Accucraft UK Ltd
NEW for 2019 – L&SWR Adams Radial Tank 4-4-2T
To be announced by Accucraft UK today at the Large Scale Model Railway Show, we are thrilled and delighted to say that this year’s new 1:32 locomotive will the iconic L&SWR Adams Radial Tank 4-4-2T. This will be the first Accucraft model to benefit from assembly in Japan, bringing improved build quality and finish as well as giving us the option to offer the model in kit form, a first for Accucraft UK!. Launched to coincide with the Bluebell Railway’s ‘Branch Line Weekend’ debut of No. 30583 in late BR black, we are sure that almost everyone with a Gauge 1 layout will find an excuse to have one of these delightful locomotives.
William Adams’ 415 (later 0415) Class was based on his earlier LSWR 46 Class, with London suburban services in mind. The enlarged coal bunker was also designed to incorporate a back tank for extra water storage in addition to the capacity of the side tanks. Coupled to a short wheelbase and guiding bogie, the locomotive was relatively manoeuvrable on tight curves, a feature that was to ensure the survival of some of the class later on. The 0415’s tenure on the London suburban services was relatively short-lived and the class was generally removed from the London section of the LSWR to rural branch duties from 1895.
In 1903 the link was made between the class and the severely curved Lyme Regis branch and two were allocated to Exmouth Junction shed for the Axminster to Lyme Regis service, joined in 1946 by a third example retrieved from the East Kent Railway. The three locomotives continued on the Lyme Regis branch after Nationalisation due to the lack of better motive power to cope with the curve restrictions in place on the line. By 1958 all three were showing their age, and the end finally came in 1961. However the final example, No. 30583 (née 488), was purchased by the Bluebell Railway. After arriving at the line under its own steam it performed sterling work in two different LSWR guises, and in BR livery, up until 1990. At present it is displayed as a static exhibit, as extensive overhaul (probably involving replacement of the boiler barrel) is required before it can steam again but it was recently repainted in BR black for a branch line event held in 2019.
The model is 1:32 scale for 45mm gauge track, gas-fired with a single flue boiler. The chassis is constructed from stainless steel, the wheels are uninsulated, the boiler is copper. The model will run round 4′ 6″ radius curves (TBC). The East Kent Railway version is only available from Kent Garden Railways. The anticipated UK RRP will be £1950.00 or £1995.00 for the RTR version (depending on livery), £1795.00 or £1850.00 for the kits.
We’d like to thank David Fletcher for the marvellous drawings he has produced of this elegant locomotive.
You can find full details of the model here.
Accucraft’s 2019 open day – Saturday 8th June
The format will be much the same, once again at Unit 4, Long Meadow Industrial Estate. We will have factory seconds, damaged items and test samples to sell. as well as many ‘end of line’ items. This stock will be offered for sale on a ‘first come, first served’ basis without prior reservation and will include ‘open box’ locomotives, rolling stock and track components as well as sundry ‘kits of parts’ with potential for re-assembly! As they say, “everything must go!”
We will be supported by associated traders and stands. We will be running Accucraft locomotives in 1:13.7, 1:19, 1:20.3 and 1:32 scales. Opening times are 10:30hrs to 16:00hrs and there will be an on site café offering refreshments and light lunches.
Make sure you put the date in your diary!
