Train Talks # 001 Accurascale 0-4-0ST

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

That means a lot friend. Thank you.

[@kevyodondon]

Same issue here - mine arrived with motor dislodged. Response from Accurascale was the same as yours and I was suspicious when the explanation (‘dislodged during transit) came me through with the quick fix instructions. It was a faff getting the body shell off (the draincocks under the boiler pinged off when removing gently, never to be seen again) but it worked, though the coupling rod struck the pipe work under the running plate giving it an annoying waddle. Motor dislodged again when transferring it to another track, and the handrail along the boiler came off. I have fixed it and removed the pipes along the underside of the running plate. It does run well and looks good otherwise. I have a Hattons version - it was well built and the motor has never dislodged. It feels as though the motor mount design has been changed. I’ve bought numerous locos from numerous manufacturers and never had a motor dislodge during transit!

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Sorry to hear your story. But sadly it’s all too common, certainly as so many have made comments inline with yours too. I’ve been chasing Accurascale to see what is happening with a replacement. But in my opinion they are very busy in that department. Make of that what you will… They have already jumped to offer a refund, but as I really like the model I’ve requested a correctly functioning replacement. Stay tuned as I will be posting a video with the outcome. BR MODELTRAINZZ

[@Richard-w8d6q]

@@kevyodondon Accurascale and Rapido seem to have the same attitude. Great if it works otherwise it's a static display should you have any problems with it. I have put both manufacturers on my black list (with regards to locomotives only, wagons are fine). I just don't need the hassle of them. Dapol (especially lately) and Bachmann are my go to brands now.

[@Richard-w8d6q]

@@MODELTRAINZZ Good luck but as I mentioned in another email reply try Dapol (Hawthorne Lesley) or Planet Industrials (Victory class). They will make this Andrew Barclay look as a sad excuse of a model. You simply can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

[@scalerailmodelling2846]

From what I’ve seen online the buffer shank colour issue only seem to be on the NCB version which is odd

[@kevjones8915]

great video

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Thanks for the kind words! Best regards, MODELTRAINZZ

[@Aerospacesmith]

I got an NCB livery today with black unpainted buffer beams too! Its back cab wall & roof poles are also bent inward. Luckily its motor is fine, but I also got the apple green lined unumbered and it has the dislodged motor too.

[@Aerospacesmith]

Looking back through their news / announcements from February 15th, they do mention that the buffer shanks should be black, not painted red. Still doesn't help that the cab end of mine looks like its caved in. Deciding if I should go through the process to return it, or try to fix it / weather it to look like an industrial accident... I also found their guide on remounting the motor for the 0-4-0 in their "Support" section

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Sorry to hear that. It really sounds so shoddy about the quality control. I hope you get it resolved friend.

[@petercole2092]

Accurascale should have picked up on the design flaw surely someone must have looked at the drawings when they first arrived at there office.? By telling the customer how to fix it is an admission they knew about the motor mount problem but still decided to rush into production anyway is poor decision making. I doubt you will receive a corrected loco unless they do another run if I had this problem would have asked for my money back.

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Hi Peter, I agree. I think money back might be they’re only recourse. Let’s see.

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

I got the blue lined unnumbered and the green unnumbered. It was the green one for me that Also had the motor not engaging at all. Sent it back for exchange..if it comes back as still broke will be sending back and askythem to either exchange for yet another one in a completely different livery or send me a p class as replacement. I believe they the same price or maybe a few quid difference. Well that would be the last resort emergency hope to swap for a P class. But if it's this bad for the models here on UK layouts and we having issues I wonder what it's like and the process of returns and replace for the USA or Australia modellers who have bought them

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

I had my notification that i jad a tracking number on the 4th of November. Waited in ywondays later as it was royal mail 48hr tracked. The two I ordered were officially sent on Monday 10th and arrived November 13th. One out of rhe two had the same issue as yours as the motor wasn't engaging the wheels. Wa Also swimming in oil and when doing the repair and body removal as their instructions say the details broke. So one of rhe two is now on its way back with yodel as the courier. With an expected delivery baxk to accurascale of the 19th. Rhis is rhe for order and first time ever of ordering and owning accurascale models. I have the pannier on pre order and thia experience is making me worry about that when it finally arrives

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Sorry to hear that. I also have another Accurascale model winging its way to me and it does make me wonder will it be in perfect working order???

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

@MODELTRAINZZ agreed. Does make me worry. Not seen too many bad reviews on the manor they did so makes me wonder if it simply because it's a hattons model they took over and then changed some specs as I've read somewhere or just purely an already bad design to hold the motor that has failed multiple times

[@Richard-w8d6q]

Accurascale keep having quality control issues. I had their class 31 ordered (with Accurascale) but due to their problems (class 37 or class 55) I cancelled it and went with Bachmann 31 instead. I an not wasting my money on Accurascale. Regarding your Andrew Barclay i would get my money back thats the only way this supplier will learn.

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

Thanks for the feedback Richard. Interestingly I was looking at the Bachmann Class 31 earlier today. Have you received it? If so how is it? Yeh Accurascale are inundated with returns IMHO. The silence on the returned Andrew Barclay is deafening…

[@Richard-w8d6q]

@MODELTRAINZZ I can now say that the Bachmann class 31 is a gem. Mine arrived and it's a great perfoma. They really did a good job for the money. Regarding your Andrew Barclay I find Accurascale like Rapido. Excellent prototypes but the models are cheaply made and if you have a problem with them they are basically scrap. As a replacement try the Dapol Hawthorne Lesley OMG what a great model. Even better though but a slightly bigger engine (0-6-0) is the Planet Industrials "Victory" class shunter. That locomotive has to be the best shunter out there with the Dapol Hawthorne Lesley (0-4-0) being a close second. The Dapol model is readily available But the Planet Industrials models is a little harder to find (they were so good I bought five of them!). Just something to think about. All the best, Richard.

[@MODELTRAINZZ]

@ Thanks for the message Richard. You know I did pick up a DAPOL Hawthorn Leslie, but out of courtesy to Accurascale I have delayed the review until my replacement Andrew Barclay turns up. I’m sure not everyone would agree with my decision, but I felt it was the decent thing to do. And yes the DAPOL model is amazing. Review to follow) Merry Christmas 🎄

[@Richard-w8d6q]

@MODELTRAINZZ Fair enough. You always should be fair but Accurascale have been dropping the ball quite a bit lately. Deltics, 37's and now the Andrew Barclay. A manufacturer can only produce so many lemons before something needs to be said. It's one thing if the models are 35.00 to 50.00 each but these cost way more than that. Being honest with you my gut feeling tells me they know about these problems before they shipped (as their quality control was so laps). Then they would see what the backlash would be. Yes a 35.00 model nobody gives a monkies but some of these models are just below 300.00 and have similar issues. Yes, I hope you get it sorted for sure but it's allot of hassle for you their customer. You're more understanding than I am in my older years and I will take my hat off to you for that 👍 Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hopefully Santa will leave a couple of models under the tree for you 😉.