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Following our reveal of the Accurascale Exclusive DB Red Class 92029 as an additional fundraiser for Martin House, we are now delighted to unveil our main range Dysons — offering something for everyone! Like the real locomotives, our tooling for the Class 92s has spent a period in storage. We are thrilled to bring it back out at our equivalent of Crewe IEMD, carry out some enhancements to this already impressive model, and make it better than ever. Before we get into the improvements, let’s look at the main range and take a brief look at the history of each locomotive. Prototype History 92002 H.G. Wells – Railfreight Grey Completed by Brush Traction in December 1993 and named after the prolific English writer H.G. Wells, No. 92002 spent its early years undergoing testing: first at the Railway Technical Centre, Derby, then at the Velim test track near Prague, and finally at the Arsenal complex near Vienna, Austria. Repatriated to the UK in time for the Crewe Basford Hall Open Day in August 1995, it was officially taken into stock in October 1996 at Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot — some two years after the Channel Tunnel’s opening. Initially, it worked trains between Dollands Moor and North London via the ‘classic’ third-rail route (once cleared by Railtrack). After English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) took over Railfreight Distribution in November 1997, 92002 soon began working the full length of the West Coast Main Line between Mossend and Wembley, with East Coast Main Line services following a couple of years later. By the end of the decade, now defaced with an EWS “big beasties” sticker, 92002 was stored in December 2008. It was later reinstated after the sale to DB Schenker in November 2012, spending time hired to Direct Rail Services in 2014 before being sidelined again in November that year. Exported to Romania in April 2015 (renumbered 91 53 0472 003-9 and named Lucian Blaga), the locomotive later moved to Transagent Rail in Croatia in 2018. After several years of service, it is now stored at Dunakeszi Works in Budapest, Hungary. 92028 – GBRf (Modified Europorte) One of nine Class 92s allocated to SNCF, 92028 was named Saint Saëns on delivery in June 1995. Operated as a “common user” locomotive alongside EWS’ fleet, it was stored at Crewe IEMD in April 2006 when SNCF planned to run its own UK services. That ambition ended in June 2008, and 92028 (along with three others) was handed to Europorte 2, a Eurotunnel subsidiary. A year later, Europorte acquired GB Railfreight, and by 2011 had absorbed all 16 non-RfD Class 92s under the GBRf banner. In April 2015, 92028 was moved to Brush Traction, Loughborough, after reliability issues while leading newly-won Caledonian Sleeper workings. Emerging in May 2017 with a modified GBRf livery, it later returned for Dellner coupler upgrades in 2018. Since then, it has been a strong performer on Anglo-Scottish sleeper services across both the WCML and ECML. 92030 Ashford – RfD European Of the 30 Class 92s allocated to Railfreight Distribution, just three wore the large “billboard” RfD lettering: 92009, 92022, and 92030. Delivered new to Crewe IEMD in September 1995, 92030 was renamed Ashford in November 1996, replacing its original De Falla transfers. The name had previously been carried by Class 33/0 No. 33052. Much of its EWS career was spent on domestic freight, punctuated by storage periods. It later carried the EWS “big beasties” logo, and in 2013/14 was hired to DRS for use on the “Tesco Express.” Exported to Bulgaria in 2015, it received DB logos and the 12-digit number 91 70 0092 030-1 (later 91 52 1688 030-1), while regaining its Ashford name in sticker form. It remains in service today. 92031 The Institute of Logistics and Transport – EWS One of only two locomotives repainted into EWS maroon and gold, 92031 was unveiled at the Institute’s annual conference at the Metropole Hotel, Birmingham, in June 2001. Incredibly, the locomotive was moved by road for the naming ceremony — having originally been allocated the unused name Schiller. It settled into freight and occasional railtour work, even operating to unfamiliar destinations such as London Euston and Harwich Town. In 2010, it was used in trials proving Class 92s could take over Anglo-Scottish sleeper services — a role GBRf would later adopt in 2015. Repainted into DB Schenker red in November 2011, 92031 was stored in June 2015 and remains at Crewe, stripped for parts. 92033 Railway Heritage Trust – Caledonian Sleeper Originally named Berlioz under SNCF, 92033 spent its early years on Dollands Moor, Wembley, and Daventry services before storage in 2006. Transferred to Europorte 2 in 2011, it returned to the UK in 2014 for reliability upgrades at Brush. Released in 2015 in plain teal with Caledonian Sleeper branding, it was central to Serco’s launch of the new contract. In 2018, it returned for Dellner coupler fitment to work with CAF Mk.5 coaches. In May 2022, it was dedicated to the Railway Heritage Trust at a ceremony at London Euston, though only temporary vinyl nameplates were applied. The Model The Class 92 was our second-ever Accurascale locomotive, arriving in late 2022. Development was a major challenge, but our Dysons proved a huge success. Since then, we’ve taken on board customer feedback and implemented subtle but important improvements for this second batch: Grille detailing – The visible PCB behind the etched grilles has been replaced with added depth, creating a 3D effect and hiding electronics. Etched “Polo Mints” – These iconic embellishments are now properly etched, supplied with printed templates to aid fitting. Bogies – Additional refinements have been added for extra realism. Sound – A brand-new in-house sound project is being developed, replacing the original file kindly provided by Legomanbiffo which was developed for our friends at Revolution Trains. Priced at £229.95 DC/DCC Silent Fitted and £299.95 DCC sound fitted. Our DC/DCC Silent Fitted will have a programmed ESU Lokpilot decoder fitted as standard to operate the raising and lowering pantographs as well as the other lighting functions offered on our Class 92 from the factory. It will also operate seamlessly on DC for traditional power users. Delivery is slated for Q4 2026 and pre-orders can now be placed via your local stockist, or direct via the link below, where you can avail of flexible payment options at no extra cost, and indeed avail of your accurascale points off future direct purchases. Pre-order today! Pre-Order Your Class 92 Here! View the full article

LET'S SAVE THE LAST BUBBLE! Hi everyone, Our friends at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway have been offered the unique chance to save the last remaining cement bubble wagon, a true icon of Irish rail freight, and we want to help them! To save it they need to raise cash quickly to pay for its transportation to Downpatrick and begin its restoration. This is where we can come together and work to preserve this unique piece of Irish transport history. We pledge to donate £5 from every pack of cement bubble wagons we sell between now at the end of this month to the preservation effort. So, you get a wonderful pack of bubbles (due in stock next month!) AND play your part in saving this special wagon for future generations. Pre-order your pack here to get saving this slice of Irish built railway history. Time is running out for her: https://www.accurascale.com/collections/irish-cement-bubbles Cheers! Fran

Our Class 92s are back by popular demand! And what better way to bring them back to modellers than to introduce an Accurascale Exclusive to raise further funds for an excellent cause? As you may know, our Class 66s are on the high seas, including 66190 in DB red which is our charity fundraiser for Martin House Children's Hospice. Well, since the folks at DB Cargo were so sporting in naming 66091 "accurascale" for our charity work, we decided to see if we can raise even more money for their chosen charity! So, time to unveil 92029 in DB Red, which worked a fundraising railtour for the charity Loco History Named for Dante Alighieri, the famed Italian writer of the Divine Comedy, which tells the fictional story of the author’s journey through hell, the palindromic No. 92029 "Dante" was released from Brush at Loughborough in March 1995 for testing but would not be officially allocated to Crewe IEMD until six months later. Like most of its EWS-owned colleagues it was rarely used to its full capabilities and its first decade of action was regularly interrupted by periods of store. In October 2008, by which time it had gained the large EWS sticker, it was sidelined for longer than usual and it didn’t return to an active pool until July 2013, several years after the DB Schenker takeover. In 2013-4 it was also seconded to Direct Rail Services for several stints on the operator’s key intermodal services, while April 2015 saw it stored for its second long time out. In 2016 it had a brush with export as DB lined it up for a transfer to Eastern Europe, although this was subsequently cancelled. Three years later, re-activation work commenced but due to other priorities at its home depot this was not completed until June 2023, and was the first DB ‘92’ to receive similar interference isolation equipment as fitted to the GBRf examples to allow it to return to the WCML under its own power. Following the completion of several test runs it ran to Toton for a repaint, being released in standard DB Cargo ‘Traffic red’. Shortly after on August 27, and still in immaculate condition, it worked the Carlisle-Warrington leg of the Branch Line Society’s ‘Garsdale Growler’ railtour, the second day of a two-day event raising funds for the Martin House Children’s Hospice, complete with headboard.0 It eventually moved to Dollands Moor in the October to take up freight duties on the high speed route to London, although it is still regularly seen south of Crewe on light engine moves, and has even made the odd foray to Carlisle and back to iron out any ‘bugs’. The Model 92029 signals the return of the Class 92 to our range after a short absence, which has seen regular demands for its return. Of course, we haven't rested on our laurels after the first run either ,and have added some further enhancements to the model since run 1, including detail behind the bodyside grilles, bogie detail tweaks, and more! The main Class 92 range will be revealed later this week, but our model of 92029 will join our Accurascale Exclusives line up as we look to raise more money for worthy causes. Whilst we think our Class 66 will be more popular and should hit our target of £10,000, we're not so sure our Class 92 will hit such heady heights, but we'd love to be proved wrong. Commenting on behalf of Martin House, Ross Taylor stated - "We were delighted to team up with Accurascale for the limited edition fundraising model of 66190, as it promises to raise so much for Martin House. We are now buzzing that they've come back to us and want to work with us and DB Cargo again to raise even more money with the Class 92. This money goes a long way towards making a difference in the lives of so many children and their families who are in the midst of some unimaginable situations." Fran Burke, Accurascale Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Sales added - "We are delighted once again to be working with DB Cargo and Martin House to raise even more money for this essential cause. The work the staff at Martin House do is both inspirational and awe inspiring, looking after children who have unimaginable hardships to deal with and making what little time they have left more comfortable. We need to bring as much money as we can to this special charity, and I know our customers will work with us to help Martin House once again." So, it's over to you! What figure will our Class 92 hit for charity? £5k? £10k? More? Get behind it today and let's see what it brings in when it is delivered in Q4 2026! Priced at £229.95 DC/DCC Silent Fitted and £299.95 DCC sound fitted. Our DC/DCC Silent Fitted will have a programmed ESU Lokpilot decoder fitted as standard to operate the raising and lowering pantographs as well as the other lighting functions offered on our Class 92 from the factory. It will also operate seamlessly on DC for traditional power users! Each model will come with the etched Martin House headboard as worn by 92029 on the railtour too, and sound fitted models will feature a new generation sound file. Pre-order yours today, direct only from our website, with part of the proceeds going to a charity that provides family-led hospice care free of charge for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses. Pre-Order Your 92029 Exclusive Charity Model Here! View the full article

As teased last week with our Accurascale Exclusive model of "Lydham Manor" in Great Western lined livery, our Manors are back! We’re delighted to reveal the main range of our Manor locomotives, comprising four new models and featuring some much-requested names that were not included in our first run. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up, along with a glimpse into their operational histories. 7819 Hinton Manor BR Lined Green (late crest) The last Manor to be outshopped from Swindon in lined green (February 1960), following a decade in plain black, No. 7819 Hinton Manor spent its entire career in Wales. It later became a stalwart of the former Cambrian lines during the British Railways period. In its final five years of service, before withdrawal in November 1965, it was allocated to Oswestry, Aberystwyth, and Shrewsbury. A popular choice to haul the Cambrian Coast Express, it was kept in particularly fine condition. In August 1963, it was one of five Manors prepared to immaculate condition for Royal Train duties ahead of the visit of HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to Aberdovey. The following month it was further decorated with white-painted embellishments, including buffer heads, lamp irons, and smokebox door strapping. Fortunately, No. 7819 was one of eight members of the class to survive a trip to the scrapyard, being rescued from Woodham Brothers, Barry Island, in January 1973. Restored to action in 1977 on the Severn Valley Railway, it returned to the main line in 1985 for the Great Western 150 celebrations, later starring in British Rail’s Cardigan Bay Express services in 1987. It last steamed in 1994 and is now a static exhibit at Highley on the SVR. 7822 Foxcote Manor BR Lined Green (late crest) The most requested number/livery combination for our second run, No. 7822 Foxcote Manor was the second of the British Railways 78XX locomotives built, entering service at Oswestry in December 1950. It received lined green exactly seven years later, following a short stint in plain black at Chester, before spending most of its career on the Cambrian lines at Oswestry, Machynlleth, and Shrewsbury. Another member of the famed Royal Train quintet prepared under Oswestry shed foreman A.E. Swannick in August 1963, it regularly hauled the Cambrian Coast Express to and from Aberystwyth, as well as undertaking passenger, parcels, milk, and freight duties. Withdrawn in November 1965 during the major cull of the class, it was one of ten Manors to go that year, leaving only two in traffic. Happily, it was saved by the Foxcote Manor Society in January 1975 after nearly a decade at Barry scrapyard. Following a decade at Oswestry, restoration was completed at the Llangollen Railway, with the locomotive returning to traffic in April 1988. Withdrawn from service again in August 2023, it is now at Tyseley undergoing a major overhaul. 7825 Lechlade Manor BR Lined Black (early crest) Named after a Victorian country house in Gloucestershire near the Oxfordshire border, No. 7825 Lechlade Manor is presented in its original delivery scheme: the infamous lined black “Riddles’ Revenge” livery. This nickname reflected the irony of a Great Western-designed locomotive wearing a scheme inspired by the London & North Western Railway. Yet the lined black suited the elegantly proportioned 78XXs well and is, in some circles, regarded more highly than the later lined green. Unlike our first-run release, No. 7820 Dinmore Manor, which carried red-backed plates, No. 7825 is depicted with the more common black-backed name and number plates. Completed at Swindon in December 1950, its first allocation was Croes Newydd, Wrexham. It was the last Manor to remain in lined black, repainted only in April 1956 following a heavy general overhaul at Carmarthen. After two years at Neyland (1961–63), it spent its final months at Reading before being withdrawn in May 1964, after just 13 and a half years and around 450,000 miles of service. Sent to Birds of Risca for scrapping, it was dismantled just three months later in August 1964, with no chance of preservation. 7828 Odney Manor BR Lined Green (late crest) Another Manor that spent its BR career exclusively in Wales, No. 7828 Odney Manor is unusual in being one of two named after houses that never actually existed. While No. 7808 Cookham Manor was named after a historic estate, the supposed Odney Manor in Berkshire was in fact known as Lullebrook Manor. Entering traffic at Neath in December 1950, No. 7828 soon transferred to Shrewsbury. In December 1951, it lost its lined black for plain black following overhaul at Wolverhampton, but in July 1956 it became the very first Manor to receive lined green – a livery reminiscent of the GWR’s classic pre-war style. Later allocated to Croes Newydd and Aberystwyth, it returned to Shrewsbury in January 1965 for its final ten months before withdrawal that October. Rescued from Barry scrapyard in 1981, it was restored on the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Railway and steamed again in 1987. Transferred to the West Somerset Railway in 1995, it briefly carried the name Norton Manor (2011–18) in honour of 40 Commando at Norton Fitzwarren. Now restored to its original name, and paired with newly rebuilt Churchward tender T2061, it continues to operate in lined green as a regular performer on the WSR. The Model Building on the success of our first run of Manor locomotives—our very first steam-outline models—we’ve listened closely to feedback from modellers and implemented further improvements. One key upgrade is the redesigned speaker system on sound-fitted versions. With a completely re-engineered sound chamber, performance and clarity are now better than ever. Delivery of the Manors will commence in Q4 2026, priced at £189.99 (DC/DCC Ready) and £289.99 (DCC Sound fitted). Pre-order your Manor directly via the link below, or through your local stockist. Pre-Order Your Manor Here! View the full article

What’s the model we’re most asked about at shows when it comes to reruns? Is it the Class 37? No. Is it the Deltics? Again, no! It’s actually the Caledonian Sleepers (more on those very soon!)—but just behind them, it’s our much-loved 78xx Manors! We’re delighted to confirm that they’re back! Our main range of Manors will be revealed next week, but first we can announce our latest “Accurascale Exclusives” model, available only direct from our website: 7827 Lydham Manor in Great Western lined livery! Locomotive History Described as the ‘flagship’ of the Dartmouth Steam Railway, ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 No. 7827 Lydham Manor was one of five members of the class to be prepared to work the Royal Train and associated empty stock duties in August 1963 as well as being the first of the ex-Barry Island 78XXs to return to steam, having only been preceded by No. 7808 Cookham Manor, which was sold to preservationists in full working order. Withdrawn in October 1965, it was just the fifth locomotive to leave Woodham Brothers’ scrapyard in South Wales. On 13 June 1970 it was moved to Newton Abbot for restoration, hauled first by Class 37 No. 6879 and then ‘Warship’ No. 856 Trojan. The British Railways-built Manor returned to steam in March 1973, making its first solo runs on the Dartmouth’s newly acquired Torbay Steam Railway (later renamed the DSR) between Paignton and Kingswear on 27 April 1973. Despite being delivered almost two years after the Great Western Railway was nationalised, No. 7827 entered preservation in the iconic pre-1934 fully lined green livery with “GREAT WESTERN” on the tender—despite the class never officially carrying this scheme. The pre-war batch had been turned out in plain green with no lining and the ‘shirtbutton’ monogram. Nevertheless, the sight delighted hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers who enjoyed haulage behind the locomotive for four decades, until it was repainted into its as-delivered lined black in 2011. Withdrawn again in 2020, it underwent a lengthy overhaul at Churston and triumphantly returned to service in 2024, resplendent in lined British Railways green as the pride of the DSR fleet. The Model Building on the success of our first run of these wonderful locomotives—our very first steam-outline models—we’ve listened closely to feedback from modellers and made further improvements. One key upgrade is the redesigned speaker system on sound-fitted versions. Thanks to a completely reengineered sound chamber, performance and clarity are now better than ever. As with all Accurascale Exclusive releases, 7827 will come with special presentation packaging and certificate. Price: £189.99 (DC/DCC Ready) or £289.99 (DCC Sound fitted) Arrival: Q4 2026 Limited production run You can pre-order today with no deposit until arrival in stock, or spread the cost over up to 12 months using our part-payment service—at no extra cost! Pre-Order Your Lydham Manor Here! View the full article

Hi folks, The unfitted H Vans have arrived and pre-orders are being prepared as we speak. Meanwhile the rest of the stock is now available to buy here: https://www.accurascale.com/en-ie/collections/irm-wagons?filter.p.m.Freight.Type=Van These were everywhere, so you really do need some! Cheers! Fran

After the massive excitement over our first run of Class 60s arriving in stock, followed by the unveiling of the exclusive models that will feature in run 2, including our charity fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust, we are delighted to show the four main range models which complete run 2! There are some workaday locos in there to compliment your working fleets, including the one triple grey variant missing from run 1, along with another one-off livery on 60074! Yes, that's right! We are doing two 60074s in this production run! Check out all the main range below! 60019 The nineteenth Class 60 completed was made available for collection on 19th October 1990 (along with sister locomotive 60018). However, 60019 was only the third loco allocated to general traffic, as numbers 60001–60016 were used for testing, commissioning, and training. Carrying Construction sector decals and the name “Wild Boar Fell,” the locomotive moved south to work from Hither Green Depot in southeast London. In 1995, it came under the control of Mainline Freight and had its Construction sector markings replaced with the “wheels” logo of Mainline, though it retained the triple-grey colours of BR Railfreight. When all the Class 60s passed to the new EW&S Railway company, the livery was still undecided. This is why 60022 was outshopped in undercoat. 60019 followed shortly afterwards, by which time the now-familiar maroon and gold house colours had been chosen, albeit not fully refined. As the first Class 60 to carry EW&S livery, it displayed some unique features compared with later repaints—such as gold-coloured cab vents, a split-height cantrail, and a lower reflective strip that wrapped around the ends—making it an interesting subject for modellers. In 2003, it was renamed “Pathfinder Tours” to commemorate the railtour operator’s 30th anniversary. Still in full EW&S livery, albeit increasingly workworn, it remained in service until 2011 when 60019 was selected for the DB Schenker “Super 60” programme. Emerging on 20th July 2012 in Traffic Red DB Schenker livery, it later gained its third name, “Port of Grimsby and Immingham.” During 2017, following the transition from DB Schenker to DB Cargo, the “Schenker” part of the logo was removed from the bodyside. The locomotive continued to work almost until the end of DB’s Class 60 operations but was stored at Toton in 2023, where it remains today. 60047 On 4th March 1991, the latest pair of Class 60s were collected from Brush Traction in Loughborough. Originally allocated to the coal sector, 60047 carried the name “Robert Owen”, after the Welsh textile manufacturer, philanthropist, and founder of the co-operative movement. The locomotive was initially based at Stewarts Lane in Battersea, London. When the BR sectors gave way to the shadow franchises, 60047 became part of the Transrail fleet. It didn’t remain in Transrail condition for long, as it was an early recipient of the maroon and gold EW&S livery in 1996. 60047 stayed in this condition until it was placed into secure storage at Crewe Diesel Depot in 2010. A requirement for more heavy freight locomotives saw Colas Rail purchase the locomotive in 2014. It was restored at Toton and outshopped in the striking yellow and orange house colours of Colas Railfreight. In 2018, the fleet of ten Colas 60s was transferred to GBRf, who began a programme of repaints to bring the locomotives in line with the rest of their fleet. Those awaiting repaint had their “Colas” branding removed but retained the word “Railfreight” on the bodysides. Currently, 60047 is one of the last Class 60s still running in this condition for GBRf. 60051 On 22nd March 1991, another pair of Class 60s was made ready for collection, including 60051, which carried Petroleum sector decals. The locomotive was named after the Scottish scientist “Mary Somerville.” Initially based at Cardiff Canton Depot in South Wales, 60051 was unusual in that it kept its Petroleum sector markings right through the shadow franchise period. It was later painted directly into the second variation of EWS livery in 1997. An early casualty, 60051 was stored at Toton in April 2010, where it remains to this day. 60074 60074 was outshopped from Brush Works in Loughborough on 29th October 1991. Following convention, the factory applied the nameplates from new, and in this case it carried the name “Braeriach,” after the third-highest mountain in the British Isles. Allocated to the Trainload Coal sector, denoted by the black and yellow diamonds logo on its bodyside, the locomotive was assigned to Toton Depot. However, it never carried the Cooling Towers depot plaque; instead, its allocation was shown under the driver’s window as a small sticker. Under the shadow franchises, 60074 became part of the Mainline fleet, retaining its triple-grey livery but with the Mainline logo replacing the previous sector design. This guise lasted right through the EWS era until 2005, when the EWS “beasties” sticker was applied to its now-tatty triple-grey bodyside. As part of a charity partnership between DB Schenker (then the owner) and the Teenage Cancer Trust, 60074 was selected for repainting into a striking light-blue livery, with details on the underframe and buffers picked out in white. On 1st March 2009, at the National Railway Museum in York, the locomotive was unveiled in its new colours by actor Chris Chittell and named “Teenage Spirit.” In 2011, 60074 was chosen for refurbishment under the “Super 60” programme and re-emerged in January 2012 in a refreshed light-blue livery. Notably, this version included body-coloured window frames. Sadly, in September 2014, the blue livery gave way to the DB Schenker house colours of Traffic Red with a grey band and roof, along with DB Schenker branding on the bodysides. At this time, the nameplates were removed for safekeeping. In 2018, the DB Schenker branding was simplified to just “DB Cargo.” This lasted until 2020, when 60074 received another special livery: an all-over grey with “Puma Energy” branding and the new name “Luke.” Following the full storage of DB Cargo’s Class 60 fleet, 60074 remains in warm storage at Toton, awaiting the next chapter in its operational life. The Full Range, Price And Availability With our four main-range locomotives—alongside our charity fundraising special and the Key Model World/Hornby Magazine limited edition—we’re offering a comprehensive selection of locomotives, including variants not seen for many years. Adding our undercoat "ghost" livery, Puma Energy edition, and the special DCR/Cappagh livery designed in-house, we’re also introducing Class 60 versions that have never before been available in model form. As with our exclusives announced last week, the main range price remains frozen from Run 1: starting at just £169.95 for DC/DCC-ready models and £269.95 for DCC Sound variants. All models are scheduled for release in Q4 2026. Pre-order your main-range locomotive directly through our website or via your local stockist. You can browse the full range and pre-order using the link below—with no upfront payment—or spread the cost through instalments at no extra charge. Not found what you’re looking for, or don’t want to wait that long? Run 1 Class 60s are in stock now—click here to browse available locomotives! Browse Class 60 Run 2 and Pre-Order Here! View the full article

Now, what have we here? Did we forget to paint our latest Class 60 exclusive? What’s going on, Accurascale?? Well, no, we didn’t. But we did want to bring you something different with our latest Accurascale Exclusive – something never before done in model form. Yesterday, we revealed 60099 in its new DC Railfreight livery, and today we present 60022 in its undercoat livery – just as it appeared while EWS were still deciding which livery to adopt for their new operation. Loco History (Prototype pics - Douglas Johnson) On 7th December 1990, 60022 was collected from the Brush Electrical Machines works in Loughborough and took its first steps onto BR metals. Named “Ingleborough” after the Yorkshire Dales mountain, it carried Trainload Freight Metals sector branding. Although it never received a depot plaque, it was allocated to Thornaby depot in the North East of England. During the transition from the shadow franchise era to EWS ownership, 60022 became unique in its class by being outshopped in primer and entering traffic in this unfinished state. This was because the final EWS livery had not yet been decided, but the locomotive was urgently needed for service. It featured primer-grey bodysides, a few black-painted details, numbers and warning flashes – and nothing more! 60022 thus joined a very small club of “ghost” locomotives across Classes 37, 56, 58, and 60. Whilst some of these “ghost locos” were quickly repainted into the maroon and gold EWS livery, 60022 remained in its distinctive state for around 14 months. It skipped the original EW&S branding entirely, instead later receiving the EWS lettering and the famous “three beasties” logo on the cab side. This lasted until 12th December 2009, when the locomotive was stored at Toton with major engine faults. There it remained until June 2022, when it was finally “roaded” out of Toton and returned to its birthplace – the former Brush Traction works, now operated by UK Rail Leasing. 60022 was subsequently acquired as part of the spares pool for the DCR/Cappagh fleet of Class 60s, and today it still stands alongside the former No. 25 shop, awaiting the next chapter in its story. The Model The “ghost” livery was seen on a handful of diesel locomotives around the early privatisation period, but it has never been offered before as a ready-to-run model. With 60022 surviving in this striking condition for over a year, it was the perfect candidate to debut the livery in model form! The undercoat scheme really emphasises the heft and crispness of our Class 60 tooling, making its fine detail stand out all the more. It’s also ideal for customisation projects such as weathering. As part of our Accurascale Exclusives range, 60022 will come in special presentation packaging – with a little something rather “Helter Skelter” about its collectability. Priced from just £169.99, these very special locomotives will arrive in stock alongside the rest of Run 2 in Q4 2026. Pre-order yours below – exclusively direct from Accurascale – and keep an eye out for the main range announcements next week! Pre-Order Your Ghost Class 60 Here! View the full article

With our first production run of the Class 60 now delivered—and stock levels dwindling fast—we have already turned our attention to Run 2 to satisfy demand for our “Mountain Movers!”. Following last week’s launch of our latest charity fundraising model, 60074 for Teenage Cancer Trust at Making Tracks, and the limited edition 60040 Territorial Army Centenary with Hornby Magazine, focus now shifts to the first of two all-new “Accurascale Exclusive” models. And what better choice than a livery we designed for the real railway? Click Here, to see how we worked with DC Rail Freight to develop this striking new livery, and read on to see a detailed history of 60099. 60099 History 1992 proved a turbulent year for the introduction of the Class 60. As the final locomotives were being assembled at Brush Traction, Loughborough, modifications and lessons learned from earlier builds were still being implemented. Their entry into service was far from smooth, with British Rail Trainload Freight pushing a punishing delivery schedule. Late deliveries ultimately led to British Rail lodging a claim for liquidated damages, with the final four locomotives unofficially impounded by Brush until settlement. 60099 was completed in 1992 but not handed over to BR until 15 December that year—almost 12 months late. It entered traffic in Railfreight triple grey with construction sector markings, carrying the name Ben More Assynt. Initially allocated to Toton TMD in Nottinghamshire, 60099 worked stone trains across the UK. During shadow privatisation it became part of the Mainline fleet, losing its construction markings in favour of the Mainline “wheels” logo. This lasted a decade until replaced by EWS “beasties” logos, which adorned its now-aged triple grey paintwork. Reallocated to Thornaby depot, 60099 hauled a wide variety of freight across northern England. Its next chapter saw it selected as one of two “test bed” locomotives for DB Schenker’s “Super 60” overhaul programme. While 60011 underwent electrical upgrades, 60099 received mechanical modifications. It was never a full “Super 60”, but the most notable change came when DB Schenker painted it in a bold Tata Steel livery: full silver bodysides with a red lower band. When freshly applied, it looked spectacular. However, by Christmas 2015, 60099 was placed into storage and would not work for DB again. Fortunes changed in 2022 when DC Rail Freight acquired 60099 as part of a deal for several Class 60s. Hauled by DCR stalwart 60029, it was moved from Toton to UK Rail Leasing’s Leicester site for storage and assessment. Considered one of the better locomotives in the batch, 60099 was called to the UKRL workshops (in the former Brush Traction buildings) in April 2024 for overhaul. Now, 60099 emerges as the newest member of the Class 60 fleet, wearing a distinctive livery co-developed by Accurascale, DC Rail Freight, and Cappagh. Significantly, it is the first Class 60 to undergo a heavy overhaul away from Toton. UKRL deserves commendation for the outstanding quality of the work—returning another “mountain mover” to the rails. The Model Working closely with DCR, Cappagh, and UKRL, we contributed to the final stages of 60099’s return to service. We designed its livery to highlight the locomotive’s historic overhaul away from Toton, blending DC Rail Freight and Cappagh house colours with the classic BR Railfreight livery as devised by Roundel design. This nods to the heritage of the Class 60 while celebrating a new beginning. Complete with distinctive cab ends and a depot plaque, 60099 looks resplendent in its new guise. As a thank you, DC Rail Freight has granted Accurascale exclusive rights to produce this livery on 60099—a gesture we deeply appreciate. Soon to depart Loughborough for testing and a return to mainline service, 60099 will make an imposing sight on the real railway, while our model will deliver the same impact on layouts nationwide. Supplied in special presentation packaging, as with all Accurascale Exclusives, this release is set to be something truly special. Pre-order now via the link below, with no deposit required or through monthly instalments between now and delivery in Q4 2026. Priced from just £169.99, it proves once again that Accurascale offers realistic models at realistic prices—unavailable anywhere else. Pre-Order Your Class 60099 Right Here! View the full article

We spend much of our working week replicating liveries from the real railways on our artwork. Meticulous attention to detail and research is undertaken to get the colours, lettering and positioning correct on the model to give you the best possible replica in miniature. However, recently something different happened. We actually got the chance to design a livery for the real railway! Thanks to the Cappagh Group, DC Rail and UKRL, we were able to work on designing an actual livery for their next 60 to be outshopped from Loughborough. 60099 is a special 60 in the DC Rail story, so it needed a special suit to wear. Our Class 60 Project Manager, Steve Purves, takes up the story on the role we got to play in creating a special 60! Take it away, Steve! "It has always been clear to me that the rebirth of 60099 would mark an important milestone, not only for DCR but also for the engineering resource at UKRL and for the class 60 story as a whole. This project has produced essentially the first class 60 "super" exam away from those undertaken by DB Schenker over 10 years ago. "Our class 60 project owes a debt of gratitude to both DCR and UKRL for accommodating us at each an every stage, from 3D scan to Launch video, our 60 wouldn't be what it is today without their help. "A conversation with David Fletcher over 60099's new livery led to an offer of help from us, in short, we could rapidly mock up livery ideas to help visualise this bold new look, and, working with David, he and I batted ideas back and forth like some kind of email tennis! "What started out as a traditional DCR Grey locomotive with a few embellishments such as the depot plaque, the design evolved over a matter of weeks to blend both identifies of DCR and the Cappagh group. "Some highlights were added, the bodyside stripe to separate the colours and the "trainload freight" style cab ends as a nod to their heritage and we reached something that we could all agree "looked right". "Amid much secrecy, the design was approved and the only piece of the puzzle missing was a complete 60099 to put it on! "It has been my absolute pleasure to work with the paintshop team at UKRL to see something I had sketched on our Accurascale class 60 line drawings appear on a full size locomotive and testament to the accuracy of the model that they have transposed exactly without issue! Its also very humbling for me as a lifelong fan of class 60 to play an albeit tiny role in their next chapter. "Our model artwork of 60099 was submitted to the factory many months ago and as a result we are extremely proud to show off the model which the real thing copied!" Our friends at Cappagh group have been brilliant in helping us create the ultimate Class 60 in 4mm scale, and their Head of Rail, David Fletcher tells the story of how our input came about: "The reinstatement of Class 60 no. 60099 is a significant moment for DCRail as we increase the fleet of locomotives to meet growing customer demand for our bulk freight services. "We thought it would be appropriate to mark the occasion with a standout livery for what we expect will the first of several additional Class 60 locomotives to join the operational fleet. "We were very pleased to work with Accurascale on the development of the livery and, in particular, we would like to thank Steve Purves for his enthusiasm to produce the finished result. "We felt it was important that the livery recognised the cooperation and relationship between DCRail and the wider Cappagh Group to provide integrated supply chain solutions to the construction Industry. "Alongside looking to the future, we also wanted to recognise the significance of the reinstatement works taking place at UKRL Loughborough, where the locomotive was built by Brush. We have also incorporated some features from the original livery such as works plates, diamond crests, and cab window surrounds in black. "We hope both the prototype and it's 4mm replica prove to be very popular and standout wherever they are seen. Thank you to Steve and the team at Accurascale for all your assistance." As a special thank you from Cappagh Group, they have given us the exclusive rights to make 60099 in this Accurascale designed livery! Each locomotive will come in special presentation packaging as part of the Accurascale Exclusives range, and is only available direct via our website! Pre-order your 60099 for delivery in Q4 2026 from just £169.99 via the link below! Pre-Order 60099 Here! View the full article

Hi Bob, There will in the coming weeks. It's been a most painful process but headway has finally been made. Apologies to everyone waiting on this, but we are working hard to deliver what will be a top drawer model not seen in OO gauge before when it comes to tech. Thanks, Fran

It's not, but it doesn't get unveiled until we sell some more ICRs, Hunslets and 800s first! they pay for each other which pays for the C....

Hi Tom, We can certainly do that. If you email us with your order numbers we can help you out there. Thanks, Fran

We would like to inform you of an important change affecting shipments to the United States. First and foremost, we fully understand that the current tariff situation with the U.S. remains fluid and subject to change. We want our U.S.-based customers to continue enjoying our models, and we encourage you to place and maintain pre-orders regardless of the current landscape. When your model comes into stock, you can assess the prevailing tariff conditions at that time and cancel your order if necessary. For those who are not aware, the US government has suspended the ‘De Minimis’ tariff exemptions which covered many goods entering the US valued below $800 USD. We do not collect any applicable taxes and tariffs when you place orders with us direct, and we do not intend to change this. Taxes and tariffs remain your responsibility to pay, and the shipper will contact you to collect these costs prior to delivery. In the meantime, we have an important update regarding future shipping procedures: Effective August 29, 2025, USPS will require all international shipments entering its network to have U.S. customs duties prepaid. Unfortunately, this new regulation places a significant administrative burden on both our team and our warehouse provider. As a result, we will no longer be able to offer shipping via Royal Mail or FedEx International Connect (FIC), as both rely on the USPS network for final delivery. Going forward, we will continue to ship to the United States using DHL and FedEx Express on a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis. These carriers are equipped to manage customs clearance and will collect any applicable import duties directly from the recipient upon delivery. Please note that these courier services are more expensive than Royal Mail. Therefore, shortly before your pre-ordered item arrives at our warehouse, we will contact you to confirm whether you would like to: Proceed with shipping via DHL or FedEx at an additional cost; or Cancel your order for a full refund. We understand that this situation may be frustrating and truly appreciate your patience and understanding. While this change may be inconvenient, we believe it is in our customers’ best interest to wait for further updates, as regulatory decisions may still evolve in the coming months. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. View the full article

Every year, we set out to support a wonderful cause through the world of model trains—with you, the modeller and our valued customer—at the heart of it all. Together, we’ve raised thousands of pounds for both railway preservation projects and other charitable causes that provide essential services to people across the UK, all through our special edition models. In the past, we’ve raised funds for Prostate Cancer UK, The Samaritans, and soon for Martin House Children’s Hospice, thanks to special edition models of our Class 66. Now, it's time to choose another locomotive from our range, link it with a worthy charity, and raise even more for another fantastic cause: Teenage Cancer Trust. So, without further ado, we’re proud to unveil our charity locomotive for 2026: 60074 in Teenage Cancer Trust/DB Schenker livery! The Charity Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people aged 13–24 who are diagnosed with cancer—and for their loved ones. They deliver the sensitive, personalised care these young people need during the most challenging time of their lives, helping them to get through cancer, rebuild their lives, and shape their futures. Once again, we extend a sincere thank you to the Railnuts team and Pete Waterman, who hosted the launch of this charity model on their layout at Chester Cathedral! Check out the video below. The Real Locomotive 60074 was outshopped from Brush Works in Loughborough on 29th October 1991. As was customary for the Class 60s, it received its nameplates from new. 60074 was named Braeriach, after the third-highest mountain in the British Isles. Initially, it was allocated to the Trainload Coal sector, indicated by the black and yellow diamonds logo on its bodyside. Though allocated to Toton depot, it never carried the cooling towers depot plaque; instead, a small sticker under the driver’s window displayed the allocation. During the shadow franchises, 60074 became part of the Mainline fleet, retaining its triple grey livery with the Mainline logo replacing the previous sector branding. This look persisted into the EWS era, until 2005, when an EWS “Beasties” sticker was applied to the now-worn triple grey bodyside. In a 2009 charity partnership between DB Schenker (the owners at the time) and Teenage Cancer Trust, 60074 was repainted in an eye-catching light blue livery, with underframe and buffer details picked out in white. It was unveiled on 1st March 2009 at the National Railway Museum in York by actor Chris Chittell, and renamed Teenage Spirit. In 2011, it was selected for refurbishment under the “Super 60” programme and re-emerged in early 2012 with a refreshed version of the blue livery—this time featuring body-coloured window frames. This is the version we’ve chosen to replicate with our model. Sadly, in September 2014, 60074 returned to the paint shop. The iconic blue gave way to DB Schenker’s Traffic Red livery, with a grey band and roof, and the Teenage Spirit nameplate was removed and stored for safekeeping. In 2018, the DB Schenker branding was replaced with the simpler “DB” logo of DB Cargo, before being repainted once more in 2020 into a striking all-over grey livery featuring PUMA Energy branding and renamed Luke. Following the withdrawal of the DB Cargo Class 60s, 60074 now remains in warm storage at Toton, awaiting its next operational chapter. The Model Building on the success of our first production run of the all-new Class 60, 60074 marks the second announcement from our upcoming second run—arriving in late 2026. It will feature the same unrivalled specification as the current release and will be available to pre-order on our website at the same great price—£169.99 (DC/DCC Ready) and £269.99 (DCC Sound Fitted)—thanks to our price freeze! As with all our charity exclusives, it will come with special presentation packaging, certificates, and—most importantly—raise vital funds for charity. Our goal is to raise a minimum of £10,000, but with your support and this spectacular model, we’re confident we can go even further. So, what do you think? Fancy adding one of our mountain movers to your collection and supporting a brilliant cause at the same time? Pre-order yours below and show your support for the Teenage Cancer Trust! Pre-order Your Charity Class 60 Here! View the full article

The conveyor belt of new models continues at Accurascale! In recent months, we’ve been flat out with deliveries of the all-new Class 31, Class 50, our J67/68/69 ‘Buckjumper’ steam locomotives, Class 60 and Class 89. Phew! But what about existing models in their next production cycle — like the Class 66? Well, there's good news there too! We've just received production samples for review ahead of delivery. We’re delighted to report that this latest batch of locomotives matches the quality, robustness, and solidity of our first production run of “sheds.” The factory has absolutely nailed the paint finishes, and the tooling enhancements for our former Euro Sheds are looking very impressive indeed! With just a few minor tweaks requested, the factory is now well underway in perfecting the ultimate Class 66 in OO gauge. Once complete, they’ll be packed and shipped to the UK. We anticipate they will ship in early September and arrive at our warehouse by late October. This run includes our limited edition model for Hornby Magazine — 66794 — as well as our Accurascale Exclusive of 66793, and our charity fundraising model of 66190 "Martin House Children's Hospice." With your help, we aim to raise £10,000 through sales of this special model! You can pre-order your Class 66 via your local Accurascale stockist or directly using the link below. Be warned — some running numbers have already sold out, and others are getting close! Pre-Order Your Class 66 Here! View the full article

Email in from Murphy Models to his retailers includes this. Just passing on info.

1. Paddy Murphy has told me. We have an employee in Hong Kong who is helping him with his enquiries. 2. The 141s were made in a different factory and were delivered before this carry on emerged. It will of course affect any new Murphy Models projects going forwards as you can no longer perhaps trust the factory and have to move CAD, or tools. Having done this ourselves I can assure you it's an unbelievable pain in the bollocks which costs you money, time and deferred earnings. 3. This stinks to high heaven sadly and is a question of morals as well as legality.

The design is Paddy's intellectual property, as is his branding. Both are being used here to sell something that has not been paid for by Murphy Models. When you give the go ahead to a factory you enter a contract with them with the specified a set amount you want delivered to you. This is made using your moulds that you own. Anything after that is sold is in breach of that contract, and just unethical. This is certainly a factory that we will never use. I find it in bad taste personally, especially when you see the RPSI special in there. A limited edition model made to raise funds for them. You can bet that not one penny of these models will support Irish preservation. I know Paddy himself is very upset about this. The trust is broken with a factory, which will now delay new projects as you probably do not work with them again, so that's how it affects us as modellers. It disrupts the future income of Murphy Models in this manner too. If you care about the hobby, then you wont buy these models.

Our warehouse has been in overdrive with recent deliveries of all-new locomotives here at Accurascale. Hot on the heels of our Class 50 and J67/J68/J69 Buckjumpers, the Class 60s and Class 89s have now arrived within the last few days! But what does the Class 60 sound like? Wonder no more, as we bring you a full sound demonstration video below! You can really hear the power in our recording of 60 029, captured on the mainline hauling a trailing load of 2,500 tons! With demand for the Class 60 and Class 89 so high, we initially brought in the DC/DCC Ready variants of these locomotives. “Why is that?” you may ask. Well, it’s due to recent uncertainty around tariffs imposed by America on exported goods. “Come again!? You can’t blame this on Trump too!” It’s not about blame at all! Facing deadlines to get electronic goods into America before tariffs on Chinese products were imposed, large electronics manufacturers snapped up as many semiconductors as possible, causing a temporary shortage of the components needed for DCC decoders. It’s okay, though — we have enough decoders for our locomotives! They just took longer to arrive than expected. Since the DC/DCC Ready locomotives were completed first, we shipped those out. The good news is that sound-fitted locos for both classes are only a couple of weeks behind and are almost here! Here’s the delivery schedule for the Class 60 and Class 89: Class 60 DC/DCC Ready – All delivered except for the DC Rail Class 60 DCC Sound Fitted – Shipping to direct customers and trade starts Monday, 11th August. This also includes the DC/DCC Ready DC Rail Class 60. Class 89 DC/DCC Ready – Dispatch begins today from both Accurascale and Rails of Sheffield. DCC Sound Fitted – Dispatch begins the week commencing 25th August. Watch out for a sound demonstration of our Class 89 next week! Order your DC/DCC Ready Class 60 for immediate dispatch here! View the full article

As our brand-new Class 60s rolls into stock, we're already looking ahead to our second production run. Our commissioning partner, Hornby Magazine, is also onboard and has commissioned a rather special ‘Tug’ from us! In fact, they’ve gotten rather territorial—having announced 60040 in its special livery to mark the centenary of the Territorial Army! History 60040 rolled out of Brush Works in Loughborough on the 3rd of September 1990. Like all Class 60 locomotives, it received its nameplates from new—in this case, it was to carry the name Brecon Beacons. The locomotive was allocated to the Trainload Construction sector, as denoted by the blue and yellow squares logo on its bodyside. It also received the depot plaques of Battersea and could be seen across the South and Midlands during the BR era. Under the shadow franchises, 60040 became part of the Mainline fleet. It retained its triple grey livery, now featuring the Mainline logo in place of the original sector branding. This guise lasted until EWS entered the scene. In 1996, 60040 became one of the first locomotives to receive a full repaint in the new house colours of maroon and gold, complete with the earlier EW&S lettering. This livery remained until it was selected by DB Schenker for a special makeover. On the 14th of June 2008, at the National Railway Museum in York, 60040 was unveiled in an all-over maroon livery with bold white “Army, Be The Best” lettering on the bodyside. It was also renamed Territorial Army Centenary to commemorate 100 years since the formation of the Territorial Army. This bold new look made it stand out from the rest of the fleet and turned it into a crowd favourite at open days and special events. In 2011, it lost its DB Schenker cab-side branding, before undergoing the “Super 60” refurbishment programme at Toton depot. Unfortunately, this meant the special livery was lost in favour of a repaint into the house colours: Traffic Red with a grey band and roof. Returning to service in 2012, it retained the Territorial Army Centenary nameplate and remained in use until it was placed into storage in 2024 due to high engine hours. The Model Building on the success of our first Class 60 production run, the Key Model World limited edition of 60040 marks the first announcement of Batch 2, which will shortly go into production. As shown in the images above, decorated samples are already in hand and are being refined before sign-off by both Key Model World and our team. The locomotive features the same unrivalled specification as the current production run and will be available to pre-order via the Key Model World website at the same great price of £169.99 (DC/DCC Ready) and £269.99 (DCC Sound Fitted), thanks to our price freeze! Delivery is slated for late 2026. Pre-ordering is open via the link below! Pre-Order Your Limited Edition Class 60 Here! View the full article

We're proud to announce that we've been honoured by DB Cargo UK, who have just named Class 66 locomotive number 66091 “accurascale” at the DB Cargo UK Rail 200 Heritage Weekend, held at Midland Railway - Butterley! 66091 has been named in recognition of our charitable partnership with DB Cargo UK, which sees the two organisations raising £10,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice. This was achieved through the release of a limited-edition model of DB Cargo’s locomotive no. 66190, named in honour of the charity. Participating in the official dedication ceremony were DB’s Chief Transformation and Digitalisation Officer Mike Gray, and renowned media personality and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, representing Accurascale. Waterman’s celebrated “Making Tracks” travelling model railway has helped launch several of our exclusive charity edition models. The 66190 “Martin House Children’s Hospice” model marks the third charity locomotive we have produced, bringing the total raised by the company for various causes to £45,000—thanks to generous support from the railway modelling community and railway operators like DB Cargo UK. In an extraordinary gesture of appreciation, DB Cargo UK has now gone a step further by dedicating a locomotive to us. For the Accurascale team—lifelong railway enthusiasts—this recognition is both a humbling and proud moment. Many of the team grew up admiring the iconic names carried by locomotives, making this dedication a dream come true. Being honoured with a Class 66—an enduring workhorse of DB Cargo UK’s fleet and UK rail freight in general—is especially significant. The dedication marks a deepening relationship between the two companies, which will extend into future model collaborations such as the impending release of the Accurascale Class 60 and other new models. Speaking about the naming, DB’s Chief Transformation and Digitalisation Officer Mike Gray said: “We are delighted with our ongoing collaboration with Accurascale which has raised vital funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, a charity close to both of our hearts. Naming one of our Class 66 locomotives in their honour is a fitting way to recognise the amazing work they do and the quality of the products they produce.” Fran Burke, Director at Accurascale UK, added: “We were truly surprised and humbled when we heard DB Cargo UK intended to name a locomotive after Accurascale. Being invited to their amazing family day at the Midland Railway Centre was also a huge honour. “DB Cargo UK introduced us to the incredible people behind Martin House Children’s Hospice, and we instantly knew we wanted to support them. Raising funds for such a worthwhile cause through model railways is a privilege, and we’re grateful to our customers and supporters for making it possible. “We also want to thank DB Cargo UK for allowing us a touch of railway nostalgia by featuring our logo in the style of classic rail freight depot plaques at each end of the locomotive. To see our name on a real locomotive is beyond what we ever imagined when we entered the UK market seven years ago. It’s deeply inspiring, both as railway enthusiasts and as a company. This milestone cements a fantastic relationship between Accurascale and DB Cargo UK, and we look forward to collaborating on more exciting projects and initiatives in the future.” In addition to the real locomotive, we can confirm that a model of 66091 featuring its new name and bespoke detailing will lead the next run of our Class 66 models. These models will be revealed along with the rest of Class 66 Run 3 in Autumn 2025 and continue to set the benchmark for Class 66s in the model railway market. View the full article

Following our announcement earlier this week about our Accurascale Exclusives RTC Mark 2b twin pack, it's time we revealed our main range production run of BR era (and beyond!) Mark 2b and 2c coaches! This release features a range of new liveries and introduces a long-missing link in the Mark 2 story: the Phase 1 Mark 2c coach. This launch marks the exciting return of our beautifully detailed Mark 2 coaches to the ready-to-run OO gauge market— and allows us to introduce another variant that has never been produced before in ready-to-run format. They serve as ideal companions to our new Class 50, as well as established favourites like the Class 31 and 37. The Prototypes The Phase I Mk.2c retains the basic window layout of the Mk.2b, featuring the large toilet window, but appears with various roof vent configurations: large 'G' style vents, smaller 'GM' vents, or in some cases, the later Mk.2c’s 'Roe-Vac' vents. Our previous Mk.2c release focused on Phase II variants, which were exclusively fitted with 'Roe-Vac' vents and smaller 'air-con' style toilet windows. Unlike the Mk.2b coaches, which were shared between the Western and Eastern Regions, early Mk.2c coaches were initially allocated solely to the London Midland Region. By the 1980s, however, they could be found on every region except the Southern, making them an incredibly versatile option for modellers. As you would expect, our offering is a comprehensive selection in a variety of authentic liveries. Alongside the ever-popular BR Blue/Grey, this run expands coverage of Network SouthEast, InterCity, and TransPennine stock. A standout addition is the striking South Wales & West stock, featuring distinctive dark blue and maroon liveries. South Wales & West Mk.2b/c Coaches Between 1989 and 1993, the introduction of ‘Sprinter’ DMUs across secondary services dramatically reduced the active fleet of Mk.2b and Mk.2c coaches. By 1994, most cross-country, TransPennine, internal Scottish, and Network SouthEast loco-hauled services had transitioned to DMUs, leaving only Mk.2c BSO 9458 in regular BR service—mainly running with Mk.2a stock in North Wales and the North West. In 1996, a reprieve came when the newly formed South Wales & West franchise hired a small fleet of Mk.1 and Mk.2 coaches from Carnforth Railway Restoration Services (CRRES), a West Coast Railways subsidiary. This fleet replaced Regional Railways Mk.2a stock that had been reassigned elsewhere. The leased stock included: Mk.2b TSO 5453/78/91 and Mk.2c BSO 9440 in Regional Railways blue with a thin white pinstripe Mk.2b TSO 5463/87, Mk.2c TSO 5569, and Mk.2c BSO 9448 in West Coast Railways maroon Mk.1 TSO 99318/27/28 were used temporarily during refurbishment Returning to mainline service in summer 1996, based at Rail Express Systems’ Bristol Barton Hill depot, these coaches ran services linking Manchester Piccadilly/Oxford Road, Birmingham New Street–Cardiff Central, Cardiff–Bristol Temple Meads, and Bristol/Westbury–Weymouth. They were primarily hauled by Class 37/4s, with frequent substitutions by Class 37/0s. Following the takeover by Prism Rail's Wales & West franchise in October 1996, the Mk.2b and 2c coaches remained in service until September 1999. They returned again in 2001 under National Express-operated Wales & Borders, serving the Rhymney–Cardiff–Fishguard route until their replacement in 2004 by ex-Virgin air-conditioned stock. Afterward, the coaches returned to Carnforth, with many used in rail tours into the early 2010s. The Model The Phase 1 Mark 2c has never before been offered in ready-to-run form, making this a significant addition to the BR coaching fleet. We once again aim to deliver exceptional fidelity, matching previous Mark 2 runs in terms of detail and build quality. Highlights include: Fully detailed interiors decorated to prototype specifications Working interior lighting powered by track pickup and powerpack capacitors for flicker-free operation Close-coupling mechanisms with NEM pockets Free-rolling metal wheelsets Museum-quality decoration and assembly With over 20 coaches available across a broad selection of formats, liveries, and eras, this release offers excellent opportunities for modellers to expand existing rakes or build new formations behind their favourite diesel and electric locomotives. Models are available for pre-order now via our website and authorised stockists. Prices start from £71.95 with the 10% discount bundle applied when purchasing two or more coaches directly from our website or through participating bundle deal stockists. For you Irish railway fans, particularly those of you fond of NIR operations, keep an eye out for a further Mark 2 announcement later this year. We'd hardly leave you MAROON'ed and give you the BLUEs now, would we?! Delivery is scheduled for Q3 2026. Pre-order yours below today! Pre-Order Your Mark 2 Coaches Here! View the full article

Back by popular demand are our highly acclaimed Mark 2B and Mark 2C coaches, covering variants not included in Run 1. This new release brings fresh liveries never seen before—and of course, offers the perfect pairing for our BR Class 50s, among other classic BR diesel and electric locomotives! Leading this exciting new run is a twin pack of Mark 2B coaches in the iconic Railway Technical Centre (RTC) livery of red, white, and blue, with distinctive yellow ends. "But wait!" you may bellow. "You cheeky chappies have done these very coaches before—as a limited edition!" Well, you’re partly right. These are indeed the same two coaches, but this time they represent a later phase in their RTC service, with various lettering painted out. Primarily used as brake force runners in test trains, the coaches lost their original lettering around 1991/92. Coach ADB 977528 remained in this livery at the Midland Railway Centre at Swanwick Junction until it was recently disposed of. The Model Our RTC Mark 2B coach pair maintains the unbeatable museum-quality and specifications of our existing Mark 2B range, including: Highly detailed OO Gauge / 1:76.2 scale models for 16.5mm track Exceptionally fine exterior rivet detail on roofs and coach ends Separately-applied etched metal and high-fidelity plastic parts, including: Handrails Brake/steam heat pipes ETH cabling and sockets Footsteps Dummy drophead knuckle coupler Roof vents Prism-free glazing Fully detailed underframe with numerous separate parts, pipe runs, and accurate differences between versions The most accurate B4 bogies ever produced, with provision for re-gauging to EM or P4 Blackened RP25.110 profile wheelsets, with: 14.4mm back-to-back measurements 26mm over pinpoints Optional retracted or non-retracted buffer styles Accurate interiors featuring: Characteristic 'winged' headrests Separate metal interior handrails (on brake and corridor vehicles) Fully detailed guard's compartment Correct-height NEM-standard coupling sockets with: Mini tension lock couplers Kinematic close-coupling Easy conversion to alternative NEM-compatible couplers Full Lighting Package Includes: Magnet 'wand'-controlled interior lighting ‘Stay-Alive’ capacitor in all coaches Free-running track pickup These RTC coaches are available only as a twin set, exclusively via our website, delivered in special presentation packaging and complete with a certificate of authenticity. Delivery is scheduled for Q3 2026, alongside the rest of the Mark 2B and 2C range, which we be revealed later this week. The RTC Exclusive Twin Pack is priced at £159.95. Pre-order yours today using the link below! Pre-Order Your RTC Exclusive Twin Pack Here! View the full article

Following the massive demand and numerous requests, it's time we dropped our second run of Class 50s! In addition to the Accurascale Exclusives release featuring the celebrity pair 50007 (which carried 034 on one side) and 50049 in GBRf livery, which we revealed last Thursday, there are four main range locomotives covering the British Rail era of operations. This includes the often-requested Revised Network SouthEast livery and the much-loved “Laira Blue” livery, worn by some members of the class towards the end of their careers on the network. Such is the demand from modellers for their favourite Class 50s in OO gauge that we felt it best to announce this second run of these English Electric classics without delay. Decorated samples of each locomotive are already available, along with a list of enhancements based on feedback from the warmly received first production run. So, let's see what forms our main range! 50019 Ramillies – Laira Blue Named in April 1978 after the Revenge-class battleship that served from 1917–48, 50019 was one of the first six Class 50s to be refurbished in 1980, all being released in standard Rail Blue. It wasn’t until April 1984 that it returned to Doncaster for a large logo repaint, though this was quickly superseded by the colourful Network SouthEast scheme, applied at Laira just over two years later. In February 1989, it was transferred to the departmental DWCA pool. With its NSE livery now obsolete and looking tired, the Plymouth depot repainted it back to BR blue—albeit with a Rail Grey roof and black window surrounds. NSE-sized numbers were applied to the driver's cabside, with double arrows at the other end. The nameplates were retained in their high position and not returned to the centre of the bodyside. This scheme later became known as “Laira Blue” or “Departmental Blue”, and was also briefly applied to 50037 in 1990 and 50008 in 1991. Notably, Ramillies was the only one of the three to gain the DCE flash under the secondman’s window. 50019 was withdrawn with main generator damage in September 1990 while still wearing this paint job. Happily, it was sold to the Class 50 Locomotive Association in May the following year—becoming the second of its type to be preserved. After several years at Eridge on the Spa Valley Railway, it moved to its current home in Dereham on the Mid-Norfolk Railway in May 1998, where it became a key member of the operational fleet, even hauling freight on the 11-mile line. Since 2013, it has been undergoing an extensive overhaul and will return in its classic Laira Blue livery once completed. 50029 Renown – Revised NSE (Dark Blue with West of England Branding) Following the first-run release of 50017—one of the first pair of Class 50s to appear in the original Network SouthEast livery—calls for the later version of the scheme have grown increasingly loud. 50029 Renown was the last of 14 examples to gain the original NSE paint job (in June 1987), which it swapped for the revised darker blue variant in December 1989 at Laira Depot. Named in October 1978 and refurbished in May 1982, 50029 had no idea what colourful future awaited it after being released from Doncaster in the brash large logo livery. It was one of nine members of the class to receive two versions of the “toothpaste” scheme, while 50017 and 50048 received all three! By its final repaint, the look of the revised NSE scheme had become more consistent, with the BR double arrow replaced by the West of England route branding, in line with the new sector identity. Withdrawn in March 1992 with a seized power unit, 50029 was one of the last active members of the class, alongside 50046 Ajax and shortly before 50030 Repulse. Both 50029 and 50030 were later sold to Operation Collingwood—a charity aiming to return locomotives to the main line using modern components while training apprentices. Though the charity collapsed in 2002, the newly formed Renown Repulse Restoration Group secured both locomotives and moved them to Peak Rail at Rowsley. While they were quickly cosmetically restored, neither has yet operated in preservation. Once 50030’s rebuild is complete, 50029 will undergo another cosmetic overhaul while the society considers its future. 50035 Ark Royal – BR Blue Demonstrating the versatility of Accurascale’s Class 50 tooling suite is 50035 Ark Royal, one of just three Class 50s to gain plated headcode panels with sealed beam marker lights in the late 1970s. In January 1978, the 10-year-old locomotive became the first of the newly named “Warship” class to be honoured with nameplates, following the lifting of the embargo on new namings. Ark Royal was named at Plymouth Station by the captain of the Royal Navy flagship, with the BR double arrows relocated to accommodate the large ship’s crests above the nameplates. After several years in this condition and a stint at Old Oak Common, it was repainted in large logo blue at Doncaster in March 1981. A black-roofed variant followed, and in July 1986 it received the original NSE scheme—though not before running several turns in undercoat grey! 50035’s BR career ended in August 1990, and it became the first preserved Class 50 the following April, with the handover performed by NSE Director Chris Green. After restarting in 1992, Ark Royal entered preservation service at the Severn Valley Railway in 1996 and continues to operate there today in classic BR Blue. 50046 Ajax – Large Logo with Grey Roof Ajax, named after the Greek warrior and Leander-class frigate, is perhaps the most famous Class 50 to be scrapped, meeting its end at MC Metals in Glasgow in June 1992. It had donated its low-hour power unit to 50007 in December 1991, after Sir Edward Elgar was sidelined with a generator flashover. Laira-based 50046 had been repainted in large logo livery following refurbishment at Doncaster in 1983, later receiving a black roof at the depot due to the tendency of EE exhausts to quickly stain standard grey. A full repaint followed in May 1987, though red buffer beams were notably omitted. Though allocated to multiple sectors in its later years, 50046 was withdrawn in March 1992. Its legacy lives on—both cabs survive today, the No.1 end with owner Gary Hardings in Cornwall, and the No.2 end at the Plym Valley Railway in Devon. The Model Following the success of the first production run, we're proud to present the second run of its OO gauge Class 50s, driven by sustained customer demand. Improvements have been made based on modeller feedback, including revised packaging and resolution of issues with self-coloured plastic parts—spare parts from the first run remain available free of charge via our website. Specification highlights include: Highly detailed OO scale model, 1:76.2 scale Minimum radius: 438mm (2nd radius set-track) Die-cast metal chassis RP25-110 profile wheels, with options for P4/EM re-gauging Separate etched/plastic details (grabs, steps, wipers, etc.) Etched nameplates and crests (where applicable) Interchangeable printed headcodes, including preservation variants Detailed underframe with pipework and fittings Fully sprung buffers, fine pipework, and screw couplings Kinematic NEM couplers and mini-tension-locks Working radiator fan with speed control DCC Ready (21-pin MTX) or DCC Sound options Performance and Electronics: Five-pole motor with twin flywheels All-wheel drive and pick-up PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power Directional lighting, cab lights, driver’s desk lights Custom dual-speaker setup with Accurathrash bass (DCC Sound) Hall sensor for flange squeal (DCC Sound) Availability & Pricing All models are expected in stock by Q4 2026. To support modellers amid rising living costs, we have frozen pricing at the first-run rates: £189.99 (DC/DCC Ready) £299.99 (DCC Sound-fitted) Order exclusives and main range models at www.accurascale.com, or main range locomotives via Accurascale’s network of local stockists. Pre-order yours today for no money down, or spread the cost over up to 12 months at no extra cost using our partially plans direct! Browse the range and make your pre-orders below. Pre-Order Your Class 50 Here! View the full article