Accurascale Class 50.

[Mountain]

Hornby Mk2's from the past were exceptionally close coupled without any devices other than the coupling, and they would go round 1st radius curves. Their only downside which was similar to other Hornby items at the time were the coupling hooks were prone to falling off, but so many Hornby dealers kept spares it was never an issue.

[Metadyneman]

Accurascale announce 2nd run of their new Class 50.

While this is to be welcomed, the cynic in me thinks they, like all manufacturers, undercooked the number of items like this brought to market in the first place. And yes, I know it's part of a strategy to keep prices up. Such small numbers that the batch sells out, sometimes just on pre orders, snapped up by scalpers to appear on fleabay with inflated prices.

The fact they're doing a 'second run' so soon also suggests to me they could have just added these into the first run. Same thing with rolling stock, small limited production runs that sell out quickly making it hard to build 'that' particular rake of rolling stock you want.

But like I said, that's the cynic in me!

The price for batch 2 (due at the latter end of 2026) is exactly the same as that for the first batch so I think Accurascale are to be commended for producing such a highly detailed model at such a reasonable price. I think the batch numbers reflect the fact that Accurascale seem to work to a budget which keeps cash flow intact without borrowing too much to manufacture products which might sit on shelves if they can't sell them, rather than "undercooking" the numbers. Almost everything they sell is either sold out or with very little residual stock left. The prime example of this is the forthcoming family of Electrostar units for which a £50 deposit was required by a certain date to even guarantee a start to the process of getting the product off the ground. What people do with their loco when they get it is of no relevance to or detriment to Accurascale as they have done their bit to produce a model that people want and if someone wants to sell that model on for a silly price, there will always be a silly person willing to part company with their money. However much we moan, that will always be the case

[centenary]

Accurascale announce 2nd run of their new Class 50.

While this is to be welcomed, the cynic in me thinks they, like all manufacturers, undercooked the number of items like this brought to market in the first place. And yes, I know it's part of a strategy to keep prices up. Such small numbers that the batch sells out, sometimes just on pre orders, snapped up by scalpers to appear on fleabay with inflated prices.

The fact they're doing a 'second run' so soon also suggests to me they could have just added these into the first run. Same thing with rolling stock, small limited production runs that sell out quickly making it hard to build 'that' particular rake of rolling stock you want.

But like I said, that's the cynic in me!

The price for batch 2 (due at the latter end of 2026) is exactly the same as that for the first batch so I think Accurascale are to be commended for producing such a highly detailed model at such a reasonable price. I think the batch numbers reflect the fact that Accurascale seem to work to a budget which keeps cash flow intact without borrowing too much to manufacture products which might sit on shelves if they can't sell them, rather than "undercooking" the numbers. Almost everything they sell is either sold out or with very little residual stock left. The prime example of this is the forthcoming family of Electrostar units for which a £50 deposit was required by a certain date to even guarantee a start to the process of getting the product off the ground. What people do with their loco when they get it is of no relevance to or detriment to Accurascale as they have done their bit to produce a model that people want and if someone wants to sell that model on for a silly price, there will always be a silly person willing to part company with their money. However much we moan, that will always be the case

Yeah, hang on, Accurascale have just the OO scale Class 50 to market and yet we have to wait until Q4 2026 for the 2nd run? A full year and a bit? Is someone having a laugh?

We're talking minimal changes to the models, literally different numbering and names.

If, as you say, Accurascale have done their market research, they will know the demand. In which case to deliberately undercook the number of units in the production run helps no one.

[Metadyneman]

I would perhaps suggest that the production delay is more to do with the available production slots that the base manufacturer in China has available rather than anything to do with choking supply at the retail end. Accurascale themselves have stated (in another forum) that future batches of the class 50 will be smaller to allow for more livery variations and that the production schedule for each variation is between 9 and 12 months, so it is clear that they have to dovetail in the variations with the production of all new locos etc (e.g. the Electrostar). In my view it is far better for a business to have a set number of available models than flood the market with stock only for it to sit on shelves to be heavily discounted a year or so later. It may not be what us modellers want, but if the manufacturer stays in business as a result, it is surely a better thing for everyone.