Review: Accurascale Class 55 Deltic Range and Comparison with the Bachmann Class 55

Unboxing review of the Accurascale Class 55 Deltic range (incl. 55022 Royal Scots Grey and D9020 Nimbus) and a comparison with the Bachmann range of Class 55 Deltics.
Bachmann's Class 55 Deltics were fine models in their day and have been the definitive Class 55 models for many years. With Accurascale's Class 55 announcement, it was clear that leadership position was going to be under serious threat. Accurascale still had to deliver and deliver they did and the review will look to cover the ground on what they have delivered.
Sections:
00:00 - Intro and Agenda
01:22 - Unboxing
12:40 - Close-up
17:05 - Bachmann Comparison
21:36 - Running Session
24:08 - Summary
28:23 - Scoring
40:26 - Recommendation
Link to full 55022 running session with sound: • Accurascale Class 55 D...
Link to full D9020 running session with sound: • Accurascale Class 55 D...
Link to original Bachmann Class 55 review video: • Review: The Bachmann C...
Accurascale Class 55 Support Links
Class 55 Support Page: www.accurascale.com/pages/sup...#0#/kb/class-55-deltic
Body Removal: www.accurascale.com/pages/sup...#0#/kb/class-55-deltic/how-to-remove-the-deltic-body
Booklet/Manual: www.accurascale.com/pages/sup...#0#/kb/class-55-deltic/download-the-class-55-manual
Adding Headcodes: www.accurascale.com/pages/sup...#0#/kb/class-55-deltic/changing-the-head-codes-in-your-deltic
Adding Bufferbeam Detail: www.accurascale.com/pages/sup...#0#/kb/class-55-deltic/accurascale-class-55-deltic-bufferbeam-detail-fitting
Link to Roads & Rails video on vibration/sound distortion: • Accurascale Deltic Vib...

[@petertate5741]

Another great review,unbiased and informative.They are truly fantastic models and the price was amazing.(as you say surely it must rise when the next run is announced) watched this review in tandem with your Bachmann Deltic one.Bachmanns model were excellent but definitely superseded by Accurascale.Looking forward to the Bachmann 37 upgrade though.Thanks again for a very enjoyable watch !!👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter.

[@mytinplaterailway]

Excellent review - thank you.

[@northernblue1093]

Excellent review: objective, informative and entertaining.

[@timothymorris814]

Excellent review as always and and good comparison with the Bachmann which was a very good way of putting into perspective. I managed to get 1 ACC and I'm very pleased with it and it really is an excellent variety of what manufacturers can do but not at a ridiculous price and the competition need to sit up and take notice of that level of excellence with a fair price tag to match. It also goes to show how expensive Hornby are when they are not in the same league as ACC and indeed Bachmann. Well done and thankyou as always an informative and enjoyable watch. Tim

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Tim

[@PebProductions46]

Great review! I missed out on this run, so I will be ordering one from the second batch as soon as it is announced. I would love for them to do the DP1; I love my Bachmann rendition, but there is certainly room for improvement.

[@rexremedy1733]

I am sold. The celtic Deltic is awesome. Irrespective of scale.

[@marklittlejohn1457]

Excellent review thankyou for the video

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Mark

[@rexremedy1733]

Man, I don’t even have space for the box. Let alone space in the wallet… So cool! Thanks for making it accessible at least to watch on video!

[@2adbty444]

Good and honest review thanks

[@tmcg972]

This is the most detailed in-depth review and comparison so far, hands down. Thank you so much for this! I had to return my 55022 due to bad crawl despite excessive run-in sessions, the speaker vibrations and derailments. Derailments were caused by the ETH cable blocking the coupling to move freely to the left - pushing rolling stock across points/turns made them jump off. I have a 'Koyli' from Rails arriving soon, but I now also got a Bachmann 'Ballymoss' VGC with sound for £135, which as you say is still a good model and it runs very smooth. Maybe I consider the missing paintwork on the underframe as 'slightly weathered' 😉... Again, thanks for this review. I agree, the Bachmann models still have their place while the ACC ones are state of the art.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and sorry to hear your bother with 55022, I'd be happy with £135 for a good runner with sound, even if it needed some concealing weathering to be added!

[@Curlypawz]

Great review. I think that is a very fair comparison of the Accurascale and Bachmann models. I was very impressed with my two Accurascale Deltics and their sounds. I haven't fitted any crew and probably won't to avoid taking the bodies off! And in terms of value for money the Accurascale is incredible, at least at current pricing.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. I just wish the crew had been in there from day one myself.

[@clipperrail8988]

Good honest review and mirrors how I feel about my Deltics - my Accurascale and Bachmann ones. I ordered my Accurascale pair 3 years ago because I wanted models of 55002 and D9009, no because I was looking for a super detailed model. Some small annoyances about delicate detail falling off, but it’s detail I’m not fussed about amyway, so I’ve left the bits off. This doesn’t distract from beautiful, well-running models, for the astonishing price of £160. I love my Bachmann models and there is a place for these solid, but less detailed models - provided they are priced right, however with the new 37, it does indicate Bachmann are over-pricing. A very brave move now that Accurascale have shown us exactly what they can produce for a lot less money.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. The Bachmann Class 37 announcement is an interesting but disappointing one in my opinion. Too many vendors are doing the same models leaving other models neglected. The new Bachmann 37s could be a hard sell at their pricing levels.

[@clipperrail8988]

​@@EuviRail I love my Bachmann 37s and rate them as one of the best diesel models around. If they continued producing them around the £130 mark they'd do well, but with the new ones coming in at £50 more than the Accurascale ones I think they'll struggle. I see the new 47s are now being discounted by the retailers to about £190 - indicating they aren't shifting at the original retail price point.

[@EuviRail]

@@clipperrail8988 Yeah, 100% agree.

[@mus256f]

Totally agree with you regarding drivers. They should come pre installed.

[@andrewblades8368]

Another great, unbiased review. I noticed you mentioned that they hadn’t covered the DP1 or DP2. There are actually quite a lot of differences between DP1 and the production series Deltics (so much so that Bachmann created a separate model to cover it). DP2 is a class 50, not a 55. That would require a different body to allow for the cooler group vents, different chassis block as the engine is visible through the windows, etc. As the Bachmann DP1 is an excellent model and both DP1 and DP2 were one off prototypes with a very limited service life I’d doubt it was worth Accurascale investing a considerable amount extra in making the tooling suite cover these

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Andrew. Yeah, I think it's very understandable they didn't look to tackle DP1 or DP2 this time out given the massive tooling differences. The general feedback seems to be that a lot of folks would like to see Accurascale take on DP1 sometime in the future. I don't think DP2 is as distinctive or as popular. I don't own the Heljan version so I don't know how good or bad that model is.

[@andrewblades8368]

@@EuviRail I think Accurascale are a breath of fresh air for the model railway industry. They make models of popular prototypes, really engage with their customers, turn out stunning models and the cherry on the cake is the multiple ways to pay, spreading the cost and making their products more affordable. I’d find an excuse to buy one of just about anything they produce. A DP1 would be good in time but the Bachmann one is so good I’d be in no rush for it. There’s a lot of other models I’d like them to do first, ones with more variety in livery and detail difference that would help them sell a healthier number. DP1 would likely be a more expensive model. If you look at the Accurascale class 89 they are having to charge a higher price to cover the tooling over a shorter production run. Another issue with DP1 might be that the Bachmann model was originally an exclusive for the NRM. They own the original loco and the builders plans. Most new models these days are based off a laser scan if possible or the builders plans for locos that no longer exist. The NRM would therefore have to give access to anyone that wanted to model DP1. With their vested interest in the Bachmann version I wonder how willing they would be to let anyone else have a go.

[@rexremedy1733]

The deltic configuration is also ingenious. Would have loved to see it in the automotive sector in smaller size. Should have been an excellent runner.

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Excellent review and unbiased too. To be fair, using American rolling stock with a stated minimum radius of 24" forced my hand BEFORE I started building the layout. The layout would then be more of a model railway than train set... it coloured everything. luckily, I can't say I anticipated detail that would make the minimum radius valid with UK models. It has been a happy coincidence though, and meant the Deltic is unrestrained...worth considering. If you have space, use it all. ATB, Andy.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Andy. I'd agree with you on the radius. I'm a believer in as wide a radius as you can accommodate for realism and uninterrupted running.

[@apples5503]

Hey another great review, I purchased one of these myself and love it but just discovered it’s only floor - the kinematic coupling. I put 8 Hatton’s intermodal wagons behind it on radius 3 track and the coupling can’t handle the weight and drag these wagons produce without it derailing the rear bogie. I took off the chain detail connected to each bogie but it made no difference, it still derailed. I then put a Heljan class 86 in front of the same rake and no issues and then tried a Bachmann class 47 and no issues with that loco either. The Heljan & Bachmann loco’s do not have a kinematic coupling so to me the test I did is conclusive - Kinematic couplings can’t handle weight and or high drag wagons. It’s a shame Accurascale adopted this type of coupling on an otherwise awesome model.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. The intermodals will certainly have a higher drag than coaching stock and while I thought the Bachmann coaches I used for my running session would be a reasonable test - they have pick-ups for lighting and are reasonably heavy coaches, they are super smooth runners so not a great test. Even 8 intermodals isn't anything drastic so your test results are very disappointing. I'm not a fan of kinematic couplings to be honest but they seem to be the de-facto on most new models. I noted in the review a concern over my perceived fragility of the bogies on this model - part of that is the lack of weight in the bogie itself which would be a factor in a derailment like this. I would recommend going back to Accurascale on this if you haven't already as this sounds like a return to me. I'm suspecting this issue isn't massively pervasive so they may be able to replace with a model that doesn't exhibit the problem. Even with that, I'm still not a kinematic coupling fan due to their inherent fragility!

[@apples5503]

@@EuviRail thanks for that, I will contact Accurascale & see what they say. Cheers

[@duncanrhodes4778]

Very detailed review and the comparison is interesting. One year on would you still give the Running performance 10/10? I only ask because yours is one of the very few reviews which has not indicated any running issues. Many others have reported problems with the motor within a month or so of running. Whereas, as you mention, there have been very few running problems with the Bachman models. Whilst the level of detail on the Accurascale is ahead of anything else, most modellers will be buying this to run on a layout, not just to look at.

[@EuviRail]

I had 3 models and all 3 performed really well though I've since seen some horror stories of motor failure/burnout from others. I tend to run the locos hard for the purposes of review and this did throw up an issue on my Class 92 when I reviewed that and a return was required. There will always be a handful of out of box failures but given number of reported Acc 55 failures I would definitely revise my scoring for any follow up review. Only Accurascale know the full extent of the problem but there would appear to too many occurring for my liking. Thanks for commenting.

[@johnlevey9935]

Hi, I have four of these, two Accurascale and two from Locomotion along with three Bachmann models. I think your comparison between the Bachmann and Accurascale is fair and accurate. Apart from the detailing advancements I find the difference in sound quality a big plus in favour of the newer model. Being a frequent visitor to Edinburgh Waverley in the 1970’s I was looking forward to reliving this! Accurascale have not let me down! I notice from other reviews that some people are irritated by bits (including chains) falling off and in many cases already being off in the packaging before unboxing. I have to say that I am one of these people and it has made me pause before deciding to buy such detailed models in the future unless some improvements can be made. Whilst I agree that £160 and £250 is extremely good value for money now, I do wonder how much prices will rise in any forthcoming releases. I will be keeping hold of my Bachmann models as I am in the process of trying to collect the full Haymarket Allocation (8). Due to the robustness of these older models (no delicate parts) I am actually more likely to run them regularly. In fairness the older Bachmann packaging is quite adequate for protecting less detailed models. Clearly there is the alternative point of view that detailing falling off is not so serious an issue. Along with one or two other you tubers I don’t feel skilled enough to glue bits back on myself without damaging something else in the process. This is an interesting debate which I am sure will go on for a long time. You only need to look at current resale prices on e bay to see how much in demand these locomotives are.

[@EuviRail]

Hi John, I've only just found your post now - it was in my Held for Review box for some reason. I'm kind of on the same page on this topic. For collectors or folks who only use their models for display, then it's a case of the more detail the better. For someone who likes to run their models then robustness and good running performance are equally important. I've hung on to my Bachmann Class 37s for the same reason with 2 pre-orders in with Accurascale. I believe there is a threshold for an 00 gauge model where the level of detail becomes more hassle for an "in-service" loco model than it's worth. Where is this threshold and have we already crossed it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@alanrobertson9790]

Another great review. The Bachmann is 95% as good as the Accurascale which in my view is good enough. However in my case its academic, as with a Lima, a Bachmann and an Accurascale I'm not in the market for another. Normally with fairly similar quality competitors the choice would be determined by livery. The new Bachmann 37 looks just as good as the Accurascale 37. A good point for Bachmann is that you can go into a shop and buy one (remember that!). With Accurascale I've had to pre-order, not something I normally do.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Alan. I wanted 55022 (with a silver roof 😢) and 55015, as net new for my fleet. Nimbus was a toss up versus my Pinza and I had a general curiosity as to what Accurascale would end up delivering. There's nothing wrong with the Bachmann models for sure so I would expect a lot of folks did the same as yourself or maybe just went for one of them to try it out. While good value, they're still not cheap.

[@europacifictradersltd3717]

hi. what i done to mine was to remove the chain from the body and glued it onto the bogie. covered the holes with a transfer... more because of the removal of the body rather than having issues on curves.

[@EuviRail]

Probably not a bad option. Thanks for that.

[@johnlevey9935]

Last year I bought three of the Irish “A” class locomotives (one with sound) from Accurascale’s sister company. Similar to the Deltics they run very well, sound very good and are well detailed. The detailing is not to the same extent as the Deltic but still extremely good. However, importantly, detail does not fall off either pre or post unboxing. In my posting yesterday I expressed my reluctance, for the time being, to purchase extremely highly detailed locomotives until some solution can be established. I fully agree with your followers who suggest that intricate detail could be supplied in the accessory pack for those that want to add it. This would apply particularly to the chains. It might be controversial but whilst I do like my Deltics, their specification and their current value for money, I am much happier with the “A” class which to me is still the best locomotive that I have. I guess what I am trying to say is that such high level of detailing being used by Accurascale (and others it seems) is still “work in progress”.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks John. Yeah, the A-Class was more robust in terms of loose detailing parts though I did find interference between underbody detail and the bogies on some of the models that required the use of a scalpel. As you say, Accurascale are still finding their way to a degree.

[@vcs00railway84]

I have 8 of these Accurascale Deltics now, I feel the balance between creating something that will look good in a cabinet and something that is sufficiently robust for track use and regular handling , the balance is weighted towards sitting in a cabinet whereas the retooled Bachmann 47 manages to create similar detail and lighting control but feels more robust to handle. The bogies on the Accurascale model feel delicate and body removal to fit crew or sort speaker vibration is a real chore. Its a brilliant model for the money however. The most direct comparison is yet to come of course now that Bachmann have just announced their retooled class 37 to rival the Accurascale model. Both out this later this year

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. I've been tempted but not yet taken the plunge on the new Bachmann 47s so your comments are interesting. The ACC 55 bogies do have that delicate feel to them alright so robustness is a concern.

[@vcs00railway84]

@@EuviRail I've bought 2 of the new 47's so far, the detail is superb and they feel robust with nothing falling off. I think they've also got a better speaker combination; very clear and loud deep sounds. If you see one at a discount, there were some at just £230 sound models very worthwhile buy

[@alasdaircook5673]

My Accurascale Deltics arrived with the chains loose and in the end after derailments took them off also some of the small steps on the corner were loose. Apart from that they are brilliant models. I have one of the 2nd issues on order so hopefully the chain issue will be resolved.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing. The chains were disappointing but overall these are imposing models that just seem to capture the essence of the Deltic better than the Bachmann equivalents.

[@alasdaircook5673]

@@EuviRail Very true. Hopefully Accurascale will do a class 40 as there is something not quite right with the Bachmann model especially the cab windscreens and Accurascale have captured them brilliantly on the 37s

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

Another definitive review Eugene, thank you. My main worry is spare parts. Hattons' 66s are known to be the most detailed models but the motors fail and you cannot get replacements. Is Accurascale's Deltic range also going to be a potential spare parts horror story? I cannot find any reference to spares on the internet!

[@tmcg972]

I think Accurascale once said they have plenty of spares in stock, when they started to ship their Deltics. You might want to check with their support, they should be able to help out.

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

@@tmcg972 Thank you, for, whatever that was or meant! To be honest that doesn't sound very reassuring, just that in essence they possibly might have, if you're lucky, probably, but don't think about it too much and just enjoy the splendour of this beautiful new release! Oh, try chasing the service department or support because they might know! Together with those " I think", "once said" and "should" doesn't say to me that they absolutely do have plenty of spares and motors, this is the cost, where and how to get them now and going forward! I thought Accurascale where all about details! Anyway, the fact that these aren't available to buy anymore makes the whole exercise pretty pointless in the first place!!

[@tmcg972]

@@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512 No probs, just an attempt to help with your question.

[@mus256f]

There are spare motors available for the Hattons 66. I think they are used in a different few models. I remember someone commented and gave the order details on The Hattons class 66 topic on RM Web. I don’t think they were that expensive either.

[@theeventhorizon-valebridge9512]

@@mus256f Forgive my ignorance but what is the RM web? Railway Modeller? I quickly googled and found zero. If you have some actual detailed info to add then that would be useful!

[@panzerjaeger4274]

I recently received my model of D9006 The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. I was very pleased with it and couldn’t fault the finish in any way. Placing it on the track, the lighting in both directions illuminated immediately but when power was increased, there was no movement in either direction. A call to Accurascale advised me to return the loco and it was sent by courier the following day. I looked at the latest Bachmann release Class 37 this afternoon at the DEMU showcase in Sutton Coalfield and noticed that these models also have chains between the body and the bogie. Are we seeing the beginning of a trend?

[@EuviRail]

Glad they were able to sort you out quickly. Yeah, I've been looking at the re-tooled Bachmann Class 37 and have noted their chain implementation which looks to be an improvement on Accurascales - not that I'm a fan of them in the first place. I'll probably do a quick video on my thoughts on the new Bachmann 37 later in the week. There are a few points on it warranting some discussion. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrRonan3]

Great review. i missed out as well of a lot of other customers.then comes the big problem.people buying just to make money.( greed!.) so my venture into going oo. will not go ahead and just stick with O gauge what i have now,

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dwain. Sorry you missed out and I hear you. I'm not sure I'm happy with the world of pre-order mania and some folks as you say treating pre-orders like some form of investment looking for a very fast return once a model sells out.

[@stephenchambers5900]

Great review. I have a mainly radius 2 layout. I’ve round the running performance has been haphazard for the reasons you make clear. Sound and appearance is fantastic. A few small parts have detached. I’m going to persevere with mine and hope it comes good. It looks like Bachmann with their 37 have risen to the challenge.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stephen. As per other comments on here, it might have been better if the chains were part of the detailing kit. The question to Bachmann is will they take up the pricing challenge....

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Excellent video EuvRail - and great model from Accuscale (awaiting for their 92's and Transp Coach Pack ). Still can't find information why BR Class 55 have bogie Chains ? - why was there a need and in real life did any of the 55's derail cause of this ?

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Dafydd. The chains on the Class 37 were for manual braking control apparently so I assume the same on the 55?

[@dafyddthomas7299]

@@EuviRail thanks EuviRail.

[@crosswayspointjunctionrailway]

Hi what an excellent video I own 10 of these Deltic’s but I’ve had some problems but main problem is the chains I’ve taken off all my chains as in one of my videos you can see the chain coming off and getting stuck on a point and also bits have fallen off on many of them its best on the market at a very good Price and if you can find a little bit of time I just have a quick look at my videos on the Deltic you’ll see the problem is I’ve had ATB Bernie

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Bernie, I took a quick look at some your videos. You have a good bit of space there and I noticed a nice Hattons 66 that seems to be running well. Yeah, the bogie chains are a real problem. I've had one chain off each of my 3 55s now and they can create a short on your points and you wouldn't want a de-railment in the middle of one of your tunnels for example. I hope you made Accurascale aware of your issues with the chains. They need to know. Take care, Eugene

[@paulisnotonfire]

On the chains, while I like them and they're a really nice touch, would have been better as a part of the accessory pack. One of the ones on mine got pulled out while running it in (was on radius 3 curves) and found it on the outside rail of a double slip. I couldn't tell you how or what pulled it out, as I didn't notice until after it was run in. At some point I'll get round to removing the other 3 that are left. I did have a couple of those small steps on the front corners (as I see some of yours also had this) fall off, but Accurascale very kindly send replacements out as one was missing. Running wise, it's a lovely runner and I haven't had any issues with it. It is an absolute stand out of a model. Cheers

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Paul. Yeah, I actually made that same point regarding the chains in some footage I had to cut from the video as it was already too long! It's probably the right place for them and folks can choose to add them when or if they wish.

[@alanrobertson9790]

Couldn't agree with you more on the chains. Horror of horror I looked at the latest Bachmann Class 37 videos and what do you see on the bogies but chains! Locos need to be positioned on the track, sometimes on curves. We don't want vulnerable detail on bogies. Unfortunately a new trend seems to have been set.

[@davidstrains4910]

@@alanrobertson9790why not use a railer tool that hornby made to put coaches on the track much easier, they can be used for locomotives as well, with the railer you could then hold the locomotive by the fuel tanks or the body then slide it onto the rails, it doesn’t do any damage and you are only sliding the loco a short distance.

[@alanrobertson9790]

@@davidstrains4910 Reasonable idea but I preferred it when I didn't have to. The arms race in the industry as to who can create a loco with the most bits that can fall off is not a direction I subscribed to. I think the trouble is that youtube and magazine commentators dont represent the typical buyer but the most extreme section of the hobby. The activists in any endeavour represent the extremes, with political parties being the obvious example.

[@EuviRail]

@@alanrobertson9790 Yeah, I've been review the specs of the new Bachmann 37s. It looks like you can unhook the chains when removing the body rather than breaking a glue joint but they're still there to interfere with your running. Made for the cabinet I guess!

[@davidstrains4910]

Great overall review of the accurascale deltic here euvirail and I was pleasantly surprised that the comparison between both the bachmann and accurascale deltics wasn’t just saying that the bachmann was a poor model, in my opinion I don’t see anything wrong with running a bachmann deltic side by side with an accurascale and well done for saying it isn’t a bad model because you have me agreeing with you there, Great to see the DP1 as well because I would really like to see that done by accurascale although it does surprise me that accurascale didn’t do that one initially although they did do 9016 Gordon highlander which has a different front, you also mentioned the DP2 but in my opinion that doesn’t need redoing because the heljan model from around 10 years ago now is perfectly fine, all it would need is heljan to rerelease it in my opinion as the original was a limited edition. I do have an accurascale deltic and the one I went for is 9021 Argyll and Sutherland highlander although originally I wanted one named after a racehorse but there wasn’t any of those ones left, the model for me is very good and I’m very happy with it and glad I placed an order but it does have some shortcomings that do need to be addressed in my opinion, number 1 is the bogie chains, while this is a nice detail to have one issue I have had with them is the attachments falling off the body, it got so bad for me that in the end I glued the attachments to the body then had to do a bit of painting to remove the white superglue marks so to get the body off of mine I have to remove the chain attachment from the bogie frame, another issue I have had is some bits falling off of the bogies, it seems that some parts haven’t been glued on and have only been friction fitted and while trying to run mine in my families kitten kept knocking the loco over and those parts kept falling off, another issue is a bit more personal to me due to being a dc user and the issue I have is the lack of all lighting on dc, on dc you only get the head and tail lights and the instrument lighting in the cab, you don’t get the cab lights or the engine room lights which is something I don’t really like and to me this whole somethings work on dcc is quite annoying, obviously dcc is better in some cases and I may try it some day but right now I don’t want dcc, it’s also annoying that other manufacturers allow all lighting on dc so there isn’t an excuse really, a good example of a model is the rails/Heljan 18000 gas turbine which on dc allows the user to have all lighting functions operate while the locomotive is in motion which while isn’t realistic it still allows dc users to have all these features, the model even has switches underneath to turn the lighting off if you don’t want to have the lights on in motion, that’s more of a personal issue but it’s one that I get really annoyed about but overall I’m very happy to have a highly detailed deltic in my collection now as my first deltic was a Lima one and overall the accurascale one is very good, accurascale have said they are going to do another production run of the deltic and we could maybe see a DP1 from them and if they do it’s definitely one I will want to get.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that David and thanks for the point regarding the DC lighting deficiencies. I'd be an advocate for all lighting features on under DC or at least have a dip switch to enable them. This is actually the reason I didn't want to use and old DCC blanking plate to test the model under DC - It wouldn't have had the correct wiring for the additional lighting functions. Looking forward to DP1 when it comes....

[@uktruthaddict]

I bought a sound fitted Ballymoss. Out of the box the sound was far too loud for me, and I’d have liked to be able to reduce the volume using a function rather than researching online which CV to alter. The chains…I don’t get it. I’ve looked at lots of photos of Deltics and none have a foot or more of thick chain hanging next to the bogies, as the models have. I think that Accurascale have tried too hard and got it wrong? On my loco one was hanging off when removed from the box and a second one came adrift when I touched it when putting the loco onto the track. I think I’ll just remove them all.

[@EuviRail]

Many thanks for sharing your experience. In terms of controlling the volume I couldn't agree more. Having to put the loco on the programming track to adjust volume is last century stuff I'm afraid. The chains should have been in the detailing kit. Bachmann are adding them now on their new Class 37s but the implementation looks a bit better though I'm still not a fan.

[@russellbenton2987]

I’ve got Nimbus. These chains are infuriating . Mine arrived with three out of four chains loose . I have reattached them using black tack , so I can remove them if I need to get body off . What I found was my eyesight is not as good as I though being pretty tricky to reattach using fine nose tweezers . I wonder if mine was improperly boxed or laid down in plastic tray causing the chains to come off . There were certainly lots of small bits in the bottom of the tray which could have been caused by the loco rubbing against the tray . It maybe that the attachment points of the chains to the body have sheared off . It’s very small I really can’t see. I have run the loco on radius 2 and radius three . She is still running in . Mine is DC and she runs on Gaugemaster controller at 60 % power relatively fast . Seems ok . My trackwork is not perfect and I get the occasional derailment on a second radius point but then she usually re rails . Heart in mouth stuff , but no disasters so far . I ‘d say she is fussy and maybe isn’t as a robust runner as Bachmann , certainly not as tolerant of bumps in the rails . I wish I had gone for a sound one now , even though I’m DC as Deltic sound would have been something special . Might splash out on the second run .

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing Russell. Sorry to hear you had more grief than most. The sound is worth having alright. De-railments can be tricky to diagnose. If you physically lift the loco, rotate it 180 degrees and replace it on the track, I wonder will it still de-rail on those points? I'm wondering if the remaining attached chain was causing the problem - the impact will be directional in terms of the orientation of the loco and the nature of the curves it's encountering.

[@rexremedy1733]

I want one! :-)

[@EuviRail]

A re-run is on it's way with improvements to the bogie chains.

[@tobyytlai]

19:45 You can really see the difference between nose shapes here. Accurascale definitely did a better job in capturing the shape of the prototype, and I think this is where many people are unsatisfied with the Bachmann model.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, I think Accurascale have captured the nose shape better alright. I could live with the Bachmanns but Accurascale is better.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Nice engines ♐️👍

[@benzinapaul7416]

Can't doubt the quality of the model but apart from the day they rolled out of the factory when did they ever look like this? If you weather it you improve the accuracy but hide the detail, it's great as a static display model but running round a layout it just looks too blingy

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, that's the reason I would have liked a weathered option for at least one of the locos. It will dampen down the detail as you say. These all look like preserved locos in their current form.

[@tonyrobinson362]

TMC do a nice weathering from light to heavy, Will also install crew.

[@tom-dahl1598]

the upper nose shape on the bachmann always looked wrong to my eye. the accurascale model gets this spot on.

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, a few folks have said that to me.

[@tom-dahl1598]

I recall a strange occurrence happening just after the bachmann deltic came out. many observers on the modelling forums, pointed out the error of the bonnet shape even in the early development stage. the threads rumbled on for months and months and the model was finally released and still the observations kept rolling in. a good while after, two chaps from bachmann responded to the criticism, with a refutation in one of the modelling magazines, stating that they'd got it correct, and everyone else was wrong, which, i thought, was foolhardy to be honest. anyone who knew the locos intimately could see the error. years later, and so to 2022 and the accurascale model proves it beyond a doubt. i once mentioned on a thread on RMWeb, that the blade, on the then forthcoming flangeway OO independent snowplough, was the wrong shape. I wasn't in any way rude, brusque or confrontational, i was factually pointing out an error in the hope that the developers would take on board the observation and look again at, and alter the tooling. One of the developers saw my post and took me to task telling me to reserve my criticism until the model came out because i would be wrong and they would be right. sure enough the model came out and the blade was the wrong shape. At the time, a forum admin had to jump in and tell this fella he was overly aggressive to a group member. with laser scanning technology, the fact that errors still occur in the current day though has me completely foxed. there's been talk on the forums regarding the new Heljan peaks being slab sided. I'm not really au fait with the peak classes but it only took me a quick look at Heljan's samples against the prototype to see immediately what the modelling experts, whose knowledge far exceeds mine, were referring to. the cant rail curve doesn't come down the body far enough, making the body too slab sided and altering the face of the locomotive. I couldn't bring myself to buy a bachmann deltic. i'm very happy with my accurascale deltic

[@EuviRail]

@@tom-dahl1598 Thanks Tom. I'm familiar with some of the threads you mentioned. It's always annoying when someone is swearing to you that black is white and that it's only your perception that black is black. We see this everywhere these days! Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you are happy with your Accurascale 55.

[@michaelgrey7854]

My Deltic keeps breaking it's handbreak chains its so annoying.

[@EuviRail]

Which model do you have Michael? The bogie detail on my 55022 combined with a shortened chain has been my main source of pain. D9020 doesn't have the same bogie detail but one of chains there disconnected from the body. Annoying for sure.

[@jratsouthfork]

They may have every small detail possible to put on a mass produced model, BUT the quality of the model and construction is as poor as I have ever come accross !! They fall to bits , if you attempt to try to take the body off to add a driver you will have to actually break some parts of the model to achieve such . The rattles that emanate from the inards of the model when the sound is started !!! ( and thats another reason to have to take the body off to cure !!!) Try sending it back to Accurascale under warranty !! What a laugh, it came back with several parts damaged ( chains again ) and even worse it still rattled from another part of the engine !! Emailed Accurascale to say so and they said just send it back and we will repair it again. NOTE it took them over a month to get it back to me the first time , to which I said I would have a professional sort it out. You cannot ring Accurascale and talk with anyone however hard you try. I was going to get other versions but most certainly woul not consider such after seeing the model and trying to deal with Accurascale. JR

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing Jim and I'm really sorry to hear you had such grief. I don't think there is any debate that the bogie chain implementation was a mistake and it will be fixed on the next iteration. Body removal on highly detailed models is always a concern and I haven't attempted it (yet) on this model due to reports such as yours. IMHO you either ensure there is no need to open the model - crew and top class speaker(s) pre-installed or you facilitate an easy body removal that shouldn't in way impact the model. There comes a point where email and text based support isn't enough so Accurascale need to resolve this. I believe this model has been a learning experience for them which I am confident they will act on. For the record I have pre-orders on the 37, 92 and 31 so I'm putting my money on the line on this one. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and hope you get your issues sorted even though that won't make up for the lost time and stress involved. I know the feeling.