BosKonay

Let’s just say a very large box of A-mazing things will be shared soon

Note: This is an Update for our Class 37 locomotives. If you are looking for an update on any of our other projects, please check out our "Latest News" tab on our website by clicking here. We will have updates coming on other outstanding project over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for them.

It's been 6 months since we last updated you on our largest and most complex (when it comes to detail variations!) locomotive project to date. It is of course our hugely popular and exciting Class 37 in 4mm/OO scale!

The most important aspect is of course "does it look like a 37? Is it accurate?" Well, after our checks and measurements, we can say yes! Yes, it does! We have looked at our scanning and survey data, photos and drawings and the model matches up very well.

Other areas we are incredibly happy with are the crispness of the tooling, the fidelity of the grilles and other features, and the beauty of the etched details which all elevate our model to the next level. It is all coming together very nicely indeed. Is there still work to do? Sure - and fit and finish will be improved in areas such the exhaust panel, the fitting of the nose doors and other areas.

As you can see on the modern Class 37/4 prototype below, the turned brass horns atop the cab roof are elegant but robust details. Additionally, the ETH equipment, the stance on its bogies and the variety of buffer heads across the Class 37 range makes for a series of enticing models.

Our December update was only able to preview a single example of this exciting range of Syphon variants; in original EE Type 3 guise as delivered from 1960. As you may already know, the real locomotives have been heavily modified over their subsequent 60 years on the network and we set out to specifically cover variants previously unavailable to modellers in a high fidelity ready-to-run format. This has proven very successful indeed, with pre-order sales exceeding our greatest expectations, already resulting in two extensions to the size of the first production run.

Please bear in mind that the samples shown here are hand-assembled test assemblies from early injection parts where fit and finish is being perfected. The final appearance of these models will be substantially better. In fact, our production team built them themselves, rather than the factory, for reasons we will touch on later. So please excuse the ill-fitting part here, the gap there, the heavy touches, etc. All have been duly noted and will be improved on the models you will get your hands on. 

Fit and finish, particularly around the cab front window, the exhaust panel and the fuel tanks will be much improved on our decorated samples. There are also missing rivets (yes, we count them!) around the cantrail grilles, radiator fan panel and other areas. However, these are usually added later in the development process, so this was to be expected. There is a missing hole for the engine room door hinges which must be added, and fitting of these parts shall be improved. One other element that is missing is a blade on the radiator panel on some versions, which will of course be added!

Other areas which are being refined are the glazing (always cloudy on first samples!) as well as flash, parting lines and particularly mould sink, which is common on early injection parts and can be seen on the right-hand buffer of the Class 37/0. Again, simple fixes that just take a bit of time. After all, they must be perfect, right?

We also received these samples with plain wheels. The production models (as will be seen on the decorated samples) will have accurate wheels with correct profile central section with holes - just like the Deltic. This will of course be replicated in the EM and P4 wheelsets which we will provide separately and will be available to buy when the locomotives arrive in stock. We are also investigating alternatives to the plastic radiator fan keeper part to give it that extra bit of prototype fidelity.

Of course, with the devil being in the detail, and there being a huge amount of detail variation between the more modern sub-classes of Class 37s, such as the 37/6 and the modern 37/4, a tremendous amount of time has been spent on research and a massive tooling suite. However, we felt that this time and expense was imperative to create the definitive Class 37 in 4mm/OO scale. 

So, that's where we've been. Where are we now? Well, to be honest, we are not as advanced as we had hoped. As other manufacturers have reported in recent weeks, COVID-19 has had a serious impact on supply lines with factories and distribution, resulting in delays on all Chinese-made products, not just model trains.

We had to assemble these samples ourselves from scratch due to understaffing at the factory caused by the pandemic. Travel restrictions have resulted in less migrants moving to the industrial cities from rural China and this has resulted in a shortage of workers, so every hand is on deck to catch up on items currently in production (like our Deltic!) so newer projects must wait their turn. The Class 37 is no different. The samples above took us over 3 weeks to assemble and proved to be extremely challenging work - another black mark against moving production elsewhere alongside considerable price increases and available labour!

These difficulties, coupled to our incessant need to get these right and as perfect as we can, as well as an increased production run to facilitate demand, means a revised project schedule. Tooling tweaks are underway and have been for some weeks now to correct the models based on our feedback. This is due to finish next month.

There will also be an extensive tampo printing process for some class members with more modern liveries, taking into account complex livery fades, logos, warning and information panels and more. That, coupled with there being 20 distinctly different locomotives in the first run (detail-wise, we really have gone mad!) means the production process will take longer than envisaged. Just take a look at the seven Class 37/6 examples where every single running number features substantially different details, such including standard or long-range welded fuel tanks, different plated windows and footsteps, four different nose ends, one or two multiple working sockets, etc! We must be bonkers, but it’s why we decided to make model trains!

Decorated samples will be provided by the factory in October, with production commencing following sign off and will be completed in late Q2 2022. We sincerely apologise for this delay, and the biggest contributing factor is one that really is out of our hands and is impacting the industry as a whole. With this in mind, we will not increase this first production run any further as it will add to the delay. With 85% of the first run already reserved, we can see them being sold out before arrival - just like the Deltics! 

Of course, while these delays are not ideal, they do give us more time to add in extra effort to make these the very best Class 37s on the market. As you know we like to put a lot of effort into our sound recordings, and to ensure we cover all bases we are recording several Type 3s to capture that EE growl!

Having already recorded Class 37 215 (big thank you to the Growler Group and the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway who were so helpful and tremendous hosts!), we turned our attention to 37 714 belonging to The Heavy Tractor Group and based on The Great Central Railway. Once again our railway preservation groups and railways pulled out all the stops to help us create the very best model we can, and a sincere thank you for to both for hosting us yesterday! 

We will be recording a Class 37/6 shortly, along with a Class 37/4, and to make our DCC sound fitted models the very best they can be we now have a dedicated sound engineer with a wealth of experience on our books. So, these tractors are going to sound awesome with our twin speaker setup and Stay Alive capacitor pack!

Remember, you can secure your order via your local stockist, or via our website with a £30 deposit. Flexible payment terms are also on offer direct from us. Check out the range and place your order today by visiting your local stockist or clicking here to avoid disappointment. 

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I’ve run through all the settings ga both forum and server and all file types in all formats up to 32mB are uploadable by members. 

Like I said without specifics I might as well kick the flux capacitor 

16 minutes ago, airfixfan said:

Have tried about 20 times to upload photos over the last 4 weeks. Only once was I succesful!

What file size / type / dimensions are the photos? The upload limits are -very- generous and should handle any regular photo taken with a camera or phone?

If anyone wants to make some instalments or spread the bill between now and arrival just drop support@irishrailwaymodels.com a line

8 hours ago, WRENNEIRE said:

So do you think we will see an IRMBay soon?
Askin for a friend

https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/classifieds/

I haven't had a lot of time to spend tweaking it, but it's completely free to list

It’s basically down to new rules. 
 

https://sellercentre.ebay.ie/seller-update/2021-march/eu-vat-changes

1 hour ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Does that mean that online sellers will have to charge 7% IGIC for sales to Las Canarias at point of sale, instead of selling VAT free? That would save a lot of headaches when receiving orders, having the IGIC pre-paid.

Unfortunately IGIC isn’t VAT as far as the EU are concerned So no change to the process there  

All changes July 1st with removals of the exemptions and new ‘One Stop Shop’ Vat registration across the EU

HTTPS://accurascale.Eu are all sorted  

22 minutes ago, connollystn said:

The one good thing about my Lima 'A' class is that you can drop kick it from here to eternity and none of the separately applied parts will fall off.

It has parts?

It's time to reveal our worst kept secret and formally announce a wagon project we alluded to last October; the MGR coal hopper wagon family of HAA, HBA, HCA, HDA, HFA, HMA and HNA, as well as the CDA China clay hoppers and MHA spoil wagons in OO/4mm.

A total of 10,961 of these iconic wagons were built between 1964 and 1982, with all but 162 constructed at Shildon (the other 160 were built at Ashford). The standard MGR coal hoppers were initially coded 'HOP AB' complete with B-prefixed numbers from new. They then became HAA under TOPS and the B prefix was dropped in the mid-1970s. Canopy-fitted wagons from that time were classified as 'HOP 32 AB', later being recoded as HCA.

The Last 460 wagons, built at Shildon in 1982 were given uprated suspension and braking to allow them to run at 60 mph loaded and unloaded. These uprated wagons gained the TOPS code HDA and were used on long-haul services and in shorter formations in Speedlink services. HAAs were usually permitted to run at 55 mph empty and 45 mph loaded, although some were uprated for 60mph empty. 

Initially built with four internal strengthening bars spanning the two bodysides, these were quickly damaged resulting in the body losing structural integrity. Around 1977, Doncaster Works began rebodying vehicles with a new style body with a horizontal strengthening beam along the top edge of the inside of the wagon. This can be easily observed by the tell tale line of rivets along the upper half of the body. Wagons built after 1977, including the HDAs, featured this from new.

As collieries closed in the years following the miners' strike, MGR coal flows started to get longer and Railfreight began a programme of refitting canopies to a wider number of wagons. Initially all HAAs were to be equipped with the canopy from new but many collieries were unable to accept the taller design, leaving a rump of around 150 dedicated to Scottish flows. The new “aerodynamic” canopy design introduced in the early 1990s was slightly modified from the original to cut down on coal dust being blown from the top of the wagons. The first to be modified was the entire fleet of HDAs between 1991-2, these being recoded HBA, and they were followed by a large number of HAAs that became HFA.

Two other TOPS codes were introduced in the mid-1990s, both highlighting vehicles with uprated brake distributors. Mainline Freight began modifying HAAs from around 1995, these being recoded HMA, a scheme that was continued by EWS. Meanwhile canopy-fitted HFAs with similar mods became HNA. Around the same time Mainline and Transrail began removing the canopies from HBA and HFA wagons, the vehicles being recoded back to HDA and HAA respectively. Under EWS, mixed rakes of all types became common with HAA, HDA and HMA being seen in the same trains with HBA, HCA, HFA and HNA also being regularly marshalled together.

The MGR hopper design was considered a huge success and it was developed for into wagons for three other commodities. The most famous is the china clay version (TOPS code CDA), which was introduced in 1987-8, 124 wagons being built at Doncaster Works and delivered wearing ECC English China Clay branding with blue frames. A further 15 were rebuilt from HAA hoppers in 1989. CDAs are currently still in use on these trains in EWS and DB liveries, some still sporting original evidence of their original blue cradles and hoods. The other two HAA derivatives carried lime (TOPS code CBA) and gypsum (TOPS code PFA).

By the late 1990s between 5,000-6,000 MGR wagons still existed although around 10% of these were stored for repairs or conversion. One such conversion included the MHA ballast/spoil box using redundant HAA underframes. These were built by RFS(E) Doncaster in 1997. An initial order for 250 extended several times until eventually over 1,150 wagons were converted using two distinct body styles. Early examples wore the fish-kind name "Coalfish".

The introduction of the first Thrall-built bogie HTA hoppers in December 2000 was the beginning of the end for the MGR coal wagons, and the final services ran to Longannet power station in Scotland in 2008. The MHA and CDAs are still in service today, albeit in depleted numbers.

With such a vast array of detail variation to incorporate into the tooling suite, our research team undertook extensive surveying of a number of variants when embarking on this complex project. Since we debuted in the market in 2018, the HAA and its constituents have been the most requested wagon through customer surveys, emails and forum/social media posts. An essential component for our “Powering Britain” range of coal wagons, work began on the project in early 2019.

It soon became clear that this family of wagons would be a colossal undertaking with various detail differences to be catered for and presented a fantastic opportunity to do these wagons justice for modellers demanding a fresh approach to these icons.

As can be seen in the images above, the project has been progressing in the background over the past 18 months, with tooling commencing last summer. The project has now arrived at the decorated sample stage which is being assessed ahead of production.

Our approach to the MGR range is no different to any of our previous models, with a large tooling suite to account for the diverse range of detail differences across the MGR family. The full breakdown of the tooling suite is as follows:

• CDA china clay covered hopper
• HAA/HOP AB as built body
• HBA 'rebodied' style body with uprated brakes/suspension and 'aerodynamic' canopy (ex-HDA)
• HCA/HOP 32 AB with 'as built' style body and canopy
• HDA 'rebodied' style body with uprated brakes/suspension
• HMA 'rebodied' with modified brake distributor (ex-HAA)
• MHA with later-style body
• HAA rebodied
• HFA rebodied with 'aerodynamic' canopy
• HNA 'rebodied' with modified brake distributor and 'aerodynamic' canopy (ex-HFA)
• MHA early style body 
• CBA lime hopper
• MAA/MAB box open (ex-HAA)

Like all of our projects, each model will consist of a wealth of separately applied detail and quality materials, such as a fully diecast chassis to provide ample weight for excellent running capabilities, much use of lost wax casting and etched components and high quality injection-moulded plastic to capture these stylish wagons in model form.

A grand total of 23 different three-packs will form the first production run, split into two batches. Batch one will consist of the HAA, HCA and CDA which are due in Q4 2021, and batch two will be formed with the MHA, HDA, HMA and HBA which will follow in Q2 2022.

Liveries are a smorgasbord across the life of these wagons, with original BR freight brown on HOP ABs all the way to DB livery on the CDAs and MHAs across 23 different packs. Careful consideration has been given to respect another project commissioned by two retail partners unbeknownst to us in order to avoid duplication of liveries on particular variants where possible. However, these liveries will follow quite quickly in a future production run from us. 

As part of our launch for these wagons we chatted to Andy York of BRM and RMWeb about the project, the sheer variation (the sheer numbers of TOPS codes alone trips Fran up in places!) and the thinking behind avoiding duplication where possible with our retail partners. Check it out below!

Prices will be £74.95 per three-wagon pack, with bundle discounts of 10% applying when two or more packs are ordered together. The range will also be available from Accurascale’s growing number of over 100 local stockists across the UK and beyond. For more information on all the liveries and packs available on the MGR packs, click here, for the CDAs click here and the MHAs click here!

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5 hours ago, airfixfan said:

Yet again have been unable to.post photos even using the  camera mode!

How big was the image?

- If you buy all 8 packs you get 15% off (deduction is ex VAT)

- Well spotted - SKU corrected

- The Blue packs feature accurate details for that era, including the original roof / lids, the bauxite packs feature the same lids as run 1 and the 'modern' lids are also tooled - perhaps for a future run?

- this is the pricing on global shipping (outside EU/UK) and is based on DHL Worldwide Express

1 minute ago, Barl said:

Delighted to see the new announcement with the never previously released  blue Tara's. 

I missed out on them before but they only thing is now I have to decide between them and another A class I was just about to click checkout on..

Worth mentioning that the original wagons have also different roofs to the previously released models.

We haven't had an IRM announcement for a little while as we work to get the A Classes over the line. Now our Metrovicks are getting close to completion, we can focus on other projects.

So, we have a couple of excellent new announcements coming up over the next while. The first of which is a perfect companion to our A Class and something that's been in high demand since we sold out of them a couple of years ago; the Tara Mines wagons are back, and this time in their most iconic livery of blue with Tara branding!

The Tara Mines wagon were built by CIÉ in 1977 for Tara Mines Ltd to convey zinc and lead ore from their mine near Navan, Co. Meath to Dublin Port for export. They are still in operation today and currently represent the heaviest freight trains operated on a daily basis in Ireland.

When they first appeared on the network they sported an attractive all over blue livery with Tara branding, forming a distinctive and bright block train as CIE pumped positivity into the Irish rail freight network. Three laden trains still operate in a block formation between the mine and Dublin Port each day, with the wagons going about their business in unassuming and reliable fashion for almost 35 years.

When we launched our first run of these distinctive wagons back in late 2016 we did so in the current red oxide livery only. We were asked by many modellers if a blue liveried model would be forthcoming. It seemed pointless to provide them at that time due to a lack of quality A Class locomotives to haul them, but we did tool the original style hoods as we were already planning then to do the A's some justice in model form. 

The blue Taras were almost religiously hauled by A Class locomotives between their introduction in 1977 and repainting in the early 1990s, with Supertrain, Supertrain with IR logos and IR white lined livery providing motive power during this time. The wagons themselves began to suffer due to the corrosive nature of the zinc order they hauled, with the blue fading into grey before the repainting into red oxide livery. IR branded A Classes would continue to haul the Tara's in red oxide until their withdrawal and replacement with 071 locomotives in 1995.

As per the first run of these wagons, a wealth of separately applied detail to ensure the bulky nature of these interesting wagons is captured correctly. Rotating axle hubs, kinematic couplings with NEM pockets set at the correct height and full 21mm provision has been accounted for, with sprung buffers and full brake detail present.

As well as blue livered Tara's, we're also offering packs of the later red oxide livery with all new numbers and later style hood to help modellers bolster their previous rake, or build a new one for their IR A Classes or 071 locomotives in IR, IE orange and black, black and silver and current grey livery.

There will be five different twin packs of the blue liveried wagons, each with a unique running numbers allowing you to build up an authentic rake of 10 wagons behind your IRM A Class. We are also offering three packs of these wagons in red oxide livery. All packs are being made in extremely limited numbers. 

Despite rising costs in China, we are able to maintain our RRP of €79.95 per twin pack. We also know our rake deals are always popular, so we will be continuing them. You can buy all 8 packs (five blue and three red oxide) for €624.60 (saving 15%!) five blue packs for €339.79 (saving 15%!) or three red oxide packs for €215.87 (save 10%). Just add the wagons to your cart and it will be automatically deducted at the checkout for you!

Tweaks to some of the printing (including the "Tara" branding) is already underway and once this is complete manufacturing will get underway, with a Q4 2021 delivery date envisaged. You can pre-order yours by clicking here. 

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Hot on the heels of yesterday's announcement of our new batch of coal container and half height nuclear PFA packs, we can bring you an update on the new range of nuclear PFA wagons.

As you can see, we have received a full range of decorated samples from the factory for assessment. Once the decoration is applied you can fully appreciate the colourful variety these new loads will bring to your layout!

Also apparent is the sheer number of warning labels and panels, all individually drawn with subtle differences between wagons, just like the real thing. The large amount of warning labels is perfectly understandable due to the interesting cargo they carry, and really make the models pop.

We are also delighted to report that our models are on schedule and still on course for delivery in Q4 2021. These packs make for the perfect current and privitisation era short train, with a great mix of heritage and latest traction that can be employed to provide power.

Packs are still available to order at £74.95 per pack, with six different packs available. Five of these packs can be pre-ordered through your local stockist, with the Dragon pack an Accurascale Exclusive, only available direct via Accurascale.

Pre-order your packs direct right here, with 10% off when you order two or more PFA packs.

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Earlier this year we announced an all new range of nuclear container packs for our humble PFA four wheeled flat wagon. At the time, and due to a large demand from our customers, we also hinted at a new run of some of our previous container loads. 

Well, here they are! Our coal and low level nuclear waste container wagons are back with all new numbers and identities!

These distinctive wagons debuted in the mid 1980s in the iconic and attractive Cawoods Coal livery, bringing domestic coal to ports for export. Running in long block trains behind classic traction such as Class 37s and 56s, they made for an attractive and different sight on the network. 

Following on from the previous two runs of this livery, we are now offering two new packs of three wagons featuring all new numbers. Perfect for building a rake or complimenting an existing train, the Cawoods wagons really do not hang around for long in stock.

In the mid 1990s. Cawoods yellow was swapped for British Fuels red. Another attractive livery with white branding was born and we are now adding an all new pack to the four packs we released in the first run of these pretty wagons. Once again all new numbers are available and are perfect for enterprise workings as well as long block trains, giving modellers a perfect variety in their stock.

Finally, the low level nuclear waste of the DRS era has probably been our best selling wagon combination, ever! Our previous run of these wagons sold out within 10 days of arrival, so we have now brought it back to satisfy demand with new artwork. Sure to be another favourite among modellers once again, they match perfectly with our new nuclear loads and of course our monster KUAs and forthcoming Class 37s in DRS livery.

Delivery of these wagons will be with our new nuclear container PFAs in Q4 2021 and are priced at £74.95 per three pack. If you buy any two packs or more you will get an automatic 10% discount at the checkout too, and this includes mixing them with the other PFA packs available to pre-order, offering further value! 

Order yours at you local stockist, or direct right here.

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All the bodies are complete, painting and printing of the detail parts us underway, then final assembly

Thanks for patience, all resolved now!

Looks like the cloud move undid some of the memory limits. Will fix! Thanks

What format, file size and dimensions are the images? 

Our latest announcement sees us returning to an old favourite long since unavailable and something that was subject to high demand last time out; the Castle Cement PCA wagons.

The first run of these wagons sold out in super quick time, and there has been demand for these wagons ever since. We are also offering them in original Castle Cement livery too for the first time!

All wagons were re-liveried in Castle Cement livery in 1996 for use on workings to London – initially to Kings Cross freight depot and then to the freight facility at Saint Pancras from 2003. Since 2013, a number of these wagons have also been used on workings between Clitheroe and Avonmouth which they serve on to this day.

Transition from original to revised Castle Cement livery took place in the early 2000s and have since featured a variety of branding variations which our models faithfully capture.  

As you can see, the decoration artwork for this new run of wagons is complete and we are due samples soon. The modern Castle Cement liveried wagons features all new running numbers from the first run too, so perfect for complimenting existing wagon packs! Delivery is slated for Q4 2021 and packs are priced at £74.95 each, with 10% off when you buy two or more packs (automatically added at the checkout!)

Demand is expected to be high for this production run, so pre-ordering with your local stockist or direct is advised. You can pre-order direct right here: https://accurascale.co.uk/collections/pca-bulk-cement-wagon

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