Model Railway News Roundup - November 2018
Model Railway News Roundup November 2018
Diesel and Electric Era News
Accurascale launches all new Deltic
In its most ambitious announcement yet, Accurascale is to produce a completely new Class 55 Deltic in OO gauge for release towards the end of 2019. What’s more, the company is planning to release no less than 17 different versions in one go, these covering the English Electric machines from delivery in 1961/62 right through to the privatisation era.
Development work on the model is already well advanced with laser scanning having taken place at Barrow Hill back in the spring while new sound files have also been recorded, all with the co-operation of the Deltic Preservation Society. As pictured, CAD work has been completed, allowing the production of a 3D printed model; all of which are now being thoroughly checked for accuracy ahead of tooling commencing.
The initial 3D print of the Accurascale Deltic shows plenty of promise but some further tweaks are still required to various areas. The wheelsets are very much temporary and not indicative of the size or style that will be used.
As well as offering sound fitted versions employing the latest ESU technology, Accurascale is also looking at producing models with EM and P4 gauge wheelsets for those who use the finer 4mm track standards. Etched nameplates from Shawplan will be included as well, while the models will take into account the many modifications made to the class over the years.
These include:
- different headcode panel and boiler port styles
- positioning of windscreen wipers and air horns
- presence or not of ETH fittings and sandbox fillers
- plated cab quarterlights where required
- cast or fabricated bogie styles
- modern headlights or light clusters on privatisation era models
The technical specification for the Deltics includes:
- five-pole motor with twin flywheels
- tungsten diecast metal chassis
- metal helical gearboxes with gearing set to give a scale top speed
- 21 pin DCC socket
- pre-fitted twin speakers
- full lighting package, including switchable marker/tail lights, cab lights, engine room and driver’s desk
- metal detailing parts, including grilles, wipers, handrails, steps and sprung buffers
Another look at the 3D print shows the detail that is planned for the cab interiors and chassis block, which includes representations of the Napier engines to go behind the bodyside windows.
The initial 17 locos that will be available from Accurascale are as follows:
- 55022 Royal Scots Grey in BR blue with silver grilles and pre-TOPS D9000 number (1981 condition)
- 55001 St. Paddy in BR standard blue
- 55003 Meld in BR standard blue
- D9004 in BR green with no yellow panels and un-named
- 55005 The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in BR standard blue
- D9006 The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in BR green with full yellow ends
- D9007 Pinza in BR green with no yellow panels
- D9010 The King's Own Scottish Borderer in BR green with full yellow ends and BR double arrow logos
- 55011 The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in BR standard blue
- D9012 Crepello in pre-TOPS BR standard blue
- D9013 The Black Watch in BR green with yellow panels
- D9014 The Duke of Wellington's Regiment in BR green with full yellow ends
- 9016 Gordon Highlander in Porterbrook purple
- 55017 The Durham Light Infantry in BR standard blue
- 55018 Ballymoss in BR blue with Finsbury Park white cab window surrounds
- D9020 Nimbus in BR green with yellow panels
- 9021 Argyll and Sutherland Highlander in pre-TOPS BR standard blue
All of the models are available to pre-order now with DCC ready versions priced £160 and sound fitted models at £250. Models can either be paid for in full now or by instalments beginning with a £30 deposit per loco.
To pre-order the Deltics, visit the Accurascale website at accurascale.co.uk/collections/class-55-deltic
Limited Edition Deltics on offer
In addition to the 17 OO gauge Deltics being produced by Accurascale, a further six limited editions are now being jointly offered by Rails of Sheffield, Locomotion and the Deltic Preservation Society. Due for release at the same time in the fourth quarter of 2019, the locos encompass:
- D9002 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in BR green with yellow panels and current day main line fittings
- 55002 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in BR green with yellow panels, 1980/81 repaint
- D9008 in BR green with no yellow panels and un-named
- D9009 Alycidon in pre-TOPS BR blue with current day main line fittings
- 55015 Tulyar in BR blue with Finsbury Park white cab window surrounds
- D9019 Royal Highland Fusilier in BR green with yellow panels
All are available in DCC ready form and are priced £160.
Pre-orders can be placed by visiting the Rails of Sheffield: railsofsheffield.com/exclusive or Locomotion: locomotionmodels.com
Revolution Trains unveils JNA and MMA aggregates wagons
In a major development for current day OO gauge modellers, Revolution Trains has unveiled plans to release several versions of the JNA-T and MMA bogie box wagon in ready-to-run form. More than 500 of these wagons have been delivered since 2016 with the MMAs being finished in DB Cargo’s distinctive red livery while some of the JNAs carry GB Railfreight blue, both making highly colourful rakes. Other JNAs carry VTG and Mendip Rail-branded silver while yet more feature plain grey with the logos of wagon leasing company Ermewa and, in some cases, construction company Tarmac.
The wagons mark Revolution’s second foray into OO gauge and will feature the same high level of detail as the recently released TEA tankers. The variations seen between the batches will be taken into account, including the presence or not of access doors and nine or eleven bodyside ribs. Notably, the models have already been tooled, which will allow them to be released in late spring of 2019. Pictured here are hand-painted pre-production versions of the DB and GBRf wagons, these still requiring some adjustments.
Production of the models is being carried out in conjunction with Kernow Model Rail Centre with the liveries split between the two companies. Revolution is offering the DB-liveried MMAs and the Ermewa grey JNAs, both with and without Tarmac logos. There are five differently-numbered models in each livery, four standard versions and a fifth fitted with a battery-operated tail light. These are currently priced £37.50 and £45.50 respectively, which are ‘early bird’ discounted pre-order prices.
Meanwhile, Kernow has exclusive rights to the GBRf and Mendip Rail liveries, it offering four JNAs in each colour scheme. These are currently priced £49.99 for a standard model and £57.99 for the one with a working tail light. A bulk buy of four is also available at £199.99. Again, these are pre-order prices that will rise in due course.
The wagons can be pre-ordered now by visiting revolutiontrains.com and kernowmodelrailcentre.com
Bachmann Class 90 Ready for Production
The Warley exhibition saw Bachmann provide an update on the state of play with several under-development OO gauge models. Most excitingly, the production of the Class 90 AC electric locos is about to get underway in China following the arrival of the last components at the factory, with a spring release expected. The much-delayed Warflat is also now ready to go into production following issues with the tooling of the Cromwell tank load, which have now been resolved.
Design work on the all new Class 20/3 has been completed with tooling of the model about to commence, while the headcode box-fitted Class 24 has received improvements to its roof detail, specifically around the boiler area, and a revised engineering prototype was on display within the Bachmann Collectors’ Club area.
The eagerly-awaited Ransomes and Rapier steam crane has similarly undergone some upgrades following testing of the initial sample’s working jib and hook. This has included altering the pulley wheels to brass and changing the material used for the rigging to give smoother operation. Decorated samples of both this and the Class 24 are now awaited.
Find out more on the Bachmann website: bachmann.co.uk or pre-order yours here: hattons.co.uk/c90
New Containers from C-Rail Intermodal
Now available from C-Rail Intermodal is its latest 4mm scale container, this featuring the unmistakable magenta livery of Ocean Network Express or ONE. The company was formed in April this year with the merger of the three Japanese shipping lines of NYK, K Line and MOL. The model depicts a 40ft high-cube dry box with a 9ft 6in height and is priced £7.50.
Also newly released in 2mm scale is a 20ft oblate tanktainer, this featuring four current day liveries. These are suitable for use with Revolution Trains’ upcoming KFA container flat along with C-Rail’s own under development KQA/KTA pocket wagon in addition to other modern intermodal wagons. Pictured here are the colourful Hoyer and Bulkhaul liveries with the other pair covering Stolt and Nichicon, all being priced £9 each.
All of the models can be ordered from C-Rail’s website c-rail-intermodal.co.uk
Revolution Progresses with VEA vans and Sturgeons
Revolution Trains has also been busy with its N gauge range with notable progress on two wagon projects. Firstly, decorated samples of the VEA van have been received, this model being produced in conjunction with newcomer Sonic Models. The vans are best known for their use on Ministry of Defence traffic, particularly carrying munitions and explosives, with three liveries set to be released.
These include the Railfreight maroon finish that was given to the first batch of 50 modernised Vanwides along with the Railfreight Distribution grey and yellow scheme that appeared at the end of the 1980s. Three different running numbers will be offered for both of these liveries. In contrast, there will be five versions of the classic Railfreight red and grey, these featuring variations in lettering and warning labels. Weathered versions are also due to be offered with samples of these now being worked on. Once all the liveries are approved, production will begin and ordering details will be released.
Meanwhile, Revolution is now accepting pre-orders for its YBO/YBA ‘Sturgeon’ rail, ballast and sleeper engineers’ wagon. CAD work has been completed on the N gauge model with tooling ready to get underway once sufficient funds are raised. Over 800 of the wagons were built by British Railways, the last stragglers just making it into this century in main line service with EWS. Fitted with dropside doors, both these and the ends were removable with many of the wagons being permanently stripped down to carry 60ft track panels.
Revolution is offering various versions of the ‘Sturgeon’ with and without bodywork and with liveries encompassing BR black, Gulf red, engineers’ olive green, all-over yellow and departmental grey/yellow depending on the variant chosen. Until 21st December, pre-orders can be placed at the discounted price of £33 for a single wagon and £99 for a triple pack. After this date, prices will increase to £35 and £105 respectively.
Visit the Revolution website at revolutiontrains.com to see further details.
Kernow adds additional North British Warship
The long in gestation project to produce the North British D600 Warships in OO gauge is finally nearing completion for Kernow Model Rail Centre. Recent weeks have seen livery samples of the initial five models received with some alterations identified before production commences. In addition, a sixth model has been added to the line-up following numerous customer requests, this portraying D602 Bulldog in its unique BR blue livery with small yellow panels. The only one of the class to receive this livery combination, it also features headcode boxes and the later style of bodyside grilles. Pre-orders can be placed now at £169.99.
Full details of all the D600 models on offer can be found at www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/104/Warship_Limited_Editions
All text in this article was created by Simon Bendall on behalf of Hattons Model Railways. Images are copyright of the author or Hattons while others were provided by the manufacturers of the models shown. Unauthorised use or reproduction of either the images or text in this article is strictly forbidden.
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