Tin vans, heating vans please

[flange lubricator]

24 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

There’s one with tanks….. maybe one was? I’ll see what pics Barry has.

I think they might be battery boxes you’re looking at . 

[jhb171achill]

2 hours ago, flange lubricator said:

I think they might be battery boxes you’re looking at . 

Yes, but I meant another pic I've seen....... (I think!)

[Rosslare Ranger]

On 12/1/2026 at 5:29 PM, flange lubricator said:

For the most part the four wheel vans all gone by 1980 so most people under sixty wouldn't remember them in traffic the Dutch Van and the  ex BR Mk1 vans would be the ones most  people would be familiar  , would people be prepared to spend more money on a premium RTR version with lights  etc ?

I dont remember them but want a few from mid 50's up to 80's.

[mphoey]

We might say niche but look at the nir mk2 set and the dining car if irm can do that which basicly is 1 coach on a train then logically the mk1 van or dutch van could be done as more liveries and running numbers than the nir mk2 diner

[Crossley]

On 11/1/2026 at 10:40 PM, Crossley said:

  Yes I to agree , I did mention the idea for producing a CIE tin vans when I had contacted Accurascale support regarding my Park Royal coach order back in October 2025 .

 It seems to me and "I know I am going to get burnt for saying this"  these would have been the natural follow on vehicle to produce with the Bullied wagons and to complement the               Park Royal coaches.

 There again after the IRM A class was produced, I though a C class diesel would follow too , but it does not seem to work like that . Maybe the next project will be the   Bullied CC1. Turf Burner .

  

 

Edited March 17 by Crossley

[jhb171achill]

Maybe 3D printing might be the future for tin vans?

[Mayner]

12 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Maybe 3D printing might be the future for tin vans?

A high quality 3D printed rtr tin van is likely to be significantly more expensive than an equivalent Chinese manufactured model, on account of the higher unit cost (compared to plastic injection molding) of 3D printing.

Two-three years ago I considered producing a batch (500+) 3D printed CIE 20T Brake Vans in the UK in conjunction with Rails who had earlier produced a 3D printed SECR Van in conjunction with Dapol. 

Unfortunately a single Brake Van would have had to retail at a similar price point to a small loco (approx £180) due to the high cost of 3D printed parts and high rejection rate experienced during assembly/finishing.

In the end I sold 13 Brake Vans from our final Nov 2024 production batch of vans at a price point of £78 incl shipping a far cry from 500 @ £180 excl UK shipping! Over 3 years sold approx 100 vans with 5 distinct variations.

I guess the question at this stage is whether a manufacturer would consider its would be worth while to commit money and time to manufacture a rtr Tin Van the same or similar standard to Accurascale/IRM coaching stock.