Class 50 - GB Railfreight - 50007/50034 'Hercules/Furious' - DCC Sound
Available in stock
Detailed Description
Detailed Description
50007/50034 Hercules/Furious GB Railfreight
Reunited with its original Hercules name at Washwood Heath in 2014 after being acquired by Boden Rail the previous year, 50007 has been one of the busiest Class 50s in preservation after being retired by British Rail – for the second and final time – in March 1994. This followed its earlier withdrawal in July 1991, later rescinded in 1992 so it could work railtours. It had initially been sold to the Class 40 Appeal at the Midland Railway Centre and retained its its celebrity GW150 paint job and still controversial Sir Edward Elgar name from February 1984. As part of the Neil Boden fleet with 50017 and 50050 it returned to Network Rail metals in May 2014 in BR blue, which it last wore up until its refurbishment at Doncaster Works in February 1983. After just two and a half years of occasional use with Colas Rail, it was sold to the 50 Alliance, a partnership between the Fifty Fund and Project Defiance, giving the group a second main line operational locomotive after 50049.
Withdrawn in August 1991, 50049 was acquired that same December by the Class 50 Society – later known as Project Defiance – and was started for the first time in preservation in May 1992. With memories of its Class 50/1 conversion still fresh. the locomotive was returned to its popular Railfreight General paint scheme in August 1993 and was twinned with its Royal Navy namesake at an event at Laira. This saw it given a crest above the nameplate on each side – notably in BR service it had only worn a single example. In May 1994 it moved to the West Somerset Railway where a power unit lift and main generator repair was undertaken. This was completed in the October and it ran the first trains of its preserved career soon after. In 2000 it returned to the main line in BR blue and four years later following a large logo repaint it was partnered with the Fifty Fund’s 50031 Hood as the key representatives of the class in action on the national network. This was cemented in 2006 when the pair were hired to Arriva Trains Wales for summer-dated trains between Cardiff and Fishguard Harbour, as well as other special services and relief trains. While this only lasted that year, Defiance has remained a regular on the main line ever since, principally for railtours and stock transfers.
Consummating a useful relationship with GB Railfreight, 50007 and 50049 were outshopped in the operator’s steel blue and orange livery in March 2019, which surprisingly suited the pair very well, basically being a privatisation era update on the much loved large logo scheme. They were regularly rostered on GBRf staff charters and stock moves, as well as their usual railtour duties, although 50007 initially only wore its Hercules ’plates on one side, with the other (five grille side) carrying the Warspite moniker from 50014. This was replaced with a Furious ’plate from 50034 in 2022 in memory of preservationist Paul Taylor who passed away the same year. Once the five-year deal had run its course, the two Class 50s returned to Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh Works in August 2024 where they were returned to large logo blue. Both are fitted with the necessary equipment for main line running, including TPWS, OTMR, and GSM-R.
Specification
Specification
Lighting and DCC
Lighting and DCC
Common Features
Common Features
Excellent detail and run and sound like a dream. Yet another example of excellent attention to detail.
Excellent model from top to bottom, really captures the lines of a class 50.
The interior lights in the front make a unique model very appealing.
My first model arrived with a faulty decoder hatch. Although this was the factory-fitted DCC sound version, the magnetic strips wouldn’t hold the hatch in place on the roof. Accurascale replaced the model, and I’m happy to report the hatch now sits perfectly.
It’s an exceptional Class 50. The crisp GB Railfreight livery really brings out the bodyside detail, and the sound gives the loco real presence on the layout. I’m delighted with the replacement and the service from Accurascale.
Another great model with a great box to match.
This loco is a must buy for anyone who loves class 50s and accurascale certainly smashed this out of the park
Out of the box, the model looked superb, with a lovely lustre to the paintwork and what look to me like correct colours with good depth to them. The shape also captures the class 50 extremely well. I love the artwork on the box, with a nice touch being the different names and numbers on the top and bottom surfaces of the box.
However, after the initial running-in period on the rollers, things went downhill a bit, with the first test on the tracks with a load on resulting in the locomotive slowing down, surging then grinding to a halt. The sounds were superb, and continued to work even after the motor stopped turning.
Accurascale's support team Simon was very helpful and suggested some diagnostics, which I had actually already done myself, so after that he diagnosed the problem being the worm drive at the top of the bogie tower at one end. He put replacement parts for both ends in the post very quickly, which then sat for a few days at Heathrow before making their way to Australia. Swapping the defective assemblies out was relatively easy, and I now have a fully operational class 50 again. I cannot fault the assistance and responsiveness from Simon.
Running is now silky smooth, and I can enjoy the model more. I managed to damage a small section of paintwork after using some IPA to clean the old assemblies, but have been carefully touching that up again - not Accurascale's fault, but annoying as their factory finish really is lovely.
I have had to knock one star off (but read that as half a star) because of the hassles with this one. It is a bit daunting having to repeatedly take the chains and jumper cables out to get the body off, but I understand that's the price we pay for the extremely high levels of detail on these models.
Brilliant coco, run smoothly, sounds incredible, beautiful livery.
I'm so happy I pre ordered this item. Love the loco and think the art work on the box is fantastic
Another stunning model from Accurascale. Very well designed and put together with exceptional packaging - there even is the 34 printed on the other side of the box.
These model's have a real presence on the layout. They look great and sound great, real miniature works of art.
Looking at the two GBRF 50s, you spot that the decoration is not identical. The name and numbers are obviously different but Looking closer the small warning insignia is not identical on both models. This shows a real dedication to the research and lengths taken to produce a model as accreate as possible and very commendable.
The reverse image on the box is clever and a real nice touch.
Thank you team accurascale for another beautiful addition.
Nice looking and properly packaged, everything came intact.
Sharply decorated and well lighted
The blue and orange livery really suits this Class 50, with crisp lettering and excellent paintwork. Fine handrails, cab detail and the busy underframe make it worth examining closely, while the DCC sound adds to its presence on the layout. Very pleased with my replacement and a superb addition to my Class 50 collection.
Well worth the wait, night and day compared with the Hornby version in every way!
Amazing model of this Class 50 in GBRF livery, accurately finished as 50007 on one side and 50034 on the other. Runs really well and the sound file is top notch !
What a pair of beauties the latest GBRf class 50's are from Accurascale. They have really made a super job of both of them. Glad I purchased both, as it would have been impossible to choose just one.
A lovely-looking Class 50 in GB Railfreight colours, but the removable roof panel over the decoder will not sit back in place properly. The magnets do not hold it down, leaving an obvious gap visible, as shown in my photographs.
The decoder-access hatch is a useful idea, but it needs to close securely and sit flush with the roof. This fault spoils the appearance of an otherwise impressive model. Disappointing quality control and something that needs putting right.
Fantastic
Great models! Much better than first batch
You couldn't give any less than 5 stars for these models. The quality is outstanding.
