In a move that will surprise absolutely nobody, we're formally announcing an exclusive model of the BR Class 89 ‘Badger’ prototype electric locomotive in OO/4mm scale, available direct only from Rails of Sheffield and Accurascale.

Yes, that's right; It's Badger time!

 History

Designed by Brush Traction and constructed by British Rail Engineering Ltd at Crewe Works in 1986, the unique Class 89 was the prototype for a planned fleet of locomotives that would take over from the HSTs on the electrified ECML and supplement existing motive power on the WCML. Unfortunately, British Rail changed its requirements before the locomotive was even completed, eventually ordering Class 90s and 91s instead. The Class 89 design was later considered for Channel Tunnel use, but was superseded by what eventually became the Brush Class 92.

Used as a test bed between 1986 and 1988 on both the East and West Coast routes, it eventually settled into service working between Kings Cross and Leeds. Delivered in the InterCity Executive scheme, it was repainted in the new Swallow livery in December 1988 and named ‘Avocet’ by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher the following month. It continued in this duty until July 1992 when it was side-lined following a failure.

It was subsequently purchased for preservation and wore de-named Swallow livery until, in a shock move, it was acquired by privatised ECML operator GNER in 1997 to help with a drastic motive power shortage. Repainted into GNER dark blue, it returned to operation on Kings Cross to Leeds and Bradford trains.

Withdrawn for a second time in 2001 it joined the AC Locomotive Group’s preserved fleet at the end of 2006 and repainted back into its original InterCity livery the following year.

The Class 89 story does not end there. The ACLG is currently restoring this locomotive back to operational condition with plans to fit it with the necessary equipment for a return to the national network. In December 2021 it announced a partnership with Locomotive Services Ltd to fund the final stages of 89001’s rebuild that will also see the unique machine join LSL’s stunning fleet of main line certified electric locomotives for a period of five years.

The Model

We first mooted this exclusive model with Rails of Sheffield in 2020 as an “expression of interest” among the public to see if there was sufficient desire in creating this unique locomotive in model form. Demand was healthy, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic, access to the real locomotive for surveying and scanning was impossible. However, following the easing of restrictions in 2021 and beyond, we were able to continue working on the model, including conducting a full survey facilitated by Mervyn Alcock and the staff at Barrow Hill, while Wabtec Brush were able to provide copies of the original drawings. We would like to thank both parties in making this model come to fruition through their invaluable help.

To do this unique piece of modern British railway history justice, a museum quality model featuring a high level of detail and prototype fidelity and a range of operational features are required. Thankfully, taking the technological innovations and know-how from projects such as the Class 55 Deltic, Class 37 and Class 92, we have been able to pack the Class 89 with a whole host of features.

Our model will utilise the same sound set up as their existing diesel and electric locomotives, as well as the DCC operated rising and lowering pantograph. The 89 will also feature a powerful and silky smooth 5 pole skew wound motor with twin flywheels, helical cut gearing, flange squeal sensor, full lighting package including illuminated cab dials and more.

This project is the second such partnership between ourselves and Rails of Sheffield, and builds on the successful cooperation with the Class 55 Deltic, which included a number of special editions commissioned by Rails in partnership with the Deltic Preservation Society and Locomotion Models. However, the Class 89, which will feature five different livery variants, will be available to purchase from both Rails and Accurascale direct online.

The five livery variants are as follows:

Oct-86 to Nov-88
BR InterCity Executive livery

Dec-88 to Jul-92
Named Avocet on 16-Dec-88 and debuts in InterCity Swallow livery

Mar-97 to Jan-99
Reinstated for service 3-Mar-97 and repainted into GNER blue with white logo (loco had been purchased in 1996 by Sea Containers)

Feb-99 to Jun-07
Returns to service after repairs at Brush in GNER blue with gold logo

Apr-19 to present
Classic InterCity Swallow livery with Modern OHLE Flashes

CAD is now complete and it has entered the early stages of tooling. The first tooled sample is expected in time for the Warley show in November 2022, with decorated samples following in early 2023 and then delivery slated for Q3 2023. Orders can be secured via the Accurascale and Rails of Sheffield websites for just a £30 deposit, with prices for the DCC Ready version priced at £229.99, and the DCC sound ESU Loksound 5 fitted models £329.99, reflecting the limited nature of this very special release.

(We are aware that this breaks with our tradition of "announcing with tooling sample". As this is a one off locomotive both Rails and Accurascale feel it's important to gauge interest in a one-off locomotive and an update is long overdue!) 

When ordering direct with us you can also select to pay a deposit and then the balance when the locomotives arrive in stock, or easy installments over six months at no extra cost! These buttons will appear in your cart ahead of check out.

Pre-ordering is now open on both websites; www.accurascale.co.uk and www.railsofsheffield.com

Specification

The Class 89 model will be based on Accurascale’s ground-breaking Class 92 platform, with all-wheel powered six-axle bogies and a pantograph that can be raised or lowered almost silently under DC or DCC control.

• Highly-detailed OO scale model, 1:76.2 scale
• Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius Set-track)
• Die-cast metal chassis
• RP25-110 profile OO wheels
• Separately-applied etched metal/plastic detail parts, including grab handles, steps, wipers, etc.
• Scale width wire handrails
• Full underframe tank detail with brackets and pipework
• Fully sprung metal buffers and bufferplate, factory-fitted pipework and screw couplings (for display)
• Dummy knuckle coupler provided in polybag
• Kinetic NEM coupler mounts at correct height and mini-tension-lock couplers
• DCC ready [21-Pin MTX Socket] or Factory-Fitted DCC Sound options
• High Performance traction, to include;
• Five-Pole motor with two flywheels
• Metal Helical Gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running
• Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve minimum scale top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h)
• DCC ready with PowerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power
• All wheel drive (sprung centre axle) and all wheel pickup
• Fully detailed Lighting Pack, including:
• Directional lighting, DC and DCC
• Switchable Red and white marker lights with day/night options
• Separately switched cab lighting and illuminated, driver’s desk, auto/off on movement
• Scale-sized Brecknall-Willis High Speed pantograph raised and lowered by DCC control (auto up and down operation in DC with power on/off)
• Customised Dual-Speaker Technology with large ‘Accurathrash’ Style Bass Speaker and smaller 'iphone' style cube for higher frequencies (on DCC Sound-fitted models only)
• Hall sensor for flange squeal effect (on DCC Sound-fitted models only)