7814 – ‘Fringford Manor ' BR Manor Class

Visually a very detailed and stunning model, mechanically the worst purchase I have ever made. From first run noisy with a marked grinding going forwards.
Rapid response from support team had me having to half dismantle the model at risk of damaging, to no avail. Finally after numerous emails and videos it has had to shipped back to Uk from New Zealand. Awaiting conclusion, and at present out of pocket for the model and return shipping. Extremely disappointed.

Very nice indeed - good detailing and a very good runner. However, I expected the loco to be slightly heavier so it could pull better on the steep slopes on my layout. Also, the detail part no 8 was not included?

Excellent

Brilliant model and the sounds are great

No a Manor was not on the shopping list as a priority but I had to see what the Accurascale Manor was really like. If I left it too long all of the first batch would have gone.

7814 is in the utilitarian unlined black but on checking the data, in Peto’s Register Volume 2 – Manor 4-6-0’s, there is a picture of her taken on 4th August 1957 in the condition modelled with its original capuchin chimney – indicating at this date it still retained its original drafting and was probably the last one in this condition until generally repaired in May 1959 so it would fit any timescale that I might wish to model. From this date it was lined green and it got a larger tender.

In other words Accurascale have done their prototype checking and have avoided a howler. I especially appreciated the empty tender with coal space and option to fit the supplied coal load moulding.

What does it run like? Embarrassingly well. It will out drag a King and Castle and probably a 9F as available at present. Your 1/76th scale operator has a tool that is better than anything else for branch line operation. The motor is smooth and responsive but the leading coupled wheel is slightly out of square on its pressed axle and there is a shimmy at the front end of about 1.5mm that is more noticeable in reverse. It is not slackness in the bearings and is a manufacturing fault that is typical of Chinese production. Sadly manufacturing at a distance means that you are reliant on the manufacturers self checking their product for quality. However you could say that the shimmy is prototypical. Anyone on Southall Station in the late ‘50s watching tanner wunners on through trains would bear witness to this movement.

Fringford Manor is my second Accurascale Manor purchase. I was so impressed with the appearance and operation of Draycott Manor that I decided to buy another. I can't wait for further additions to the Accurascale GWR/WR stable.

Currently only run-in on a rolling road where all testing worked well. Running backwards the loco moves side to side a little more than I expected (could this be a gear train issue?) but driving forward I'm glad to see this side motion is minimal. Sound levels could be louder but have not tried to adjust the level values to give a higher pitch yet. The added crew figures are great. Taking into account all the other amazing details on this loco I'm hoping this model alongside my first Manor (Draycott Manor) will prove to be an enjoyable addition to my fleet.

As this is my first ever steam locomotive with sound, I was blown away with not just the sounds but the looks and the way it moved.
Also the packaging was sturdy and the delivery was included in the price. Fantastic.

The best manor yet.

What an outstanding loco. High end engineering has it running so smoothly and quietly and the detail is phenomenal. The two blacks of the boiler hold your gaze for ages. Magnificent - well done Accurascale.