Accurascale ACC3155 Class 37 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Large Logo Blue (with Welsh Dragon) 37429 Diesel Locomotive

Expected Delivery Q4 2025 (Subject to change at Manufacturer's Discretion)

Representing the original Cardiff Canton batch of six Class 37/4 conversions is No. 37429, ‘refurbished’ by Crewe Works from No. 37300 (originally D6600) in March 1986. Nos. 37426-37431 were originally planned to join the rest of the sub class on the Scottish Region. However, before they were completed the London Midland identified a more pressing need for this batch, although they were allocated to Canton in South Wales due to this depot’s extensive knowledge of the English Electric Type 3s.

The introduction of Electric Train Heat (ETH) fitted locomotives to the restricted weight Cambrian route from Wolverhampton to the Welsh coast allowed InterCity to supplement its tired Mk.1 fleet on London Euston to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli services with air-conditioned Mk.2 coaches, although Mk.1s – often Network SouthEast liveried sets – were still regulars on the summer-dated trains into the 1990s. Unlike their cousins north of the border, the Welsh ‘37/4s’ were primarily passenger machines and they also found themselves allocated to Liverpool Lime St/Manchester Piccadilly/North Wales-Cardiff and Cardiff-Bristol-Weymouth diagrams. Outshopped in large logo livery, it soon gained a small red Welsh dragon logo on the driver’s cabsides, and later acquired the Sir Dyfed / County of Dyfed nameplates from No. 37180 in April 1987.

However, they were removed after just four months and the locomotive was renamed Eisteddfod Genedlaethol – after the famous festival – in the August. In January 1991 it was released from Glasgow St Rollox Works in Railfreight Construction colours, and notably retained its red-backed nameplates like the other three ‘37/4s’ to gain these particular squadron decals. It kept its name on its Regional Railways repaint in May 1993 and was stored in 2001. It was disposed of at EMR Kingsbury in February 2008.

Specification

Building on the already class leading specification of the existing Accurascale Class 37s, this new production run sees all new tooling to cater for the Class 37/4 variant (and other future variants!) which now includes the operating roof fan which is synced to the DCC sound file and also operates on DC. With subtle tweaks around the bonnet top doors, improved glazing fitment to stop them popping out in rough handing through the postal/courier systems, grille tweaks, and building on the already impressive drive train and sound set up, the ultimate Class 37 in OO/4mm gauge has taken another step forward from the competition.

Accurascale’s new tooling also covers the new limited edition models for the SRPS and Key Model World for 37403 and 37710 respectively.

Common Features Include:

• Heavy die-cast metal chassis
• Accurate tumbleholme, nose, cab roof and cantrail curves taken from 3D Laser scan and extensive surveys
• Timeframe specific details, including but not limited to;
• Bogies (Fabricated and three variations of Cast)
• Fuel tanks (As built and with later smooth-sided long range fuel tank)
• Three styles of buffer: large round Oleo, oval and squared oval
• With or without cab roof vents and bodyside windows
• Nose and roof aerials and antennas (where applicable)
• Three styles of windscreen: standard, centre toughened and all toughened
• Three styles of cab interior: as built, refurbished and modern DRS locos
• Four bufferbeam variations with different piping configurations
• Door kickplates where applicable
• Multiple body and nose slides to accurately represent almost every member of the class, including three variations of cantrail grille: early EE (for D6700-D6704), later EE and RSH
• Four roof styles: Original double riveted, single riveted, welded and welded with antennas
• Separately applied etched metal and high fidelity plastic detail parts, including grab handles, aerials, steps, wipers, nameplates, crests and more.
• Etched metal door kickplates (where applicable), ‘frost’ grille (where applicable) & super fine etched metal roof grille
• Scale width wire handrails
• Turned brass roof-mounted horns on centre headcode examples
• Full underbody tank detail with brackets and pipework
• Bogies feature separate footsteps, etched footsteps, brake cylinders, speed recorder, end brake rigging and very fine brake chain
• Brake blocks on trucks (bogies) in line with wheels (can be moved for EM/P4 gauges)
• RP25-110 profile OO gauge wheels with fine scale ‘drop in’ EM (18.2mm gauge) and P4 (18.83mm gauge) wheels available separately
• Accurate high-fidelity miniature snowploughs
• Fully sprung metal buffers, extra-fine factory-installed pipework and screw couplings
• Correct height mini-tension-lock couplers with NEM socket as well as a fully detailed bufferbeam
• Every model includes PowerPack / Backup Power Capacitor Bank for up to ten seconds of power free running, flicker free lighting and continuous sound
• High Performance traction, to include;
• High-quality five-pole motor with two flywheels
• Metal Helical Gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running
• Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve a scale top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h)
• DCC ready with PowerPack Super-capacitor for uninterrupted power and super low speed running
• All wheel drive and all wheel pickup