2b or not 2b? Mark 2b in OO/4MM from Accurascale

[Warbonnet]

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

[DJ Dangerous]

Mmmmmaybe run a few extra RTC Mk2B twinpacks next time!

https://www.ebay.es/itm/204683569650

 

 

[irishmail]

Another one on the |Facebook Model |Rail Buying and selling group!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/ModelRailBuyingAndSelling/permalink/6684721468296028/?sale_post_id=6684721468296028

I know manufacturers and model shops don't want stock hanging around too long, but the way they do the limited production runs these days don't really help matters.  

Edited March 9 by irishmail

[DJ Dangerous]

On 9/3/2024 at 8:35 AM, irishmail said:

Another one on the |Facebook Model |Rail Buying and selling group!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/ModelRailBuyingAndSelling/permalink/6684721468296028/?sale_post_id=6684721468296028

I know manufacturers and model shops don't want stock hanging around too long, but the way they do the limited production runs these days don't really help matters.  

At least with IRM and Accurascale, we know that we can almost bank on re-runs every couple of years, so we only have to pay the gouger’s prices if we desperately want the model right now.

Incidentally @BosKonay, have the excess unsold units already been released into stock, or is that yet to happen?

[BosKonay]

2 hours ago, DJ Dangerous said:

At least with IRM and Accurascale, we know that we can almost bank on re-runs every couple of years, so we only have to pay the gouger’s prices if we desperately want the model right now.

Incidentally @BosKonay, have the excess unsold units already been released into stock, or is that yet to happen?

Yet to happen. 

[DJ Dangerous]

10 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

Yet to happen. 

Yyyeeessssss!!!!!

[DJ Dangerous]

Am I correct in reading from the formation guides that you could mix Mk1, Mk2A, Mk2B, Mk2C and Mk2D in the early years, but not a Mk2E and not a Mk2F?

And in the later years, you could mix any Mk2 with some Mk3's?

[irishmail]

Most coaches can be mixed and matched,  the main thing to remember is the very early MK11's (not MK2a onwards) were vacuum braked only i think??    Also MK1's were mostly vacuum braked some I think being dual braked.

MK3's there are two versions, the loco hauled and the HST  main difference the HST MK3s had 3 phase electrical systems and no buffers.

On your layout if in doubt just apply rule 1   

Some good information in these PDF books.

https://archive.rcts.org.uk/product-category/coaching-stock-books/

[DJ Dangerous]

9 hours ago, irishmail said:

Most coaches can be mixed and matched,  the main thing to remember is the very early MK11's (not MK2a onwards) were vacuum braked only i think??    Also MK1's were mostly vacuum braked some I think being dual braked.

MK3's there are two versions, the loco hauled and the HST  main difference the HST MK3s had 3 phase electrical systems and no buffers.

On your layout if in doubt just apply rule 1   

Some good information in these PDF books.

https://archive.rcts.org.uk/product-category/coaching-stock-books/

 

Thanks, John!

Missed out on the excess Accurascale Mk2's due to a shipping glitch on the website, but managed to find a few for sale elsewhere yesterday.

Also have a few West Coast Mk2's that I had the luck to pre-order, slowly winging their way down here.

Love the look of the earlier and later Mk2's mixed, while sharing the same livery, RPSI style (hint hint, Paddy Murphy) or BR B/G or executive style.

[irishmail]

13 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

 

Thanks, John!

Missed out on the excess Accurascale Mk2's due to a shipping glitch on the website, but managed to find a few for sale elsewhere yesterday.

Also have a few West Coast Mk2's that I had the luck to pre-order, slowly winging their way down here.

Love the look of the earlier and later Mk2's mixed, while sharing the same livery, RPSI style (hint hint, Paddy Murphy) or BR B/G or executive style.

Modellbahn Union have some listed, 

https://www.modellbahnunion.com/e-vendo.php?shop=modellbahn-union-en&a=news&filter=k3274g4152p6542

[DJ Dangerous]

5 minutes ago, irishmail said:

Modellbahn Union have some listed, 

https://www.modellbahnunion.com/e-vendo.php?shop=modellbahn-union-en&a=news&filter=k3274g4152p6542

 

Excellent, thanks for that!

[irishmail]

Now Accurascale/IRM have branched out into TT:120 how about shrinking the MK2's down. 

https://www.accurascale.com/en-eu/products/tt120-accurascale-research-team-three-figure-pack?syclid=co7d4pch33ns739pj2n0&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_148410532025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Edited April 4 by irishmail

[DJ Dangerous]

2 hours ago, irishmail said:

Now Accurascale/IRM have branched out into TT:120 how about shrinking the MK2's down. 

https://www.accurascale.com/en-eu/products/tt120-accurascale-research-team-three-figure-pack?syclid=co7d4pch33ns739pj2n0&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_148410532025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Oh come on, so you want Class 50's in N, TT120, OO and in O???

Next, you'll be looking for Gauge 1!

[irishmail]

1 hour ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Oh come on, so you want Class 50's in N, TT120, OO and in O???

Next, you'll be looking for Gauge 1!

Yes  to  TT120,  but N noooo,  sold  my  N gauge  years  ago,  found it too fiddly,  but  TT :120  im  ok  with.. 

Now  Gauge  1,mmmm

[DJ Dangerous]

West Coast Mk2's arrived today!

Lovely lovely coaches at first glance.

 

 

[DJ Dangerous]

And, amazingly, these babies were briefly in stock again today and I nabbed two!

https://www.accurascale.com/collections/mark-2-coaches/products/derby-rtc-test-service-vehicles

Had to use an Irish address because of the shipping glitch, but what the Hell, they're worth the extra hassle and taxes!

 

 

[DJ Dangerous]

Looking closely at the West Coast Mk2's, and all I can say is WOW!

Best thing is that our very own @Rob is out of a job - the windows already have "No Smoking" signs!

There's even a booklet included on the couplings as there are so many different options!

 

 

[Rob]

1 hour ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Best thing is that our very own @Rob is out of a job - the windows already have "No Smoking" signs!

Not happy!!!

[DJ Dangerous]

58 minutes ago, Rob said:

Not happy!!!

I know how to make it up to you!

Book yourself some flights, bring about a thousand "No Smoking" signs and I'll allow you apply them to all of my coaching stock.

[irishmail]

13 hours ago, DJ Dangerous said:

And, amazingly, these babies were briefly in stock again today and I nabbed two!

https://www.accurascale.com/collections/mark-2-coaches/products/derby-rtc-test-service-vehicles

Had to use an Irish address because of the shipping glitch, but what the Hell, they're worth the extra hassle and taxes!

 

 

They do look good, but how many RTC livery coaches do I need?  I already have some MK1's, a CCT van and an RTC class 24.  

[DJ Dangerous]

4 hours ago, irishmail said:

They do look good, but how many RTC livery coaches do I need?  I already have some MK1's, a CCT van and an RTC class 24.  

 

No RTC Class 50???

[irishmail]

22 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

 

No RTC Class 50???

Now   there's  a thing.  Though never  appeared  in that  livery , I think  it  would sit well on  one.  Ok  Fran or Boskonay,  if  you  want to  send  a RTC 50  down  to  Mayo.... 

[Bob229]

Ilford Manor on a test run with MK2B coaches great detail and quality and v happy with the onboard lighting

Edited April 10 by Bob229

[DJ Dangerous]

Looks lovely, @Bob229! Are you running DC or DCC?

[Bob229]

14 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Looks lovely, @Bob229! Are you running DC or DCC?

Thanks Dave, running on DC gaugemaster hope to move to DCC in time, still on-board lighting works well and the ilford Manor firebox lights up nicely Accurascale have raised the standard to another level,   Bob

[DJ Dangerous]

2 minutes ago, Bob229 said:

Thanks Dave, running on DC gaugemaster hope to move to DCC in time, still on-board lighting works well and the ilford Manor firebox lights up nicely Accurascale have raised the standard to another level,   Bob

Thanks, @Bob229. I desperately need somewhere to run mine in!

[Bob229]

2 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Thanks, @Bob229. I desperately need somewhere to run mine in!

A must even a temporary layout but they take up a lot of space I'm lucky have it in the garage twin oval layout with a separate station area

[DJ Dangerous]

I think that there may be one or two more of these due to arrive from Frizinghall tomorrow!

[DJ Dangerous]

16 hours ago, DJ Dangerous said:

I think that there may be one or two more of these due to arrive from Frizinghall tomorrow!

 

Don't think I'm gonna get to the post office before they close...

Half eight is approaching too quickly!

[DJ Dangerous]

Made it with entire seconds to spare!

Thank you, Frizinghall!