Have Accurascale improved the Hattons class 66?

[davidstrains]

An overall great video here Matt, currently I don’t own an Accurascale 66 but I do have a Hattons one, overall for me the hattons one I have has been a fairly reliable model over the years I have had it, in terms of the quality problems you mentioned like the axleboxes for example yes I did have that happen to me but it was only one of them that fell off, after I managed to re glue it back in place it has remained in place and amazingly none of the others have fallen off over the years I have had it, when it comes to using the model currently mine is still DC but I am looking to maybe get it fitted with sound as it’s a very distinctive sound that the 66s have, I mainly use my hattons one on my rake of 8 Accurascale IIA Biomass wagons although over the years I have managed to get some more rolling stock for it to pull every now and again, a good example is a rake of container wagons which is very suitable as mine is in GBRf intermodal livery.
A good video on these 2 models here Matt, I’m certanly happy to have my hattons one and very happy that it has been a good model for me, maybe someday an accurascale one will be added to my fleet, keep up the great work.

[warwickroadmodelrailway]

I really like the Hattons 66's I have 13 of them only 3 had issues with the axle boxes but that has been rectified, great runners.
I have 1 Accurascale 66 with 1 more on pre order and I can see the improvements made, easier to get the body off without loosing the detail and ease of access to the decoder. Overall the Accurascale is an improvement on the Hattons but no way enough for me to get rid of my Hattons and replace them with Accurascale versions

[moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Hi Matt I have to agree with you on this one that accurascale have improved the hattons 66 overall. Like yourself my hattons only had the axle box problem on 1 bogie so not that bad and it runs superbly. The accurascale which I have 2 don't have that problem however 1 of mine does have an issue which I think is the decoder. I'm still testing it before contacting them. The lifetime guarantee is an excellent introduction meaning that you can send them back at any time. As for the sound I actually prefer the accurascale one, even the lower volume. I've always thought the hattons was too loud and bassey. I've even reduced the volume of my 37s to match the 66s. I can run them on the layout without getting a headache now lol. Enjoyed listening to your views, great video atb Andy

[vcsrailway]

I have both, no complaints with either. I prefer the smaller Hattons boxes though

[bentullett]

I missed out on the Hattons version so have no experience of the issues it had. I do have the Accurascale version and yet to run it, but quality is really good on the model.

[beanie.royalstar]

I had nearly a complete set of the Bachmann 66's and saw the Accurascale one in Climate Hero Green and so paid my money and waited. Once it had finally arrived, i too was very disappointed with the sound volume, its far too quiet, the 66's from Bachamnn all have different sound chips in, and all of these produce a good sound, whereas the Accurascale one is always drowned out by other locos. If i have any of my 68's out, then nothing could be heard from anything else anyhow. :)

[TERRYBARTLETTRAILMAN]

Great comparison Matt I have a 66 but its the King Charles the third class 66 with the Bluetooth decoder works fine when I drive it have a look through my channel to see what I did when i ran it with some coaches

[StormmyStormmy]

I prefer the Hatton’s because the sound via the EM2 speaker and Legomanbiffo sound file, Accurascale have made a very good model the model it could have been with access to the decoder and the axle boxes look like they are on for ever, I wish Accurascale would have modified the dashboard to light up like the rest of their diesel locomotives, I wonder if Bachmann will ever upgrade their sturdy workhorse class 66 in the future.

[jamesjosephjjdyer]

It's quite tricky to choose which class 66 is the best quality I think the DRS is a little better than the British Rail 66 regarding that they rushed it as you can see by the sign which looks A bit wonky . Nevertheless both 66s perform well on their trains as a given 8 for Hattons and a 10 for Accurscale.

[avocet]

anyone else notice how the headlights dim on the Accurascale version when the 'engine' is being cranked over at startup?

[jwpalfrey]

The class 66 wears BR large logo so well. So much so I don't particularly care who makes it, it looks great but shame about the wonky nameplate, thats a bit off.

[rogerwolstenholme]

Only the Accurascale has the famous " Ying Ying " from the Exhaust Turbo... very noticeable on tick over.

[xricossie]

The Accurascale one sounds more realistic to me. Speaking as being a driver of 66s.

[europacifictradersltd]

hi. unfortunately my accurascale 66 came with a lound clanking noise in one of the bogies out of the boxi couldnt even do its running in for fear of doing more damage to it. im waiting from accurascale to come up with a solution this was a week ago. would like to know if others had any similar issues

[russellbenton]

Only other thing to add is that Accurascale have their lifetime warranty whereas Hattons have, of course, gone . With a complex model like we have these days that’s probably a factor - just in case any issues . Both nice models though !