IRM Latest! Park Royal Update - Production Underway!

[Warbonnet]

It’s been a slog! It’s been a faff! It’s been a pain!

But at last, there’s good news about our IRM CIE Park Royal coaches!

First, let’s take a closer look at our latest samples of these wide and splendid coaches, which are set to establish a new benchmark in Irish outline models.

After overcoming serious challenges in achieving the highest possible fit and finish as well as paint finish—and ensuring these coaches are the true show-stoppers they deserve to be—we’re delighted to confirm that our Park Royals are now on the production line, with completion drawing ever closer.

With production in full swing, the factory has advised that these complex coaches are scheduled for completion at the end of November, with delivery to our warehouse expected in January 2026, at which point we’ll begin dispatching to customers.

We sincerely apologise for the delay to the Park Royals, and we fully understand that the extended wait for these coaches—and the ICRs (more news to come in the weeks leading up to the Dublin show, so stay tuned!)—has tested confidence in our ability to deliver models promptly.

However, we will never compromise on quality. From day one, our ethos has been to produce the very best models possible, and that remains unchanged. We’re confident the wait will be worth it. Both the Park Royals and the ICRs will set new standards for Irish outline model railways. Thankfully, our NIR Hunslet and 800 Class locomotives remain on schedule, with the Hunslets now in their final stages of production—proof that we’ve learned some hard lessons!

A limited number of Park Royals are still available to order, so be sure to reserve yours as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. With a fully diecast chassis, a wealth of interior and exterior detail, beautifully subtle interior lighting, diagram-specific detail differences, and smooth free-running bogies, these coaches will set a new standard for 00 gauge models on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Pre-order yours directly today using the link below—no deposit required and no hidden charges upon delivery to your doorstep in Ireland or the UK!

Pre-Order Your Park Royal Coaches Here!

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[RedRich]

They look amazing such a unique and complex design but you nailed it.

[Patrick Davey]

Tasty! 3 on their way to Clogherhead.......

[Louth]

Well done IRM on yet another magnificent production. Worth waiting for....

[murphaph]

Can't wait to see these in the flesh. Love those massive buffers!

[Metrovik]

Seriously tempted to pick up one of these for my little layout now. Even if it'll take up most of the platform!

[Galteemore]

4 minutes ago, Metrovik said:

Seriously tempted to pick up one of these for my little layout now. Even if it'll take up most of the platform!

Bet your platform is still longer than this! Prototype for everything.   

[K801]

They look amazing

Edited October 1 by K801

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks for the update, @Warbonnet

I was wondering whether IRM have any more photos of the green ones? Especially closeups of the livery differences (black vs green ends etc) and the different types of doors. 

SKU:IRM1212 and SKU:IRM1213 which have green ends are listed as "1955-58 Period. As built, with inward opening doors."

The 2D artwork for these two SKUs shows the different doors but as yet I don't think I've seen any sample models with the inward opening doors. The latest photo updates do show a carriage with green ends but the livery is applied to a model with the later type of doors (i.e. with the window positioned lower, and the bottom of the door flush with the bottom of the bodyside). Is it still planned to represent the different door types? 

Also, I understand that there were some adjustments made to the model paint spec and it would be interesting to see how the green colour compares to A42 and A46. 
 

This photo dated 1961 shows the first coach with original doors, but later light green livery with black ends. The second coach has modified doors, while the fourth (in dark green livery) has the original doors.

I do want to order a couple more, but would like to make an informed choice. I'm always happy to do some modifications and repainting though.

Many thanks,

Paul

(I did ask a version of this question in the Park Royal thread a few days ago, but had no response. Sorry to duplicate but hopefully it will get seen here)

[Warbonnet]

4 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

Many thanks for the update, @Warbonnet

I was wondering whether IRM have any more photos of the green ones? Especially closeups of the livery differences (black vs green ends etc) and the different types of doors. 

SKU:IRM1212 and SKU:IRM1213 which have green ends are listed as "1955-58 Period. As built, with inward opening doors."

The 2D artwork for these two SKUs shows the different doors but as yet I don't think I've seen any sample models with the inward opening doors. The latest photo updates do show a carriage with green ends but the livery is applied to a model with the later type of doors (i.e. with the window positioned lower, and the bottom of the door flush with the bottom of the bodyside). Is it still planned to represent the different door types? 

Also, I understand that there were some adjustments made to the model paint spec and it would be interesting to see how the green colour compares to A42 and A46. 
 

This photo dated 1961 shows the first coach with original doors, but later light green livery with black ends. The second coach has modified doors, while the fourth (in dark green livery) has the original doors.

I do want to order a couple more, but would like to make an informed choice. I'm always happy to do some modifications and repainting though.

Many thanks,

Paul

(I did ask a version of this question in the Park Royal thread a few days ago, but had no response. Sorry to duplicate but hopefully it will get seen here)

Hi Paul,

Many thanks. These were just updated paint samples to demonstrate the paint shades and consistency we requested. When it comes to shades of green, the green will be the same regardless of black or green ends. The example in your image above of the first coach is actually a D177 Mainline version, not a D176 suburban coach. 

When we get a full set of production samples around Christmas we will be able to showcase the full range, including differing doors between coaches.

Cheers!

Fran 

[Mol_PMB]

Hi Fran,

That’s great, many thanks for the update. 
I’ll wait and see what you have for is around Christmas then. 
 

Incidentally I did think the first coach was a suburban. I see no evidence of toilet pipework or frosted windows, but I do see the backs of the longitudinal seats in the vestibules.

I must say though that I’ve found early photos of the main line versions very hard to find. Maybe the external differences were more subtle than I’m expecting. Do you have any 1950s pics of the main line Park Royals that you could share here? 

Cheers,

Paul
 

[Mol_PMB]

This IRRS photo dated 22 October 1955 does definitely show a main line Park Royal when new, although it only sneaks into the edge of the photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53506631651

Features that are quite obvious in this image are the toilet tank pipework and steps on the ends, also the frosted toilet window. The door is open (inwards) in this image. The livery appears to be green with a pale waist line and silver underframe, apparently the same as the suburban Park Royals. The number is 142x, but I can't be sure of the last digit.

This may be the same vehicle on the same occasion: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53507054260

So far I have struggled to find other photos of main line Park Royals in new condition - and I have been looking! I confess that I think the silver livery theory is unlikely (because all the other 'silver' coaches were clad in unpainted aluminium, so they were just left unpainted, but Park Royals were steel-clad and would have had to be painted silver. Not impossible, maybe one was done as a trial, but I've yet to see any convincing evidence.) 

 

Suburban Park Royals didn't have the water pipes or steps on the ends (as correctly modelled by IRM, of course). The vestibule windows were clear, and the back of the bench seats in the vestibule are clearly visible through them - shown nicely in this photo from Ernie:

And from the opposite angle, this IRRS photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53506776188

Looking at the model photos shown above, I think I might have to do a bit of modelling to add those bench seat backs