Accurail kits

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Does anyone know how good the Accurail kits are? Thanks in advance.

2

JLK

Another poster who goes by the moniker of ‘Tashtego’ apparently thought that your thread was locked so he started another thread to respond. It seems your thread is not locked so I will repeat the answers that I posted on the other thread here.

As Tashtego pointed out in the other post the Accurail cars offer reasonably good appearance for relatively lower cost. They do not meet the standards of the ‘rivet counters’ because almost all of the details are molded on but their finish is good and the graphics are as well.

There are a few things that can be improved upon:

  1. The couplers should be replaced with Kadees for reliable operation.

  2. The wheels are plastic. Replacing them with metal wheels will keep your track a lot cleaner.

  3. They are underweight according to the NMRA RP’s. An ounce or so will fix that.

  4. They usually require a Kadee washer or two on top of the truck pivots to bring the couplers up to the proper height.

Dave

3

I have bought many of the Accurail kits and like the person before me mentioned they are underweight and need a few minor details to bring them up to speed so to speak. They make good yard fillers and when a train is running by most people don’t notice or pay attention to the cars that closely. Usually a single red washer from Kadee brings the height for the coupler up to the correct height and like the privious person mentioned about an ounce to ounce and a quarter added to get the weight right. I replace the wheels and weather them. But for a budget kit car their not bad.

Ray

4

JLK,

I concur with Dave that Accurail kits are a good product for a very reasonable price. Even though the underside (brake) detailing may be a bit spartan and the ladders are molded on, I think they look better than Athearn BB kits.

For me, their 6-panel wood boxcars, 41’ gondolas, and 40’ wood stock cars are just exceptional with very nice detailing. Of the 87 pieces of rolling stock, 37 (43%) are Accurail.

The one downside to Accurail is that you’re pretty much limited to boxcars, hoppers, and gondolas. And while they do offer a few auto-racks and reefers, they don’t have any tankers or cabooses.

I also agree with Dave about the wheels and couplers. I automatically replace them with Proto 2000 33" metal wheels and #58 Kadees.

Also, if you get an older kit that comes with the bolster pin (that holds the truck to the frame by friction), replace it with a 1/4" or 5/16" long 2-56 screws. Most of the newer kits come with the screws.

Tom