BosKonay

We are very proud to reveal the latest addition to our well-received range of rolling stock, the Mk.2b series of coaches! The Mark 2b is one of several 'missing link' sub classes that has never been produced in high quality form in 4mm scale and we are delighted to be able to rectify this glaring hole in iconic BR era rolling stock in 4mm/OO gauge model form. History Built at Litchurch Lane, Derby, during 1969, 111 vehicles were built for British Rail to three designs; Tourist Second Open (TSO), Corridor First (FK) and Brake Corridor First (BFK). A further eight examples were constructed for Northern Ireland Railways for its new 'Enterprise' service between Belfast and Dublin, this landmark service featuring a range of bespoke vehicles that were quite unlike anything then in operation on BR. The Mk.2b was the third iteration of the Swindon-designed 'integrally constructed' Mk.2 and it saw a number of design changes that resulted in a much more modern appearance over the earlier variants. While the underframe was basically unchanged, the body was lengthened by several inches to provide additional space for planned air-condition upgrades. However, the major spotting feature was the wider wrap-around doors at each corner - with characteristic sausage shaped bumpers - and the removal of the centre passenger access doors. The interior was heavily influenced by the XP64 coaches with greater use of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) in the vestibules and toilets - the former finished in a now iconic deep reddish orange colour that will be forever etched into the minds of enthusiasts from that era. Also new were folding end gangway doors, also finished in the same red. The toilets themselves were repositioned, being moved either end of the passenger compartment on the same side, resulting in two very different looking bodysides. Operationally they matched the previous Mk.2a coaches with air brakes and dual electric and steam heating. They were also delivered in the same classic BR blue/grey livery, still without Inter-City logos - those came a few years later - and complete with region prefixes to the numbers. Most also gained square destination board holders, although these were removed by the end of the 1970s. The vast majority of the fleet was initially deployed to the Western Region, mixing it with Mk.2a coaches and Mk.1 catering cars on 'Western' and Class 47-hauled services between London Paddington and South Wales. A small number of FK were also allocated to ECML Inter-City services out of King's Cross, being commonly associated with 'Brush 4s' and the Deltics on trains to Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. The introduction of air-conditioned Mk.2 variants on to the WR just a few years later saw the Mk.2b coaches bumped to trains between Paddington, Penzance and other South West destinations, while the ER FKs were cascaded to secondary and inter-regional workings. Around the same time the first Class 50s appeared on the WR, beginning the long association of the later EE Type 4s with Mk.2b coaches. With new HSTs coming on stream from 1975 the Mk.2b coaches further spread their wings becoming a common sight on Paddington-Oxford/West Midlands/Liverpool diagrams as well as inter-regional and North East-South West diagrams between Cardiff, Poole, Paignton, Plymouth and Swansea to Bradford, Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle. From 1978 further HST incursions onto traditional Mk.2 territory resulted in large numbers of vehicles being sent to the South Western main line - 'The Mule - between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, with other Southern Region destinations also being served. By the mid 1980s the fleet was spread across all five regions. The majority were employed on trains out of Paddington and Waterloo - and rapidly gaining the colourful Network SouthEast livery - but significant numbers were allocated to InterCity, Provincial and ScotRail services. Some also gained Trans-Pennine livery for working between Liverpool/North Wales and Cleethorpes/Newcastle/Scarborough. A pair of FKs even joined the Derby RTC fleet in 1987, ADB 977528 and ADB 977529 being used as brake force runners with a wide variety of different test coaches all over the country. The same period also saw a number of changes to the fleet. The final Mk.2b BFK was taken out of service, joining three others that had been converted as Royal Train support coaches over the previous decade. The other five of the original nine built had already been sold to Northern Ireland Railways in 1980. Meanwhile the majority of first class coaches allocated to non-NSE activities were also considered obsolete, and were downgraded to second class with the new designation SK. Initially used on ECML relief trains the SKs were later transferred to Wolverhampton Oxley for use on cross-country turns between East Anglia and the Midlands and North West, which included the short-lived ‘The Rhinelander’ boat train between Harwich and Manchester Piccadilly. The 'Sprinterisation' of the late 1980s and 1990s was responsible for the gradual retrenchment of the Mk.2b coaches until only the Waterloo-Exeter, Paddington semi-fasts and a handful allocated to Regional Railways remained. The new Networker 'Turbos' from 1992 and the Class 159s from 1993 brought about the end of NSE loco-hauled, while the last surviving RR TSOs followed shortly after, replaced by ex-NSE Mk.2a coaches! Fortunately there was a reprieve of sorts just a few years later as the shadow South Wales & West franchise hired in a handful of coaches for various diagrams between Birmingham/Manchester, Cardiff/Bristol and Westbury/Weymouth using EWS Class 37s which ran from 1996 to 1999, with the coaches later being picked up again by Wales & Borders for Rhymney-Cardiff-Fishguard services from 2001-2004, again usually with EWS Type 3 power. Several of these transferred to the West Coast Railways railtour fleet and remain main line registered. Meanwhile, the four heavily rebuilt Royal Train BFKs still see regular use, although two were sold in the early 2000s, joining Network Rail and Riviera Trains. The Model The comprehensive range that makes up the first run of Accurascale Mk.2b coaches represents a significant investment in this vehicle family, long considered one of the 'missing links' of classic BR corporate era rolling stock. The lack of Mk.2b has long been a significant impediment to the accurate modelling of Western Region and London & South Western loco-passenger trains, with the 'Westerns' in their latter years and Class 50s being particularly synonymous with these coaches. The Accurascale Mk.2b have been lovingly researched and designed based on surveys of numerous surviving vehicles around the UK along with works drawings and even a partial 3D scan to ensure that the characteristic tumblehome and shape of the ends is as accurate as possible. The survey extended to the interiors with particular attention being paid to the iconic winged headrests - each a separate part - that are such a feature of the first and second class seating throughout the early Mk.2s. A variety of running numbers in both BR blue/grey, Network Southeast and Provincial liveries will make up the first run. Of course, you want to see them in action, right? Check out this video from the smashing chaps at Hornby Magazine to learn more about them! Specification Common Features: Highly-detailed OO Gauge / 1:76.2 Scale Models on 16.5mm track Extremely fine exterior rivet detail on roof and coach ends Separately-applied etched metal and high-fidelity plastic parts, including handrails, brake/steam heat pipes, ETH cabling and sockets, footsteps, dummy drophead knuckle coupler, and roof vents Prism Free Glazing Pre-painted/printed Western Region destination boards and holders plus water filler covers provided for customer to install Fully-detailed underframe with numerous separate parts, pipe runs and accurate differences between versions The most accurate B4 and B5 bogies ever produced, with provision for re-gauging to EM or P4 (British 18.83mm) gauges Blackened RP25.110 profile wheel-sets with 14.4mm back-to-back measurements, and 26mm over pinpoints Different buffers for retracted and non-retracted positions Accurate interiors with characteristic 'winged' headrests, separate metal interior handrails on the brake and corridor vehicles and fully-detailed guard's compartment Full lighting package, including magnet 'wand' controlled interior lighting with 'Stay-Alive' capacitor in all coaches and directional lighting with DC or DCC control (Driving Trailer only) Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius Set-track) Correct height NEM standard coupling sockets with mini tension lock couplers and kinematic close-coupling Each Mark 2B coach will be sold separately at a price of £59.95 each and are available to order direct via Accurascale or via your local stockist. A 10% discount is available should you order two or more coaches together direct from Accurascale. As you can see with the samples above, tooling is complete and the first pre-production samples have been delivered and the project is well advanced. However, there are corrections being made based on the samples which are now being undertaken by the factory. Overall there is a wealth of detail, crispness and they capture the essence of the Mark 2b very well indeed. Delivery is slated for Q3 2022. However, with the current global difficulties in production and shipping following the COVID19 pandemic and Suez issues (shipping companies estimating FOUR YEARS until sea traffic returns to normal!) this may extend to Q4 2022. Browse the range and place your pre-orders direct by clicking here. View the full article

We are very proud to reveal the latest addition to our well-received range of rolling stock; the Mk.2b series of coaches as used on classic Enterprise services. Welcome to IRM's first ever model of iconic Irish coaching stock! History Built at Litchurch Lane, Derby, during 1970, eight examples were constructed for Northern Ireland Railways for its new 'Enterprise' service between Belfast and Dublin, this landmark service featuring a range of bespoke vehicles that were quite unlike anything then in operation in Ireland or indeed on BR, despite being a derivative of a BR design. The eight Mk.2b coaches acquired in by the newly formed Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) included new types; one First Open (FO), two Brake Driving Trailer Seconds (BDTS) and a single Grill-Bar, the latter being the only purpose-built Mk.2 catering vehicle. The other four vehicles were designated SO although were almost indistinguishable from BR TSOs. Delivered in NIR's blue and maroon scheme with B4 bogies set to the Irish 5ft 3in track gauge, they initially worked in push-pull formation on the Belfast-Dublin 'Enterprise' express service with one of the three Hunslet 'DL' 101 class locomotives for power, or a pair top and tailed or double headed in the summer months. In 1978 the fleet, which now included five Mk.2c coaches purchased in 1972, was refurbished and repainted in a new silver-grey and blue livery. However the increasingly unreliable Hunslets - despite sharing an engine and many mechanical and electrical components with the BR Class 20s - were replaced in 1980 with General Motors 111 Class locomotives. The lack of electric train supply on the new motive power required the addition of a generator coach to each 'Enterprise' formation, NIR acquiring five ex-BR Mk.2b BFKs for conversion in 1980. They were joined at the same time by an additional ten secondhand Mk.2b coaches and three Mk.2c. The use of driving trailers on the Enterprise trains ended with the introduction of the 111, becoming hauled as normal coaching stock thereafter. With additional stock on hand the sight of 'Enterprise' trains away from their usual cross-border route was becoming more common, with formations of between three and five coaches in particular being common on Portadown/Lisburn-Belfast-Bangor and Belfast-Derry/Londonderry trains, usually with a single Hunslet in charge in push-pull formation. By the middle of the next decade a number of the ex-BR coaches were rebuilt as open coaches, while others were converted to strengthen 80 Class DEMU sets or replace bomb damaged vehicles. In 1987 NIR was split into three operational sectors, the Enterprise coming under the new InterCity division. The result of this was a new livery, a modification of the existing grey/blue with the addition of a pair of white stripes either side of the thick blue band. However this was replaced the following year by a blue/yellow/black/white scheme that was so well liked that it became NIR's corporate image in 1991 on the abandonment of sectorisation. The Enterprise welcomed its third major motive power change in 1995 with the arrival of the GM 201 class, although by this point Irish Rail locomotives had become an increasingly common sight leading these trains. The introduction of replacement De Dietrich Ferroviaire-built coaching stock - shared with IR - for the prestige service in 1997 was the beginning of the end for the Mk.2 fleet although they could still be found working the cross-border route into 1999. The Model The IRM/Accurascale Mk.2b have been lovingly researched and designed based on surveys of numerous surviving vehicles around Britain and Northern Ireland along with works drawings and even a partial 3D scan to ensure that the characteristic tumblehome and shape of the ends is as accurate as possible. The survey extended to the interiors with particular attention being paid to the iconic winged headrests - each a separate part - that are such a feature of the first and second class seating throughout the early Mk.2s. The NIR examples presented a particular challenge with numerous unique versions, a much wider track gauge and additional underframe boxes and roof details depending on the type. We even tooled up an Irish gauge B5 bogie - only used once - which was fitted to the generator end of the BGV coaches to accommodate the additional weight. The bogies for the NIR coaches are also bespoke compared to the BR versions, with the prototypical wider frame being faithfully represented allowing for 21mm fine scale conversion. Of course, you want to see them in action, right? Check out this video from the smashing chaps at Hornby Magazine to learn more about them! Specification Common Features: Highly-detailed OO Gauge / 1:76.2 Scale Models on 16.5mm track Extremely fine exterior rivet detail on roof and coach ends Separately-applied etched metal and high-fidelity plastic parts, including handrails, brake/steam heat pipes, ETH cabling and sockets, footsteps, dummy drophead knuckle coupler, and roof vents Prism Free Glazing Pre-painted/printed Western Region destination boards and holders plus water filler covers provided for customer to install Fully-detailed underframe with numerous separate parts, pipe runs and accurate differences between versions The most accurate B4 and B5 bogies ever produced, with provision for re-gauging to EM or P4 (Irish 21mm) gauges Blackened RP25.110 profile wheel-sets with 14.4mm back-to-back measurements, and 26mm over pinpoints Different buffers for retracted and non-retracted positions Accurate interiors with characteristic 'winged' headrests, separate metal interior handrails on the brake and corridor vehicles and fully-detailed guard's compartment Full lighting package, including magnet 'wand' controlled interior lighting with 'Stay-Alive' capacitor in all coaches and directional lighting with DC or DCC control (Driving Trailer only) Minimum Radius 438mm (2nd Radius Set-track) Correct height NEM standard coupling sockets with mini tension lock couplers and kinematic close-coupling Three livery variations will be catered for in our first run, starting with the classic sliver-grey and blue livery, prefect for blue Hunslet and 111 haulage, the transitional silver-grey and blue livery with Intercity branding, and blue/yellow/black/white scheme, perfect for 111s and NIR 201 haulage, as well as IR locomotives. There will be three packs covering all coach variations in original sliver-grey and blue livery as well as blue/yellow/black/white scheme, with a single pack of three transitional silver-grey and blue livery with Intercity branding coaches which can be run in mixed formation with either original silver-grey and blue livery or blue/yellow/black/white livery for an authentic 1987-late 80s formation. Each triple pack is priced at €199.99 and there is a 10% discount when you order three or more packs. As you can see with the samples above, tooling is complete and the first pre-production samples have been delivered and the project is well advanced. However, there are corrections being made based on the samples which are now being undertaken by the factory. Overall there is a wealth of detail, crispness and they capture the essence of the Mark 2b very well indeed. Delivery is slated for Q3 2022. However, with the current global difficulties in production and shipping following the COVID19 pandemic and Suez issues (shipping companies estimating FOUR YEARS until sea traffic returns to normal!) this may extend to Q4 2022. Due to these difficulties, factory slots are in high demand so these packs will be made in strictly limited quantities. With the scarcity and popularity of Northern Ireland locomotives these are sure to be a popular and perfect companion while also adding a splash of colour and interest to your layout. Browse the range and place your pre-orders direct by clicking here. View the full article

Lol. The PR starts at noon with video

We’ll all know in 4 hours

Drop us a line and we can resend the ‘official’ pdf invoice

It's another exciting milestone here at Accurascale as the first decorated sample batch of our forthcoming Class 92s have finally arrived for assessment and oh my, they do look very good indeed! When we received our first tooling sample we knew that it was shaping up to be a nice model, but felt it needed some gentle tweaks to set it apart in areas around the roof and bogies. It took some small retooling and fettling but it has paid off dividends and we are now very happy with what the factory has been able to achieve when it comes to finesse and quality. We received the first batch of decorated samples which included 92001 in EWS as above, 92010 in Caledonian Sleeper Midnight Teal, 92020 in a rather incorrect shade of GBRf (well, the orange as you can see above, this will be corrected on the production models!) and 92042 in DB Schenker red. The other samples have just arrived and will be revealed within then next couple of weeks when fully assessed. Of course, there are always improvements that can be made at each step of the development process, and whilst the decorated samples look very well overall there are tweaks that need to be carried out. This centres around the glazing and the distinctive "polo mints" Channel Tunnel logos which are such a feature of the real locomotives. We are also keen to tweak some of the small warning labels to ensure they pop on the models. There are also some positioning of names and logos which need minor tweaking. Overall though, they are shaping up very well indeed. Just drink in that detail! With these tweaks already underway we can now firm up production details. Unfortunately COVID19 stoppages have already delayed production of these models and many more for all manufacturers due to the resulting labour and raw material shortages. This resulted in a delay in us receiving the decorated samples for assessment before we could sign off for production. The legacy of the pandemic is still being felt, with a backlog of projects which are being made by smaller workforces due to social distancing protocols and recruitment difficulties as freedom of movement was restricted for migrating assembly workers. As a result the 92 will begin production in the coming weeks and is now slated for delivery in Q3 2022. We apologise for this delay, but it is something completely out of anyone's control and reflective of the whole manufacturing industry as we begin to emerge from the pandemic restrictions. With this in mind, we have now set our early bird price deadline. With the sheer amount of technology and separate detail in these locomotives a price increase from £159.99 DCC ready to £179.99 DCC ready and £259.99 DCC Sound Fitted to £279.99 DCC Sound Fitted will take place on January 1st 2022. All orders placed before that date and so far will avail of the lower price, including £30 deposits. So, if you fancy one (or more!) of these overhead and third rail beauties for your layout, make sure you place your order soon to avail of the bargain of the model railway world! (Even at the higher price they represent excellent value for money, but who doesn't like saving a few quid?) Due the scarcity of production slots at the factory we will also be limiting the size of the production run somewhat, so these are likely to be in higher demand than we initially envisaged. Keep an eye out for an update showcasing the rest of the decorated samples in the coming weeks as well as a demonstration video showing some of these beauties in action and all their features that you can play with including the epic Legomanbiffo sound file. In the meantime, place your pre-order here! View the full article

We're about a week away from landing

More next Thursday. At least the first of many many new things

Ranges. perhaps

Perhaps IRM will be announcing ranges of coaches somewhat sooner

Lol, shipments will be done in chronological order

I've sent out invoices / balances for those A class orders that are not yet fully paid in anticipation of preparing the packing lists. If you have not received an invoice within the hour, or have any questions, please drop a line to support@irishrailwaymodels.com and we'll make sure you don't fall back in the Q!

Like I recently posted on the other side, we’ve held back announcements due to the current climate of delay and uncertainty and a general aspiration to announce once projects are more concrete (so tooled samples in hand to share) We’ve lots of new fun stuff at various stages of development totally under wraps which will be trickling out on a regular basis now that the A is arriving and we’ve caught up on many delays and challenges which set us back. Tease and froth are good it’s a fun hobby after all just wait until you see what treats we have in store

All of the models in this run of the A are in relatively limited numbers, of between 250 and 300 units. Interestingly the sold out models are all 300 unit runs.

We are offering colllection as an option from our Click & Collect point at the warehouse which is just off the m50 in the robinhood estate. if anyone would like to collect please let us know via email to support@irishrailwaymodels.com and we will pack for collection and email you a pickup barcode once ready.

Landing a couple of weeks ahead of the locos, the EMD sound chips are now in stock and shipping! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive/products/a-class-emd-sound-decoder

My only suggestion would be a more prototypical length tara mines train I might know someone....

Well worth the visit, especially when combined with a broader trip to Malahide castle and gardens. Even the kids enjoyed it

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Hehe, we'll have tracking confirmed this week and then know exactly when they will be in hand

It's been just over six months since we previewed the first tooling samples of our long awaited and highly anticipated Mark 5 coaching stock. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to develop our first coach project in that time and today we can bring you a full update on where we're at, the challenges we're currently working on, show you some lovely decorated samples and outline where we go next. So, first things first; let's have a look at these beautiful sleeper samples! We always use high resolution, pin sharp images to show off our models (unlike many other manufacturers!), warts and all, so you can get a full close up view of the models. With this in mind, please remember that these are pre-production coaches and fit and finish will be improved further on the production models which will roll around on your layout. Having said that though, the sleeper coaches are looking mighty fine and promising! We do see some improvements and tweaks that must be made, but we are sure you will agree the deceptively complex livery is coming together nicely with a lovely colour match for the tricky Caledonian Sleeper midnight teal. As you can see from the above shot, the detail on these coaches is delicious, with a wealth of boxes, grilles, cylinders and conduits replicated as per the prototypes. Another area we are particularly proud of is our magnetic Dellner couplings, which make for some serious close coupling up to 3rd radius curves! We plan to sell these separately too, as they just plug into NEM sockets. More on that at a later date. Of course, each coach pack will also come with a set of tension locks for each coach to help negotiate 2nd radius and couple to other items of stock. Naturally, being Accurascale models, our Mark 5s are top of the line when it comes to specifications, such as a wealth of separately applied parts, attention to detail, lots of printing and of course, lighting, which as you can see above, is nice and subtle and devoid of dreaded light bleed. Improvements? Well glazing of course, some printing such as the warning labels and smaller signs will be very much improved on, the overspray in areas will simply not do and will be corrected on the finished models. Overall though, they're looking well on course and very tasty indeed. So, that's the sleepers, what about the TPE sets? Well, there's a whole other story! If our factory thought the Caledonian Sleeper livery was complex with it's wealth of warning labels, then the TPE sets have well and truly broken their hearts! With a similar amount of warning labels, interesting angles, shades and fades, it really pushes model production techniques to the very limit. We have so far tried a couple of techniques to replicate this livery faithfully, but so far it has ended in failure, and has taken many months of trial and error to attempt to get this livery right. As we add all the layers to the livery, it begins to damage the paint finish elsewhere as you can see below on these test bodies. It has proven very frustrating for our factory! The visible paint lines through the doors were also unacceptable. Our factory does not give up easily however, and is currently working on a new batch blending various techniques to get the desired finish to set these models apart and we have every confidence they will achieve it. Unfortunately it means we will not be able to bring you pictures of fully finished TPE sets just yet, but as you can see above; they're edging closer and closer and they will look awesome when complete. So, where does that leave us? Well, the Sleepers have been assessed and our feedback is on its way to the factory. The factory has assured us that we will have finished TPE samples for assessment in 8 weeks time. Unfortunately until we sign off on those TPE coaches we will not have a production delivery date, but can confirm it will be in 2022. We are very sorry for this delay and certainly had hoped we would be further on in this project, but we of course did not foresee this livery challenge! Keep an eye on our website news section, email newsletter, Facebook and Twitter feeds, RMWeb section and of course the news pages for an update on the TPE livery samples in 8 weeks time and with it a firm delivery date as they enter production. In the meantime, secure your packs with a £30 deposit, via our website by clicking here. View the full article

Am sure IRM will be expanding into coaching stock soon enough.