Hattons launch 'Irish' range of Genesis Coaches

[DJ Dangerous]

3 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

FFFFF**********CK!

 

Language!

 

 

[Westcorkrailway]

1 minute ago, DJ Dangerous said:

 

Language!

 

 

 

[raymurph]

Got my notification of despatch too. Much relief, can't wait to run them on the layout.

[Flying Snail]

On 16/10/2024 at 9:55 AM, Flying Snail said:

I've received my shipping notification this morning ..... <and breathe >

Arrived at lunch time today, all present and correct - Danke DHL!  ( ... and Rails too of course )

Edited October 17 by Flying Snail

[Colin_McLeod]

Still waiting 

[Westcorkrailway]

I wonder was it done in terms of who ordered first 

 

fort instance I may have ordered very early on - but I changed my order from a half brake to a full brake a few Days….weeks….months….i can’t remember when I did it exactly but it would have put me well down the que

 

 

[Niles]

5 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

I wonder was it done in terms of who ordered first 

 

fort instance I may have ordered very early on - but I changed my order from a half brake to a full brake a few Days….weeks….months….i can’t remember when I did it exactly but it would have put me well down the que

 

 

Same, I ordered early on but I remember messing around with something...

[Warbonnet]

The orders for Genesis range were absolutely massive and is being handled by 1 retailer. It will take a couple of weeks at least to get through them all, along with all the other volume of everyday orders that Rails sell.

Having been in their distribution centre I can confirm that it is a seriously efficient and impressive set-up, but even so it needs a lot of man power to pack a lot of boxes. They will get them out as soon as they can.

[Colin R]

I know this will not help matters, but as Fran has said, something like this is hopefully a one-off. One side of this order has indicated that Hattons hit the jackpot by doing these coaches. Of course, the downside is that we all know what happens when one of the big boys shuts up shop.

I think the model railway trade has learned a big lesson from this, one being that there is still a demand for model railways and if this were to happen again I am sure they would not do as many liveries as has been done with these coaches all at one time.

As the old saying goes Keep the faith guys, you will get them.

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Warbonnet said:

The orders for Genesis range were absolutely massive and is being handled by 1 retailer. It will take a couple of weeks at least to get through them all, along with all the other volume of everyday orders that Rails sell.

Having been in their distribution centre I can confirm that it is a seriously efficient and impressive set-up, but even so it needs a lot of man power to pack a lot of boxes. They will get them out as soon as they can.

Indeed. When I spoke to them they were struggling with 14,000 orders. I think that no matter how long any of have to wait, we just have to “suck it up”, as it were. 

To be fair to Rails O.S., that’s a monumental workload to take on by any standard. I personally await about nine or ten of these things.

21 minutes ago, Colin R said:

…..

if this were to happen again I am sure they would not do as many liveries as has been done with these coaches all at one time.

When I was initially speaking to Hattons about developing these, they told me the more liveries the better, in terms of production economics.

The only reason they didn’t do the GSR one straight away was that they wanted to test the water with the CIE ones.

Prior to closure I had sent them details of the two relevant GSR liveries for these, and they were taking the view that if the CIE ones were successful, they would then do GSR and GSWR - three more choices (five if they had been bogies!)…

Edited October 18 by jhb171achill

[Noel]

On 17/10/2024 at 5:03 AM, Colin R said:

I would like to think that before too long someone might decide to do a second run of these unless of course, the likes of Hornby make us all go to TT:120 before that happens.

Yes hopefully, having spoken to folks at rails, they confessed that were caught off guard by the large batch of these coaches and had not anticipated the level of logistics to move them out to customers.

I suspect it may be quite some time before there is enough pent up demand to re-run these, there were limited numbers of OO works J15s sold and I guess most of these coaches went to folks with J15s of some origin.

As to Hornby TT120, respectfully I still think it's a dead duck, the betamax of model railways that missed the boat during the 1970s. Only time will tell. Unfortunately Hornby are in serious trouble but I for one would be sad to see the end of such an iconic and nostalgic brand name. Anyway brand names never die, only the businesses that once owned them, somebody else will snap up the rights to the brand name should the company ever fail. It'll be next week before I get a chance to play with my Hattons 6 wheelers. 

[Westcorkrailway]

My ones arrived. God it feels like a long time since these were first announced in September of 2022

[Edo]

Arrived Wednesday 

Look fantastic - however very unforgiving of any degree of sharpness in turns....I'll swapping out the couplers for kadees and they'll probably go in the display until I move to the attic - my den corner curves are too tight in places for them....

[DJ Dangerous]

3 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said:

My ones arrived. God it feels like a long time since these were first announced in September of 2022

 

Wow, you got the HD-Ready HDMI Dolby Digital version!

[jhb171achill]

9 hours ago, Edo said:

Arrived Wednesday 

Look fantastic - however very unforgiving of any degree of sharpness in turns....I'll swapping out the couplers for kadees and they'll probably go in the display until I move to the attic - my den corner curves are too tight in places for them....

Interesting you say that, Edo - I have one fairly sharp curve on my layout - hope they don't object to it!

Nice to see the contrast between the pre-1955 and post-1955 green liveries. Naturally, after 1955, not all were repainted at once, and a handful saw out the early 60s still in the older version - so mixing the two up is perfectly doable within the realms of accuracy.....

[Niles]

Mine arrived safe and sound today, in fairness fairly fast delivery once dispatched.

[amdaley]

Mine arrived yesterday by DHL while I was away. Haven't had a chance to look at them yet.

I don't model Irish but these coaches remind me of the ramshackle coaches that made up the Cork to Youghal trains when I was a child. Happy days

[minister_for_hardship]

Kind of disappointing a newly produced piece of rolling stock won't take the tighter curves.

[jhb171achill]

12 hours ago, amdaley said:

Mine arrived yesterday by DHL while I was away. Haven't had a chance to look at them yet.

I don't model Irish but these coaches remind me of the ramshackle coaches that made up the Cork to Youghal trains when I was a child. Happy days

100% - it is on Youghal sumner excursions that they saw their very last use, in 1962.

There were some still in Cork the following spring, on occasional secondary duties. Among the other very last places they were to be seen, usually mixed in with elderly bogies nit much younger, were the branch sets for Ballinrobe, Ballaghaderreen and Loughrea, and Leopardstown race days on the Harcourt St line.

By summer ‘63 they would never carry passengers again, bar one on an early ‘64 IRRS jaunt over the Cork City line. However half a dozen of their full brake vans saw service until 1968/9; hence the single model of one of these in black’n’tan. At least three of these vans got the BnT livery - possibly 4.

Some of their elderly bogie cousins - some corridor, some non-corridor - saw out the 1960s and into the early 70s, by now in BnT. These were used on summer north Dublin commuter area seaside excursions, and in Cork, boy! - on Youghal excursions and extras on the Cobh line. They were retired just about the time the “supertrain” livery was appearing, though it’s unlikely such a prestigiously decorated loco ever hitched up to them.

RIP, venerable old wooden carriages of character, RIP musty seat cushions, leaking roofs and rattly droplights on windows you could open; you have earned your rest (except, happily, at Downpatrick); superseded by customer tubes instead of passenger trains….

Edited October 19 by jhb171achill

[Flying Snail]

1 hour ago, minister_for_hardship said:

Kind of disappointing a newly produced piece of rolling stock won't take the tighter curves.

Well, to be fair we don't know what radius curves Edo has - for what its worth they're going around my 3rd radius set track okay.

....   and they're 6-wheel, non bogey, with running boards.  So it shouldn't really be a surprise if they have trouble on tight curves, should it?

[jhb171achill]

1 minute ago, Flying Snail said:

Well, to be fair we don't know what radius curves Edo has - for what its worth they're going around my 3rd radius set track okay.

....   and they're 6-wheel, non bogey, with running boards.  So it shouldn't really be a surprise if they have trouble on tight curves, should it?

I mentioned that I have one quite sharp curve, and I wondered what these things will make of it.

I don’t know the actual radius so I can’t comment on actual figures, but a six-wheeler heating van I have, plus a DSER 6-wheeler by the late Ken McElhinney, seem to be ok with it….  we’ll see!

Yes, agreed, a six-wheeler will, by design, look less kindly upon sharp curves…

[Old Blarney]

1 hour ago, minister_for_hardship said:

Kind of disappointing a newly produced piece of rolling stock won't take the tighter curves.

Is it all of your tight curves and all of the new rolling stock that won't take the tight curves? My reason for posing these question is this.  One of my sixteen  Hattons six wheelers has wee vagaries on two of my tight curves. It is perfect in one direction, turn it around, then run it in the same direction, off the track she pops. Time after time, in the same place irrespective of speed. I removed the centre set of wheels. Problem solved. the coach ran in either direction without any problem.  I have replaced the centre wheels, and run the offending coach in one direction only. 

Suggestions.

1) Check the back-to-back measurement of the Centre wheels. I found mine to be very slightly out of measurement.

2) Check the wheel assembly for sticking in one direction be it Left to Right or visa versa.

3) Check the piping that runs under the coach and over the wheels. You may find this to be bent, it was on one of my coaches, thus it caught on points and curves.

4) Try applying a small amount of lubricating material on the centre sliding assembly  - Graphite, Dry Lubricating material or perhaps a light oil, (safe on Plastic)

 

 

 

Edited October 19 by Old Blarney

[jhb171achill]

Woohoooo!!

[Georgeconna]

Same here, Mines on the way.....

[DartStation]

Mine arrived and I also got the lighting mechanisms for the coaches - easy to fit , the brake van was late to the party and was not allowed out to play earlier so including a picture for reference. 

Thanks

PR  

 

 

Edited October 19 by DartStation

[amdaley]

5 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

100% - it is on Youghal sumner excursions that they saw their very last use, in 1962.

There were some still in Cork the following spring, on occasional secondary duties. Among the other very last places they were to be seen, usually mixed in with elderly bogies nit much younger, were the branch sets for Ballinrobe, Ballaghaderreen and Loughrea, and Leopardstown race days on the Harcourt St line.

By sumner ‘63 they would never carry passengers again, bar one on an early ‘64 IRRS jaunt over the Cork City line. However half a dozen of their full brake vans saw service until 1968/9; hence the single model of one of these in black’n’tan. At least three of these vans got the BnT livery - possibly 4.

Some of their elderly bogie cousins - some corridor, some non-corridor - saw out the 1960s and into the early 70s, by now in BnT. These were used on summer north Dublin commuter area seaside excursions, and in Cork, boy! - on Youghal excursions and extras on the Cobh line. They were retired just about the time the “supertrain” livery was appearing, though it’s unlikely such a prestigiously decorated loco ever hitched up to them.

RIP, venerable old wooden carriages of character, RIP musty seat cushions, leaking roofs and rattly droplights on windows you could open; you have earned your rest (except, happily, at Downpatrick); superseded by customer tubes instead of passenger trains….

I have fond memories of those Youghal trips.

As a young boy we spent our annual holidays down there.

I remember late of a Friday night sitting on the bridge at Claycastle just outside Youghal.

A tender loco used to bring the staff wages down from Cork.

The turntable in Youghal was out of action so it went in reverse all the way back up to Cork again. I can still remember the glow from the firebox

Some of the details may be a little hazy as that was a very long time ago.

Happy days.

Edited October 19 by amdaley

[Newtoncork]

That's so good to hear. My parents took me to Youghal in the early 70's, when I was about 5. Vague recollection of the train. But at least I can still say I got the train to Youghal!

[jhb171achill]

5 hours ago, DartStation said:

Mine arrived and I also got the lighting mechanisms for the coaches - easy to fit , the brake van was late to the party and was not allowed out to play earlier so including a picture for reference. 

Thanks

PR  

 

 

They wouldn't have run together anyway, so the BnT one won't be lonely! The passenger-carrying ones (all green) were withdrawn before any of the surviving vans became black and tan.......

[Westcorkrailway]

I’m doing research on something quite unrelated at the moment but found this gem. I believe it’s the last time a 6 wheeler saw revenue earning passenger use. An IRRS special from Kent to Albert quay 

 

note there is an X on the coach denoting it’s on death row. 
 

Also note. 21 people attended this tour, how many would go now! 

 

photo was taken by Sean O’Brien

[StevieB]

What was the date of this special?

Stephen

[Westcorkrailway]

3 hours ago, StevieB said:

What was the date of this special?

Stephen

29/5/65

[Niles]

Finally got a chance to open mine (1:1 scale railway modelling took up my Sat ). Lovely little creatures indeed.

Looking forward to running some mixed green Park Royals when they come out, old CIÉ stock formations look fun.

[Edo]

As suggested above - I removed the central wheel and problem solved.

In fairness I do have a few "naughty" curves made from flexitrack that are pushing the envelope so I wasnt shocked - all my bogie stock and 4 wheelers have had no problems - most of the locos too...with exception of some of the more stubborn members of my A class fleet..between derailments, oil leaks and gears slipping and motors giving trouble...i know we want prototypical..but Jaysis!

I might do as Old Blarney has suggested and give each wagon a good check up and a bit of lubrication if necessary.

 

[jhb171achill]

On 20/10/2024 at 11:50 AM, Westcorkrailway said:

29/5/65

Interesting; sure it’s not the 1964 one? My info was always that while the last passenger-carrying ones were withdrawn in 1963, the IRRS used one in ‘64 for a CCR jaunt.

If the above actually is in ‘65, the coach is already withdrawn and will have been used by unofficial “local arrangement”….

Last public use, though, early '63.

Edited October 21 by jhb171achill

[Westcorkrailway]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

Interesting; sure it’s not the 1964 one? My info was always that while the last passenger-carrying ones were withdrawn in 1963, the IRRS used one in ‘64 for a CCR jaunt.

If the above actually is in ‘65, the coach is already withdrawn and will have been used by unofficial “local arrangement”….

Quote from Irish railfans news from June 1965

 

Cork City Special

Few Corkonians gave more than a passing glance to C206, six-wheeler 39M and bogie brake second 1895 on May 29, when they formed an IRRS (Munster Area) special from Cork Glanmire Road to Albert Quay, but the occasion was historic for several reasons. For the Munster Area of the IRRS it was their first special train outing ever; while for 39M it was probably the last run (she is already condemned to the scrap heap) and may indeed give this vehicle the claim to be the last six-wheeled coach to carry passengers in Ireland. The train itself is likely to be the last passenger train to traverse the Cork City Railway for, although no definite closure proposals have been put forward, there seems little likelihood of another passenger train being required to work into Albert Quay across the city streets and bridges. Indeed the demise of the Cork City line may well he dictated by the state of repair of the two lifting bridges across the Lee.

The special train departed from Glanmire Road at 15:15 and made its way behind the station out on to Alfred Street. It passed through the "cut" on to Brian Boru Street, crossed the bridge of the same name, and, clattering over the points of the now little used Anderson's Quay siding, ran across Clontarf Street Bridge into Albert Quay loop. For good measure the train went as far out the "Bandon" as possible - to the stop block near the Douglas Road overbridge at which point the lifting ceased on Good Friday, April 18. Reversing to Albert Quay the party detrained, photographed and inspected the remarshalling of the train for the return journey.