Accurascale announce 4mm Scale HUO Coal Hopper Wagon
Stephen McCarron
Accurascale, a new and innovative model railway manufacturer, today announces that its first model for the British market will be the 24.5-ton coal hopper wagon, which later received the TOPs code ‘HUO’.
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) patttern, has just finished tooling and an engineering sample is currently en route from our factory in China. The surviving prototypes were surveyed at the Tanfield Railway, near Stanley, County Durham in mid-October 2017. Following the survey, highly detailed CAD was produced locally and reviewed by wagon experts who had first-hand operational and survey experience of the prototypes when in service. We would like to thank the Tanfield Railway for the assistance we received and have made a donation to the railway to help with preservation of railway heritage for future generations.
HUO Chassis being tooled
Flows which utilised HUOs include coke from East London to Wellingborough, Kirkby- Staythorpe, Killingworth to Stella, Kincardine, Stella North / Stella South / Dunston / Blyth, Thorpe Marsh Tunstead Works – Smaledale Works and Hessle Quarry to Hull Wilmington. They were also synonymous with coke flows from South Wales coking plants to Barry Docks.
Accurascale’s rendition of the HUO will feature the correct offset brake hanger arrangement and the following high level of specification, enjoyed by the customers of sister company IRM, whose Irish outline models are the most highly detailed on the market:
Sprung buffers with spindle, self contained and Oleo types all being catered for, depending on prototype
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
HUO Hopper Detail
The HUO will go on sale in Q2 2018 in packs of three, with pre-TOPs, TOPs and private owner packs arriving on a staggered release basis throughout 2018 in a variety of liveries and markings, such as BR freight grey and private owner schemes. They will also feature individual markings and detail faithful to research of the real wagons. The first release will see five different packs of three individually numbered wagons in BR grey with pre-TOPs markings so the modeller can build a 12-wagon train without duplication.
In addition to the HUO, the various buffers used by the wagons throughout their lives will also be offered as separate detail parts for the detail-minded modeller. This will be sold in packs of eight for £2.95. This will be the first in a series of detail part packs offered by Accurascale for modellers.
Both the HUO and the buffer detail packs are available to buy exclusively on the Accurascale website direct (www.accurascale.co.uk) or from the Accurascale stand at various UK exhibitions from the second half of 2018.
You Asked - We Delivered!
Announcing our brand new run of Accurascale Class 37s - shaped entirely by the suggestions and feedback of our customers.
From the earliest locomotives of the 1960s through to examples still running on today's network, this new range tells the full Class 37 story. Let's take a look at what's in store!
A Very Special Accurascale Exclusive
Our stand-out locomotive in the run is Accurascale Exclusive 37800 in Rail Operations Group blue - one of our most-requested Class 37s from the current scene, with one of the most complex and intricate liveries seen on the class to date.
As an Accurascale Exclusive, we'll be including a certificate, and watch out for some eye-catching box artwork!
Our New Main Range Class 37s
Moving onto our main range, available both at Accurascale and your local stockist, the classy maroon of West Coast Railway Company features on 37516 Loch Laidon and in a refurbished Class 37/5 bodyshell with flush headcode panels and plated corridor connection doors.
We welcome the return of the BR Engineers 'Dutch' livery, this time on a split-headcode box machine, 37106, representing one of many unrefurbished Class 37/0s operating in the 1990s and beyond.
We jump back to the heady days of 1980s Cornwall with our very special rendition of 37185 in BR Blue livery, complete with the distinctive Cornish Railways 'lizard' logos of the period. The ideal companion to our recent Accurascale china 'clayhood' wagons!
That's not all, either. Fans of classic BR Blue can also look forward to 37088 joining the range. Featuring split headcode boxes and original bufferbeam fairings, this striking locomotive is presented in plain BR Blue livery and is perfect for recreating railway scenes from the 1970s and 1980s.
Finally, we're taking things right back to where it all began. Before they became the legendary Class 37s, they were English Electric Type 3s, representing the future of British Railways' modernisation plan.
Built at English Electric's Vulcan Foundry in 1961, D6713 is presented as one of the original Stratford-allocated locomotives, finding its feet on the Eastern Region as steam gave way to diesel power. It's a fitting tribute to the dawn of the diesel age and the beginnings of one of Britain's most enduring locomotive classes.
Don't forget, you can also order our previously announced Accurascale Exclusives alongside the main range models too!
These include D6724 in mid-1960s condition, supporting the Heavy Tractor Group, BR Heritage Green 37403 Ben Cruachan supporting the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, and 37716 in modern DRS 'fade' livery, produced in partnership with Rainbow Railways.
Due to arrive in Q2 2027, you can pre-order yours today to guarantee you don't miss out! Order from your favourite retailer or directly from Accurascale, with no deposit required!
We've worked hard to keep prices the same as the current run - £189.95 (DC/DCC Ready) and £289.96 (DCC Sound fitted), and don't forget you'll also benefit from free UK delivery and collect Accurascale Reward Points that you can exchange for discounts on future purchases, such as decoders or ModelU crews!
PRE ORDER YOUR CLASS 37s HERE
Let's take a look at the new releases in detail...
D6713 – BR Green
Built at English Electric's Vulcan Foundry in March 1961, D6713 entered service at Stratford and quickly became a familiar sight on passenger, parcels and freight duties across East Anglia. Typical of the pioneering English Electric Type 3s, it worked prestigious services including the Harwich boat trains before later moving north. Renumbered 37013 under TOPS, it enjoyed a varied career before gaining Mainline Freight blue in 1996. Withdrawn following accident damage in 1999, it was scrapped in 2007.
37088 – BR Blue
Originally delivered as D6788 in 1963, 37088 became a classic BR Blue-era Class 37, working passenger and freight services across the Eastern Region. Notable for retaining its split headcode boxes and original bufferbeam fairings longer than most classmates, it later moved to Scotland and South Wales before receiving General Grey and Dutch-style liveries. Withdrawn in 1998, it was scrapped in 2002.
37106 – Civil Engineer's Dutch
Built in January 1963, 37106 spent much of its career on the Eastern Region before moving north of the border in the early 1990s. Repainted into striking Civil Engineer's Dutch livery in 1993, it became a regular performer on infrastructure, passenger and engineers' duties across Scotland. Later returning south for engineering work, it survived into the EWS era before withdrawal in 1999 and scrapping the following year.
37185 – BR Blue with Cornish Railways 'Wizzy' Logos
One of the most distinctive Western Region Class 37s, 37185 carried the famous Cornish Railways 'Wizzy the Lizard' logos applied by local artist Vic Millington. Built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns in 1963, it became closely associated with Cornwall's china clay traffic and later enjoyed careers with Railfreight Distribution and Transrail. Its unique embellishments make it one of the most memorable BR Blue Class 37s.
37516 'Loch Laidon' – WCRC
Built in 1962 as D6786, this Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns locomotive was rebuilt as Class 37/5 No. 37516 in 1987. After a long freight career, including service in Loadhaul colours, it joined West Coast Railways in 2009. Since then it has become a familiar sight on railtours, charter trains, RHTTs and infrastructure duties. Today, 'Loch Laidon' remains a key member of the Carnforth fleet.
37800 'Cassiopeia' – Rail Operations Group Blue - ACCURASCALE EXCLUSIVE
One of the most striking modern Class 37s, 37800 carries Rail Operations Group's distinctive blue 'PCB' livery. Like 37716, it returned from Spanish exile in 2012 and was rebuilt for further service in Britain. Named Cassiopeia in 2018, it has become a familiar sight hauling stock transfers and locomotive movements across the network, earning a reputation as one of the most distinctive surviving Class 37s. The model will be supplied in named condition with etched nameplates included in the box.
OUR SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP MODELS
Alongside the main range, we've collaborated with some of our favourite preservation groups and retailers to produce some very special models, and these will arrive alongside the main range in Q2 2027.
37194 - Harry Needle Railroad Company
RAILS OF SHEFFIELD EXCLUSIVE COMMISSION
37194 is modelled in the distinctive colours of Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) worn during the early 2000s period before moving to DRS. Originally entering service with British Railways in 1964, the machine was stored in 2015 and eventually cut up in 2017. Our special commission for Rails of Sheffield, the sample illustrated here is subject to some refinement on the livery prior to production. This model is available for sale exclusively from Rails of Sheffield.
D6724 – BR Green with Small Yellow Panels
ACCURASCALE EXCLUSIVE: SUPPORTING THE HEAVY TRACTOR GROUP
Delivered from Vulcan Foundry in 1961, D6724 spent its early years at Stratford working passenger, freight and boat train duties across East Anglia. Later renumbered 37024, it eventually became Class 37/7 No. 37714 following refurbishment at Crewe in 1988. After careers with Railfreight, EWS and in Spain, it returned to the UK and today survives in preservation with the Heavy Tractor Group at the Great Central Railway.
37403 'Ben Cruachan' – 1990s BR Heritage Green
ACCURASCALE EXCLUSIVE: SUPPORTING SCOTTISH RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
37403 became one of Britain's most famous Class 37s when it was repainted into heritage BR green in 1994 to celebrate the centenary of the West Highland Line. Originally built as D6607 in 1965, it later became a Class 37/4 for ScotRail duties and worked extensively across Scotland. Preserved by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, it returned to main line operation in 2016 and remains a firm enthusiast favourite.
37716 – DRS 'Fade'
PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAINBOW RAILWAYS
37716's story is one of remarkable survival. Exported to Spain in 2001 for high-speed railway construction work, it narrowly avoided scrapping before returning to Britain in 2012. Rebuilt for Direct Rail Services, it emerged in the eye-catching 'fade' livery and became a popular performer on nuclear, infrastructure, charter and test train duties. Stored in 2024, it remains operational under Swietelsky UK ownership.
PRE ORDER YOUR CLASS 37s HERE
