Electric W&L Countess, first pictures from Accucraft UK

[Sea Lion]

A few pictures of an early sample of the new electric version of the W&L Countess came in today. Compared to the live steam version the main area of note is the very detailed cab interior. The photographs don't really do justice to it, as ever the production models will be far crisper than this early sample.

Have fun!
John

 

[Sea Lion]

 

[Sea Lion]

 

[jameshilton]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

Wow!

 

[daveyb]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

yum yum,,,

kidney selling time again,,,

 

[CoggesRailway]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

It's lovely, but why would one want that over a steamie version. Maybe it's a lot cheaper than and RC Steam.

 

[yb281]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

It's lovely, but why would one want that over a steamie version. Maybe it's a lot cheaper than and RC Steam.

It is a bit cheaper than the live steam version Ian, but not a great deal. Why would anyone prefer the electric version?


1) They may not be keen on all the preperation required with live steam.
2) They may like to sit back and watch trains running rather than having to actively "drive" as you have to do with a steamy (especially if you have to use tight radii in order to fit your railway in the garden).
3) They may prefer the excellent cab detail as in the pics rather than all the overscale live steam gubbins.
4) They may prefer the greater control (especially at VERY low speeds) associated with electric power when enjoying a spot of shunting etc.

I'm sure others can come up with other reasons. This is not intended as a slight to those who prefer live steam - As always, different strokes for different blokes .

 

[yb281]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

PS, John PLEASE say that they will be painting the inside of the cab cream?

 

[Sea Lion]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

PS, John PLEASE say that they will be painting the inside of the cab cream?

PS, John PLEASE say that they will be painting the inside of the cab cream?

Your request has been passed on Mel, however there will be cost implications to consider and also it may be too late in the production process to introduce new ideas. Time will tell.

Happy rumblings,

John

 

[yb281]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

PS, John PLEASE say that they will be painting the inside of the cab cream?

PS, John PLEASE say that they will be painting the inside of the cab cream?

Your request has been pased on Mel, however there will be cost implications to consider and also it may be too late in the production process to introduce new ideas. Time will tell.

Happy rumblings,

John

Thanks John. Screw driver and paint brush standing by then .

 

[Elmtree Line]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

John,

How much of the original live steam version remains? chassis looks the same as do the side panels, guess the cylinders are hollow blocks now?

 

[Sea Lion]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

John,

How much of the original live steam version remains? chassis looks the same as do the side panels, guess the cylinders are hollow blocks now?

Sorry Keith, I really don't know, haven't had the privilege of getting my hands on the sample.

However, news just in on the cab interior paint scheme question. Accucraft have checked pictures of the prototype and it would appear the Countess in Green has a Green cab interior, whilst the Earl in Black does have the upper half of the cab interior in Cream. Therefore the Black models will have a cream upper half inside the cab, and the Green ones will not.

Happy rumblings,

John

 

[PaulRhB]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

I can't wait.

 

[stockers]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

Looks mighty smart. I remember not so long ago people asking for British narrow gauge locos. With the IOM ones, there seem to be a few to pick from now.

 

[yb281]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

John,

How much of the original live steam version remains? chassis looks the same as do the side panels, guess the cylinders are hollow blocks now?

Sorry Keith, I really don't know, haven't had the privilege of getting my hands on the sample.

However, news just in on the cab interior paint scheme question. Accucraft have checked pictures of the prototype and it would appear the Countess in Green has a Green cab interior, whilst the Earl in Black does have the upper half of the cab interior in Cream. Therefore the Black models will have a cream upper half inside the cab, and the Green ones will not.

Happy rumblings,

John

Now THAT is what I call attention to detail .

 

[annieshalt]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

saving pennies as i type for a black one

 

[mike]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

saving pennies as i type for a black one

they can do that nowadays??

 

[Sea Lion]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

Just to let folk know the electric Countess/Earl locos are arriving with Accucraft in the UK today, we get our stock on Monday. I find it very pleasing that this project started out by discussion on GSM, and we are now about to get it. I suppose we'd better be careful of what we ask for in life as sometimes we do indeed get it!

Arriving at the same time is the new electric version of Caledonia.

Happy rumblings,

John

 

[PaulRhB]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

One of my two favourite NG locos and helped along by the forum so thankyou John and everyone who plunged into a pre order, the wait WILL be worth it

Be here just before my birthday too, excited? Just a bit

 

[Tony Walsham]

Re:Electric W&L Countess, first piuctures from Accucraft UK

Personally even though I like live steam too I would say that the electric version is much more appealing:

[*]You can keep it running for hours on end.[*]Live steam locos are fun but not relaxing where as sitting in a garden chair watching a electric loco slowly pull around a train is.[*]The electric version is a more accurate model.[*]The electric model can be used inside.[*]The electric version will last longer without repair.[*]It won't leave a trail of oily water behind it.[*]It will run at scale speeds which will be difficult with the live steam version.[*]You can convert it to DCC.

You left the most important one out.
9. You can convert it to battery R/C. .....and run it with your live steamers on unpowered track.