FULL REPORT: Accurascale reveals all-new 'Manor'

Above: Accurascale's first 'OO' ready-to-run steam locomotive is the GWR 'Manor' 4-6-0.

ACCURASCALE has revealed that it is working on its first ‘OO’ gauge steam outline locomotive – a Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Manor’ 4-6-0, with development work at an advanced stage as this issue of Hornby Magazine closed for press.

Introduced in the late 1930s, twenty of Collett’s lightweight mixed traffic two-cylinder 4-6-0s were built at the GWR’s Swindon Works as an alternative to the heavier ‘Grange’ 4-6-0s, with the first example appearing in early 1938. British Railways subsequently added a further ten locomotives in 1950, bringing the total to 30.

Whilst enjoying a widespread allocation through the years thanks to their wide route availability, they are probably best remembered for their use on the Cambrian route from the 1940s, working services to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. They were also a popular choice for banking and pilot duties in the West Country and in BR days enjoyed allocations as widespread as Cardiff, Didcot, Penzance, Tyseley and the Cambrian sheds, with all members remaining in service until the early 1960s -the first withdrawal occurring in 1963. Nine are preserved.

Accurascale’s new ‘OO’ gauge model has been in development for the past 18 months and has included surveys on four different locomotives, including Didcot Railway Centre’s 7808 Cookham Manor, various GWR tenders at Tyseley Locomotive Works and combined with data from full sets of Works drawings from 1938 and 1952. Hornby Magazine was invited behind-the-scenes to witness the early stages of the project including photographic surveys and the 3D-scan at Didcot in 2019 and you can view our exclusive video content about the project at www.keymodelworld.com now.

With tooling on the ‘Manor’ now complete, ten different models are planned initially covering GWR and BR colour schemes (see Table 1, above) and given the detail differences between them, they could be regarded as bespoke ‘one-off’ models in their own rights.

The impressive specification includes a heavy die-cast metal chassis, running plate and body, three-pole motor with flywheel, sprung centre driving wheel, 21-pin Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder socket, detailed cab interior, a wealth of separately applied detailing and differences to the smokebox, chimney, buffer housings and more, according to the prototype. Each will be paired with a Churchward 3,500gallon tender with detail differences covering riveted or flush sides, three different styles of spring hanger, wide or narrow hornplates and more.

Above: Detailing of the 'Manor' extends the underframe as well as the locomotive body. A comprehensive electrical package has also been drawn up for sound and stay alive.

Above and below: Accurascale has received the first engineering samples of the 'Manor'. Etched and turned metal parts (including buffers and chimney top) and still being made, together with parts of the valve gear, but we will be providing a full look at the completed engineering sample when all parts have been produced.

The new ‘Manor’ will also feature all-wheel pick-up and will be available in DCC ready or DCC sound-fitted forms, with a 21-pin MTC DCC decoder socket in the tender. Factory fitted sound models will feature three speakers – a cube in the smokebox and dual speakers in the tender – and a Powerpack capacitor for uninterrupted power and sound. Allied to this is firebox flicker, which will also synchronise to the onboard sounds.

Prices are set at £169.99 for DCC ready models and £259.99 for factory fitted DCC sound examples. Delivery is anticipated during the final quarter of 2021. Pre-orders are being accepted now at the website and official Accurascale stockists.

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