Forums

Sounds like a good excuse to visit! At present I have some very unruly sketches, diagrams and scans which I am hoping to develop into something that can actually be built into a model or two.   I also have a scrapbook of images comparing Park Royal profiles to other CIE-built coaches - looking here at cantrail height, roof profile, bodyside shapes etc as a sense-check for the drawings. Studying these I am beginning to understand the subtle differences and thereby determine which types could reasonably use IRM Park Royal coaches as a basis, and which dimensions might need to be tweaked to get them spot on. Laminates would be the easiest, but the laminate compos, although shiny and interesting, don't really suit my needs (I've done some side artwork anyway). A 7-bay laminate second is very tempting because the interior is the same as a Park Royal so it would be minimum effort, and it's also shiny (and I've drawn this too). But I've worked out that I already have plenty of second class carriages and what I need is compos. The 61'6" compo body can either be put on a Park Royal underframe (with the edges filed down a bit), or a stretched LMS underframe, which is appealing as it gives two options. But it probably needs a full body etch (sides, ends roof) as these are all different from the donor vehicles. That's more work and a more expensive etch, but may well be the way I end up going. A 60' compo could just be done with sides on an LMS coach, if I could tolerate the incorrect roof profile and width. I have some Dapol and Bachmann LMS 60' coaches (which I bought intending to fit the JM Design sides), but I''m not sure if my OCD will let me get away with that. Perhaps I should try doing one of the JM Design conversions and see if I'm happy with it? Could be a job for the coming weekend?

Interestingly, I have a space now for a sizeable layout. I am very inspired by how John Allen built his Gorre and Dephetid empire, by starting-out with a small baseboard with operational, and twice around (and continuous) running. Which developed into a point to point operational empire. I am going to do similar myself with my new layout. 

1633 originally 2159 is at Dunsandle Station. 

I do like the warning panels on the loco!

So, composites... The first batch built by CIE in 1950-51 comprised 6 vehicles 2124-2129, 3 first class and 4 third class compartments. 60'0" long with traditional steel-clad timber body and traditional underframe. Three soon had one compartment converted to a luggage space for use as a through Belfast-Cork coach, and those were also fitted to work with AEC railcars. Two others were soon converted to Radio Studio coaches in 1955, and lasted in that role until 1980 when they were returned to normal passenger service (standard class). The rest were declassified to standards in 1972 and rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973. A small class but they did work in Cork/Kerry in both loco-hauled and railcar sets.  Etched sides on a Dapol, Bachmann or Comet LMS 60' coach basis would be an option, though the roof profile is somewhat different. Custom ends and roof would solve that at extra cost.   The second batch built by CIE in 1952 comprised 7 vehicles 2130-2136, 4 first class and 3 third class compartments. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body and traditional underframe. One became a Radio Studio in 1965, and lasted in that role until 1980 then returned to normal passenger service (standard class), the rest were declassified to standards in 1972 and rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973. A small class but they did work in Cork/Kerry in loco-hauled trains.  Being longer than the previous batch, LMS coaches would be less suitable as a basis for these. They feel like more effort than the previous type, for little benefit. On the other hand, a dimensioned diagram/drawing exists which would mean less guesswork in the artwork. And the same sides would also suit the next type...   The third batch built by CIE in 1954 comprised 25 vehicles 2137-2161, 4 first class and 3 third class compartments. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body almost identical to the previous batch. However, they were on a triangulated underframe like the Park Royals and most had commonwealth bogies. Many were rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973 but some remained as composites until 1976/77 when they were either declassified or rebuilt into brake standards. In that form most lasted into the mid-1980s. Being the most numerous, these got everywhere and some are preserved. They are the obvious choice for a composite - but there's a risk that IRM think the same? Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would probably be the best option for these. Possibly a whole new body on a Park Royal chassis. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up.   The fourth batch were built in 1957 and were suburban vehicles initially in unpainted aluminium - 10 vehicles 2162 to 2171. 61'6" long with laminate bodies, they were on a triangulated underframe and commonwealth bogies like the Park Royals . A very cramped saloon layout and no toilets meant they were usually confined to Dublin suburban services and some were fitted to run with AEC railcars. They had a relatively short life in original form, being declassified in 1969 and rebuilt to brake standards in 1970. Despite the appeal of a 'silver' coach, they're not really suitable for my Cork/Kerry region. Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would be the best option for these. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up.   The final batch of 8 vehicles 2172 to 2179 appeared in 1961 and some were in BnT livery from new. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body on a triangulated underframe and commonwealth bogies. They had three first class compartments and the second class was in a saloon. They were rebuilt to brake firsts or brake standards in 1975. These were introduced too late to be in my green train and were fairly short-lived in original form. Probably not ideal. Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would probably be the best option for these. Possibly a whole new body on a Park Royal chassis. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up.   Hmmm...