Accurascale reveals first Class 50 'exclusives'

Accurascale has revealed its first Class 50s for its Accurascale Exclusives range of special-edition models, available only from its website. The first two Class 50 specials consist of 50007 Sir Edward Elgar in GWR-inspired green and 50149 Defiance in Railfreight General subsector livery.

Delivery is expected after the arrival of the main range locomotives, with the exclusives arriving in Q1, 2024. Each locomotive is to come in Accurascale bespoke presentation packaging. Both locomotives are available in DC/DCC ready (£189.99) and DCC sound-fitted (£299.99) formats.

50007 Sir Edward Elgar

Still controversial almost four decades after being repainted, 50007 was outshopped in Great Western Railway lined green with cast numbers and double arrow in February 1984 as part of the GW150 celebrations that were planned for the following year. At the same time, it lost its Hercules name in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the composer Sir Edward Elgar. Rumoured to be the first of a series of Class 50s renamed after famous people, the intense backlash put paid to any future rededications!

Refreshed several times until its final withdrawal in 1994, its livery subtly changed each time. Accurascale's model represents the Network SouthEast 1988-91 period with full-length orange cantrail stripe.

50149 Defiance

The second half of the 1980s saw a potential new direction for the Class 50s as passenger work began to dry up. While 1987 brought sad news with the first three examples switched off, Plymouth’s Laira depot also outshopped the former 50049 Defiance in the new Railfreight General livery with re-geared CP7 bogies and new 50149 number. The sole member of the Class 50/1 sub class, it was primarily used in the South West on china clay and Speedlink wagonload duties before the project was cancelled. This was partially due to poor wheelslip protection and lack of sanding equipment, both ironically removed during refurbishment and considered too expensive to reinstate. It was returned to standard condition in February 1989 and repainted in the revised NSE scheme.

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