Accucraft January News

Belated Happy New Year!  2022 has dawned brightly with the gorgeous little Cranmore Pecketts delivered to their new owners.  We are pleased/sorry to say that a rash of new orders has reduced our available free stock to a couple of examples of each livery and we don’t anticipate these staying around long!  With all the parts already made we should be able to produce further batches in due course.  In other news we are delighted to announce our next ‘small’ locomotive in 16mm (1:19) scale, Rheidol, and have further tempting offerings in ‘The Clearing House’.

New for 2022/3 – 16mm (1:19) scale Bagnall 0-4-2T Rheidol

Following the release of the gorgeous little Peckett, we are delighted to announce that our next small locomotive will be the Bagnall 2-4-0T Rheidol. One of Archangel’s most successful models in the early days of 16mm scale, we are sure many associated with the hobby will have soft spot for this engine! Originally named Treze de Maio (Portuguese for 13th May, the date on which slavery was abolished in Brazil), the engine was built by Bagnalls of Stafford for Collier Antunes for a sugar cane plantation in 1896 but never delivered as the order was cancelled, instead the locomotive was re-gauged from 2’ 5 ½” gauge to 2’ 3” gauge when it was sold to the Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway and named Talybont. In 1903, after the failure of that railway, it was purchased for the construction of the Vale of Rheidol Railway, re-gauged to 1’ 11 ¾” and renamed Rheidol. Absorbed by the GWR in 1923 it was numbered it 1198, but it was withdrawn and scrapped the following year, having never carried its GWR number.

The model is gauge-adjustable (32mm and 45mm), gas-fired and fitted with a water top-up valve, water gauge with blow-down valve, lubricator and pressure gauge; constructed of stainless steel and etched brass with a copper boiler, the model will, as usual, be covered by our two-year warranty. The anticipated pre-order RRP is £1695.00 (subject to the usual provisos), available late 2022 or early 2023. Fitted with Accucraft chopper couplings, the model will be supplied with two chimneys, the original balloon stack and the more traditional type. Available in six liveries, full details can be found on the Accucraft UK website. As ever, we’d like to thank David Fletcher for his superb drawings, illustrating the livery options.  You can find full details here.

New Vale of Rheidol book launched

Coincidental with our announcement of the little Bagnall, the Vale of Rheidol Railway has released a new book.

Many years have been spent researching the railway’s own archives and archaeology dating back to the opening of the line in 1902 to produce this sumptuous volume. With the research coupled with detailed measured drawings, the book presents an unrivalled description of the Railway’s history, equipment and infrastructure.

The highly detailed drawings include locomotives, passenger carriages, goods stock, service vehicles, bridges, signalling, trackwork, station buildings, lineside equipment, water columns etc. Also featured are a fascinating selection of photographs, documents and ephemera from the railway’s own archives from opening to the present day. Many of these illustrations are being reproduced for the first time with many in colour. Carefully prepared livery diagrams illustrate the myriad of paint schemes used by the railway, including Brighton Ochre and BR Rail Blue.

In addition to providing a comprehensive record of locomotives, carriages, wagons and buildings, some now long disappeared, aided by primary source information and close examination of surviving equipment, the work brings the record up to date with extensive details of modern developments and equipment. This includes a unique behind-the scenes insight into the engineering and operation of a modern preserved narrow gauge steam railway.

The book will be available, only from the Vale of Rheidol Railway, in January 2022.

Latest ‘Clearing House’ offerings

We often get requests for items that are discontinued and similarly we get offered items to sell by customers or from estate sales.  Thus we are able to keep a list of requirements and available items, some of which are rare or hard to obtain.  We try to match up the two halves of this equation, either directly or via our dealers, with a view providing a useful service that ensures Accucraft and other locomotives and rolling stock find good homes.  Please contact us by ‘phone or email to discuss your requirements.

Here are a few choice items currently available, all for sale on behalf of known and trusted customers.

Accucraft 1:20.3 scale K36 2-8-2 live steam – SOLD

Accucraft Pennsylvania T1 4-4-4-4 live steam (alcohol) – £4750.00

Aster Nickel Plate Road Berkshire 2-8-4 live steam (alcohol) – £4500.00 (with wooden carry-case)

Bowande Pennsylvania G5 4-6-0 live steam (butane) – £1900.00 (brand new, never run) SOLD

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