Accurascale KUA nuclear flask wagon

◆ SCALE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Accurascale KUA nuclear flask wagons (twin set) ◆ PRICE £159.95 ◆ AVAILABILITY Accurascale stockists Web www.accurascale.co.uk

You know that the hobby has changed when you hear that a manufacturer is to create a RTR model of a rarely seen wagon type, of which only two have ever been built. However, the two wagons in question are a very interesting subject, especially as rail-borne nuclear waste operations have long been popular with enthusiasts.

Accurascale’s latest release is an impressive twin-pack, offering both of the Ministry of Defence’s KUA nuclear flask carriers. These enormous, 80ft long wagons were built for the MOD in 1998, ostensibly to transport nuclear fuel from the Royal Navy’s submarine bases at Devonport and Rosyth to Sellafield for reprocessing. They’ve also been used to carry atomic materials from Dounreay in the far north of Scotland to Sellafield, so they have travelled a fair amount of the UK network over the years.

Employed singly or as a pair, when loaded, each wagon can weigh up to 150t and are always accompanied by specially trained security staff riding in dedicated coaches, while two locomotives are employed (a single locomotive is only used if the wagons are empty). Since DRS won the contract to carry this cargo in the mid-2000s, a pair of modified Mk 2 escort coaches have been used. Originally though, EWS was in charge of operations and would often employ a pair of inspection saloons for security personnel. The KUA wagons are still in use today and look likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Despite their intricate appearance, the models possess an impressive bulk, tipping the scales at 420g apiece. The weight is due to the use of die-cast metal for the entire chassis and both articulated sub-chassis frames. Each sub-chassis pivots freely, and the plastic bogies help the long vehicles to negotiate second radius curves with ease. This is handy for model railway layouts, but it’s also a feature of the prototype, which must cope with the tight radii of dockside lines in Devon and Scotland. The mass also helps the models to run very smoothly.

In terms of overall appearance, the wagons look fantastic. Dimensionally, they’re spot-on and the various profiles are also correct, especially the sliding flask covers which feature well-defined louvre and panel seam detail. In fact, there’s detail everywhere, from ferry cleats to some very impressive brake equipment and plumbing at each end. The air reservoir tanks even have small discharge pipes and there are tiny elements picked out appropriately in red, white and yellow paint.

The sets of handrails at each end are stiff metal etches, which are resilient, but care is still required when handling the model. There are also fine wire grab rails on the sides of the cargo hoods and beneath each buffer shank. Each bogie is a single plastic moulding, with integral brake shoes and the disc wheels feature fine flange profiles and free-running axles. Tension lock couplers are pre-installed into NEM pockets mounted to the outer bogie frames. A small bag of extra details is provided, namely a set of cosmetic screw couplings and brake hoses.

The level of finish is very high, with the attractive blue livery applied flawlessly. There is a feast of tiny, printed legends and information panels, all of which are legible, and some even include metallic elements to mimic polished worksplates.

I love the discreet radiation warning signs – almost hidden within the chassis framework – both in terms of their execution and their irony, given the potentially deadly nature of the wagon’s cargo!

The only minor flaw I could find was that the sprung, rectangular buffers have a tendency to rotate slightly. Other than that, these wagons are exceptional, which certainly justifies the premium price tag. Considering the amount of effort involved in the design and assembly, you definitely have something tangible to show for your investment.

The ‘N’ gauge KUAS offered by Revolution Trains (MR281) proved highly successful earlier this year, and Accurascale’s 4mm scale version is also selling fast. This isn’t surprising, given the quality of these models and the interest in the prototype. A pair of Drs-liveried Mk 2a coaches is all that’s needed to complete an eye-catching train, which could be top-and-tailed by Class 37s, ‘66s’ or ‘68s’, all of which are available in DRS colours. Happy days! (GD)

Considering the amount of effort involved in the design and assembly, you definitely have something tangible to show for your investment