Popular Post Warbonnet Posted May 5 Popular Post Share Posted May 5 We certainly alluded that the humble H Van was in our future in our launch of the Grain Wagons, and now we can reveal our model of the standard CIE goods van, here in fitted form! History The programme of rolling stock production undertaken by Oliver Bulleid during his time as Chief Mechanical Engineer at Corás Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) in the 1950s contained a number of now-iconic vehicles, among them being the humble H Van. With a 10ft wheelbase and 12-ton capacity, these unassuming vans became CIÉ’s standard covered wagon and they found their way to every point of the Irish railway network during their time in service, present in long rakes or mixed trains in larger yards and in smaller groups or singly in sidings and goods sheds right across the island. In addition to over 1,300 H Vans constructed with hand brakes only, in 1953 Inchicore Works outshopped 219 wagons with vacuum brakes, with a further 99 H Vans being retro-fitted with vacuum braking between 1961 and 192. These wagons were distinguishable by the presence of brake wheels rather than the usual levers found on unfitted stock, and in most cases by the presence of “Vac Brake” wording on the body sides. While commonly found running in unfitted trains with standard H vans and other wagons, where the vacuum equipment was not utilised, these vehicles could also be attached to passenger and mail trains to convey mailbags, parcels and other time-sensitive loads. As with most other stock aimed at wagonload operations, these vehicles continued to ply their trade with CIÉ until the latter half of the 1970s, when more modern bogie stock was introduced and the network was optimised for trainload liner operations. Many of these vehicles were transported to CIÉ’s scrapyard at Mullingar upon withdrawal, where they were subsequently disposed of. The Model Probably the least surprising addition to our "Project Bulleid" programme of wagon launches around the famous triangulated chassis, the H Van is the must have wagon for anyone modelling mixed goods trains during the heyday of CIE freight operations. Seen in long mixed trains alongside their counterparts the corrugated opens, the flats, grain wagons and more, they were a staple diet in the Autumn of steam operations along with the diesel dawn. Modelled accurately in high quality ready to run format for the first time, the accurate proportions and quality materials and details used does these humble vans justice in OO scale. With brass bearings to ensure the smoothness of running characteristics, high quality die cast chassis for weight, a wealth of separately applied details including fine plastic and metal brake rigging, museum quality injection moulding as well as crisp tampo printing and paint application, our Bulleid wagons set a new standard for IRM rolling stock and this will be demonstrated with the H Vans. At home in a mixed goods, passenger mixed train or even a mail train, the fitted vans offer great flexibility for modellers and the unfitted variants will follow in a future production run. These wagons are due to arrive in stock in Q4 2024 and are priced at our unbeatable price for authentic Irish scale models of €89.95 for each triple pack, with 10% off when you order two more more sets. Pre-order yours below and benefit from free shipping around Ireland and 3% cash back in the way of loyalty points off future purchases. Pre-Order Your H Vans Here View the full article 18 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Snail Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 (edited) Very nice indeed! Some of the lads on here who enjoy punning might even call them the bomb! But I'm not going to jump on that wagon* .... (sorry, I'll get my coat and show myself out) * edit: the punning band wagon that is, I'm definitely jumping aboard the H Van wagon Edited May 5 by Flying Snail 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphaph Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Even if somewhat expected these are a lovel addition to the range. Flying snail ones duly ordered 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 (edited) At long last! I stopped making the kit two plus years ago and had to chase people away with various cock and bull stories! The prototype looks splendid, so well done to your Chinese toolmakers. Regarding the @Flying Snail comment about "Bombs", this one won't bomb as they were very, very common for decades and every layout should have one - dozens in the case of @jhb171achill. That said, it was, most mysteriously, my kit was a poor seller - just 130 or so - compared with 370 corrugated wagons and over 270 9and counting "Double Beets"! Good luck with them lads - off now to decide which livery I want! Interesting that you chose "Hosanna" - all of the hymns in church today had "Alleluia" in the chorus ....... Edited May 5 by leslie10646 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Snail Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 I meant 'they're the bomb' not that 'they'll bomb'. Don't worry @leslie10646, I hopped on board and ordered a few packs of the flying snails and broken wheels faster than Slim Pickens jumped on that H bomb in Dr. Strangelove 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 1 hour ago, Flying Snail said: I meant 'they're the bomb' not that 'they'll bomb'. Don't worry @leslie10646, I hopped on board and ordered a few packs of the flying snails and broken wheels faster than Slim Pickens jumped on that H bomb in Dr. Strangelove No, I didn't say they would Bomb - obviously my bad English (second language!), they'll do very well. As for Dr Strangelove, great film, I pray that you guys never see The Bomb ever used again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flange lubricator Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 (edited) Great addition to the range some of the vacuum brake versions also ran in green which were in that livery to run in passenger trains which was short lived . https://archive.rcts.org.uk/shopviewer.php?pg=44353&code=CH06463C Edited May 5 by flange lubricator 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Dangerous Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 (edited) Delighted with this announcement! The H Vans are my favourite of the Bulleid chassis vans. Will have to order a few to compliment @leslie10646’s Dapol vans and @Mayner’s wagons! As a rough guide, are we saying Flying Snail until late fifties, grey with CIE Roundel for fifties and sixties, brown for sixties and seventies? Edited May 6 by DJ Dangerous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 2 hours ago, DJ Dangerous said: Delighted with this announcement! The H Vans are my favourite of the Bulleid chassis vans. Will have to order a few to compliment @leslie10646’s Dapol vans and @Mayner’s wagons! As a rough guide, are we saying Flying Snail until late fifties, grey with CIE Roundel for fifties and sixties, brown for sixties and seventies? The roundel appeared in 1963. Immediately prior to that, stencilled snails. Brown later, from 1970, so obviously brown always has roundels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayner Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Interesting IRM announcing the relatively rare uncommon-versions of the H Van like the cut down PW, Bulk Grain and Fitted Versions before announcing the 'common garden' unfitted version of which over 1000 existed, great faith in the market/collector appeal of these models. I am impressed with IRMs modelling of the CIE fitted brake gear complete with riggings and pull rods, I just modelled a representation of the brake gear on the Brake Van being too challenging/expensive to produce from a manufacturing perspective. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 That looks a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Posted Tuesday at 08:59 Share Posted Tuesday at 08:59 Hooray, excellent. Great news. Presume these will have standard height NEM pockets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRENNEIRE Posted Tuesday at 12:44 Share Posted Tuesday at 12:44 I heard they are putting them at different heights so the moaners would have something to give out about 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttc0169 Posted Tuesday at 12:44 Share Posted Tuesday at 12:44 Two packs duly ordered…!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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