be seen here.  The live steam version is available for a very reasonable RRP of £2660.00 but the batch is nearly sold out – make your reservation today!  The model is also available in electric power form at an RRP of £2375.00.

We are happy to reveal some images of the pre-production engineering sample of ‘Lew’, however, there are some small changes still needed to ensure the final result is perfect but these shots should show what a handsome beast she’s going to be.  The full specification can be seen here.

The leading and trailing wheel-sets have removable blanking plates for those with large radii curves

The model features working cylinder drain cocks

The fully working Joy valve gear is, well, a ‘joy’ to behold!

Just the right amount of rivet detail too!

LAST CALL FOR ‘GALLOPING GOOSE’ #4

Accucraft (US) are just about to put this model into production, with delivery expected early next year. This superbly detailed and articulated model is completely constructed with brass and stainless steel. An American made Pittman motor powers the middle truck with a reliable die cast metal gear box. The model is finished with museum quality paint finish and lettering.   AC78-138 is the only Goose likely to appear for many months; only a few remain unsold at a bargain RRP of £565.00 so make sure you reserve yours now!

In the 1930′s, Colorado’s famous Rio Grande Southern Railroad introduced the “Galloping Goose”, a curious combination of Pierce-Arrow automobile parts and a mechanic’s imagination that could carry passengers, freight and mail with a one man crew. The “Galloping Goose” provided the Rio Grande Southern Railroad with real operating economy allowing the railroad to operate for another twenty years while endearing itself to generations of railfans and tourists.

EAST BROAD TOP LIVE STEAM 2-8-2 #12

Accucraft are about to release these attractive 3’ gauge 2-8-2’s in 1:20.3 scale.  Nestling among the Allegheny Mountains in south central Pennsylvania, the East Broad Top railroad was founded in 1856 to tap into the vast coal fields located on Broad Top Mountain, the EBT dutifully carried coal to fuel the booming iron furnaces located in Rockhill Furnace, PA. The East Broad Top was abandoned in April 1956 and the future looked grim. However, in the summer of 1960, the railroad was resurrected during the Bicentennial of the twin boroughs of Orbisonia and Rockhill Furnace, the home operating base of the East Broad Top. No. 12 was the first loco to enter the preserved EBT’s roster.  Built by Baldwin in 1911 she was capable of hauling up to fifteen loaded coal hoppers.  The full specification of the Accucraft model can be seen here.  The live steam version of the model carries an RRP of £3430.00 – don’t miss out!

W & L COUNTESSES

We have just received a batch of live steam ‘Countesses’ and are currently sending them out to our dealers.  It is likely that this will be the last run of these locos for quite a while, given that our production schedule is now planned for the next eighteen months to two years.  If you require one of these models we suggest you contact your local retailer before they sell out again.

Green and black ‘Countesses’ are currently available

CHOPPER COUPLINGS

It is clear that our choppers have become the coupling of choice among discerning narrow gauge modellers.  Judging by sales to date there are literally thousands of garden scale models out there sporting them!  We have just had a new shipment in so make sure you order yours before this lot is hoovered up as quickly as the last batch.

OPEN DAY AT CHURCH STRETTON

Don’t forget that that we are holding an Open Day at our new premises in Church Stretton on the 15th of October.  Some of our dealers will be present as well as other attractions and we look forward to seeing you then.  Full details and a map can be found as a PDF file here ACCUCRAFT OPEN DAY.

*STOP PRESS* We should have the first engineering sample of our new L & B ‘Lew’ available for inspection at our open day!

ACCUCRAFT (US) D&RGW 2-8-2’s

I can remember, as a young man, standing on the fire escape at the rear of the Strater Hotel in Durango as a K28 blasted up the back street with the first departure of the day for Silverton, its mournful whistle sounding at every side road and its exhaust leaving a pall of coal smoke hanging in Main Street through which the rising sun could barely shine…..

You could recreate that scene with one of the stunning new, coal-fired K28 2-8-2’s.  These wonderful models are due for release this winter and are the ultimate in 1:20.3 scale live steam power.  They are available to pre-order at an RRP of £6490.00 from your local retailer.

D&RGW K-28 was a product of the American Locomotive Works (ALCO), delivered to the Denver & Rio Grande Western in 1923. A total of ten K-28’s (470-479) were purchased to assist the very successful by now severely overworked K-27’s.  Since the delivery of the K-27’s in 1903 the technology and complexity of steam locomotive had advanced considerably.  When delivered these locomotives were assigned to the Gunnison Division, and although they did pull freight trains, they were often found at the head of passenger trains, particularly on the Alamosa line. During World War II, seven of the K-28 class were requisitioned by the U.S. Army and shipped to Skagway, Alaska to run on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. After the end of the war these locomotives were returned to the states of Washington and Utah to be scrapped.

However, the good news is that three (473, 476 & 478) of the original D&RGW K-28 class are still in existence and are now under the ownership of the Durango & Silverton Railroad. They are still running over the same rails as they did over eighty years ago, climbing towards Silverton along the banks of the Rio de Las Animas Perdidas.  More information about the Accucraft model can be found here.

Accucraft have recently released a batch of K36 2-8-2’s and such has been their popularity that stocks are already running low.  If you want one of these attractive locos we suggest you order one soon!  The UK RRP is £5225.00 for the live steam version.  For the full specification plus footage of one running click here.

The K36’s were built by Baldwin’s and delivered to the D&RGW in 1925.  Mainly based at Alamosa they worked to Durango and Farmington as well as on the Monarch branch.  Remarkably nine of the original ten locos survive today (#485 fell into the Salida turntable pit and was subsequently scrapped), four are based at Durango and five on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

LYNTON & BARNSTAPLE COACHES – LATEST NEWS!

We have now received pre-production samples of these gorgeous coaches from the factory and will be taking one of each type to the Llanfair Garden Railway Show this coming weekend (3rd & 4th September) at LLanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre.  The show coincides with the W & L Steam Gala so why not come along, enjoy the railway and visit the exhibition.  These coaches are an ideal accompaniment to our L & B ‘Lyn’ or for our forthcoming ‘Lew’, but are selling fast – be sure to place a forward order with your local retailer!  To whet your appetite we are illustrating the brake composite coach, the rest can be seen here

The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway had its original rolling stock manufactured by the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works.  The coaches were built to a very high standard and came in a variety of forms, some of which were modified during their careers on the line.  Following closure in 1935 many were sold off and found alternative use as summer houses and sheds.  Remarkably nine coaches (or parts thereof) survived, one is running on the Ffestiniog Railway, one (largely un-restored) is in the National Railway Museum and the rest are in the care of the re-born L & B in various stages of restoration.

POWER UNIT COMPETITION

We are now getting submissions for our Accucraft power unit competition.  First to throw his hat in the ring was Rob Bennett with a very attractive 7/8ths scale conversion based on the Simply 7/8ths ‘Baldrig’ kit and an ‘Edrig / Ragleth’ power unit.  Needless to say the footplate crew are some of Rob’s own ‘Busy Body’ figures!  Why not have a go yourself?  The rules are here – ACCUCRAFT POWER UNIT COMPETITION but remember the closing date is the 31st of December!

Rob Bennett's 'Salopia'

LIVE STEAM GEARED LOCOS FROM ACCUCRAFT (US)

Available NOW are the following live steam Shays and Climaxes from Accucraft (US) – contact your local retailer to obtain them.  The Shay locomotive was invented by Ephraim Shay and the first engine produced that was recognizably a Shay emerged from the Lima Machine Works (later the Lima Locomotive Works) in 1880. Production of Shays ceased in 1945, after approximately 2,700 of them had been built to all gauges and sizes (including a couple of left-handers, or backwards Shays, popularly called Yahs).  Firstly there is the arcane-looking, “T-boilered”, two-cylinder 13 ton Shay.  This is a model that simply oozes character and would be ideal for any logging railroad or short-line, the full specification can be seen here – the model carries an RRP of only £1770.

Also available now is the more ‘normal’ three-cylinder variant in the shape of Mich Cal #5 which comes in both fully lettered and un-lettered forms.  These Shays are a delight to watch in operation and, like the prototypes, are surprisingly powerful for their size.  With an RRP of just £1995, the full specification for #5 can be viewed here.

Finally we come to the Climax (no pun intended!).  These locomotives had two steam cylinders to transmit power to driveshafts running to the front and rear trucks. Designed to compete with the Shay and later Heisler locomotives in logging and industrial roles, many loggers considered the Climax superior to the Shay in haulage capacity and stability, particularly in smaller locomotives. Accucraft’s model is a limited production in 1:20.3 scale and 45mm gauge in live steam and has an RRP of £1875 – full details can be seen here.

We are delighted to say that we are holding an Open Day at our new premises in Church Stretton on the 15th of October.  Some of our dealers will be present as well as other attractions and we look forward to seeing you then.  Full details and a map can be found as a PDF file here ACCUCRAFT OPEN DAY.

ACCUCRAFT OPEN DAY & MODEL RAILWAY MARKET

A Show for the Public to Meet the Traders

 IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE STRETTONS RAILWAY SOCIETY

Featuring their OO scale layout ‘Church Stretton’

Saturday 15^th October 2011  from 10.00am – 4.00pm  Admission £1.00

Refreshments available

Unit 9,Mynd Industrial Park, Crossways,

Church Stretton,ShropshireSY6 6EA

Tel: 01694 723799. email: info@accucraft.uk.com

LIVE STEAM B4 0-4-0T IN 1:32 SCALE

Hot on the heels of our recently announced 1:32 Scale A3 4-6-2, we are happy to say we will also be producing a live steam 0-4-0 tank engine based on the L&SWR B4 Class, in particular No. 30089 Trouville which had a reasonably ‘normal’ cab.  Talk about dignity and impudence!  Intended as an “entry level” loco in Gauge 1, the model will be gas-fired and have all the features you would expect from an Accucraft locomotive.  The chassis is constructed from stainless steel. Boiler and cab are constructed from etched brass. Like other fine scale models from Accucraft, it will provide many years of enjoyment.  The target RRP will be £800.00 and a power unit only version will be available for £695.00.

An initial batch of twenty locomotives were designed by William Adams for the London & South Western Railway and constructed at Nine Elms between 1891 and 1893.  These small but powerful engines were intended for shunting in restricted sidings with tight curves and were deployed in such locations as Southampton Docks, the Hamworthy freight branch and Poole Quay.  Drummond added five similar locos to the class in 1905 although assorted rebuilds saw a great many variations in cab design and boiler fittings.  Because of their work in the docks, twelve acquired names from locations along the French channel coast.  After a long career with the L&SWR, Southern Railway and BR, some were sold into industrial use and two have been preserved, Normandy on the Bluebell Railway and Granville at Bressingham.

A live steam “Flying Scotsman” in 1:32 scale (Gauge 1), Accucraft’s first national competition for home-builders using our power units, W & L cattle vans announced and the new Accucraft (US) Whitcomb diesels – it’s all happening here this month!

LIVE STEAM A3 No. 4472 “FLYING SCOTSMAN”

We are currently developing a 1:32 scale live steam version of our very successful electric  LNER A3 Class “Flying Scotsman”.  The model will be gas-fired and have all the features the Gauge 1 fraternity have come to expect from an Accucraft locomotive.  The chassis is constructed from stainless steel. Boiler, cab and tender are constructed from etched brass. Like other fine scale models from Accucraft, it will provide many years of enjoyment.  The target RRP will be £2495.00.

Sir Nigel Gresley was renowned for his Pacific express locomotives, the first of which, the A1 class, entered service in 1922. The A3 was a modification of the A1 and over time all of the surviving A1s were rebuilt as A3s. No. 4472 “Flying Scotsman” was built in 1923 and went on to become one of the most famous steam locomotives in the world setting many records along the way. After the war it was renumbered 103 then, after the nationalisation, carried the number 60103, remaining in service on the East Coast mainline until 1963. During its service career it covered over 2,000,000 miles and travelled non-stop from London to Edinburgh in 8 hours. It was sold into private ownership, was sent to America and Australia and is today under restoration at The National Railway Museum in York.

Specification:

Fuel:  Butane gas fired
Minimum Radius: 2m (6′ 6”)
Construction:  Copper boiler, Brass boiler jacket, Brass cab, Brass tender, Steel drivers
Features:  Walschaerts valve gear, Safety valve, Water level glass, Pressure gauge, Lubricator, Gas tank in tender (water bath), Axle water pump with bypass valve, Water hand pump with check valve, Slide valve cylinders

Liveries (subject to production batch):
BR Brunswick Green #60103 (as Running Early 1960’s) w/ Double Chimney and Deflectors
BR Brunswick Green #60103 (as Running Early 1950’s) with Single Chimney
LNER Doncaster Green #4472, (as Running 1975) with Single Chimney
LNER Doncaster Green #4472 (as Running in the 21st C.) with Double Chimney and Deflectors

To register your interest, either leave a comment on this page or contact us here.

ACCUCRAFT POWER UNIT COMPETITION

In light of buoyant sales of our power units, we are happy to announce that we are organising an annual competition to find the best locomotive built up using the ‘Edrig’ or ‘Ragleth’ 0-4-0 chassis or the ‘Lawley’ 0-6-0 power unit.  Entries can be to any scale running on 32mm or 45mm gauge track, and we will feature these on a dedicated page of our website.  Tag Gorton, editor of Garden rail magazine, will judge the entrants and the winners will be announced in March so that the top three can be displayed at the 16mm Association show in April where the prizes will be awarded.  First prize will be an Accucraft power unit and the runners up will be presented with items of rolling stock from the Accucraft range.  Full terms and details of how to enter can be seen as a PDF file – ACCUCRAFT POWER UNIT COMPETITION.

A good basis for the competition – an ‘Edrig’ 0-4-0 power unit

BREAKING NEWS!  W & L CATTLE VAN ANNOUNCED

We are delighted to say that we are adding the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway cattle van to the already comprehensive range of W & L rolling stock we produce.  The van will be modelled on the original design before rebuilding by the G.W.R. and as such will be available in W & L light grey, light grey (data only) and dark grey (data only).  A release date in 2012 and the RRP will be announced in a subsequent newsletter.

WHITCOMB SIDE ROD DIESELS

Accucraft (US) have announced production of a Whitcomb Bo-Bo diesel in 1.20.3 scale (45mm gauge) and our dealers are taking advance orders for these now at a promotional RRP of just £875.  The prototype 45 ton locos were built as a batch of 37 in 1942.  Ordered by the military for war critical work six found their way to Hawaii with the Navy of which two were eventually preserved.  The Whitcomb is 25 feet 6 inches long, 9 feet wide and 11 feet 6 inches high at the cab roof. They are powered by two HBI 600 Cummins 150 HP diesel engines driving Westinghouse 189-R7 230 volt direct current generators. There is one Westinghouse 1443-A traction motor per truck with power being transmitted by coupling (side) rods to the unpowered axle. Electrical control is Westinghouse. Locomotive and train brakes are Westinghouse Air Brake Co. and supplied by two Quincy 30 CFM belt driven air compressors located in the cab.  Ideal for short-lines or industrial settings, the model will be available in Caterpillar yellow, grey, blue and green and full details can be viewed here.  Due for release in autumn 2011, contact your local dealer to reserve one now!

SMALL PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

We are now listing a growing number of spares and accessories on our website which can be purchased from your local dealer or directly from us.  However, there is an occasional demand for mechanical and cosmetic parts for locos and rolling stock which we cannot list but do keep in stock.  Please contact us with your requirements and we will try to help you out (subject to price and availability).

L&B MANNING WARDLE 2-6-2T ‘LEW’

We are pleased to say that our dealers are now taking orders for ‘Lew’, the Lynton & Barnstaple 2-6-2T (to be produced in Southern green).  The target price is £1500 for the manual version and £1800 for the radio-controlled model.  Orders for the first batch (an initial 100 locos) will be taken on a strictly “first come, first served” basis so contact your local retailer now!  The estimated arrival date for this batch is 2nd Quarter 2012.  We are very grateful to Paul Lewin and Peter Griffiths of the Ffestiniog Railway for giving us access to their ‘new build’ replica ‘Lyd’ at Boston Lodge recently, it is a really graceful piece of engineering and we look forward to seeing it back at its spiritual home in Devon again.

Getting serious – Ian Pearse measures up ‘Lyd’ at Boston Lodge on the Ffestiniog Railway

FURTHER ELECTRIC LOCOS?

Following the runaway success of the initial batches of electric ‘Countesses’ and ‘Caledonias’, we have decided to develop similar versions of ‘Lyn’ and ‘Lew’ for production alongside the live steam versions.  The electric ‘Lyn’ would have a target RRP of £995 and ‘Lew’ would be around £1300, both models carrying the same level of detail as the live steamers but with scale cab fittings.  Please register your interest in either of these models with your local retailer.

AMERICAN STOCK

Many people associate Accucraft with British narrow gauge models but our sister company, Accucraft (US), produces a wide range of American standard gauge and narrow gauge equipment in scales from 0n30 to 1:20.3 encompassing giants such as the Allegheny and mighty T1 in 1:32 scale through masses of 3’ gauge stock in various scales to classic shortline and logging railroad machinery in 1:20.3 scale.  Please follow the links below to download PDF files for the Accucraft (US) Trains, American Mainline and American Model Supply ranges including their UK recommended retail prices.  These files incorporate hyperlinks to the relevant pages on the Accucraft website so that you may view the products and glean more information.  We are also including a list of American outline stock that has been heavily discounted as part of Accucraft’s current inventory sale, there are some amazing bargains to be had in 1:20.3, 1:29 and 1:32 scales, electric and live steam locos as well as rolling stock.  Contact your local retailer for their best prices on all these ranges.

ACCUCRAFT SALE UK
AML UK RRP JULY 2011
AMS UK RRP JULY 2011
AT UK RRP JULY 2011

L & B BOGIE GOODS VEHICLES

Our retailers have also opened the books for orders on a new batch of L & B bogie vans and wagons to complement “Lew” and “Lyn” and the new L & B coaches.  This batch will be available in the same liveries as before and we have held the price of these to an RRP of £85 for the van and £70 for the wagon.  To accompany this production run will be a further run of the Z9 goods vehicle bogies, now complete with couplings but supplied without wheels at £15.00 per pair.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Many of you will remember Ian’s daughter Claire from her day’s working on the Pearse Locos stand at various shows and subsequent appearances at Warley.  We are delighted to say that Claire has announced her engagement to David Palmer, a talented model engineer in his own right who has produced live steam models from 0 gauge to 10.5 inch gauge.  Good choice Claire!

Accucraft are launching a new website on the 6th of June 2011.  As part of our drive to improve our service to our customers and dealers we have completely overhauled the old site, giving it the equivalent of a “heavy general” to make it fit for the future!  If you are reading this you are already there!

Although our new website looks similar to the old one it now has many more pages and greater functionality.  For instance, you can now leave feedback about news stories such as this which will enable us to respond to comments about new products and future releases.  Other major changes include:

• Better product information – wherever possible, items now show the full specification, liveries available and part numbers.  Locomotives all have downloadable PDF instruction manuals with a radio control appendix if appropriate.  We have created an archive of older models which will include data such as production dates and instruction manuals as well.  We are also listing all our track and the new range of accessories.
• More stock status data – in order to help our retailers and their customers we are including an additional column for future batch information.  This will be updated as often as possible.
• Dealer page – as well as listing our dealers, we have now added a handy Google map search facility to help you locate your local retailer.
• FAQ – to save customers’ time we now have a “frequently asked questions” page which aims to supply answers to a range of common queries about live steam operation in general and Accucraft locomotives in particular.
• Contact page – has been totally revised in its format and should now be swifter to use.  Customers who had signed up to the newsletters generated by the old website will have to register again here.
• Links page – added to enable Accucraft customers to find associated manufacturers, garden railway societies and resources and relevant preservation societies.

We hope you find the new website useful and look forward to reading your feedback.

Baguley Drewery diesels and spare parts to be available. Continue reading →