Accucraft November News

The K-37s are on their way!

The first examples of Accucraft’s new K-37s are heading to the UK now!  The Denver & Rio Grande Western K-37s were classic American narrow gauge ‘Mikes’. They were originally built by Baldwin as part of an order for thirty standard gauge 2-8-0’s, class 190, in 1902.  Renumbered into class C-41 during the railroad’s reorganization in 1924 they were then converted to three foot gauge in 1928-30 at the railroad’s Burnham Shops with many new parts including new frames and smaller drivers. They were then renumbered into class K-37.

The locos worked out of Salida, Colorado to Gunnison, Colorado and up the Crested Butte Branch as well as the Monarch Branch. The locos also worked out of Alamosa, Colorado to Antonito over Cumbres Pass to Chama and on to Durango and the Farmington Branch. Like the K-36s the locos were not permitted West of Gunnison or on the Silverton branch. However, the Silverton branch has since been upgraded to take K-36s.  Of the eight preserved K-37s, only #497 has been operational, both on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad but it is now awaiting a major overhaul.

In model form the K-37 is one of the largest locomotives that can be built in 1:20.3 scale The huge boiler allows runs of well over an hour without injecting water. This new Live Steam version is also cross ported so that valve gear is in prototypical position for forward and reverse. This large model is extremely powerful , but unlike the prototype is very easy and rewarding to run.  Solidly constructed in copper, brass and stainless steel, the model features a butane-fired 60 psi boiler, slide valves, Walschaerts valve gear, safety valves, pressure gauge, water level glass, adjustable lubricator, boiler feed and tender water pump. Only fifty have been made and the following versions are now available with a UK RRP of £5865.00:

AL87-241 – K-37 D&RGW #490, Flying Rio Grande Logo, Live Steam
AL87-242 – K-37 D&RGW #491, Flying Rio Grande Logo, Live Steam
AL87-243 – K-37 D&RGW #495, Flying Rio Grande Logo, Live Steam
AL87-244 – K-37 D&RGW #499, Green w/ Moffat Logo, Live Steam

1:32 Scale US Streamline coaches

Accucraft (US) has announced the production of streamlined passenger cars in 1:32 scale and 45mm gauge. These fine scale cars are constructed with metal bodies, die-cast trucks and metal wheels.

Dimensions: 30” x 3.8” x 5.2”

Road Names: Unlettered, SP light & dark grey, UP Grey, NYC, SP Daylight, UP Yellow, N&W, Pennsylvania, CP (no road numbers).

They will be available in sets of six cars (1 Baggage Car, 2 Coaches, 1 Sleeper Car, 1 Observation Car, 1 Diner Car) for an amazingly good price of £1080.00 or as individual cars at £210.00.

Accucraft (UK) launches its own YouTube channel

Starting in a small way we are uploading videos of Accucraft models in action here.  You can subscribe to our YouTube channel for notification of all the latest videos and leave comments and questions there for the Accucraft team.  Now showing are ten clips of the engineering sample of the new Gauge 1 A1 ‘Tornado’ taken during running trials – we were very impressed!

Warley 2013

We will again be attending the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC.  The exhibition, the UK’s Premier Model Railway show, opens its doors on the 23rd and 24th November for what has become a world renowned event and a fun day out for local families.  It’s the Club’s 46th annual show and the 21st at the NEC!  Accucraft (UK) will be unveiling its new Gauge 1 A1 ‘Tornado’ and showing several other new releases for the first time.

This year sees at least 85 working model railway layouts on show with exhibitors from the UK, and Europe.  As usual there will be a huge trade interest with all the major model railway manufacturers and most of the smaller ones represented, launching their latest products and selling those rare items that modellers require for the hobby.

There is a ‘narrow gauge’ theme this year with 2 visiting locos from the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway (Baldwin locomotive number 778 and a Motor Rail ‘Simplex’ locomotive) together with an engine from the Corris Railway.  There will also be a full size steam locomotive in the form of the new ‘under construction’ LMS Patriot Class locomotive – a king size kit of parts!