Accucraft 'Caledonia'

P

persistent_bodger

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I am interested in purchasing at some point an Accucraft 'Caledonia'. I was wondering if anyone has one of the older versions on the forum and if they differ in anyway to the newer version. I can't afford the latest production run but thought it might be possible to purchase one second hand or maybe one needing repair? Do they come up for sale often and if so how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance

Best

Tim
 
Only difference is the price!, the first batch was an absolute steal at around 375, new ones are double that (electric version). There is another livery option also.
They have a long wheelbase, the centre wheels are flangeless to assist in negotiating tight curves, but they wont do minimum radius, and dislike uneven track.
Rarely seen for sale so far as second hand, but the new batch are fairly recent, so that could change
Lovely model though, no doubt about that, and the current price is at least realistic value
 
Yes you'd have to have a very good reason to sell as they are lovely models. They do crop up but I should think even an early batch one would probably be priced with the new ones in mind so I'd expect to pay more than they cost new originally to be honest. I was lucky to grab one off one of our esteemed members converting to steam and it's second only to my Countess. Even the new batch are a good price for such a limited production model of that quality. As far as I know they will be identical and on well supported R3 curves they run faultlessly so a railway laid on blocks or boards should be ok but one laid in real ballast might need regular tweaking to prevent derailments.
 
Thank you all for the replies, all very useful if a little discouraging. It seems crazy that the early models were so cheap, I once considered buying one, wish I had now. I suppose I will have to keep my eyes out and save what I can for a future purchase. Interesting information about the running qualities, I can see that maybe being an issue on a future layout.

thanks again

Best

Tim
 
persistent_bodger said:
Thank you all for the replies, all very useful if a little discouraging. It seems crazy that the early models were so cheap, I once considered buying one, wish I had now. I suppose I will have to keep my eyes out and save what I can for a future purchase. Interesting information about the running qualities, I can see that maybe being an issue on a future layout.

thanks again

Best

Tim
Click to expand...

The running is not insurmountable, a little tweaking is needed here and there partic' on and around points.
Mine will cope with R1 curves unless they form a reverse curve. The overhang on R1 though is huge and NOT prototypical.
 
No R1 on my outdoor line though Tim - a few R2s on the apex of the back door end of the line, and IIRC a couple on the bit that sticks out into the lawn - but mostly R3 and R5.
 
I have heard on the 'grape vine' that they may have an odd 'service return' from the first batch in need of a bit of 'tweeking' on their bargin stall at their Open day, 15th October. Might be worth you taking a visit? Why don't you phone them and ask Graham, he seems to be in the 'know'.
 
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