Accucraft?

[Dannypenguin]

Hello all, I'm looking for some information.

Been looking at new Accucraft loco's (at the moment to dream about ) but wanted some info first.

Where are the loco's built?

Are they reliable?

Whats the running like?

Tanks in advance!

[dougrail]

China, but QC and tech support is in UK. You can contact Accucraft in Shropshire. they also have Authorised Repair Dudes - example being Abbeybach Engineering in Llanwrst, north Wales who will not let you down.

Reliable - over 90% are yes. Some are wary because they've had dodgy ones in the past. However a swift repair and/or replacement scheme is in place. Look how they very quickly sorted out the tiny niggle with the new hunslets.

Running - pretty damn good. My Caradoc runs fine and I have had it for 18 months. Love it to pieces.

Don't be afraid to get one of their 040s eg Ragleth, or if you go secondhand and get decent, such as from GRS or Simon Whenmouth, you might snag a popular Edrig, Mortimer or caradoc. Boilers and chassis are very similar but the bodywork is what suits you - an open cab tankie, a saddletank or a big chunky pannier tank.

Their Leader was quite good too.

In short, so long as you get to inspect it, an Accy will do you just fine. Recommended here.

[funandtrains]

They are made in China. They are not test run like Roundhouse so sometimes a new one has a fault but the UK service is very good and if you do get a problem they fix it quickly. They are usually easy to run and powerful. The range is quite large ranging for small locos to huge tender locos. If you are new to steam just don't have the gas turned-up too high.

[funandtrains]

One thing to note is that the freelance Accucraft loco proportions are quite chunky and more correct it size for 2'6" or 3' gauge trains so if you want to run with small quarry wagons they might look a little big. This however helps give them weight to pull decent size trains if you have a gradient.

[Snailrail]

Agree with the above. I have a couple which I am very pleased with. The seem to be very solidly built and well engineered from brass and stainless steel. Mine haven't covered a huge mileage so I can't comment on long term reliability but they run very sweetly. No problems at all.

Brian

[steamie1]

Accucraft locos are built in China. The materials used are all good and sometimes better than Roundhouse being thicker an heavier. As for running they either run well at the start and then are fine long term. The odd bad one, reference the timing block etc have come through and run badly or not at all from the box. These are then covered by warranty. So in a way you can't go wrong. Modifications are applied later sometimes, so an older design can have an extra change in it. One has to remember that a lot of Accucraft locos convert to coal firing which needs certain quality of materials as a strong base. The burners always seem coarse and noisy. This can be modified with stainless gauze simply wrapped over the burner. In summery Accucraft are one of the leaders with Roundhouse. The body work is often thicker and more detailed. The running gear needs running in, but if it works first off it will continue to work as a rule getting smoother later on. With Roundhouse the loco has been run in at the shop and often runs quieter. It runs smoother initially because of this running in at the shop. It is hard to choose as they both have attributes. Roundhouse have always had a good spares and customer service. My view is if it is a second hand loco with no history then Roundhouse would be best, because of the spares and after care. Accucraft are good new, covered by a warranty. Hope it helps don't forget this is only one mans view....

[LnBmad]

Having not owned an accucraft loco I can only comment from my research.

As said above they are generally great from new, with great customer care coming with a new loco. Spares are harder to get hold of if you do need them. Most accucraft locos run using piston valve gear, in comparison to roundhouse using d-slide valves. The reason for mentioning this is that, where roundhouse will 'run in' their locos in house, accucraft don't. D-slide valves wear in and get better with use, hence running in. Piston valves are at their best when just made, after that they start to wear and piston valves wear out. This shouldn't be off putting but should be a consideration for future maintainance.

The accucraft locos I have seen have run beautifully and I would love to own a Lew!

[MikeD]

I've had 6 Accucraft locos, and all have run well (3 were stolen and have since been replaced!).

Currently I have a 'Lyn', Ragleth and a 'Lyd' (just arrived!), all radio controlled, and I've been very pleased with them. I managed to damage the front cowcatcher on 'Lyn', but was able to buy a replacement from Accucraft, who have always been very helpful when I've contacted them, either by phone or vi e-mail...

Mike D

[Dannypenguin]

Thanks for your advice guys!

[Charles M]

Accucraft quality is very good. I have 6 from Accucraft and love them all. My " Earl " and " Edrig " both have over 100 + hours of running with no problems. Dave Bailey uses the Edrig chassis as the basis for his coal conversions so they must be pretty well built.

Charles M  :D

[laurence703]

I have a Caradoc and a Superior, both of which haven't really given me much problems and have been known to shift a good weight.

They both have had RC.. The caradoc still has RC and the superior was converted back to manual.

[JMORG]

They are good!
But please, do not get a Garratt! Unless it is 3rd batch or has been modified, do not even touch it!

[DVT Dweller]

I've got 2 from each stable, 1 brand new and 1 second from both Accucraft and Roundhouse. The best 2 to compare would be my Roundhouse Jack and Accucraft Lew.

Both bought brand new, both around the £1300 mark. Both slide valves The Jack is RC the Lew isn't. Running wise, the Jack had the usual 20 hours running in when being built. It's a lovely little loco and does everything I want. When I first got it it would boil itself dry as the gas would outlast the water, something it shouldn't really do, part of what caused the problem was a safety valve that didn't seat properly so it was always just lifting. Powerful little thing that I'm very happy with.

As for Lew, it arrived with a damaged part, a little annoying as it had happened before packaging, however an email to the retailer (Trackshack) very quickly became a conversation between John at Trackshak, Ian Pearse at Accucraft uk and myself and by the end of the week Ian had called at my house to personally drop off replacements, fantastic service. As for the loco, it needs ruining in as it is stiff out of the box. It's had about 4 hours now so is along way of from having as much running time as the Jack but it's already proving itself to be a powerful engine and very smooth runner. Detail wise it's at the same level if not higher than my Roundhouse VoR but at almost half the brand new price. As it is bedding in the cylinder caps and valve chest covers need nipping up but that's nothing.

So £ for £ I couldn't say which one is best. Out of the box they are both runners, though one needs a little running in as models, the Lew is a lot more detailed. Both companies have fantastic after sales care. At the end of the day it's all down to what you want in a loco.

[Dannypenguin]

Again, thanks for the comments

[Gremlin]

I've half a dozen Accucraft loco, some of the older ones have had a couple of issues. The biggest was a new valve block needed replacing on my Lyn, Accucraft had the part made up in a reasonable time and once fitted it is like a new engine.
New models wont have the same problem, I'm very happy with thier engines.

[GardenRail]

Having not owned an accucraft loco I can only comment from my research.

D-slide valves wear in and get better with use, hence running in. Piston valves are at their best when just made, after that they start to wear and piston valves wear out. This shouldn't be off putting but should be a consideration for future maintainance.

The accucraft locos I have seen have run beautifully and I would love to own a Lew!

Accucraft valves are stainless steel running in honed bores. They should not wear as long as proper steam oil is used because they are running in oil, not metal to metal. I have had many locomotives and use mostly Roundhouse and Accucraft. Both have their good points but Roundhouse D valves will last a very long time – as will Accucraft piston valves. I have to say that you would probably work through several sets of running gear before either type of valve will show any sort of wear at all. Indeed even my old Merlin Mayflower is still running happily today after 25 years use here and four years use elsewhere. Accucraft valves are much better than these.