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Accurascale ACC2520

Class 50 - Revised NSE (dark blue with WofE branding) - 50029 'Renown'

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

Prototype Era
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

After the first run release of 50017, one of the first pair of Class 50s to be released in the original Network SouthEast livery, the calls for the later version of the scheme have become deafening. 50029 Renown was the last of 14 examples to gain the same paint job as Royal Oak in June 1987, which it swapped for the revised darker blue variant in December 1989 courtesy of Laira depot. Named in October 1978 and refurbished in May 1982, it had no idea what colourful future awaited it when it was released from the ‘Plant’ in the then brash large logo look. In fact, 50029 was one of nine members of the type to receive two versions of ‘toothpaste’, with 50017 and 50048 both gaining all three! By its final repaint, the look of the revised NSE locomotives had settled down with a more consistent application, while the BR double arrow was finally ditched – an original condition of the new sector identity from ‘the board’ – in favour of the West of England route branding. By the time of its withdrawal with a seized power unit at the same time as 50046 Ajax in March 1992 it was one of the last of the six 100mph EE Type 4s still active, while 50030 Repulse was stopped just two weeks later. This left only 50007 Sir Edward Elgar, 50033 Glorious and 50050/D400 to represent the fleet. 50029 and 50030 were later sold to Operation Collingwood, a charity that had the ambitious goal of returning the locomotives to the main line with modern components while training engineering apprentices. The organisation had also acquired heavily stripped 50001/023/040/045 from Booth’s of Rotherham. When this collapsed in 2002, the newly formed Renown Repulse Restoration Group secured the two locomotives in better condition and moved them to Peak Rail at Rowsley. While they were quickly cosmetically restored, the pair have yet to turn a wheel in preservation, and 50030's rebuild is still several years from completion. Once this is finished, 50029 will receive another cosmetic refresh while the society assess the future of the locomotive.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Accurascale has released a new OO gauge model of the Class 50 diesel locomotive in the revised Network SouthEast livery with West of England branding, specifically in the scheme worn by No.50029 Renown.

The locomotive was one of the last to receive the original NSE paint job in June 1987, before being repainted in the darker blue variant in December 1989 at Laira Depot. Renown was named in October 1978 and refurbished in May 1982, before being withdrawn in March 1992 due to a seized power unit.

The model features a highly detailed OO scale representation of the Class 50, with a die-cast metal chassis, RP25-110 profile wheels, and separate etched and plastic details. It is available in DCC Ready format, with the option to upgrade to DCC Sound, and features a five-pole motor with twin flywheels, all-wheel drive, and a powerPack capacitor for uninterrupted power.

The model is based on the original Class 50 design, with a minimum radius of 438mm and a scale of 1:76.2. It includes separate etched and plastic details, such as grabs, steps, wipers, and etched nameplates and crests. The model also features interchangeable printed headcodes, including preservation variants, and a detailed underframe with pipework and fittings.

The model's features include fully sprung buffers, fine pipework, and screw couplings, as well as kinematic NEM couplers and mini-tension-locks. The working radiator fan is controlled by a speed control, and the model is also equipped with directional lighting, cab lights, and driver's desk lights.

Accurascale has made improvements to the model based on feedback from modellers, including revised packaging and the resolution of issues with self-coloured plastic parts. Spare parts from the first run are available free of charge via the Accurascale website.