Description
Expected Delivery Q4 2026 (Subject to Change at Manufacturer’s Discretion).
Demonstrating the versatility of Accurascale’s Class 50 tooling suite is 50035 Ark Royal, one of just three Class 50s to gain plated headcode panels with sealed beam marker lights in the late 1970s. In January 1978, the 10-year-old locomotive became the first of the newly named “Warship” class to be honoured with nameplates, following the lifting of the embargo on new namings. Ark Royal was named at Plymouth Station by the captain of the Royal Navy flagship, with the BR double arrows relocated to accommodate the large ship’s crests above the nameplates.
After several years in this condition and a stint at Old Oak Common, it was repainted in large logo blue at Doncaster in March 1981. A black-roofed variant followed, and in July 1986 it received the original NSE scheme—though not before running several turns in undercoat grey!
50035’s BR career ended in August 1990, and it became the first preserved Class 50 the following April, with the handover performed by NSE Director Chris Green. After restarting in 1992, Ark Royal entered preservation service at the Severn Valley Railway in 1996 and continues to operate there today in classic BR Blue.
The Model
Following the success of the first production run, Accurascale is proud to present the second run of its OO gauge Class 50s, driven by sustained customer demand. Improvements have been made based on modeller feedback, including revised packaging and resolution of issues with self-coloured plastic parts—spare parts from the first run remain available free of charge via the Accurascale website.
Specification highlights include:
- Highly detailed OO scale model, 1:76.2 scale
- Minimum radius: 438mm (2nd radius set-track)
- Die-cast metal chassis
- RP25-110 profile wheels, with options for P4/EM re-gauging
- Separate etched/plastic details (grabs, steps, wipers, etc.)
- Etched nameplates and crests (where applicable)
- Interchangeable printed headcodes, including preservation variants
- Detailed underframe with pipework and fittings
- Fully sprung buffers, fine pipework, and screw couplings
- Kinematic NEM couplers and mini-tension-locks
- Working radiator fan with speed control
- DCC Ready (21-pin MTX) or DCC Sound options
- Performance and Electronics:
- Five-pole motor with twin flywheels
- All-wheel drive and pick-up
- PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power
- Directional lighting
- Cab lights
- Driver’s desk lights
