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Try https://westhillwagonworks.co.uk/they have magnetic couplings that suit Cravens and Mk2s-I have used them on my rolling stock.

Hot wire cutter used to sculpt the polystyrene. Then we get plastered. The slope at the right hand end is too steep so I’ll re-profile it later. Re-profiled. Cheers Darius

Interesting the swaping of GSR and Commonwealth bogies with 1954-built composites possibly rostered to less demanding (suburban) links. Along with the underframes sold to NIR, I have a sneaking suspicion that CIE may have retained some for PW use (carrying rail) Hoping to use IRM Commonwealth bogies (if they become available) under a pair of Worsley Works Laminates and a Park Royal I built several years ago

My carriage register spreadsheet gives details of the bogie type, underframe type and dimensions for CIE carriages: The triangulated underframe and 8’0” Commonwealth bogies used under the Park Royals were also used together under many other carriage types built in the 1954-1962 period, including those mentioned by John. There were also a few older vehicles with conventional underframes that were retro-fitted with 8’0” wheelbase Commonwealth bogies, such as 351, 1906, 1907, AM12. These bogies may have come from four of the 1954-built composites which are listed in the 1960s as having GSR bogies and a triangulated underframe. The last few timber-bodied coaches built by CIE in the 1962-1964 period had triangulated underframes with 8’6” wheelbase Commonwealth bogies more like those used in GB. Some ex-CIE carriage underframes of the triangulated type with Commonwealth bogies were sold to NIR for engineers’ use. So there are plenty of opportunities to use the Park Royal underframes and bogies for other vehicles. The bogies would be most useful if the triangulated underframe can also be provided as a spare.

Hi all, does anyone know where I can get additional magnetic couplers for mark 2 coaches. The ie coach set from Accurascale came with these couplers and they work really well. I didn’t see them on the accurascale site, so wondering if the are available elsewhere. I’d like to try them with my NI set and perhaps the Craven coaches….thanks, Brendan

Looks like it will come out lovely just the booms along look fab.

Scenery painted and rocks painted base black. Slowly coming together. This is a lovely outline to work with. Small play while waiting for paint to dry. VID_20251009_233542.mp4 VID_20251009_233028.mp4

Will the 09:50 and 10:50 ex-Connolly still (theoretically) be DDs?

"Father....I've killed a man...."

From Sunday 12 October to Saturday 13 December 2025, (inclusive) the following services will be operated by an Irish Rail Intercity Service: • Departing Belfast Grand Central Station: 1000 & 1600 • Departing Dublin Connolly: 0650 & 1250

lovely weathering , As noted the passengers are of their time - reading and not a "device" insight. The stay alive and lighting looks good as well. thanks for showing.

Fantastic looking weathering Jason, adds a lot more realism to an already great coach, well done.

Scenic element made from expanded polystyrene packaging and card stock for the roadway. I’ll let the glue set overnight and then sculpt it with a hot wire cutter. Cheers Darius

Absolutely outstanding realism!

Nice work Patrick!

Yep, separate handrails are a game changer. Looks great - well done!

I was totally out of my comfort zone today as I had a go at adding handrails to The Countess - it was definitely worth the effort to remove the moulded ones and add these, which were once again generously provided by Alan @Tullygrainey so thanks again to Alan for this and for his ongoing guidance!

Agreed, @RedRich. A few Park Royals mixed in, after seeing those recent pics, and wow! These young whippersnappers like @JasonB have a lot to offer the community.

Decades of poor maintenance, probably.

Thanks for the input. I’m planning to go with a three-vent setup for now. The images I’ve looked at do show something a bit unusual with the vents on the All-First carriages, but in the absence of any solid evidence to the contrary, I’m comfortable assuming the three-vent configuration was part of the rationalization process—based on established practice and experience with the longer carriages—when First Class was phased out. Feels like one for the “life’s too short” list! That said, if clear evidence of a retrofit ever turns up, swapping out a roof detail wouldn’t be a big deal. Pictures to follow in due course.

Lovely job on the cravens Jason they really are a great coach model and have really stood the test of time. A few mixed rakes of cravens and park royals from IRM will look amazing. Rich

I wasn't sure if I was looking at over-ambitious weathering, or if it was just the primer showing through.

The speed at which this layout, and all your other projects progress is just astonishing. Always something new on the go and it’s great to see!

Any list of layouts & traders etc who will attend ? I looked on the site but didn't see anything. Tony.

I thought the CIE grey era came before the brown, not after?