Countess - Pearse v Accucraft

[railwayman198]

At a garden meet today I had the chance to compare an Accucraft Countess with a 20 year old Pearse version. Both ran very well but there were lots of cosmetic differences. Some of the ones I spotted can be seen in the pictures.

The Pearse lacks vac pipes and the brightwork on the smoke box door (maybe representing the loco at an earlier period?)

Neither loco has a very good representation of the spectacle frames, the Pearse being a bit understated and the Accucraft too 'in your face'.
The Pearse has much more pronounced rivet detail and a glossier finish.

They are both lovely locos but on balance I prefer the look of the Pearse...if I could have it at the Accucraft price of course...

 

[bobg]

Very interesting comparison. These things are always subjective of course, each to his own etc. etc.

I personally would be immensely pleased if someone were to donate either of them to me, and I do already have an Accu version. They are both excellent, perhaps for different reasons!

 

[casey jones snr]

A nice comparison. How did they actually perform?

 

[Ferrysteam]

I think the Accucraft looks better value for the price but both engines are wonderful.

 

[railwayman198]

A nice comparison. How did they actually perform?

They both performed very well, very smooth with good slow running.

 

[hornbeam]

I have a pearse one myself and love it. have added vac pipes
(roundhouse eng ones) and a few other details, runs like a sowing machine.