Blue Cravens coaches

[Geoff Johnston]

I anyone tell me who is selling these and how can they be contacted, thanks in advance Geoff 😎🎨👍

Edited November 15, 2017 by Garfield
Correcting title

[Garfield]

1 hour ago, Geoff Johnston said:

I anyone tell me who is selling these and how can they be contacted, thanks in advance Geoff 😎🎨👍

Hi Geoff, they're available from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. They can be purchased by mail order using a form which can be downloaded here: https://steamtrainsireland.com/shop

I believe Mark's Models may also have some in stock. 

[jhb171achill]

I understand they're selling well, and it's a limited edition which is highly unlikely to be repeated, so for anybody planning to buy them, I wouldn't hang about!

I saw them up close at Blackrock the other day - very impressive.

[Railer]

The RPSI sold out of them Sat Sunday and Monday at the Blackrock show. I went to buy a set on Sat and they said come back early Sunday morning they will have 16 sets in. I was there as it opened and they had only 2 left after I got mine. Tina Hand said they can't believe how fast they sold and they are all in shock. They said that run won't be repeated but they will have another set of 3 standards release for next year.

I think there are only a handful left and they have to be bought from the RPSi through their Facebook page.

[Noel]

Marks models may have a few sets.  The good news is having sold so quickly the RPSI will almost certainly go ahead with plans for a matching set of three standard coaches sometime in the next 12months.  I will have to get the finger out on a BR mk1 BCK conversion to the maroon RPSI GSV 3173 to run with them. 

[Railer]

It's great that the Cravens set sold so well and sales are supporting work on 134. At the same time I find it a pity that the RPSI Mk2s didn't sell as well. It was said they would do another set when they sold out but you can still get a set in Marks for €110.

[Noel]

11 minutes ago, Railer said:

It's great that the Cravens set sold so well and sales are supporting work on 134. At the same time I find it a pity that the RPSI Mk2s didn't sell as well. It was said they would do another set when they sold out but you can still get a set in Marks for €110.

That's interesting.  Any theories why the Green m2a RPSI coaches didn't sell as well as the Blue/Cream livery Cravens?

(e.g. attractiveness of livery, familiarity with coach type, public exposure to seeing the full size in operation, nostalgia, recent rail tours, etc)

[jhb171achill]

I think it's due to several things, Noel.

1   The Cravens are much more widely travelled, and are now associated with Railtours Ireland's "Emerald Isle Express" - with many modellers now having at least one 071, whether grey or "heritage" orange and black.

2   The largest market in Ireland is Dublin, which has four times the population of Belfast, or something like 75% of the population of the North.

3   The Cravens were sold by the RPSI to raise funds for the restoration of 134 - a project dear to the hearts of many, modellers included. I know several people who bought them to support the cause who don't even have layouts!

4   What do you haul them with.... there is no RTR steam loco to simulate RPSI specials. This will  put off some modellers who either haven't the skills or budget to make or acquire a suitable kit. If you're modelling / running any RPSI stock, be it Mk 2 or Cravens, you need a steam loco. A RTR 461* has been talked about - this would boost sales of all RPSI coach models. Also, on these pages a RTR J15* has been proposed, same again. For those with Cravens, an 071 can represent an RPSI Santa train, various RPSI charts, or the Emerald Isle Express.

 

( * please.... no yellow flying snails!)

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Railer said:

The RPSI sold out of them Sat Sunday and Monday at the Blackrock show. I went to buy a set on Sat and they said come back early Sunday morning they will have 16 sets in. I was there as it opened and they had only 2 left after I got mine. Tina Hand said they can't believe how fast they sold and they are all in shock. They said that run won't be repeated but they will have another set of 3 standards release for next year.

I think there are only a handful left and they have to be bought from the RPSi through their Facebook page.

Yes, that's right. Something to look forward to!

The maroon genny would be needed next, but even the least dexterous of us can paint a BR van maroon! We have seen some excellent conversions of BR full vans into gennies here.

The other RPSI genny van will be restored eventually and painted blue. Also, there is a possibility of one of Whitehead's "Dutch" vans going south - it was being discussed seriously anyway. Between Dublin and Whitehead the society has two Dutch and two BR. One Dutch van is in use on the northern set. Even in IE guise, we don't see that many Dutch vans in model form - with flat sides and ends, one might have assumed they're easier to build? Although, of course, various proprietary BR vans can be amended, as some have so expertly done here.

What I'd love to see is a set of the Whitehead-based (but all Ireland travelled) wooden heritage set.....

What happened, I wonder, to proposals for a RTR model of 461...is that proposal still live, does anyone know?

[Railer]

The RPSI Mk2 set has been going around a few years now without the Dutch Van. The Mk2 brake/genny providing the power lately from what I can see, heance the shorter Mk2 rakes out on specials.

[Noel]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

I think it's due to several things, Noel.

. . .

4   What do you haul them with.... there is no RTR steam loco to simulate RPSI specials. This will  put off some modellers who either haven't the skills or budget to make or acquire a suitable kit. If you're modelling / running any RPSI stock, be it Mk 2 or Cravens, you need a steam loco. A RTR 461* has been talked about - this would boost sales of all RPSI coach models. Also, on these pages a RTR J15* has been proposed, same again. For those with Cravens, an 071 can represent an RPSI Santa train, various RPSI charts, or the Emerald Isle Express.

OO Works have an RTR J15 due to ship next autumn, admittedly its the older variant like RPSI 184 and will be GSWR all grey livery.  But for me 461 in GSR green would be the ideal for hauling either RPSI coach rakes, and in model form probably a good runner being 2-6-0 rather than other 4-4-0s. 184 being 0-6-0 should run ok if the gearing is ok with DCC to make up for the absence of a flywheel.

[WRENNEIRE]

If anyone cannot pick up the RPSI coaches I may be able to help

PM me for details  

[jhb171achill]

On 3/11/2017 at 11:17 AM, Noel said:

OO Works have an RTR J15 due to ship next autumn, admittedly its the older variant ....,,,

 But for me 461 in GSR green would be the ideal ..,,,,

That would be VERY nice!

For RPSI, perfect! Worth remembering, though, from a historical perspective that she was never CIE green in real life - the Society did it like this as it's brighter than the correct all-grey, and to show what lined CIE green was like in traffic.

The GSR used a lighter green with yellow and black lining, and applied it only to the trio of 800s. All other GSR locos without exception were grey.

[Noel]

Jonathan by any chance do you know when GSV 3185's overhaul is planned to be completed and more specifically what colour scheme she might end up with?

I vaguely remember you or somebody suggesting she may be an all over blue livery, presuming the same shade of blue as used on the blue and cream Cravens?  

[Glenderg]

Can one of the Mods correct the spelling of this thread. It's upsetting my OCD.  - Edit and it needs to be done to help others searching this forum. 

Edited November 14, 2017 by Glenderg

[Garfield]

54 minutes ago, Glenderg said:

Can one of the Mods correct the spelling of this thread. It's upsetting my OCD.  - Edit and it needs to be done to help others searching this forum. 

Done!

[Weshty]

On 11/3/2017 at 10:13 AM, jhb171achill said:

The maroon genny would be needed next, but even the least dexterous of us can paint a BR van maroon! We have seen some excellent conversions of BR full vans into gennies here.

The other RPSI genny van will be restored eventually and painted blue.

 

Hi all,

I am giving serious consideration to designing a MK1 BR genny kit to be used with a Bachmann BCK donor.   It will provide all the requisite detail.   Brass etched sides, underframe fuel tank, roof mounted exhaust and air intake modules, water feed opes, as well as transfers for both versions.

I'm using the Bach donor as it has superb roof detail that matches very closely to the CIE prototype. 

Expected cost will be c.€25.     Sound interesting?

 

[StevieB]

It does indeed - this version, converted from the BR BCK, has been neglected up to now.

Stephen

[jhb171achill]

On 14/11/2017 at 8:09 PM, Noel said:

Jonathan by any chance do you know when GSV 3185's overhaul is planned to be completed and more specifically what colour scheme she might end up with?

I vaguely remember you or somebody suggesting she may be an all over blue livery, presuming the same shade of blue as used on the blue and cream Cravens?  

Completion, I suppose, will depend on volunteer availability, so it's not easy to say when. It'll certainly be a few years, I would think.

Yes, the plan is blue - same shade as the Cravens. Whether or not it will have cream upper areas will simply depend on the views of those who paint it! I suspect plain blue would be best.

[Noel]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

Completion, I suppose, will depend on volunteer availability, so it's not easy to say when. It'll certainly be a few years, I would think.

Yes, the plan is blue - same shade as the Cravens. Whether or not it will have cream upper areas will simply depend on the views of those who paint it! I suspect plain blue would be best.

Thanks.  Hmmm!  I might paint the GSV conversion RPSI blue instead of B&T and run it with the RPSI cravens. 

[Noel]

3 hours ago, Weshty said:

 

Hi all,

I am giving serious consideration to designing a MK1 BR genny kit to be used with a Bachmann BCK donor.   It will provide all the requisite detail.   Brass etched sides, underframe fuel tank, roof mounted exhaust and air intake modules, water feed opes, as well as transfers for both versions.

I'm using the Bach donor as it has superb roof detail that matches very closely to the CIE prototype. 

Expected cost will be c.€25.     Sound interesting?

 

It does indeed.  I'm currently converting two Bachmann BCKs, one using brass sides and the other with plastic.  Wish I'd knew this before I started.  The brass sides I have are rather low on detail (i.e. flat), I suspect yours would be much better with relief for window frames, vent frames, hinges and door handles, etc.

[Noel]

These are the brass sides I'm using with a Bachmann BCK donor, rather than the Triang-Hornby in the pic (£12 from Mousa).  They are for RPSI maroon 3173 GSV. They seem accurate but I'm just disappointed they lack any relief for the window frames, door hinges,  handles, etc.  I can stick that stuff on with plastic.  One clever feature of these sides is they have multiple horizontal channels etched behind tumblehome to make bending into shape easy without need for specialist tools.

Des will your sides have separate window frames or will you etch those in relief, etc?

Edited November 16, 2017 by Noel

[DB JOE]

Yes would be very interested

[Jimbo325ci]

I would be interested in the kit too Des. Although I wouldn’t be so keen on the brass sides - the rest of the bits sound good especially if there are separate window surrounds. Halfway through the maroon GSV conversion at the min but window frames are an issue

[JasonB]

10 hours ago, Weshty said:

 

Hi all,

I am giving serious consideration to designing a MK1 BR genny kit to be used with a Bachmann BCK donor.   It will provide all the requisite detail.   Brass etched sides, underframe fuel tank, roof mounted exhaust and air intake modules, water feed opes, as well as transfers for both versions.

I'm using the Bach donor as it has superb roof detail that matches very closely to the CIE prototype. 

Expected cost will be c.€25.     Sound interesting?

 

A welcome addition Des.I'd certainly be interested.

[Weshty]

Thanks for the interest lads, this is a definite runner so.  Detailing will be a mixture of etched and separates (particularly for the door hinges).

[Junctionmad]

count me in Des for a kit , took me far to long to do a BSK conversion !!

 

Edited November 26, 2017 by Junctionmad

[ttc0169]

Hi Des, I'll take one too as I am fortunate to have worked GSV 3173 both in IE and RPSI ownership. 

[RedRich]

9 minutes ago, ttc0169 said:

Hi Des, I'll take one too as I am fortunate to have worked GSV 3173 both in IE and RPSI ownership. 

Actually I was watching some footage on youtube a while back of Killkenny to Ballina MK11, MK111, & Cravens in 2006 and was wondering if that was you Noel looking out of the guards door window of the GSV in Manulla at 11 minutes.

Rich,

[ttc0169]

40 minutes ago, RedRich said:

Actually I was watching some footage on youtube a while back of Killkenny to Ballina MK11, MK111, & Cravens in 2006 and was wondering if that was you Noel looking out of the guards door window of the GSV in Manulla at 11 minutes.

Rich,

Yes Rich,That was indeed myself in 3173 while working the Ballina branch- it was the morning shift.

[RedRich]

11 years ago now and history Noel. The heart and soul of our railway is gone. Just as well that we have the models to recreate all those memories.

Rich,

[craven1508]

indeed Noel, ever the gentleman i spoke to you in galway in august when you on the belmont,

aleast we still have that belmont set and the fabulous cravens out and running.

[Noel]

16 hours ago, RedRich said:

. . . The heart and soul of our railway is gone. Just as well that we have the models to recreate all those memories. . .

Agree 100%.  Fond memories from 60s and 70s of loco hauled pax trains, active goods traffic with 2 axle wagons still in use in every little station between Dublin and the other main rail terminals. Intricate track work, loops, crossings and in use sidings in every small station. Hardly a container nor bogie wagon in sight. Best of all interesting traffic movements, loco runarounds, split pax trains, loads of shunting and drop off goods wagons.

A golden era of railways. A far cry from today's boring yo-yo DMUs/ICRs and stations striped of track work. Some no longer even have loops. Still can't stop progress, things have to move on, but we still have the memories and as you rightly say, we now have the ability to recreate new memories. 

[craven1508]

Lads ive just opened and tried  to run the new r.p.s.i blue craven set, the buffers are catching each other on corners, ive 

compered them to the buffers on the ie versions and they are Longer on the r.p.s.i ones. this along with the 

wobbly running makes it hard to run them?