Accurascale has announced a newly tooled OO-gauge range of British Rail HBA and HEA domestic coal hoppers, adding another familiar freight wagon to its Powering Britain collection.
The 32.5-tonne hoppers became a regular sight on domestic coal trains, Speedlink services and mixed freight workings. Following a prototype built at Shildon in 1975, almost 2,000 production wagons were constructed between 1976 and 1979.
The new range covers as-built HBA wagons with leaf-spring suspension, early central-ladder examples, offset-ladder HEAs and later EWS-era wagons without ladders. Accurascale is also reproducing differences in axleboxes, air pipes, suspension and AVI transponders to suit individual periods.
Features include a die-cast metal chassis, brass pinpoint bearings, flexible NEM coupling pockets and sprung metal buffers. Etched stainless-steel brake discs and finely reproduced underframe equipment complete the specification, with a scale coupling pack supplied.
The first production run includes BR bauxite, Railfreight and Trainload Distribution liveries, offering options for a variety of late-British Rail freight layouts.
Triple packs start at £79.98 and are available to pre-order directly from Accurascale. The manufacturer is offering a 10% Rake Builder discount when buying two or more packs, with delivery currently projected for the second quarter of 2027.
For modellers recreating a coal depot or assembling a mixed freight service, the different versions should make it easier to build a convincing rake for a chosen era.
Image: Accurascale. Read Accurascale’s original announcement for full specifications, pricing and availability.
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