We've Got The Minerals! New and Improved 21 ton MDO/MDV and MDW Packs!
Fran Burke
Great news! Our 21 ton mineral wagons (TOPS codes MDO and MDV) are coming back! Demand for these must have wagons has been massive since our first production run sold out rather quickly.
A cornerstone of our famed "Powering Britain" range, these wagons are now also joined by the first time by the MDW through pipe variant.
As we said, they have also been enhanced and improved, so what exactly have we done to spice them up?
Well, firstly we listened to customer feedback. We had worked with the factory to make the first batch as friendly as possible to convert to finescale standards, both EM and P4. Unfortunately, mistakes were made here and instructions were literally lost in translation, so they became a bit more of a challenge than we had aimed for.
So, we have gone back to the drawing board and totally redesigned and retooled the chassis on both models. Now we have 26mm axles and redesigned brake gear. While they will still require a small bit of fettling to upgrade to finescale surgery, it will be a keyhole style operation rather than extensive open heart surgery required for the previous run.
Secondly, our rather strange phenomenon of the coupling hooks being on the wrong side of the tension lock couplings has also been resolved!
We have also readdressed our lamp irons, with the MDVs now having lamp irons on both ends, and MDOs having none at all, just like the real wagons.
Another area we have improved, and something we will be rolling out on future open wagons is an improvement in interior decoration. We are now going for a dirtier, more weathered appearance to better reflect the interiors of these wagons rather than clean, fully painted and pristine.
Finally, we will now for the first time introduce the MDW, the through air pipe fitted MDVs adapted from 1985 to be used in air braked speedlink trains, mainly on scrap flows, lasting in service until the early 1990s. With the last of the MDVs and MDWs bowing out of front line services in 1992 on coal and scrap trains respectively, these add great options for something a bit different for the sectorisation. Two MDW packs of three wagons apiece will be included in this new production run.
To top it all off we have three triple packs of MDO, three triple packs of MDV and two triple packs of MDW available to pre-order at just £74.95 per pack, the same great price as before, with both TOPS and pre-TOPS variants available (TOPS only for MDW as these wagons were converted in 1985). Delivery is slated for Q2 2023 and of course there will be the same usual 10% discount for two packs or more pre-ordered and free postage and packaging for UK orders.
Production capacity is limited, so make sure you pre-order your pack today via your local stockist or direct right here!
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
