Trip cock Class 31s join Accurascale pool

ACCURASCALE IS expanding its recently announced all-new 'OO' gauge Class 31 collection with the addition of the trip-cock fitted locomotives which operated over London Underground's widened lines to Moorgate on suburban services.

Accurascale trip-cock Class 31s

The new announcement models the 61 locomotives equipped with the trip-cock apparatus which saw a lever added to the side of the buffer beam cowling on the secondman's side of the locomotives. The locomotive fitted with the trip-cock gear were D5586-D5615, D5622-D5627, D5639-D5654 and D5671-D5679. In addition D5671-D5676 were fitted with Whitaker-style tablet catchers in the early 1960s for use on the Highdyke iron ore branch in Lincolnshire.

Eight of the trip-cock Class 31s were fitted with Electric Train Heating (ETH) between 1971-1975 for empty coaching stock workings from London King's Cross and became 31401-31405, 31407-31408 and 31420.

Accurascale trip-cock Class 31s

Above: D5615 is one of four trip-cock fitted Class 31s announced by Accurascale.

Accurascale trip-cock Class 31s

Above: 5674 will be finished in BR green with full yellow ends and will have trip-cock equipment as well as a tablet catcher recess.

The trip-cock Class 31s have not been offered as ready-to-run models previously and Accurascale is producing four as part of its line up using the brand-new tooling suite for 'OO' gauge. They will model D5615 in BR green with small yellow warning panels, trip-cock equipment and with Mirrlees production style exhausts, 5674 in BR green with full yellow ends, BR crests,  trip-cock equipment and a tablet catcher recess, 31402 in BR blue with trip-cock equipment and the roof panel changes from when it was uprated to 1,600hp plus 31248 in BR blue with a tablet catcher recess and trip-cock equipment.

Accurascale trip-cock Class 31s

Above: 31402 will model an ETH equipped locomotive with trip-cock apparatus and roof panel changes from its upgrade to 1,600hp.

Accurascale trip-cock Class 31s

Above: 31248 will be finished in BR blue with both trip-cock apparatus and a tablet catcher recess.

The specification for the new trip-cock fitted Class 31s matches that of the original announcements and includes directional and interior lighting, a powered roof fan, five-pole motor, twin flywheels, helical gearbox plus ESU powerpack. The DCC sound fitted models will be fitted with an ESU LokSound 5 decoder with a bespoke sound profile.

DCC ready and DCC sound fitted options are available on all locomotives apart D5615 as it requires a sound recording of a Mirrlees power unit. Prices are set at £169.99 DCC ready and £269.99 for DCC sound fitted models.

Visit www.accurascale.co.uk for more information.