Warbonnet

We’ve built close relationships with a number of preservation groups over the years, and they’ve been invaluable in helping us create our models. From giving us access to measure and scan real locomotives, to recording their sounds and experiencing these incredible machines up close—it’s something we never take for granted. That’s why we always look for ways to work with them whenever we can. Together—with your help—we raise funds to keep these expensive ladies running. We’re back again with another special Class 37, aiming to raise as much as possible to support the real locomotives we all love. You’ve already seen this with our recent SRPS announcement, and now we’re partnering with our friends at the Heavy Tractor Group once again. This time, we’re recreating 37714 in near-original condition as D6724, finished in 1960s condition BR Green with small yellow panels. Locomotive History Built at English Electric’s Vulcan Foundry in August 1961, D6724 was initially allocated to 31B March, before moving to 30A Stratford the following month. It became a dependable member of the depot for five years, working a wide range of duties including passenger services, the Manchester–Harwich ‘boat’ train, parcels, and freight. By the mid-1960s, now fitted with small yellow warning panels, newer locomotives began displacing Stratford’s fleet. D6724 returned to March in August 1966, before moving between depots for several years. In February 1974, it transferred to Thornaby and was renumbered 37024 under TOPS. A major collision in 1980 led to plated nose doors at both ends. Aside from a short loan to Cardiff Canton in 1981, it remained a steady Eastern Region locomotive until May 1987, when it moved north to Motherwell and Eastfield. In October 1988, following refurbishment at BREL Crewe, it re-emerged as 37714 in Railfreight Metals livery, becoming one of the Class 37/7 “Heavyweights”. It was later named Thornaby Depot in September 1992, although the nameplates were removed just five months later. After further service and overhaul work, it was stored in October 2000, but returned to action in May 2001, heading to Spain to help construct the AVE high-speed network—repained into a distinctive blue livery for its overseas duties. It returned to the UK in 2011 as one of just six survivors, joining Direct Rail Services. After a short spell in service, it was loaned to the Heavy Tractor Group in 2016, repainted into triple-grey with Metals branding, and today remains a core part of operations at the Great Central Railway. The Model and the Mission To reduce the financial and manpower burden on preservation groups, we now produce, fund, and retail these models on their behalf. We handle production costs, sales, packing, and distribution, allowing these groups to focus on maintaining and operating the real locomotives—work that is largely done by volunteers. Importantly, a portion of every sale goes directly back to these groups, helping to keep our railway heritage alive. You also get a high-quality model in presentation packaging, while the Heavy Tractor Group receives stock to sell at open days and events. Ordering Information Pre-orders are now open for D6724, with an estimated delivery of Q2 2027. You can order directly from Accurascale. This is the only Class 37 in this run to feature green livery with small yellow panels in 1960s condition, combined with a strong preservation fundraising focus—so demand is expected to be high. Pricing: £189.95 (DC/DCC Ready) £289.95 (DCC Sound fitted) You’ll also benefit from: Free UK delivery on orders over £50 Accurascale Reward Points for future discounts Access to extras like decoders and exclusive ModelU crews Pre-order now to support the Heavy Tractor Group, helping to keep 37714 and D6700 running, while also contributing to the restoration of 37108. PRE-ORDER YOUR D6724 HERE! View the full article

The covers are off - it’s time to reveal our latest run of award-winning Class 66 diesels! For almost 30 years, these heavy-haul heroes have powered Britain’s freight network, becoming true icons of the modern railway. Now, we’re celebrating their story in style, with a line-up of models spanning the class’s journey - from their earliest days right through to today’s striking, cutting-edge liveries. Star of the show is of course - DB Cargo's 66091 accurascale, our 'pet' locomotive - being named after us in July 2025, in kind recognition by DB Cargo UK of the extensive charity work undertaken by Accurascale to raise funds for Martin House Children's Hospice, alongside a number of other worthy causes. We're passionate in telling the story of the Class 66 from its earliest days, and here EWS' 66017 is recreated in the classic maroon & gold 'thunderflash' livery that burst onto the scene in 1998 as the 'GM invasion' truly started to breathe new life into the railfreight scene under then-EWS chief Ed Burkhardt. Bringing the story right up to date, the Freightliner fleet is represented with some truly striking liveries - including the eye-catching 60th Anniversary colour schemes, faithfully recreated on 66501 and 66601, each telling its own unique story in miniature. And then there’s the unforgettable ‘ONE’ livery carried by Freightliner’s 66587. Widely regarded as one of the most vibrant liveries ever applied to a Class 66, it’s a real head-turner - and a much-requested livery from our customers. Now, at last, there’s the chance to add this standout machine to your Accurascale fleet. We're also showcasing a range of enhancements on this Class 66 run for the first time - including a newly-tooled exhaust silencer with an improved roof profile, as well as handbrake linkages moulded in the 'off' position for the first time. The cab-front handrails benefit from etched middle brackets, there are roof-mounted Wi-Fi pods where appropriate, and our Freightliner locomotives now sport the latest plated-over upper door handle arrangement too. It all goes to show the care and attention from Accurascale in continuous development, pushing standards forward and giving you the very best models available today! Due to arrive in Q3 2027, you can pre-order yours today to guarantee you don't miss out! Order from your favourite retailer or directly from Accurascale, with no deposit required! We've worked hard to keep prices the same as the current run - £179.95 (DC/DCC Ready) and £279.95 (DCC Sound fitted), and don't forget you'll also benefit from free UK delivery and collect Accurascale Reward Points that you can exchange for discounts on future purchases, such as decoders or ModelU crews! PRE ORDER YOUR MODELS TODAY Deluxe Features PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power Customised Dual-Speaker Technology with large ‘Accurathrash’ Style Bass Speaker and smaller 'iphone' style cube for higher frequencies (on DCC Sound-fitted models only) Hall sensor for flange squeal effect (on DCC Sound-fitted models only) DCC Features DCC ready with PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power DCC ready [21-Pin MTX Socket] or factory-fitted with Original ESU LokSound 5 Decoder options High Performance Traction features Five-Pole motor with two flywheels Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve minimum scale top speed of 75 mph (120kph) All wheel drive and all wheel pickup Fully detailed Lighting Pack features Directional lighting, DC and DCC Switchable Red and white marker lights with day/night options Separately switched cab lighting, auto/off on movement View the full article

Hi Paul, No, we still very much love them, so there is every chance the mainline variants show up in the future. We would love to do the ambulance coach pair, but we desperately need really good interior images or a drawing for their layout would also be smashing. If anyone can help, please reach out! Cheers! Fran

Hi Merlin, Production of the 800s is about to start, we're just signing off on the speaker set up. It's on schedule. Cheers! Fran

Hi folks, I must apologise for the tone and swearing in my last post on this thread, but I hope it conveyed the sense of frustration with the packaging we held at that time. We really felt let down at the last hurdle. Anyway, now for some GREAT NEWS! Revised packaging has been designed, made, packed, and samples shipped from China to the UK in the last week. All models survived the journey! Success! Paul and I paid a visit to the South Dublin Club last night to let members have a look and feel of a few models, including a Park Royal. Feedback was very positive indeed. These are now departing China, and will be with us in circa 8 weeks time! Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding, and indeed custom. We really do not have many left, particularly the black and tan liveries, so we suggest you get your name down for them ASAP to avoid disappointment. Cheers! Fran

You should see mine and my colleagues inboxes from this individual from that weekend. Borderline harassment. I'll say no more!

It’s time to shake up your branch line passenger services with the new Accurascale Class 153 and Class 155 DMUs in ‘OO’ gauge. Nicknamed the ‘Skateboard’ or ‘Skud’ by enthusiasts, the single-car Class 153s take centre stage alongside their predecessors, the two-car Class 155 ‘Sprinters’ that first hit Britain’s rails in the mid-late 1980s. Compact, nimble, and packed with detail, these models capture the charm and character of these legendary units. Their short length makes them ideal for UK layouts of any size - whether you’re modelling rural branch lines, busy commuter services, or mixing and matching with other Sprinters and Pacers. With authentic liveries, superb running performance, and incredible attention to detail, these models offer serious modellers exceptional value and endless operational possibilities. Watch our brand new video below as Accurascale's Ben Jones talks through the key features in the Class 153/155 project: Whether you’re adding a single unit or forming multiple sets, the Accurascale Class 153 and 155 Sprinters combine accuracy, flexibility, and fun in a way that’s hard to beat. Prototype History The story of the Class 153 begins with the Class 155 ‘Sprinters’, introduced by British Rail in the late 1980s as part of a major push to modernise regional services. Built as two-car units for cross-country routes across Wales, the North West and the South West, the Class 155s were intended to replace older DMUs and locomotive-hauled trains. However, early reliability issues - particularly with their doors - led to a troubled introduction and a brief withdrawal from service, denting their reputation from the outset. By the early 1990s, the arrival of more advanced Class 158s and the changing needs of rural routes made the two-car 155s less suitable for many duties. British Rail’s solution was to split the units and rebuild them as single-car vehicles. Converted at Hunslet-Barclay’s Kilmarnock works from 1991, each vehicle was fitted with a second, smaller cab and updated interiors, emerging as the new Class 153. These compact railcars quickly proved their worth. Ideally suited to branch lines and lightly used services, they could operate alone or in multiple with other Sprinters and Pacers, offering exceptional flexibility. From Cornwall to Cumbria, East Anglia to the Midlands, they became a familiar sight across the network, working everything from rural shuttles to peak-time strengthening duties. Privatisation brought a succession of operators and liveries, but the Class 153’s role remained largely unchanged. They continued as dependable, go-anywhere workhorses, prized for their adaptability and widespread availability. In later years, some have been withdrawn, but others have found new life - whether with Transport for Wales in modernised and specialist roles, or with Network Rail as inspection units. From their inauspicious beginnings as problematic two-car units to their reinvention as some of the most versatile DMUs on the network, the classes have secured a lasting place in Britain’s railway story. About the Accurascale Class 153 and Class 155 ‘Sprinter’ DMUs The Class 153 and Class 155 ‘Sprinter’ DMUs are the first models hand-picked from the Heljan range to receive the full Accurascale treatment. Available through our network of over 170 retailers, and directly from Accurascale, you can pre-order now for delivery in Q1 2027. With the ‘Accurascale touch,’ these models retain their superb moulding and intricate detailing while gaining a completely new electronics package. This includes an ESU PCB, new DCC sound package, factory-fitted speakers, enhanced lighting options, and magnetic BSI couplers for easy multiple-unit operation. The lighting is fully controllable, with directional day/night headlights, cab lights, illuminated door buttons, and side indicators. Powered by a smooth-running low-profile motor paired with our ‘Stay Alive’ system, these units are built to deliver the best running performance on your layout. Price, Availability and Pre-Ordering Options Prices start at £169.98 for the Class 153 (DC/DCC Ready) and £219.98 for the two-car Class 155 in ‘OO’ gauge. DCC sound-fitted variants are available at £269.99 for the Class 153 and £319.98 for the Class 155. Order now from Accurascale or any of our global retail partners to secure your favourite livery today, with no deposit down. PRE ORDER YOUR MODELS TODAY: PRE ORDER YOUR CLASS 153 SINGLE CAR DMUs PRE ORDER YOUR CLASS 155 TWO-CAR 'SPRINTER' DMUs This is the first Heljan model to be given the full Accurascale treatment and released to our retail network - watch this space for more exciting models to follow! Are there any more models from the Heljan range that you think should be upgraded and given the full ‘Accurascale touch’? Please let us know! View the full article

Next lot is due week after next folks, some seriously good items in there too! cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Greetings from Glasgow! First, thank you all for your support and congratulations. It is certainly a proud moment for us all at IRM and Accurascale and it indeed is a “pinch myself” moment considering how we first started. The meeting of so many familiar faces at the show was great too, all met with hearty congratulations and best wishes. It meant a lot lads, because you guys set us on this path. Thank you! To address and answer some queries from the thread, and put across the truth, which seems to have been lost in some parts of the dumpster fire on Facebook; Hi @Ironroad, First of all, thank you for your sensible analysis and contributions on the news, you explain what has basically occurred and why very well. Regarding spares; The now former owner of Heljan reached an agreement with Gaugemaster for the continued supply of spare parts to customers who have previously bought Heljan locos before Thursday. We will now supply parts for any models we sell directly, and also sell spares in due course to historical customers where we can make and supply them. Hi @Horsetan, Please see my answer above. Thanks! Hi @irishmail, This is incorrect. Accurascale and IRM will continue to support its network of 170 retailers with Accurascale and IRM models, including Heljan models in OO gauge upgraded to the Accurascale standards and range. This includes Marks Models. HI @GSR 800, The Accurascale business model is to keep prices cheaper for the customer than our competitors, giving more bang for your buck. This means we sell half our models direct and half through retailers, to get a profitable margin overall. Our exclusives are part of this, but are also consisting of models that need expensive licensing agreements that need to be paid, or charity fundraisers. I think everyone will agree it’s great to raise money for good causes like The Samaritans and preservation groups, and we would rather take the retailer margin and give it to a good cause in this instance, maximising our donation. Hi @irishmail, As explained by @BosKonay elsewhere, Heljan needed a full reset. They are not discounted prices on Heljan.com, they are the new RRPs set by us after we bought the stock and assets. To achieve this affordable range, we need to sell direct, otherwise the retailer margins make it as expensive as an Accurascale loco with a higher specification, meaning it’s unsellable once again. Many of the items on the website are fairly old, made serval years ago and currently sold out among most retailers. It’s lingering, dead stock, or in the case of the OO gauge Class 47, a hard sell due to the dimensional errors it has and the universal panning it has received. We’ve decided to create a budget friendly model range out of these models, to suit people with less pennies to spend or youngsters looking for a way into the hobby. Surely that’s a good thing? Accurascale and IRM support Marks Models, and Accurascale has 170 retailers on its books. We support them too an will continue to support them. Hi Keith, No impact on more Irish outline models in the future, we have the next one ready to too, and plans after that. Don’t worry! There has been a slowdown in the market which we have noticed, but that does not mean we will turn our backs on our home market. We have Irish wagons in stock currently, support your local manufacturer and buy some! (joke btw, I know you buy plenty!) Hi Colin, Your first paragraph rings true, but in places but “just covering costs” to “sometimes selling at a loss” in this instance to get cash flow in. The scenario is this. In the last two years, Heljan lost Hattons, who were a massive retailer for them, Olivia’s, again a really big Heljan stockist and backer, along with a whole host of small model shops who stocked them. Now, a locomotive model project takes 3-4 years from inception to delivery with the customer, all going well. You’ve seen this wait with us first hand in the past. Manufacturers have to try to read the future, we need to predict what the market will be like in 3 years time and if it will want your model. Heljan was making models thinking they had these big and small retailers to sell to, and by the time the stock lands they’re gone. All of a sudden, the routes to market has significantly diminished and you have stock sitting there. Every day it’s costing you money, and you are not recouping your investment, but you have bills and wages to pay, you need to reinvest into new tooling. You need your cash back. So, what happens? You get a call from another large retailer with buying power. They make you a serious lowball offer on the remaining stock, you sell it hoping to break even, or even a small loss, as you need the cash back to keep the business going. Said larger retailer sells the stock on their website (with a token amount in their shop) marked 60% off, makes a tidy profit as the buying public nabs a bargain. Who is losing out? The manufacturer. It becomes a death spiral as the larger retailers use them as a stock room for bargains. You eventually run out of road. Heljan could see it coming. The direct selling model that we needed to adopt was necessity, and is a symptom of retailers having already gone under, not the trigger of the end of the other model shops. As we have said elsewhere, we support the retailers, and the 170 retailers on Accurascales books will continue to see that support, and be getting OO gauge Heljan locos back on their shelves when they’re upgraded to Accurascale standards and at a more reasonable price point and better margin. My final thought on this, I think the campaign for supporting local model shops is great, but this was done for the wrong reasons. It was to have a pop at Accurascale because we’ve taken away those bargain basement specials from the big retailers. I know of two retailers on that collage of images in the graphic used in the campaign who did not give their permission for their shop front image to be used, and see the campaign for what it is. TBH there is a bit of hypocrisy here. Who is more responsible for putting local model shops under over the last decade or so with rock bottom prices due to larger buying power? I don’t think it’s manufacturers… I’m a bit astounded that the smaller retailers involved got on board with the bigger ones when they’re the bigger threat daily. Most don’t even stock Heljan, and some stock neither Heljan or Accurascale. But the big guys told them that we’re terrible for saving a manufacturer who would’ve eventually given up or gone under and the range would be unavailable anyway to the modeller and retailer. I hope this gives some clarity and food for thought. Cheers! Fran

Let’s see if the same post vomited across Facebook is also updated with these edits first. I have a feeling they won’t be, and haven’t been so far. I don’t think the OP has read the room here. No problem, it happens. Anyway, thank you to everyone who came to visit both the Accurascale and Heljan stand at Model Rail Scotland this weekend. It’s always great to see so many familiar faces from home, and thank you all for your congratulations and support at the news and as we push things further forwards. The calls for Irish O gauge were quite loud to say the least! Cheers! Fran

Accurascale Limited is proud to announce the acquisition of renowned model railway manufacturer Heljan, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the hobby’s most respected and innovative brands. Under Accurascale ownership, Heljan UK will move to a direct-to-consumer sales model, with all UK sales taking place exclusively via the Heljan UK website. This new approach will allow Heljan to offer exceptional value and closer engagement with customers and lower prices for robust, reliable and durable models in a market demanding more affordability and value for money. This bold new strategy is to encourage new entrants into the hobby, both young and old, as well as offering seasoned modellers exceptional value as they add to their collections or change scales. Heljan’s Danish range will continue to be available through retail networks in mainland Europe, and that range will see expansion in the coming years as well as all new models incorporating new levels of detail, features and fidelity that are in line with Accurascale’s approach. As part of this launch: OO gauge locomotives will be priced from just £99.95, with selected lines at £49.95 Most O gauge locomotives will be priced from just £299.95, with selected lines below this figure TT Powered Models Will be Priced from £124.94 and the range will receive further investment through new models New customer sign-ups will receive 10% off their first order The Heljan website will offer the same customer benefits as Accurascale, including: 2% cashback in loyalty points when customers register an account Free UK shipping on orders over £100 Bundle discounts on wagons and coaches where applicable Up to 5% cashback in loyalty points available through our famous tiered system Modellers who have previously pre-ordered forthcoming Heljan models that are in development, such as the Class 42 Warship, Class 44, Class 86, in OO, Class 24 in O gauge and Class 55 and Class 122 ‘Bubble Cars’ in TT will now have to pre-order direct on the Heljan UK website, but with a much reduced, more attractive price point. This will be the case for all new Heljan British outline releases going forwards, and it will see a growth of excellently priced models in stock grow over the coming weeks and months. Customers looking to pre-order the forthcoming Class 153 and 155 DMUs in OO gauge can now pre-order those on the Accurascale website only, as they will now join the Accurascale Exclusives Range! A Return to Innovation Accurascale’s ambition for Heljan is to recapture the innovative spirit that made the brand famous in the British market, from the step-change impact of the first-generation Class 47 in OO gauge, the brave building of the Ready-To-Run O gauge market, to iconic products such as the functioning Container Crane, working traverser and 009 ranges. The robust nature and smooth-running characteristics of Heljan locomotives will be maintained and serve as the foundation for future models. Looking forward, the plan includes: Exciting new and innovative products across multiple scales Enhanced value in established Heljan OO models, including upgrades in sound, digital and lighting functionality Upgrading selected Heljan OO models to full Accurascale specification over time Significantly improved value in Heljan O gauge, with reduced prices and additional features such as factory-fitted digital sound in future releases Continued exploration of the British TT:120 market with further models in development Establishing Heljan as the market leader in Danish-outline HO, with exciting new models and enhanced specifications already planned Preserving and Building on a 70-Year Legacy The Heljan name will continue, building on its 70-year heritage of serving the hobby market with innovative, robust, and reliable models. Accurascale is also pleased to confirm that Kim Nannestad and Ben Jones will remain part of the Heljan family, ensuring continuity, experience, and passion remain at the heart of the brand as it moves forward. Together, Accurascale and Heljan will focus on delivering: Robust, reliable, smooth-running models at highly attractive price points in OO, O, and TT gauge for the UK market Market-leading quality in the HO market, in line with Accurascale’s well-known standards A Powerful Future Ahead “This acquisition is about respecting Heljan’s incredible legacy while giving the brand the tools, technology, and direction to thrive in the modern market,” said Stephen McCarron, Managing Director, Accurascale. “We believe Heljan can once again be a byword for innovation, value, and excitement across multiple scales and markets.” Kim Nannestad expressed his delight at joining forces with Accurascale: “The Heljan brand has been part of the Nannestad family for 70 years, and we are incredibly proud of it and what my Grandfather established, my father built and what we have achieved. We are now excited to build on that legacy with Accurascale and bring new energy and ideas to Heljan, preserve its future and become a market leader.” Check out www.heljan.com for the latest Heljan news updates and shop for your favourite models at unbeatable prices for the UK outline range, and www.heljan.dk for the Danish range. The journey begins now. Please note that the in stock items currently listed on the Heljan.com website are currently being processed in our new warehouse and will dispatch in early April. Thank you for your patience! BROWSE THE HELJAN RANGE HERE! View the full article

We’ve teamed up with Rainbow Railways of Linlithgow to bring you our next exclusive Class 37 - meet DRS ‘Heavyweight’ 37716! Fan-favourite 37716 earned a devoted following across the UK during its mainline years with DRS, and what better way to celebrate this iconic locomotive than with our brand-new model? Available to pre-order now through both Accurascale and Rainbow Railways, you can reserve yours with no upfront deposit required. About the Prototype First built as D6794 and delivered to British Railways in 1963, the locomotive was later renumbered 37094 under TOPS and became part of a small fleet of Class 37s refurbished in the late 1980s for BR’s Railfreight sector. Modifications included extra ballast in the engine room to provide greater tractive effort for the heavy trains it was expected to haul with BR’s Trainload Metals fleet at Thornaby depot, and it was renumbered in the 37/7 series accordingly. Following privatisation, EWS acquired the locomotive and operated it until 2001, when it was exported to Spain for high-speed line work. Afterward, it was stored and left to deteriorate. The remarkable comeback of 37716 and its fellow ‘Heavyweights’ from near-scrapping remains impressive nearly 15 years later. These Class 37/7s wore striking blue livery during their Spanish service, and by 2011 only nine survived, with six - including 37716 - returning to the UK and rescued from almost certain destruction. After 15 months of restoration, 37716 re-entered service with DRS, quickly earning a fan following for hauling everything from nuclear flasks and infrastructure trains to charters and loco-hauled services. It remained a versatile star until storage in 2024 and was later sold to HNRC (now Swietelsky UK), where it remains operational, awaiting a return to the main line. Enter the Heavyweight Champion! Utilising our brand new tooling debuted on the third run, this 'Heavyweight' machine displays classic tooling modifications such as the blanked-out engine room window, modern LED lighting setup, as well as the two-piece cantrail grilles due to the prototype being part of the Darlington-built batch by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns Ltd. Packed with an impressive lighting suite, the model also benefits from operating roof fan synced to the DCC sound file (also works on DC), refined bonnet top doors, improved glazing, and upgraded grilles. Finished in DRS' blue-fade Compass livery, the model really stands out and thanks to it's hefty 695g mass, really helps convey the 'Heavyweight' nature of the prototype in model form. Price, Availability and Pre-Ordering Options Pre-orders are open for 37716, for an estimated Q2 2027 delivery. You can order your model directly from Accurascale or from Rainbow Railways, whichever you prefer. It's our first DRS 'Heavyweight' Class 37 modelled, so we expect sales will be brisk - don't delay putting in your pre-order! We've kept prices the same as the incoming run of Class 37s, so you can preorder your model from £189.95 (DC/DCC Ready) and £289.96 (DCC Sound fitted). You'll also benefit from free UK delivery for orders over £50 and Accurascale Reward Points that you can exchange for discounts on future purchases, including decoders and our exclusive ModelU crews! Pre-order yours today with no deposit down. PRE ORDER YOUR 37716 MODEL HERE Common Features for our Class 37 Range Include: Heavy die-cast metal chassis Accurate tumblehome, nose, cab roof and cantrail curves taken from 3D Laser scan and extensive surveys Timeframe specific details, including but not limited to; Bogies (Fabricated and three variations of Cast) Fuel tanks (As built and with later smooth-sided long range fuel tank) Three styles of buffer: large round Oleo, oval and squared oval With or without cab roof vents and bodyside windows Motorised working radiator roof fan Nose and roof aerials and antennas (where applicable) Three styles of windscreen: standard, centre toughened and all toughened Three styles of cab interior: as built, refurbished and modern DRS locos Four bufferbeam variations with different piping configurations Door kickplates where applicable Multiple body and nose slides to accurately represent almost every member of the class, including three variations of cantrail grille: early EE (for D6700-D6704), later EE and RSH Four roof styles: Original double riveted, single riveted, welded and welded with antennas Separately applied etched metal and high fidelity plastic detail parts, including grab handles, aerials, steps, wipers, nameplates, crests and more. Etched metal door kickplates (where applicable), ‘frost’ grille (where applicable) & super fine etched metal roof grille Scale width wire handrails Turned brass roof-mounted horns on centre headcode examples Full underbody tank detail with brackets and pipework Bogies feature separate footsteps, etched footsteps, brake cylinders, speed recorder, end brake rigging and very fine brake chain Brake blocks on trucks (bogies) in line with wheels (can be moved for EM/P4 gauges) RP25-110 profile OO gauge wheels with fine scale ‘drop in’ EM (18.2mm gauge) and P4 (18.83mm gauge) wheels available separately Accurate high-fidelity miniature snowploughs Fully sprung metal buffers, extra-fine factory-installed pipework and screw couplings Correct height mini-tension-lock couplers with NEM socket as well as a fully detailed bufferbeam Every model includes PowerPack / Backup Power Capacitor Bank for up to ten seconds of power free running, flicker free lighting and continuous sound High Performance traction, to include; High-quality five-pole motor with two flywheels Metal Helical Gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve a scale top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) DCC ready with PowerPack Super-capacitor for uninterrupted power and super low speed running All wheel drive and all wheel pickup View the full article

Headlining the upcoming fourth run of our Class 37s, Accurascale are delighted to announce an exclusive model developed in partnership with the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) - the celebrity stalwart 37403 Ben Cruachan in retro British Railways green livery. Continuing our partnership with the SRPS, this latest collaboration will see the Society receive a proportion of revenue from every model sold, supporting its vital work in preserving Scotland’s railway heritage. About the Prototype Motherwell’s 37403 became a celebrity in February 1994 when it was repainted into original British Railways green by Trainload Freight West (later Transrail) to mark the centenary of the West Highland Line. Restored at BRML Springburn with authentic details including its original D6607 number and Eastfield plaques, it also received the name Ben Cruachan, transferred from 37404 - its third name since 1986. Built at Vulcan Foundry in October 1965 as D6607, it later became 37307 under TOPS in 1974 and was refurbished with ETH equipment in 1985, becoming one of the Class 37/4s for ScotRail duties. After years in Scotland, it moved south in the late 1990s under EWS, working passenger services including Cardiff - Weymouth, North Wales Coast and sleeper trains. Reallocated to Toton in 2000, it was withdrawn that March. In 2008, it was acquired by the Scottish Railway Preservation Group and moved to the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. After an eight-year restoration, it returned to the main line in July 2016. About the SRPS Founded in 1961, the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) works to preserve and promote Scotland’s railway heritage through its extensive collection of locomotives, rolling stock and artefacts. It operates the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, bringing history to life through public services, exhibitions and education. As the UK’s largest railway collection outside the National Railway Museum, the SRPS plays a vital role in safeguarding and sharing Scotland’s railway story for future generations. By purchasing this Accurascale model of 37403 Ben Cruachan, you will be helping to support the valuable work of the SRPS, and a donation will be made to the society for every model sold. Meet Ben Cruachan Building on the already class-leading Accurascale Class 37s, our new production run continues the enhanced Class 37/4 tooling introduced on our third run. Features include an operating roof fan synced to the DCC sound file (also functional on DC), refined bonnet top doors, improved glazing, and upgraded grilles. The model is expertly finished in luscious deep shade of British Railways green, together with intricately printed renditions of the iconic Ben Cruachan name and Eastfield ‘Westie’ terrier depot plaques – together with etched versions that can be applied if desired too. Combining a whole wealth of enhancements and a truly iconic livery, our Accurascale model of 37403 Ben Cruachan is set to deliver the ultimate Class 37 in OO gauge/4mm scale. Price, Availability and Pre-Ordering Options As ever, we strive to offer the British outline modeller the very best bang for their bucks, and in the case of the Class 37 it is no different! We're maintaining the pricing from the last run of £189.95 for the DC/DCC-ready variant and £289.96 for the DCC Sound fitted locomotive, despite inflationary pressures. All that industry leading specification, wrapped up in a museum quality finish, leads you to the best value in the market today. We will be delivering 37403 Ben Cruachan as part of our forth run of Class 37s, which is scheduled for Q2 2027. With demand for this model expected to be extremely high, we recommend placing your pre-order now – don’t forget, no deposit is required and you’ll also benefit from fast, free UK delivery, and collect Accurascale Reward Points that you can exchange for discounts on future purchases too! PRE ORDER YOUR MODEL HERE Common Features for our Class 37 Range Include: Heavy die-cast metal chassis Accurate tumblehome, nose, cab roof and cantrail curves taken from 3D Laser scan and extensive surveys Timeframe specific details, including but not limited to; Bogies (Fabricated and three variations of Cast) Fuel tanks (As built and with later smooth-sided long range fuel tank) Three styles of buffer: large round Oleo, oval and squared oval With or without cab roof vents and bodyside windows Motorised working radiator roof fan Nose and roof aerials and antennas (where applicable) Three styles of windscreen: standard, centre toughened and all toughened Three styles of cab interior: as built, refurbished and modern DRS locos Four bufferbeam variations with different piping configurations Door kickplates where applicable Multiple body and nose slides to accurately represent almost every member of the class, including three variations of cantrail grille: early EE (for D6700-D6704), later EE and RSH Four roof styles: Original double riveted, single riveted, welded and welded with antennas Separately applied etched metal and high fidelity plastic detail parts, including grab handles, aerials, steps, wipers, nameplates, crests and more. Etched metal door kickplates (where applicable), ‘frost’ grille (where applicable) & super fine etched metal roof grille Scale width wire handrails Turned brass roof-mounted horns on centre headcode examples Full underbody tank detail with brackets and pipework Bogies feature separate footsteps, etched footsteps, brake cylinders, speed recorder, end brake rigging and very fine brake chain Brake blocks on trucks (bogies) in line with wheels (can be moved for EM/P4 gauges) RP25-110 profile OO gauge wheels with fine scale ‘drop in’ EM (18.2mm gauge) and P4 (18.83mm gauge) wheels available separately Accurate high-fidelity miniature snowploughs Fully sprung metal buffers, extra-fine factory-installed pipework and screw couplings Correct height mini-tension-lock couplers with NEM socket as well as a fully detailed bufferbeam Every model includes PowerPack / Backup Power Capacitor Bank for up to ten seconds of power free running, flicker free lighting and continuous sound High Performance traction, to include; High-quality five-pole motor with two flywheels Metal Helical Gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve a scale top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) DCC ready with PowerPack Super-capacitor for uninterrupted power and super low speed running All wheel drive and all wheel pickup View the full article

Our new NIR 101 Class Hunslets are edging closer to their Q2 2026 arrival, and what better time to share an exclusive preview of the DCC sound package - an exciting taste of what’s to come. What a bunch of 'Hunnys'! For the first time in an Accurascale or IRM locomotive, the Hunslet makes use of an ESU-designed speaker. We've used this speaker due to space restrictions and this twin speaker is included in all DC/DCC ready locomotives, as well as DCC sound fitted variants. So, if you want to upgrade to sound later, you just pop the roof off, plug in your sound decoder and off you go! This, along with our working fan really kicks up the standard and quality of Hunslet to museum-level and part of our drive to move standards ever higher when it comes to our wonderful hobby. Pre-order yours now to secure your favourite machines! Priced from £220.00 (DC/DCC Ready) and £319.99 (DCC Sound fitted), order exclusively from Accurascale to receive free UK delivery, and Accurascale Reward Points, that can be redeemed for discounts on future orders, such as decoders or crews! Pre Order Your NIR Hunslet Today! Looking for the perfect match for your NIR Hunslets? We're taking pre-orders for our NIR Mk2 coach range, so you can accurately recreate the 'Enterprise' trains from across the years. With a selection of grey & blue and maroon & blue, there's something to suit every layout. Priced from £74.95 per coach, our Accurascale Rake Builder bundle discounts mean you can save up to 15% when buying a trainload - bringing them to an incredible £63.70 each! Pre-order yours today for an expected Q4 2026 delivery, with fast free UK delivery included, and Accurascale Reward Points to trade for discounts on future orders! Pre Order Your Matching NIR Mk2 Coaches View the full article

Hi folks, It's as simple as @BosKonaysaid. There is a packaging issue that needs addressing. We will do a full update when we know more in the coming days, but here is where we are. All the models are finished production. When production is finished, we are sent one of each model by the factory to assess and accept or reject the shipment to ensure they're up to standard. They were sent just before Chinese New Year began, and received after the festival began. By the time they got to this side of the world, only 5 were intact. All the rest were mangled in some way due to some frankly shoddy designed internal packaging. So, it was our duty to tell the factory once they reopened last week to sort the packaging out, as this is unacceptable. The alternative was to take delivery of them, and watch them get smashed to bits in the postal system, fucking you lads off even more than the delay has been in the process. To ensure proper internal packaging is improved, we are insisting it is completely redesigned and sent to us again to see if it survives. If they do, then we will know our shipping date. If they don't, I will be personally boarding a plane to the far east with a hurl in my baggage. I hope that clears up the lack of info. Thanks Fran

With our second production run of our award-winning Class 66 locomotives now delivered and finding their way into traffic on layouts across the land, it's time to reveal what will consist of our next run of these staples of the current railway scene. As ever, there will be a whole host of locomotives in the main range, but we are kicking off with our Accurascale Exclusives, which consist of a fine pair of GBRf machines in eye-catching London Underground-inspired liveries, officially licensed from Transport for London! Welcome to 66718 and 66721! The Prototypes 66718 66718 arrived at Newport Docks on board the MV Jumbo Challenger on 9 April 2006 and was one of five locomotives (66718–66722) liveried in First GBRf/Metronet colours that were ordered in connection with the upgrading of the London Transport sub-surface lines. It was named “Gwyneth Dunwoody” at Euston on 26 January 2007. Gwyneth was the Labour MP for Crewe and also the Transport Minister at the time. On 5 November 2013 it emerged from Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh Works in what could only be described as a striking new livery. It was one of a pair unveiled that day in conjunction with the London Transport Museum. 66718 carried black bodywork covered in brightly coloured logos associated with London Transport. At this time it also gained a new name and was rechristened “Sir Peter Hendy CBE”, who was the Commissioner for Transport for London at the time. It carried this livery for the next ten years until it returned to Eastleigh for a refresh. It emerged sporting a slightly revised version of the previous livery, with differences in the application of the warning yellow on the ends, and also gained another new (ish) name on Wednesday 24 May 2023. The name was updated to “Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire” to reflect Lord Hendy’s recent appointment to the House of Lords and his position as Chair of Network Rail. The new name, at 57 characters long (not including commas), must be one of the longest ever affixed to a locomotive in the UK. 66721 This locomotive also arrived at Newport Docks on board the MV Jumbo Challenger on 9 April 2006 as part of the same shipment as 66718 above, initially in First GBRf/Metronet livery. It was named “Harry Beck” on 26 January 2007 at London Euston station by GBRf Managing Director John Smith. Harry Beck was the creator of the first version of what we now recognise as the Tube Map. The locomotive carried a small rendition of his map, engraved on a brass plaque alongside the nameplate. It was selected to join 66718 in receiving a special livery and was unveiled on the same day. The livery was different on each side and on each end, with one side representing the 1933 Harry Beck original Tube map (with the corresponding No. 1 end being yellower), while the other side wore the current (2013) Tube map, with its corresponding end (No. 2) being white. While 66718 received a refresh in 2023, 66721 is still running in its original vinyl, albeit with the Europorte portion of the GBRf logo removed. The locomotive has also since gained a small Wi-Fi pod above the No. 2 cab. Our pre-production model is currently cream on both sides, but you can rest assured that this will be corrected for production! The Best Just Got Better Never ones for merely resting on our laurels, we have gone through our wonderful Class 66s again with a fine-tooth comb and brought our models bang up to date with a series of fine tweaks. It can be difficult to improve on such an excellent model, but we did find some additional improvements! These consist of a newly tooled exhaust silencer, which features an improved profile and a lip around the exhaust port. We also have new handbrake linkages, which are now moulded in the off position, and an etched middle handrail bracket on the cab fronts to replicate the locomotives that sport them in real life. With the Class 66 working on the real railway, they are always evolving, and it's important to capture new features on our models to ensure they replicate the prototypes running today. We have now added roof-mounted Wi-Fi pods on locomotives that feature them. We have also replicated the modifications Freightliner has been making to its fleet by removing the top cab door handles. There is also now the ability to produce locomotives with BMAC-replaced bug-eye lights. On top of that, we have also added a couple of new buffer-plate combinations that allow us to produce certain prototypes we couldn't previously offer. Excellent Value, As Ever! These slight tweaks and additions to the range add up to keep our 66 the leading shed in the neighbourhood. With this exciting pair previewing an epic main range to come in the near future, along with improvements to the tooling, you might be expecting a price rise… right? Well never fear, because Accurascale has got you! Our price remains the same as Run 2, priced at just £179.95 for DC/DCC Ready and £279.95 for DCC Sound Fitted. When you throw in free UK postage and packaging, and 3% cashback in the form of loyalty points, it really shows just what a bargain these beauties are! Both locomotives are available to buy globally and both available in both DC/DCC Ready and DCC Sound fitted configurations. We will have a more precise delivery date when we reveal the main range in the coming weeks, but we expect these will arrive in stock in Mid 2027. Pre-order your exclusive below, available direct only via our website. As ever with Accurascale Exclusives, special presentation packaging will finish off this very exclusive pair beautifully. Pre-Order Your Exclusive Class 66 Here! View the full article

Hi folks, Indeed, the palvans, the last on our Bulleid triangulated chassis programme, has now arrived in stock! Pre-orders are being dispatched and the rest of the stock is now on sale here: https://www.accurascale.ie/collections/bullied-wagons Next to arrive is a neck and neck race between our Hunslets and Park Royals. More info on the latter in the next week or so! Cheers! Fran

We’ve been going wagon-crazy at Accurascale as we kick off 2026 with a full programme of rolling stock announcements. For our latest release, we’ve gone back into the archives and revisited the second wagon we ever produced under the Accurascale name. It’s time to bring back the Cemflo! History A total of 285 bulk cement wagons were built for Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers (APCM) between 1961 and 1965, carrying the familiar Blue Circle Cement branding when new. The first batch was constructed by the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company to diagram 6/433 (TOPS code PC 001A), followed by a later batch built by Metropolitan-Cammell to diagram 6/430 (TOPS code PC 003A). It is this later design that our model represents. The wagons are perhaps best remembered for their work on cement trains running from Cliffe, near Gravesend in Kent, to Uddingston on the outskirts of Glasgow. These services were unusual in being hauled by BRCW Type 3 locomotives, later known as Class 33s, from BR’s Southern Region. Often working in pairs, they hauled the trains as far as York. Because the route required several reversals around London, the trains were also distinctive for carrying a brake van at each end of rakes that could exceed 30 wagons. Cemflos were also used to move cement from Holborough Cement Works in Kent’s Medway Valley to Widnes in Lancashire. By 1969, the fleet had migrated north to handle traffic from Eastgate in County Durham, Hope in the Peak District and Oxwellmains near Dunbar in Scotland. From Eastgate, wagons worked to Grangemouth and the APCM terminal at Sunderland South Dock. Those allocated to Hope served Dewsbury and Widnes, where they often ran in mixed formations with Presflo wagons. From Oxwellmains, Cemflos carried cement to Aberdeen, Dundee, Grangemouth and Uddingston. Over the years, a wide range of motive power could be seen on Cemflo workings. These included Classes 25, 26, 27, 31, 33, 37, 40, 45 and 47, as well as steam locomotives such as 9Fs and even A4s. The final Cemflo wagons were withdrawn in mid-1988. Today, just one example survives, a Metropolitan-Cammell-built wagon preserved by the Darlington Railway Preservation Society. The Model Our new Cemflo captures the distinctive appearance of the later Metropolitan-Cammell-built wagons and is packed with fine detail throughout. Each model features a wide range of factory-fitted parts, including brake pipes and lamp irons, along with etched solebar detailing and fully fitted pipework. Sprung buffers are fitted as standard, while the underframe is fully detailed with brake rigging and hangers. Our release will focus on branded Blue Circle variants, showing these wagons at their most iconic best. To ensure smooth and reliable running, the wagon is fitted with blackened metal 12.6mm three-hole disc wheels on metal axles, using the RP25.110 profile, and NEM coupler pockets with narrow tension-lock couplers. This production run of cemflos will be small in quantity and priced at just £69.98 per pack, with 10% off when you order two-four packs and 15% off when you order five or more packs. Delivery is slated for Q1 2027. Pre-order your Cemflos, available direct only from Accurascale, via the link below! Pre-order Your Cemflos Here! View the full article

Hot on the heels of our RHTT announcement, we can confirm that we've another variant of these popular wagons ready to swim upstream! Welcome to the single wagon FEA family, focusing on intermodal and departmental operations. History The now-ubiquitous FEA wagon design first appeared in early 2003 with the introduction of the FEA-B 60ft container flat “twins” for Freightliner’s Intermodal division. However, it would be around 18 months before the single-unit variants—primarily intended for infrastructure use—began to enter service. Like their twin-unit counterparts, all were fitted with Y33 bogies and constructed by Greenbrier Europe at Świdnica in Poland. Early Operators The first customers were Balfour Beatty and GB Railfreight. Balfour Beatty took delivery of six grey FEA-D wagons (640571–6) for use in its two new Harsco New Track Construction (NTC) trains. Meanwhile, GB Railfreight acquired 63 “steel blue” FEA-S wagons (640631–93). These were designed to carry 20ft Salmon track panel modules and Tench general materials modules, although many have since seen use in standard maritime container traffic and even in gypsum flows, depending on operational demand. These were quickly followed by a batch of 66 FEA-E wagons (641001–641066) for Freightliner Heavy Haul from December 2004. Built to support infrastructure contracts with Network Rail, these wagons employed a longer 30ft Salmon module than the GBRf versions. Painted in the same British Racing Green as the twin-unit FEAs, they have also found work in regular container traffic and on various domestic waste “binliner” services. The Yellow Era Some of the most visually striking FEAs arrived in 2006 when GB Railfreight introduced 18 bright yellow FEA-S wagons (640905–22) for the Metronet London Underground renewals contract, following four earlier examples in blue (640901–4). These wagons were equipped with a mix of Salmon and Tench modules. A further 22 yellow FEA-S wagons were built for Tube Lines subsidiary Transplant (640931–43). These were converted at Jarvis Fastline’s Leeman Road facility in York into Rail and Sleeper Delivery Trains (RSDTs) using the company’s distinctive “Slinger” equipment. Technical Similarities and Later Changes Despite the variations in TOPS code lettering, almost all single-unit FEAs left the factory in essentially the same configuration, with the exception of the Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) version built specifically for Network Rail. At some stage, the GB Railfreight-owned wagons had eight of their sixteen fold-down spigots replaced with fixed ones. While this modification does not affect 20ft containers, it prevents the use of 30ft units and restricts 40ft containers to being loaded at only one end of the wagon. As newer infrastructure-specific flat wagons were delivered to Network Rail and the Metronet partnership was dissolved, the Freightliner and GBRf FEAs migrated almost entirely into container service. The Transplant “Slinger” formation was also disbanded following Tube Lines’ absorption into Transport for London control, with the wagons placed into storage, stripped of their specialist equipment, and eventually offered for sale. The Models Although well regarded when first released in 2018, the Hattons tooling has since been upgraded to better align with similar wagons elsewhere in the range. Improvements to the flat wagons include the removal of unnecessary pipe runs, the addition of missing handrails and footsteps on the GBRf versions, and a revised deck profile to accommodate fixed container spigots. The 20ft Salmon modules now feature new textured floors and lashing rings, while previously missing extension pieces—positioned between the headstocks and the ends of the modules—have been newly tooled. Additional refinements have also been made to improve overall fit, finish, and robustness. Our first production run will focus on the 85 GB Railfreight wagons. These will be released in three twin-packs covering the distinctive yellow and blue Metronet-branded Salmon variants, alongside two never-before-produced versions: GBRf blue with Salmon modules, and de-branded GBRf yellow wagons in container service. These packs are priced at £79.99 each with our usual bundle discounts of 10% off when you order two-four packs, and 15% off when you order five or more! These prices are also lower per wagon than the original Hattons release when accounting for inflation, and we throw free UK postage and packaging too! Once again we offer realistic models at realistic prices. Pre-order yours below, available only direct via our website, with no money down or flexible payment terms ahead of a Q2 2027 delivery date. Pre-Order Your FEA Intermodal Flats Here! View the full article

It's the little details.... https://www.accurascale.ie/collections/nir-101-dl-class-hunslet Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Everyone at IRM/Accurascale is saddened to hear of the passing of our friend, Paddy Murphy of Murphy Models. It’s fair to say that Paddy is the Godfather of Irish railway modelling, taking the chance and putting his money on the line to create the first Irish outline model trains which resembled the true prototypes. We could also say that without Paddy, there would be no IRM, as we created our first models to complement his locomotives. In our early days he even assisted us navigate the then unknown world to us that was Chinese manufacturing. We were delighted to work alongside Paddy in retailing his limited edition fundraiser 121 class locomotives for the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland - Dublin Operations and his general range thereafter. His knowledge and drive will be truly missed by all, and his warmth and stories, told in Dublin and as far afield as the UK and Germany at shows will be missed by us personally. Our thoughts are with his family. Ar Dheis De go Raibh a hAinm Dhilis

No sooner has run two of our award winning and widely loved Class 31s arrived, that demand has been loudly calling for the next run. We already previewed that the run would be led by Accurascale Exclusive 31160 "Phoenix" in its RFD guise with a twist! But what about the main range? Well, wonder no more as we reveal them below! D5503 BR Green (as delivered) Our third ‘Toffee Apple’ release represents D5503 as delivered to 30A Stratford depot in January 1958, after it quickly settled into life around East London and on the ex-Great Eastern and Midland & Great Northern Joint lines in East Anglia. It worked almost any service its home shed could throw at it. The 1,250 hp Mirrlees Type 2s were not uprated like their ‘production’ colleagues and, along with the English Electric Type 1s and Type 4s, were among the most reliable of the pilot scheme locomotives, albeit underpowered. In those early years of dieselisation, they could be found working everything from express trains out of Liverpool Street to Clacton, Norwich, Cambridge, and King’s Lynn; block freights from Essex onto the Western and Southern Regions; busy holiday services to Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, and Lowestoft; and pick-up wagonload services on the region’s extensive pre-Beeching branch line network. In April 1959, it was one of eight members of the small fleet to transfer to 31B March, although it returned to Stratford by the following December. D5503 wears its distinctive original paint scheme, with ‘eggshell’ blue window surrounds and bodyside stripes, which was only applied to D5500–D5519. This lasted into the early 1960s before the small fleet began receiving small yellow panels and were repainted into the same ‘production’ livery as carried by our model of D5501 in the second run. Renumbered 31003 in March 1974, it lasted until the final year of the type and was withdrawn in February 1980 along with 31005. It was quickly moved to Doncaster Works, where it was cut up five months later. D5581 BR Green w/SYP Outshopped from Brush’s Falcon Works, Loughborough, exactly two years after our other third-run green machine D5503, ‘production’ headcode box-fitted D5581 wears the eternally popular British Railways green with small yellow panels livery. New to 32A Norwich Thorpe in January 1960, it moved to 32B Ipswich just over a year later, and then to 30A Stratford 12 months after that, before settling at 31B March in June 1962. With competition from English Electric Type 3s, the uprated 1,365 hp Mirrlees-powered Class 30s could still be found on express trains, but were more likely rostered on secondary passenger and freight services. Following the major rationalisation of the East Anglian railway network, it joined the exodus of motive power from the region, moving to 41A Tinsley in January 1966 via a stop at Doncaster Works to receive its EE 12SVT upgrade. Renumbered 31163 in February 1974 when allocated to Leeds Holbeck, it later became part of the second wave of Class 31s to migrate to the Western Region to replace withdrawn diesel hydraulics in 1976. After a long career, it was eventually stored at Immingham in January 1999 and sold to the Colne Valley Diesel Group for preservation. Before moving to their home railway, it was sold on to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, where it is still based and currently wears the attractive Derby RTC livery with the fictitious number 97205, inspired by the real research department Class 31 97204, scrapped in March 1997. Unfortunately, it was involved in a collision in 2022 and is still undergoing repair at Nemesis Rail, Burton-upon-Trent. 31138 BR Blue Just 20 of the production build of 243 Brush Type 2s retained the disc headcode arrangement and cab roof-mounted horn enclosure, making them externally very similar to the pilot scheme ‘Toffee Apples’, although without the distinctively shaped power handle that gave the latter their nickname. Our chosen example is BR Blue 31138, an incredible survivor, which was the last original condition ‘skinhead’ to remain in traffic. The former D5556 of October 1959 just fell short of its 30th birthday after being withdrawn from Crewe Diesel in February 1989. Even more remarkably, after having its front connecting doors sealed in the late 1970s, it retained the same basic appearance for its last 11 years in traffic, albeit with the addition of an orange cantrail stripe and departmental LMR branding in its final months. This period covered a diverse range of allocations to the Class 31 hotspots of Bescot, Cricklewood, Immingham, and Stratford. Despite losing its front doors, like most of its colleagues it retained the outer pair of indicator discs, keeping a visual connection to the steam-era train identification system. Typical duties included parcels, departmental workings, and freight, as well as a diverse range of passenger operations including DMU substitutions and the famous Table 18 services between Birmingham New Street and Norwich/East Anglia. It was finally cut up at MC Metals, Glasgow, in January 1990. 31160 Phoenix (unofficial) Railfreight Distribution ACC EXCLUSIVE By the launch of the iconic Roundel-designed Railfreight scheme in October 1987, around 30 Class 31s were allocated to the FGWC pool at Tinsley for Speedlink wagonload services. With the fleet only recently refurbished at Doncaster Works and Railfreight Distribution looking to standardise on Class 37 and 47 motive power, there was no hurry to repaint them in the new image. However, following serious fire damage to 31160, the South Yorkshire depot resurrected and outshopped the Brush machine in November 1989 with a full repaint in the new image with RfD markings, making it instantly unique. Typically for Tinsley, the makeover was wildly different from other Railfreight repaints undertaken around the same time for the Coal, Construction, and Petroleum sectors, including large TOPS numbers, distinctive black window surrounds, and the location of the body break line between the two shades of grey. This was all finished with red bufferbeams. Its one-off appearance was compounded just a few days later when the former D5578 was given the unofficial, but very appropriate, name Phoenix, painted over the squadron symbol with a representation of the mythical bird surrounded by flames. Within a year, Tinsley’s Class 31 fleet had been transferred away, and 31160 was stripped back to its basic triple grey scheme for a new life in the Crewe Diesel departmental pool. It was eventually stored unserviceable in March 1996 and scrapped at Wigan CRDC in June 1999. 31296 Amlwch Freighter / Trên Nwyddau Amlwch Railfreight (orange cantrail stripe) The first week of September 1986 saw recently refurbished 31296 plucked from anonymity for what was described at the time as a ‘double first’. Despatched to Anglesey in North Wales, the Cricklewood-allocated locomotive became the first Class 31 (and Type 1 or Type 2) to be named, as well as the first to receive dual Welsh and English nameplates, carrying Amlwch Freighter and Trên Nwyddau Amlwch on opposite sides of the body. This event commemorated the four-decade partnership between British Rail and Associated Octel, as well as 33 years of rail shipments from the Anglesey plant, at the time the world’s largest producer of liquid bromine. This was the final relaxation of BR’s restrictive rules on naming that had been steadily eroded over the previous decade. Wearing the later standard Railfreight grey livery with orange cantrail stripe, our model is provided with etched metal nameplates and a pair of the distinctive hexagonal Octel headboards worn by this Brush machine on its big day. It was reallocated to Bescot in May 1987 and then to Stratford in January 1989, seeing plenty of passenger use in the Midlands and North West during this time – and even as far south as Devon – as well as its regular freight duties. It was repainted in triple-grey with Construction branding towards the end of that year, and initially retained its nameplates. These were removed in March 1990 and transferred back to Railfreight Distribution, where they were refitted to Tinsley’s 47330. The former D5829 was withdrawn from Crewe Diesel in March 1993 but survived onto the books of EWS. It was eventually disposed of at the LNWR site in January 2004. 31447 BR Blue Recognising the calls for a mid-1980s plain blue Class 31/4 is 31447, converted from 31295 in July 1984. This had been an early exile to the Western Region in 1973 while still carrying its original (D)5828 number and BR green livery. However, unlike most of its colleagues, it returned to East Anglia after just a couple of years before being transferred to Toton in October 1984, its last allocation before receiving a Heavy General Overhaul at Doncaster Works and conversion as part of the second series of ETH-fitted machines. Notably, like 31160 and 31296, this locomotive was outshopped from refurbishment with the headlight in the ‘offset’ position (under the driver’s window), only the second Class 31 to be so configured. On release, it became a stalwart of the Immingham passenger fleet, mostly dedicated to Trans-Pennine, Settle & Carlisle, and Norwich–Birmingham services, all of which had seen an increase in loco-hauled diagrams after the withdrawal of life-expired multiple units. Following the introduction of new Class 156 ‘Super Sprinter’ units in 1988, it moved to Tinsley in August, where it became more common on freight and departmental workings. Having had its livery tweaked with the orange cantrail stripe in 1987, it gained the general grey scheme in June 1989, which was modified into ‘Dutch’ just over a year later. By this point, it had been renumbered 31547 after its ETH equipment was isolated. It was stored at Toton from July 1994 and officially retired in September 1996. It was cut up by TJ Thomson, Stockton, in November 2002. Price, Availability and Pre-Ordering Options As ever, we strive to offer the British outline modeller the very best bang for their bucks, and in the case of the Class 31 it is no different! We're maintaining the pricing from the last run of £184.95 for the DC/DCC-ready variant and £284.95 for the DCC Sound locomotive, despite inflationary pressures. All that industry leading specification, wrapped up in a museum quality finish, leads you to the best value in the market today. Industry-Leading Model Specification Our Class 31 model features an extensive, high-end specification developed from original drawings, 3D scanning multiple surveys of real locomotives and historical research. Key features include: Highly detailed bodyshell with accurate cab front variants, roof panels and radiator grille tooling Separately fitted etched and injection-moulded details throughout, including handrails, lamp irons, pipework and grilles Correct bufferbeam configurations with fully detailed pipework and multiple accessory options Finely rendered bogies with prototypically accurate brake rigging and suspension detail Heavy die-cast chassis for excellent haulage and stability Five-pole skew-wound motor with twin flywheels All-wheel electrical pickup for reliable operation Accurathrash Factory-fitted speakers in DCC Sound versions with custom-recorded sound project Working directional lighting with accurate headcode illumination and cab lighting Etched nameplates and headboards supplied where applicable Prototype-specific detailing applied per individual locomotive and era Museum-quality paint finish with crisp lining, markings and data panels This comprehensive specification ensures that our Class 31 delivers exceptional realism, performance and value, setting a new benchmark for ready-to-run British outline diesel locomotives. Delivery is slated for Q1 2027, and you can order all the main range either direct, using our no money down or flexible payment options, or via your local Accurascale stockist. Browse the full range and pre-order direct via the link below! Pre-Order Your Class 31 Here! View the full article

In an announcement that will surprise absolutely nobody, we can finally reveal the next release of former Hattons tooling which has now been warmed over and promoted to the Accurascale range. Welcome, to the much loved and oft demanded Railhead Treatment Trains! Prototype History The 2005 railhead treatment train (RHTT) season saw the introduction of a new purpose-built FEA-F wagon type that completed Network Rail’s transformation of its loco-hauled RHTT services from an ad hoc collection of second-hand vehicles into a fleet fit for the leaf-busting needs of the 21st century. The 50 module flats, with 60ft platforms, were constructed in Poland by Greenbrier Europe’s Wagony Świdnica plant and were derived from the already ubiquitous single- and two-unit FEA container wagons that were either already in use or on order for Balfour Beatty, Fastline Freight, Freightliner, GB Railfreight and Transplant. Numbered 642001–642050 and configured as ‘singles’, the FEA-Fs were fitted with through wiring for top-and-tail operation with locomotives equipped with either AAR or Blue Star/DRS 27-way multiple working. They were designed to carry various modules introduced in 2003/04 and would enable Network Rail to retire the ageing General Utility Vans and TTA water tank wagons that had been such a feature of these services since the 1990s. The first to be withdrawn were the TTAs, which were replaced in 2003 with one or two KFAs, each carrying three Protran Developments 17,100-litre water tanks, providing around 180 miles of water-jetting capability per wagon. The following season, the GUVs were retired in favour of another KFA equipped with a Woma 1,000–1,500 bar water-jetting module, supplemented on some routes by a pair of Socofer-built Sandite applicator modules. These were originally limited to 40 mph operation, but since the adoption of a new formula can now operate at 60 mph. The monopoly of traction provider English Welsh & Scottish Railway also ended in 2004, as Direct Rail Services and GB Railfreight were both contracted for certain diagrams. It was also the swansong for the EWS Class 37s, which were replaced by Class 66s and 67s the following year. The first year of the FEAs in 2005 was marked by a reversal of roles, with DRS taking the lion’s share of the circuits. These included the use of Class 20/3s in East Anglia and the North East and West, alongside its Class 37s and 66s. The new FEA-based formations comprised a water-jetting module (powering a spray head on the inner ends of one bogie) with a minimum of three water tanks. Around two-thirds of the trains were also configured with two Sandite modules positioned at the outer ends of the FEAs (with application nozzles at the outer ends of the bogies), while ‘water-only’ routes replaced these units with additional water tanks. In some years, one or two long-distance diagrams required a third FEA to carry extra water tanks, particularly from Wembley, along the North Wales coast and to Carlisle. For 2007, the water-jetting nozzle and associated pipe run were rerouted to the inner end of the opposite bogie, placing both water and Sandite applicators on the same bogie. That year also saw Colas Rail enter the scene with a new circuit in Devon and Cornwall, while the following year saw EWS (later DB Schenker/Cargo) employing its silver Management Train Class 67 and DVT on a Midland Main Line diagram. Since then, several other operators — including Europhoenix, Freightliner, Harry Needle Railroad Company, Locomotive Services and West Coast Railways — have been involved with these trains, either through direct contracts or by providing traction for hire. For the 2009 season, the water-jetting module was modified with a larger fuel tank to increase its range. In 2013, further examples of all three modules were ordered as Network Rail expanded its loco-hauled operations with 12 ex-Avon County Council KFAs. These were refurbished at York Holgate Works, which maintains and overhauls the wagons during the off-season, and were primarily intended for use on the third-rail network based at Tonbridge West Yard. For the 2025 season, the contract to operate the 29 trainsets was split between Colas and GB Railfreight, with motive power selection remaining as eclectic as ever. As well as their own and hired-in DB Cargo and Freightliner Class 66s — the latter providing trip-cock-fitted examples for use between Marylebone and Aylesbury — Colas rostered its Class 37s, 56s, 67s, 70s and Network Rail Class 97/3s, while GB Railfreight also leaned heavily on its Class 57s, 69s and 73s. The Models Our model introduces several notable enhancements and robustness upgrades over the previous Hattons release. While the decorated samples on display use the original tooling due to the lengthy sample creation process, the moulds have since been revised to allow both water pipe run configurations, as well as the original version of the water-jetting module before it gained the longer-range fuel tank. Less obvious changes include the reorientation of the module locking levers and the removal of the rectangular holes in the deck, which are only found on intermodal versions. Our first production run will cover the post-2009 period of FEA-F operations and will include four twin packs: two covering water-only circuits (642013/40 and 642018/21) and two covering Sandite/water circuits (642006/47 and 642009/32). Price, Availability and Delivery Each twin set is priced at £149.99, which is a £25 saving on RRP when inflation is taken into account, representing excellent value once again for this staple of the current scene (albeit in the Autumn and winter months only!) Delivery is slated for Q2 2027 and like previous ex Hattons releases only available direct via the Accurascale website. Pre-order yours today, with no money down, or via flexible payment terms are no extra cost on our website by clicking the link below! Pre-Order Your RHTT Set Here! View the full article

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we announced our much-requested Class 73/9s. In fact, it wasn’t! We announced them just before Christmas, and now our factory has pulled out all the stops to send us the first four decorated samples for review. Please note that these are still early samples, which took the bumpy route to us from China, so some parts may be missing, and fit and finish might not yet meet the high standards we strive for—but, well, you’ll get the picture. They’re shaping up rather nicely, but we’ll let the images do the talking and let you draw your own conclusions… As ever, we will have some feedback ready for the factory when they resume after the Chinese New Year festivities, but so far, things are shaping up very nicely indeed. With swift progress being made, we can confirm that our 73/9s are on schedule for delivery in Q4 2026! Fancy one? With our production run of Mark 5 Caledonian Sleepers also underway for our Caledonian Sleeper–liveried locos (and who knows what else we have lined up for the GB Railfreight quartet!), we’ve got you covered when it comes to complete trains for these beauties. Available exclusively through our website, you can place your order below! Pre-order Your Class 73/9 Here! View the full article

Of the millions of wagons that ran on British Railways, almost all shared one thing: the requirement for a brake van to be coupled to the rear of the train. Indeed, you could say the same about our range. Lots and lots of wagons — but no brake vans. Until now! Presenting the ultimate BR standard 20-ton van and its main constituents, from Accurascale. (TLDR? - Check out our launch video below!) History At nationalisation, British Railways inherited a vast number of brake vans from the “Big Four” companies, along with many even older examples from the pre-grouping era, as well as its own designs. Inevitably, standardisation became the logical solution. Initially, BR continued building batches of LMS, GWR and LNER designs, but eventually settled on its own standard type based on the LNER design known as the Toad D. This featured a 16-foot body mounted on a 16-foot wheelbase chassis, measuring 24 feet over headstocks. Several changes were made to the original design, most visibly the addition of lengthened footboards and ballast weights mounted on the chassis ends. This became the first BR standard brake van diagram: the 1/500. As production continued, the design evolved further. Some LNER features were removed, such as the short lower handrails used to access the veranda, and new handrails were added along the length of the ballast weights. Most production lots were split between hand-brake-only vans and those fitted with vacuum pipes, brake control valves and gauges in the cabin. These became diagrams 1/504 and 1/506, with the majority of BR-built brake vans falling under diagram 1/506. Naturally, variations occurred between batches and construction sites. Buffers and axleboxes differed, as did rainstrips and bodyside planking. Some vans were vacuum fitted, others merely vacuum piped. The final diagram, 1/507, incorporated all previous changes. In total, 4,922 brake vans of the ex-LNER and BR standard design were produced between 1949 and 1962. Given the large numbers and long service lives of these vehicles, it is inevitable that their liveries varied widely, from standard finishes to unique one-off examples often carrying specific working instructions on the cabin sides. Early on, a general pattern emerged: hand-brake-only vans were painted grey, while those fitted with vacuum pipes or vacuum brakes were painted bauxite, in common with the rest of the wagon fleet. When bauxite-painted vans were fitted with air pipes, the ends were painted yellow and a yellow stripe was added around the duckets to highlight the change. The first major repaint programme occurred in the mid-1980s with the introduction of the Railfreight livery. Air-piped vans were repainted with grey bodysides and Rail Red tops to match the rest of the wagon fleet. Although this removed the need for yellow warning panels, some vans still received them. This livery was short-lived, as in 1989 the dark grey Railfreight scheme with sub-sector logos was introduced. A small number of vans survived into the privatisation era, carrying liveries such as Mainline blue, Loadhaul and even EWS. The nature of brake-van work led to extensive variation within each diagram. Early vans were fitted with vacuum pipes, while later examples received different buffers, couplings and axleboxes. Many were fitted with air-brake pipework so that guards could ride on fully air-braked trains. By the 1970s, and with the introduction of TOPS, almost no two vehicles were identical. Under TOPS, brake vans were given new classification codes rather than the simpler “20T” designation previously painted above the number: CAO – Hand brake only CAP – Vacuum piped CAR – Vacuum and air piped CAV – Vacuum braked As the need for brake vans declined once guards were permitted to ride in locomotives, many were transferred into the departmental fleet. These received different TOPS codes: ZTO – Hand brake only ZTP – Vacuum piped ZTR – Vacuum and air piped ZTV – Vacuum braked Departmental brake vans could be found in almost any yard across the network, serving as brake vans for ageing engineering stock and also as mess vans for maintenance crews. Those that remained in the main fleet were used on duties requiring a guard to ride separately from the locomotive. These included MGR trains, nuclear flask traffic and chemical workings. A good example was the Denby branch, where a brake van was marshalled at both the front and rear of each MGR train. The rider in the leading van opened the level-crossing gates, the train passed through, and the rider in the rear van then closed the gates. The sight of a steam-era brake van sandwiched between a modern Type 5 diesel and air-braked coal hoppers was strikingly incongruous. Not all brake vans of this design worked on the national network. Some were sold into industry, while others were built new for private users, including two for the Longmoor Military Railway and six for London Transport engineering trains. These London Transport vans were later converted into coupling adaptor wagons and survived into the 2000s, although they had fallen out of regular use during the 1990s. The Model The depth of the tooling suite for our BR 20t brake van means we can replicate many of the changes the prototype underwent and can reproduce some brake vans accurately for the first time in 4mm scale Ready-To-Run (RTR). Our tooling allows us to model the majority of brake vans from those as constructed right through to the final builds, along with many later — and in some cases unique — modifications, allowing you to buy the brake van that is perfect to complete your train or grace your siding. Weighing in at just under 50 grams, thanks to its diecast floor and plastic superstructure, our brake van has all the underbody detail you have come to expect from us. Not only does it run well, it looks the part too. We can cater for three different types of axlebox — plain (x2) or roller — and four braking systems: handbrake, fitted, vacuum piped or dual piped. There are also multiple buffer types, variations in body planking or replanking, plated ends, rainstrips and many smaller details. It’s not just the tooling that is breaking new ground with our new model. For the first time in a model brake van, we have fitted track-powered working interior lights. There is a small LED in the roof of the cabin to represent the glow of a guard’s lantern hanging from the roof, and for extra effect a glowing red LED inside the stove gives off a warming glow that can be seen through the windows. To cap it off, we have included a small stay-alive in the circuit to ensure the lights remain flicker-free while running on your layout. We have also included, with all models, a complement of non-functional but decorated tail and side lamps, which you can fit over the separately fitted lamp irons to fully detail your model to your own specification. So, how much is all this awesomeness? Well, the vans will be sold in single packs for £39.95 per model, with 10% off if you buy two, three or four, and 15% if you order five or more! Delivery is estimated at Q1 2027 and they are available direct from the Accurascale website only. Pre-order yours today via the link below! Pre-Order Your Brake Van Here! View the full article