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Accurascale ACC1026

BR 16T Mineral - 1/108 - BR Freight Grey (Pre-TOPS COAL 16) - Pack E

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

Seen as very much the ‘missing link’ in the ‘Powering Britain’ range, the 16 ton mineral wagon is an essential addition to the Accurascale range to tell the story of coal traffic on the railways throughout the 20th century. The archetypal BR 16 ton all-steel non-hoppered mineral wagon proliferated across the United Kingdom’s railway network during the 1950s and 1960s and there was probably not a siding, freight yard or industrial railway system in the country that did not house at least an example or three of these vitally important, yet mundane railway vehicles.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Accurascale has released a new model of the BR 16T mineral wagon, specifically the BR Freight Grey version, as part of their Powering Britain range. This particular model is a triple pack and features three wagons, each with a unique number: B119822, B279182, and B251665. The model is built to a high standard, with a die-cast metal chassis and plastic body, and features a range of accurate details, including separately fitted side doors, top doors, and end doors. The wheels are made of metal and are chemically blackened to a 00 Gauge RP25-110 standard.

The model has a scale length of 78mm over buffers and a width of 34.53mm, and is designed to operate on a minimum radius of 1:371mm. The model's weight is 37g, excluding the coal load. The Accurascale 16T mineral wagon is built to represent the version of the wagon in use during the British Railways Late Crest period.

The BR 16T mineral wagon has a long and complex history, dating back to the 1940s when the Ministry of War Transport requisitioned all private owner coal wagons to meet the demands of the war effort. After the war, British Railways placed orders for new wagons, including the 1/108 and 1/109 designs, which were built to a new standard design. The 1/108 design featured welded bodywork and was equipped with unfitted Morton two-shoe brakegear and side top-flap doors. The wagons were built in large numbers, with over 127,000 being constructed between 1951 and 1959.

The 16T wagon played a significant role in the history of British Railways, and its impact can still be seen today. Many of the wagons were withdrawn from service in the 1960s and 1970s, and were either scrapped or re-bodied. However, the model remains a popular choice among railway enthusiasts and modellers, and Accurascale's new release is a welcome addition to the Powering Britain range.