Accucraft Lawley

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 9:53 pm

I know they're discontinued, but still. Some questions.

Who has one?

If so, are they any good?

What're the pros / selling points?

What're the cons / bad / or maybe just little niggles?

What's their tractive power like - heavy hitters or all bulk no bite?

Any and all information welcome.

Cheers

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:14 pm

If you get one, you have to call it "SUE".................

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:38 pm

I was thinking..."I.K.B."

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:13 pm

Just to cover myself, this is just my personal experience and does not apply to all of them.

I've got one and its not great. Its a very attractive loco which is what attracted me, there is a nice amount of detailing without being crowded. That's where the good ends. Mine has never had any power behind it at all, maximum is about 3 bogie coaches on my line before it starts to struggle. The last time I took it to a local line it couldn't climb the relatively small hill and I sent a mamod to rescue the train. Steam has always seemed to bypass the cylinders entirely despite numerous alterations including a new valve block assembly. Its now about 5 years old (could be wrong) and I have just rebuilt the chassis as everything that moved was completely worn out, also added new pistons in a vain attempt at kerbing the huge appetite for steam, didn't work :roll:

On the plus side its a nice ornament though its replacement has arrived

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:13 am

Here is a picture of Lady Anne Lawley...(wife of sir Thomas Lawley)

I've always found that amusing for some reason.

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:32 am

DLRdan:111571 wrote:Just to cover myself, this is just my personal experience and does not apply to all of them.

Any and all experiences welcome -need to be sure before I splash out my hard earned gold on the once in an eon planet-alignment situation of buying myself a big proper loco

I've got one and its not great.

Oooh. For something so big an elegant - a disappointment.

Its a very attractive loco which is what attracted me, there is a nice amount of detailing without being crowded. That's where the good ends.

Yes, its looks are what are catching my eye. It looks very Swindonish /Great Western and with a few bits would look like the NG equivalent of a Large Prairie or hells bells, a Castle.

Mine has never had any power behind it at all, maximum is about 3 bogie coaches on my line before it starts to struggle. The last time I took it to a local line it couldn't climb the relatively small hill and I sent a mamod to rescue the train.

This is not good. You know Butterley has some gradients? I get this feeling this would be trouble to your loco. Also considering that I am looking for this 'express engine' to be able to haul a rake of 4 Locomotion Bogie Carriages [550mm long, made from 5mm thick ply in all sides] [battery boxes on chassis too][brass bogie support] which can be challenging at times for my Caradoc.

Steam has always seemed to bypass the cylinders entirely despite numerous alterations including a new valve block assembly.

That's...defeating the point of a loco. Sounds like it was badly built?

Its now about 5 years old (could be wrong) and I have just rebuilt the chassis as everything that moved was completely worn out, also added new pistons in a vain attempt at kerbing the huge appetite for steam, didn't work :roll:

Worn out after 5 years?

Good grief! [had my Caradoc examined recently, after 3 years use - apparently very well condition - testament to its previous owners [NarrowMinded and Steve Warrington]
The large hunger for steam is worrying too, especially when I'll be wanting it to work hard. Are there any other Lawley owners with these or other issues?

On the plus side its a nice ornament though its replacement has arrived

What's the replacement if I may ask Dan? [a.k.a. the "recommended alternative"]

Cheers for that Dan - makes it 1-1 on the scoreboard sofar.

pippindoo · Post by **pippindoo** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 5:01 pm

I have one, DELILAH, photos in the link below, and its absolutely great. 3 channel R/C on reverser, regulator and whistle. Steams very well, hauls a very impressive load, has run on Mamod curves without fuss and I'd have another any day. Next!

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:35 pm

pippindoo:111583 wrote:I have one, DELILAH, photos in the link below, and its absolutely great. 3 channel R/C on reverser, regulator and whistle. Steams very well, hauls a very impressive load, has run on Mamod curves without fuss and I'd have another any day. Next!

Thanks for the review - have viewed photos - she is Gorgeous!

Makes it 3-1 on the scoreboard....may have to look at one now.

andymctractor · Post by **andymctractor** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:10 am

I have a friend nearby who has one but we believe it has a duff servo on the regulator. Problem is we can't work out how to get the body off the chassis to get at the servo, which is in the side tank.

Anybody know how?

laurence703 · Post by **laurence703** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:25 pm

usually there's some bolts under the running board and two in the cab doorways.... Well thats how my Caradoc and Superior are...

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:09 pm

andymctractor:111595 wrote:I have a friend nearby who has one but we believe it has a duff servo on the regulator. Problem is we can't work out how to get the body off the chassis to get at the servo, which is in the side tank.

Anybody know how?

Un clip the cab roof, then there are 2 bolts in the cab door ways. The other two are at the front of the tanks under the running plate. With those 4 bolts removed the body lifts straight up.

Doug, when you are next at Butterly let me know, I'll see if I can join you and you can have a look for yourself.

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:14 pm

DLRdan:111599 wrote: Doug, when you are next at Butterly let me know, I'll see if I can join you and you can have a look for yourself.

Much appreciated, will have to plan a trip up to Butterley. You able to do midweeks?

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:21 pm

Might be able to, let me know when you've got a date in mind.

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:59 pm

Normal mid-weeks at Butterley are 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.............

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:19 am

Butterley can be open anytime though, plus one has a key.

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