Our latest run of Class 86 locomotives hit its latest milestone recently, with decorated samples reaching us for review.
While there is plenty to admire on face value, there is also plenty of room for improvement, and we have now fed that back to the factory.
However, we thought it would be a nice idea to show you just how much goes into this stage of the production process, and outline the correction on each running number/livery available in this production run, so here's a breakdown loco by loco!
Before diving into individual locomotives, a couple of global corrections apply across all models:
- Missing white patches and warning flashes on ETH boxes will be added.
- Underframe components (notably compressors and fittings) will be more securely attached to prevent transit damage.
With those overarching fixes in mind, let’s look at each locomotive in detail.
86253 The Manchester Guardian (BR Blue)
This functional sample highlighted several finish issues:
- Cabside numbers and data panels will be repositioned higher for accuracy.
- White printing will be made more opaque, eliminating blue show-through.
- Nameplates will be aligned correctly with bodyside features.
- The body finish will change from incorrect matt to satin.
- Improved assembly will prevent loose underframe parts.
86235 Novelty (Rainhill 150)
A visually striking, one-off livery that needs refinement:
- Typeface for numbers will be reduced in weight to match prototype.
- Bufferbeams and buffer shanks will be corrected to red.
- Underframe assembly will be strengthened to prevent missing/detached parts.
86204 City of Carlisle (InterCity Executive)
This livery demands precision—and it’s getting it:
- White printing (numbers and logos) will be denser and more solid.
- The red InterCity stripe will be deepened relative to the white band.
- Upper body grey will be corrected to a darker, more accurate tone.
- Missing black cab window surrounds will be added.
86238 European Community (InterCity Swallow)
Subtle but important refinements:
- InterCity striping will be corrected so the red band is deeper than the white.
- Branding will be slightly reduced in size for better spacing.
- Cab window masking (black surrounds) will be added.
- Improved masking will eliminate fuzzy paint edges.
86240 Bishop Eric Treacy (Virgin)
A strong sample with a few finishing tweaks:
- Paint masking between red and grey will be sharpened for consistency.
- White printing (numbers, logos, stripes) will be more opaque and crisp.
86259 Les Ross / Peter Pan (Electric Blue)
One of the more complex corrections:
- Body colour will be corrected to Electric Blue.
- Buffer details will be repainted correctly (black shanks, red beams).
- Missing silver headcode rings will be added.
- Underbody pipework and conduits will receive accurate colour detailing.
- Handrails will be strengthened to prevent bending/breakage.
86261 Rail Charter Partnership (EWS)
A largely successful sample needing fine adjustments:
- The orange warning line will be repositioned correctly above the gutter.
- The EWS lettering will be refined to correct slight stretching.
86701 Orion (Colas Rail)
A bold livery requiring better alignment:
- The orange/yellow diagonal split will be repositioned for accuracy.
- Missing bogie shock absorber detailing will be added.
- Warning flashes on cab fronts will be relocated to correct positions.
- Minor quality control improvements (e.g., buffer durability) will be implemented.
86260 (Anglia Turquoise)
A promising model held back by one major issue:
- The body colour will be corrected to a true turquoise tone.
- White detailing will be improved for full opacity.
- Encouragingly, the rest of the model is already to a high standard.
86241 Glenfiddich (Parcels Red/Grey)
A more involved revision:
- Incorrect roof details (fire tanks) will be removed.
- Grey tones will be darkened to the correct shade.
- Cab surrounds will be corrected to black instead of grey.
- White numbering will be improved for clarity.
- Kickplates will be repainted to match body colours.
- The orange cab warning line will be repositioned correctly.
Final Thoughts
The above may seem negative, but there is a huge amount to be positive about with these decorated samples too, and it's why we take our time at this stage to ensure we get the final models that land in your hands, correct!
This round of revisions shows commitment to getting the Class 86 range right. After all, it's our "Can" do attitude! Sorry.....
While many of the issues identified are relatively minor—such as print density or masking precision—others, like incorrect body colours, are being addressed decisively before production.
After all, getting the details right, and getting the best paint finish possible, is what makes a model that bit more special.
These corrections have been fed back to the factory, and once we have the corrections confirmed as being in place with the factory, we will have a more solid delivery date for the models, but we are hopeful it will be before the end of 2026, so keep an eye out for further delivery information soon.
With over 60% of our production run, now locked in at the factory, already old on pre-order at a new, lower RRP, passing the saving onto you, the customer, there has never been a better time to grasp an AL6. Pre-order yours today via the link below:
Pre-Order Your Class 86 Here!
