Accurail Review

Greetings,

I just finished my first Accurail kit and was very pleased with this kit.

It was a GN sky blue ACF covered hopper. Very nicely painted and well detailed.

Easy to put together and looks like a winner.

The only thing I did question was the couplers provided.They give you 2 painted

dummy couplers which is ok if you just want it for display. But the knuckle

coupler they provide is in 3 pieces? Seems a bit odd, the last thing I want is a 3

piece coupler that could fall apart. I highly suggest putting Kadee couplers on

like I did and it is a winner of a kit. Just my 2 cents worth…

Mark in Texas

I agree. I’ve got a number of Accurail cars and really like them. They are accurate,very well molded and go together very nicely.Their 40’ double sheathed wood box is a particular favorite of mine. I do use Kadees on them though, as well as on everything else.

Tom Watkins

I agree that Accurail covered hoppers fit together very well and are excellent castings. I do use the accurail couplers and have had no trouble with them falling apart as long as the coupler box cover stays in place. I don’t particularly like the fact that accurail just uses a cast plastic pin on their coupler box cover, though, because I have had some that fit too loosely. I leave the trip pin off of the couplers because we don’t use uncoupling magnets on the club layout that I run them on.

Accurail cars are very nice, much thought put into the mold work, etc. Add Kadee couplers and Intermountain wheels, and you will have an excellent running, very good looking car. From 5 or 10 feet, you really can’t tell that it doesn’t have etched walkways, separate grabs and other stuff to break off when stored for 11 months a year.
The coupler box pins I have found to be quite positive in their engagement, the first time. After that, a 2-56 screw can be used for a more positive retention method.

I love the way Kadees fit on Accurail cars. So perfect. Requires no adjustment.

Ive got 2 really nice.