D9020 Nimbus

This is my first purchase from Accurascale and, its mind blowing. It’s not my era nor livery (I’m more interested in the 1990’s onwards) so I was quite ambivalent about the 55s but having read so much about this loco, I convinced myself that it’ll be a ‘conservation’ loco on my layout. I ordered one from the Irish guys and was not disappointed. I was so impressed I immediately bought another, unused 2nd hand, from a colleague on a forum. So now I have two preservation locos.

Looks mean a lot to people (just ask my wife), but you can see, hear and feel the quality all over this model.

I can’t wait for their modern liveries of the 37s, as I have no more space for preservation models.

Superb model bristling with detail and features other manufactures cant match.
You wont be disappointed with this Deltic they are worth every penny and great value.

I have tried on numerous occasions to purchase the Class 55 from Accurascale. Finally successful I have not been disappointed. This is an outstanding model, detail and finish are excellent. Unfortunately mine arrived with minor transit damage however; the reply to my email was prompt and a return label sent that morning. I'm now awaiting the repair and return of the model. So far my experience of Accurascale's products and customer service have been outstanding.

'Nimbus' is my second Accurascale Deltic and, if anything, is even better than the 'Pinza' that I already have (the small yellow warning panels and highlighted axleboxes make all the difference). Thoroughly recommended.

I think that model makers have reached a stage of detail that almost restricts the use to static display only as the delicate detailing is too prone to damage for use on a regular basis. My example has already lost bogie chains and has only been run on a programming track. This particular model is noisy at slow speeds even after careful running in so perhaps more investment in the practical running side of things would make for a better working model.

I have 2 models from the first batch. D9020 that came direct from Accurascale and D9008, a DPS special that came from Rails (would have bought from the DPS direct but couldn’t make head nor tails of their website!)

Straight from the box the model has the ‘wow factor’. The model captures the overall shape of the prototype absolutely perfectly. It is without doubt the most ‘correct’ looking RtR Deltic delivered to date in any scale. Close examination of the model brings a second ‘wow’ because this model is bristling with detail both obvious and hidden. It has a completeness and depth that suggest no compromise has been made at any stage in its development - just look at those bogies or the engine detail visible through the body side windows. Visually these models are special and represent a new high water mark for UK rtr.

The livery is well applied with mostly sharp or very sharp definition between colour changes. The finish is more matte than most other 4mm rtr diesels and whilst the colours are spot on I do think just a touch more sheen would give more life to the model.

For me though it doesn’t matter how well a model looks - it has to equal that standard when running. I am happy to report that the mechanism is silky smooth and silent in operation. D9008 had a rhythmic knock on initial running in and reports on RMWEB suggested others had found the same and diagnosed glue or similar on one or more wheel. 1 hour running in in both directions totally eliminated this with no need for wheel scraping. The only sound to be heard thereon is that of steel wheel against rail.

There are a few ‘snagging’ issues that needed to be addressed and should be mentioned.

First both of my models were delivered with some small detailing unattached in the bottom of the packaging. This seems to be the experience of many. The model delivered from Accurascale directly via DHL was noticeably less well packed than the other delivered by Rails. Both had loose parts though.

Second, both of my models are factory fitted with ESU DCC sound. With the sound on or off neither will move at speed step 1 as supplied - it took until speed step 7. Further, at that speed step there was a noticeable stutter until speed step 10. Adjustment of CV 2 (start voltage) from the factory set 1 to 3 successfully moves the loco at speed step 1 and eradicates the stutter. The start is smooth but a little too fast - it is not the almost imperceptible movement that Zimo does so well and which mimics the way a real 100t loco moves. I suspect this may improve with running in and/or further CV tweaking and may be a characteristic of the chip rather than the mechanism.

Thirdly the models are both heavy, very detailed and in some parts delicate. I have not had the bodies off yet (necessary to add a crew which Accurascale sell separately) but I can see already that the bogie to body chains are going to be a challenge to remove and refit - in fact both of my models were delivered with a chain unattached and both have temporary black tack repairs at the moment.

None of the snagging issues I have found are serious and I am sure Accurascale would have resolved them had I chosen to avail myself of their very thorough support offer. I am an experienced modeller and am happy within reason to fettle a loco to get it into traffic.

These are superb models. I will definitely be adding at least one more Deltic from the next batch and am looking forward to the forthcoming EE Type 3 (and the Manor - I have that sort of ‘rule 1’ flexibility over what runs on my ’60’s in the North' layout!).

Highly recommended and future production will no doubt benefit from the lessons learned from the first batch.

Really well detailed model at a very a very competitive price when compared to othe manufacturers. Very powerful it can pull 7 hornby dublo coaches with ease. Only improvement i would make if given the chance is to have a switch for cab lighting and engine room lighting to work on analogue tracks. Also it would be helpful to know the PIN number that turns on cab and engine room lights on the blanking chip. All in all really satisfied with my purchase. Great service all around with such quick delivery a really easy and smooth transaction.

Excellent performance and quality of finish straight out of the box. Yes, some of the tiny detail fixings were not secured to the loco' but hardly a problem. Supporting literature including web based guidance more than adequate. My second purchase, D9009 Alycidon, unfortunately failed after one month's intensive use but excellent after sales service attending to that.

I've never bought a model Deltic before because I was never happy with how they looked; there was just something not quite right. The moment I saw the CADs for the Accurascale version, I could tell this was going to be the business and I duly pre-ordered D9020 NIMBUS. Having now received it, there are plusses and minuses, but I really can't fault the overall look of it, it really is a stunning model.

Unfortunately my first experience of it after receiving it wasn't great. It had been "delivered" on a day we were away. I got an e-mail from DHL informing me it had been delivered and accepted by me in person. Upon returning home the next day, the first thing I saw was the box several yards down our concrete driveway, having been hurled over our seven-foot wrought iron gates. Fortunately it hadn't rained! I actually got out the car feeling sick (and very angry!) Upon opening it, apart from some impact damage to the actual box, the contents seemed to be ok. On closer inspection, I discovered three of the brake chains and three of the footsteps had come away. One of the valves underneath the fuel tank had also broken off.

I gave it a run and it performed flawlessly. I'm old school DC, so all I really need it to do is go backwards and forwards, which it does very smoothly, even at low speeds. I fitted all the bufferbeam detail with no issues, although the loco arrived with the wrong bufferbeam at each end.

So, to the fine detailed bits which had broken off. These really are not easy to fix. The chains, to be quite frank are a complete pain to attach. Two of them have now come away more than once and I'm considering abandoning them altogether. I've got to the point where I'm really reluctant to handle the loco at all. My crew arrived today and I really don't relish taking the loco apart to install them. If I do, I suspect the chains will stay off.

In conclusion, this really is a superb model, no question and overall I'm very happy with it. Does such intricate detail on an OO gauge model make for a practical runner on a layout, or is it best left as a static exhibit in a display case? I'm not sure to be honest, which is why I've given it four stars instead of five, but I think Accurascale should be applauded for going to some considerable effort in producing what in my view, is the ultimate model of a Deltic.

First off - this was a locomotive worth waiting for. At first look, this is a stunning reproduction in miniature of a famous class. The detail is exquisite, it has a visually silent mechanism that is powerful and responsive. The weight is impressive, and though I have not yet been able to put it through its paces on the main line, it certainly feels it could pull anything hung behind it. The sound system was similarly impressive, with a full suite of beautifully captured effects in the project. The two-tone livery was beautifully applied, and the set of etched plates lovely to see. The packing was impressive as well, the locomotive nestled in its protective ice tray, foam lined box and plastic sleeve. But when I opened the box and released the model, I found a myriad of small detail parts had been detached, including the bogie chains on bth sides of the loco, front corner steps at both ends and the hatch hiding the decoder missing the set of magnets, leaving it loose in the box. This was all the more surprising since the packaging was so good. Even as I examined it, more detail parts that seemed poorly glued detached themselves. I will be required to find, relocate and reglue all the stray items I can find before the loco can be run in on the layout.
So 10/10 on looks, performance and detail, 6/10 on fit and finish