New variants added to Accurascale's HUO wagon range

Accurascale has produced a new run of its first model for the British market, the 24.5-ton coal hopper wagon, which later received the TOPs code ‘HUO’, in pre-TOPS condition, with new running numbers and identities. Due to customer demand, Accurascale has produced four new packs of three wagons in pre-TOPS guise with new running numbers. The models have now arrived in stock and are available for immediate dispatch.

A total of 5,263 wagons were built by BR from 1954 for transporting coal and coke throughout Britain until their withdrawal in the 1980s, with many entering private use at collieries upon retirement by British Rail. The model, which is of the 3121 (1958), 3221 (1959), 3314 (1960), 3374 (1961), 3426 (1962 – listed 1/154 pattern but the design is actually identical), and 3437 (1962) pattern, marked the debut for the company in the British market in 2018 and sold out completely in pre-TOPS guise within a few months of arrival.

The specification includes:

• Sprung buffers
• NEM coupling housing
• 110 darkened profile wheel sets
• Factory-fitted wire handrails
• Extra fine factory-fitted detail plastic parts
• Individual lettering and markings from real wagons for authenticity
• Built to scale tolerances to allow easy conversion to EM and P4 standards

The pre-TOPS era models are also be available through trade for the first time as well as the Accurascale website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturing time was limited in China, resulting in a lower than desired production run size. It is recommended that modellers order early to avoid disappointment, as witnessed with the recent PFA wagons selling out within hours of going on sale.

For current pricing and availability, visit the Accurascale website, or see your local Accurascale stockist.