NIR Mark 2 Update December 2022

[Warbonnet]

Time for another project update, and this time we turn our attentions to our lovely Mark 2 NIR Enterprise coaches; a subject that has been crying out for a high fidelity, up to date model of this classic, crossborder service.

So, where are we at?

We announced our Mark 2Bs to an amazing reception in late August of 2021, with the models of all variations already tooled in both Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) BR and guise for our sister brand, Accurascale. While overall they looked very impressive, we were unhappy with several areas, mainly around the bogies and some aspects where tooling could be improved. We then completed this work, but getting it spot on took longer than we liked.



Another area that needed improving was the internal lighting, which while very effective looking was causing an odd issue. We noted that with extensive testing that the lighting board was causing heat issues which could distort the detail, so these had to be redesigned and further tested. We're delighted that the boards now do not suffer from excessive heat and perform excellently.



Production was scheduled to be completed by now with the models arriving in stock. However, the longer time than envisaged to complete the Accurascale Mark 5 coaches has also impacted this schedule. The good news is that production is now well underway.


Delivery of the Mark 2B coaches will now be in Q2 2023, with Chinese New Year close down impacting on our delivery timeline. We apologise for this delay, but we want these coaches to operate and function correctly, as well as looking the very best they can. We're confident that they will set a whole new standard when it comes to Mark 2 coaches in model form.



We are completely sold out on our Enterprise and RPSI coaches on pre-order. However, you can pre-order the next chapter of our Mark 2 odyssey, the IR and IE Mark 2C coaches, due in stock in Q3 2023 right here.

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[Robert Shrives]

Good to know all is now right - as a friend remarked just now creating a Vic Berry Asbestos firing tunnel model was not on his to -do list !  Not sure how you found tooling improvements but looked pretty good in pics and at Warley - which is on 2023 by the way. Bogies  looked good but if the tendency to arch is removed forever that has to be good. 

Have to save pennies or sell an organ for the IR sets but they do look very good.

Thanks for update 

Robert    

[murphaph]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to Q2 & Q3 very much now! 

[Bob229]

Thanks for the update, looking forward to the Mk2 coaches and Manor Class steam engine in 2023 

[ganderino]

Where can i buy if I’ve missed pre-ordering? Thanks 

[murphaph]

2 hours ago, ganderino said:

Where can i buy if I’ve missed pre-ordering? Thanks 

Usually Marks Models retails IRM products but you might want to get your name on the list if they are retailing these. In the UK Chris Dyer Fairs usually stocks IRM products.

[ganderino]

Nice one, do you have a contact for Chris Dyer? Cheers

[murphaph]

Yep, enquiries@chrisdyerfairs.co.uk. Chris is an absolute gentleman to deal with and if I was UK based he would be the first port of call for IRM stuff that is no longer available on the IRM website. If you mail him he will be able to tell you if he's expecting to retail these coaches and if he has any left.

[John-r]

I wonder seeing as these coaches proved very popular and are still in production, could the run be increased a little, just a though, right I'll get me coat,

[Patrick Davey]

Not my era but they look stunning!

[popeye]

14 hours ago, John-r said:

I wonder seeing as these coaches proved very popular and are still in production, could the run be increased a little, just a though, right I'll get me coat,

There generally seems to be an under estimation with new models that sell out on pre order, so maybe  a production run should be

increased to give more people a chance to buy and for those new modellers coming along.

[BosKonay]

8 hours ago, popeye said:

There generally seems to be an under estimation with new models that sell out on pre order, so maybe  a production run should be

increased to give more people a chance to buy and for those new modellers coming along.

The trouble with increasing runs is you’d never see them

[Horsetan]

35 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

The trouble with increasing runs is you’d never see them

...until they come up on eBay later, at two or three times the original price.

[DJ Dangerous]

On 17/12/2022 at 10:09 AM, John-r said:

I wonder seeing as these coaches proved very popular and are still in production, could the run be increased a little, just a though, right I'll get me coat,

 

I wouldn't worry too much about this particular run, unless you're a specialist collector.

IRM have proven that they will re-run items again every couple of years, with new running numbers where possible.

We'll see NIR Mk2B/C packs hir the shelves again when the 22000's arrive, or I'll eat my hat.

Meantime, as @murphaphhas said, Chris Dyer will have some, and I'm sure that @BosKonaysaid somewhere (there are three threads on this topic now so it's a bit messy tracking down information for quotes) that retailers (ie Marks Models or Rails or whoever) will have these if they pre-ordered. I know a man named @WRENNEIREwho always seems to have lovely nuggets like these for sale.

And, @Warbonnetsaid "next" chapter, not the last chapter, so you can expect Class 80's, Dutch vans, limited run BR livery Irish coaches and product re-runs galore.

[John-r]

29 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

 

I wouldn't worry too much about this particular run, unless you're a specialist collector.

IRM have proven that they will re-run items again every couple of years, with new running numbers where possible.

We'll see NIR Mk2B/C packs hir the shelves again when the 22000's arrive, or I'll eat my hat.

Meantime, as @murphaphhas said, Chris Dyer will have some, and I'm sure that @BosKonaysaid somewhere (there are three threads on this topic now so it's a bit messy tracking down information for quotes) that retailers (ie Marks Models or Rails or whoever) will have these if they pre-ordered. I know a man named @WRENNEIREwho always seems to have lovely nuggets like these for sale.

And, @Warbonnetsaid "next" chapter, not the last chapter, so you can expect Class 80's, Dutch vans, limited run BR livery Irish coaches and product re-runs galore.

Your right DJ, I suppose I'm just like a kid looking in the shop window saying, I want that,that and that, when in reality I will have to keep some body parts for the Dutch vans, class 80s, jeeps and the Hunslets .

[DJ Dangerous]

1 minute ago, John-r said:

Your right DJ, I suppose I'm just like a kid looking in the shop window saying, I want that,that and that, when in reality I will have to keep some body parts for the Dutch vans, class 80s, jeeps and the Hunslets .

I have no body parts left to trade. Couldn't smoke or drink if I wanted as there are no spares available.

2 hours ago, Horsetan said:

...until they come up on eBay later, at two or three times the original price.

I wouldn't worry about that too much unless you're prepared to pay the extra. Gougers like @evankelly260996only keep doing it because people keep paying.

[DJ Dangerous]

Just wondering if IRM would consider, after this run has sold out, offering some sort of rake-builder packs of three or four standard type NIR coaches, akin to the four-packs of IR / IE livery packs?

That way, people could extend these rakes without ending up with lots of generators and driving trailers, LOL.

[Robert Shrives]

I look forward to the odd gen coach being available so I can create 915 with its aircon style windows. But yes an add on pack could be useful.

Also welcome an odd "DBSO" 812 to make into 754 for an 80 class oddity. 

Robert 

Edited January 5, 2023 by Robert Shrives
added a wishette.

[BosKonay]

You can build 9 vehicle trains right now from the triple packs. 

[Robert Shrives]

43 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

You can build 9 vehicle trains right now from the triple packs. 

Indeed if you have been able to buy all three packs any later comers to the show might find a gap for a while and I am sure having a second bite with a variation of running numbers in a rerun will excite a few . Especially those wanting to travel back in time the Hunslet era. - You know you want too!

It has to be said I cannot recall seeing  pictures of mixed red/ blue and Grey/blue stripe Enterprise stock but I guess it must have happened..

Robert   

Edited January 5, 2023 by Robert Shrives

[BosKonay]

1 minute ago, Robert Shrives said:

Indeed if you have been able to buy all three packs any later comers to the show might find a gap for a while and I am sure having a second bite with a variation of running numbers in a rerun will excite a few . Especially those wanting to travel back in time the Hunslet era. - You know you want too!

Robert   

[DJ Dangerous]

58 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

You can build 9 vehicle trains right now from the triple packs. 

I suspect that there may be folk out there who would buy the three or four coach SO packs, possibly to amplify say a DBSO pack into one train, and an EGV pack into another, that kind of thing.

Not complaining, and I've just sourced some Lima NIR standard coaches in case IRM don't go for it, it's just a suggestion.

 

[BosKonay]

8 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

I suspect that there may be folk out there who would buy the three or four coach SO packs, possibly to amplify say a DBSO pack into one train, and an EGV pack into another, that kind of thing.

Not complaining, and I've just sourced some Lima NIR standard coaches in case IRM don't go for it, it's just a suggestion.

 

We’ll definitely do more coaches. That’s a guarantee. 

[DJ Dangerous]

21 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

We’ll definitely do more coaches. That’s a guarantee. 

My bank manager will be delighted at that forecast.

[Edo]

Any update on these lads? 

thanks

[BosKonay]

On course for delivery this quarter. We will be sure to share final photos and video of the production versions in the coming weeks. 

[Edo]

Excellent! - thank you

[Sean]

6 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

On course for delivery this quarter. We will be sure to share final photos and video of the production versions in the coming weeks. 

are the southern ones gonna be arriving at the same time?

[BosKonay]

40 minutes ago, Sean said:

are the southern ones gonna be arriving at the same time?

The 2c orange ones are a later  batch (due in q3)

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

Time for a quick update on our NIR Mark 2b coach project, which is now rapidly progressing through production. Here you can see the body shells and interiors are being painted, in this case RPSI Green.

Once this is complete then it is onto final assembly which will be completed at the end of June, ahead of delivery with customers of all NIR and RPSI packs in mid-August!

These sets are completely sold out, but register your interest on our website by clicking on the notification email on each set you desire and should any go back on the website you will get an email prompt then.

https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/mark-2-coaches 

Cheers!

Fran 

[Broithe]

Processing that sort of quantity must be quite a difficult operation, unless you've shipped @Darius43 out to China.

[Robert Shrives]

Great to see progress and hope factory progresses with out issues. Looking forward to seeing this in the flesh and then working out how to pay for the Hunslets  !! 

Have to say managed to order a set of Mk2s paid deposit to help account survive a bit longer.  

Robert 

 

Edited May 27, 2023 by Robert Shrives

[BosKonay]

[DJ Dangerous]

34 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

 

[murphaph]

Everything including the kitchen sink!