Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 14"'Efficient'en vert ligné

No regrets on this purchase

Great little loco at a reasonable price!

Nice model, very pleased with the detail and final running. Fitting the decoder was a challenge. Found that the frame supporting the RHS connecting rod and piston movement had been pushed in. The motion was totally affected. I managed to get the frame back into position and all running OK. Removing the body presented 2 problems. The 2 pipes under the boiler got caught on the body removal and one of the pipes broke. The pipework under the frame fouled the body removal and droped off. I have managed to superglue the the pipe under the boiler and have refitted the pipework (not glued for future removal) under the frame. The instructions could be clearer. I would class my skills as semi competent and still get it wrong !! with these issues I have scored as 4*.

This is an excellent model for less than £100, it looks great runs great has great detail. Can't complain at all for the price. I really like the shade of green this one is in.

Unlike some others, my Andrew Barclay arrived in perfect physical condition...but even though the motor whirred it didn't move because the motor had become dislodged. Accurascale were quick to respond and directed me to their Product Guide on this (and many other models) which helped sort out the problem. I think I can 'fix' the problem - and this is a problem - with a very small amount of Kapton tape.

It runs beautifully on DC, but I mainly run DCC so ordered the matching LokPilot DCC decoder. First thing I discovered is that there are no instructions with the decoder and the matching Product Guide doesn't include specific instructions or diagrams on how to install the decoder. The change over process is easy but what I assumed was the logical way to insert it turned out to be wrong. The attached label has to face upwards. Initial running in DCC mode was disappointing so I changed CV 3 from 003 to 000 and that improved start up but still no match for DC. However, it does seem to have improved a little with some more running which has left me a little puzzled.

In summary, a few little disappointing quirks, but still very happy with my purchase.

Accurascale have outdone themselves with this fantastic OO gauge model.
The high level of attention to detail on the footplate to the exceptional quality of the livery is sublime. We have two Barclay locomotives at our industrial heritage railway at Prestongrange and after seeing the quality of detail on this I would love to see a reproduction model of our Grant Ritchie loco as this would complete my collection but also offer another exceptional model to customers.

Upon arrival of my loco I was immediately incredibly impressed with it, the livery is flawless and the detail is incredible too.

Running on DC is great and runs smooth and without issue.

But unfortunately this wasn't without certain issues, for example when I took it out the ridiculously oversized packaging, I found that all that extra padding didn't help, as the rear of the cab was bent and parts of the pipework were damaged, I sorted the cab out and straightened it and chose to ignore the pipework damage.

Then I DCC fitted it and that's when the running quality went from 10 to an absolute ZERO.

couldn't even get 5cm without stopping and stalling, I tried 5 different brand 6 pin decoders and even fitted one of them with a stay alive, and no matter what It always stalled, so unfortunately it's stuck as a DC runner.

This is an incredible model and it's fairly priced, but ALOT of work needs doing to amend these issues if accurascale are to continue producing these models.

Do I recommend it ?

Yes but only if you're a DC runner.

I was very pleased to receive my model of this beautiful little Andrew Barclay locomotive.
The livery and detail is excellent but, sadly one of the front buffers was loose in the box. On closer inspection it was found to be bent in its housing.
Ok, I could have returned it and waited for a replacement locomotive.
Never one to shy away from small repairs myself I proceeded to part the buffer head from its housing, straighten it and with a dab of super glue all was good.

This is my first Accurascale purchase as I had heard lots of good reviews elsewhere.
The model arrived in a very snug box - the box makes the loco look smaller than it is, but comparing it with my other tank engines, it is to scale.
This locomotive is the cutest tank engine on my layout and decided to go with this livery as the real 'Efficient' is only a couple of miles away from me in Preston!
The paint and lining is excellent, as is the interior cab decoration.
The separately fitted items such as handrails and pipework are flawless and printed detail is also of good quality.
The motor is a strong motor and once it has been run in, has no real problems with picking up.

Pre ordered Efficient back in August and paid it off a week later.

I then waited months later until November when Efficient came and I've had no major issues with it.

Only slight worry I've had concerns a front buffer but a few minute TLC moment and I've not had any further issues.

I've run it in as well and it's had an absolutely flawless performance! I absolutely wish I could get another one.

Upon arrival I was pleased that I'd gotten one with a pristine body, most of my friends didn't.
When on the track the engine did not run, the motor was in fact not engaging with the drive gear because of the awful design of clips that are meant to hold it down being splayed. Gluing them to the motor is the only thing that worked for me.
Taking the body off to fix this issue however is not as simple as the instructions say it is. The clack valves will get caught between the running plate and tank so you have to be incredibly careful as they are only thin plastic bits and will snap as I have seen happen to friends examples. The injectors under the footplate are completely in the way. The brake rigging also entirely prevents the base keeper plate from being removeable for servicing.
I understand this batch of engines were already in production from the Hattons acquisition but these issues are completely unacceptable and should never have been released in this state. I would not recommend purchasing one of these unless you are aware of and are willing to deal with these issues because every example I have been shown is damaged/flawed in this exact way.

Nice little model will be looking at getting some off the other ones soon

Having already bought the SECR P Class 0-6-0T A556 in SR lined green, which I loved, I had great hopes for this locomotive. I was not disappointed. The detail and finish are of a very high standard and it ran smoothly straight from the box.
Another great product.

This is a nice looking model that could be so much better.
To put a DCC chip in remove two screws an loco comes apart,
No it did not two very fine bits of plastic still held it in (nothing in leaflet
showed they were there)got there in the end though.
Plus could do with a stay alive

Great little loco. Well made and a good runner. I’ve managed to fit a sound decoder in

Delivery was very ‘efficient’ ( do you see what I did there). The locomotive will become Winston.. An Earl of Dudley / Pensnett railway locomotive. Need to amend front smoke box hand rail, name plate and buffers. Buffers from ‘Planet Industrials’. Andy

Great little loco at a decent price!

Runs smoothly and silently on DC. Could not get a micro decoder to fit and all those tiny interferences made it more of a challenge, only to fail. I ended up breaking the side rod bracket while trying to be careful with all of the extra handling required to clear all of those fine rigging parts. Luckily, the running board has a notch in it to align the side rod bracket, so a small dab of glue easily fixed the issue. I also found a pinched wire during my initial disassembly and made sure that I tucked it away during reassembly.

Slight inaccuracies (notably the cab) to the real Efficient, but the price and the sheer amount of quality in every aspect (mechanism, detail, performance, assembly, construction) make this an absolute bargain for everything you get.

Great little locomotive.

Boxes are definitely getting BIGGER in my experience.