♦ GAUGE ‘OO’

♦ MODEL Accurascale ACC2241 BR Class 50 50014 Warspite, ‘Large logo’ blue

♦ PRICE £189.99 (DCC-ready), £299.99 (DCC sound)

♦ AVAILABILITY Accurascale stockists Webwww.accurascale.com

First mooted in 2022, the first production run of Accurascale’s Class 50 arrived in early June, sating the desire of many a frustrated ‘Hoover’ fan. The project certainly caught the imagination of enthusiasts, as evidenced by the significant customer demand.

Our review sample depicts 50014 Warspite in ‘large logo’ BR Rail blue, customised with a black roof – a livery modification applied to around 17 Class 50s, presumably to lessen the scruffy appearance, as the original light grey colour quickly deteriorated into a filthy black.

It comes packaged in Accurascale’s usual foam-lined box, and supplied with an entertaining full-colour handbook detailing the history of the prototype, and with a comprehensive pack of optional details and etched nameplates.

After spending time with my nose up against the glass of Accurascale’s display cabinets at exhibitions, it’s great to finally have a ‘50’ in my hands and, in terms of first impressions, it really hits the mark. It’s a hefty model, at a whisker under 700g, and it feels and looks extremely well put together. The paint finish on this example is flawless, with razor sharp separation between the colour elements and neatly printed – and fully opaque – printed numbers and large BR logos. The orange cant rail warning stripe is also immaculate, despite having to be applied over sections of raised guttering and across ventilation louvres.