Royal Mail Vans 1980

[delticman]

Hello All,

I have been frustrated for years by the lack of suitable Royal Mail vans to park outside the parcels loading bay at Dearnefield, the station on my model railway set around 1980 South Yorkshire/ West Yorkshire borders. Ancient Matchbox Dodge Commandos filled in the gap until recently when Hattons were selling Base Toys box vans so cheaply that I took the plunge to make a pair of Leyland Terriers which could be seen buzzing around major stations in the area at that time.

The chassis and boxes were suitably shortened and new cabs from Road Transport Images fitted as the Base Toys cabs were of the earlier design. Resprayed and fitted with smaller wheels and home made transfers plus a few details like windscreen wipers and mirrors I think they certainly look the part. I just made up Sheffield based registration plates for the vehicles but I know for certain someone will tell me they belong to a Mk2 Ford Escort and Morris Marina so I will happily change them if anyone can provide the correct plates.

 

 

And here they are outside Dearnefield station:-

 

 

Geoff

 

 

 

[Job's Modelling]

I think you have done a good job here. I like to see road vehicles in a fitting environment.

[RANGERS]

Very smart looking they are too.

[BernardTPM]

Around 1980 the Post Office were using a lot of the EA vans too.

[delticman]

Around 1980 the Post Office were using a lot of the EA vans too.

 

Thanks BernardTPM thats a lovely clear photo of an EA in Royal Mail livery of that time, usually only seen in the distance or peeping out from other vehicles. I dont think I could successfully scratch build one and I dont think any kits exist so PLEEEEEASE Oxford Diecast?

 

Regards,

Geoff

[PhilJ W]

Thanks BernardTPM thats a lovely clear photo of an EA in Royal Mail livery of that time, usually only seen in the distance or peeping out from other vehicles. I dont think I could successfully scratch build one and I dont think any kits exist so PLEEEEEASE Oxford Diecast?

 

Regards,

Geoff

Oxford have recently introduced the contempory Sherpa van in Royal Mail livery.

[Mad McCann]

The EAs were very much the backbone of the Royal Mail fleet in that period. The drivers at our place referred to them as '240s' for some reason I never found out. Could it relate to the hp?

 

Dave.

[delticman]

Oxford have recently introduced the contempory Sherpa van in Royal Mail livery.

 

Yes but in Royal Mail Wales livery which obviously has limited appeal and would mean making new transfers for the sides, tempted to get a couple though as they look good. I dont understand why you cant buy Royal Mail cyphers from that period as transfers anymore is it something to do with licensing or copyright? The last commercially available transfers I have left are from about 1980 from Mabex but 7mm scale

[RANGERS]

The EAs were very much the backbone of the Royal Mail fleet in that period. The drivers at our place referred to them as '240s' for some reason I never found out. Could it relate to the hp?

Dave.

The 240 refers to the capacity in cubic feet, this referred to the short wheelbase, low roof version. There were also 260 (short wheelbase, high roof), 340 (long wheelbase, low roof) and 380 I think it was (long wheelbase, high roof).

 

A 240bhp variant would be pretty nippy!

Edited January 16, 2017 by RANGERS

[crompton 33]

Yes but in Royal Mail Wales livery which obviously has limited appeal and would mean making new transfers for the sides, tempted to get a couple though as they look good. I dont understand why you cant buy Royal Mail cyphers from that period as transfers anymore is it something to do with licensing or copyright? The last commercially available transfers I have left are from about 1980 from Mabex but 7mm scale

Mabex have them listed in there 2016 catalogue in 4mm scale. If you need there phone number PM me . There is no web site it's post  only .

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi there,

 

There is a useful website with links to collections of Royal Mail vehicles on FlickR

 

https://postalheritage.wordpress.com/tag/post-office-vehicles/

 

This may be more general that you are wanting, but there are a lot of useful photos.

 

I think there is a guy or eBay who sells Royal Mail vehicle decals?

 

Can't remember the seller id but some showed up in another search I was doing.

 

Thanks

 

ps - Great looking vans!

[bescotbeast]

Hello All,

I have been frustrated for years by the lack of suitable Royal Mail vans to park outside the parcels loading bay at Dearnefield, the station on my model railway set around 1980 South Yorkshire/ West Yorkshire borders. Ancient Matchbox Dodge Commandos filled in the gap until recently when Hattons were selling Base Toys box vans so cheaply that I took the plunge to make a pair of Leyland Terriers which could be seen buzzing around major stations in the area at that time.

The chassis and boxes were suitably shortened and new cabs from Road Transport Images fitted as the Base Toys cabs were of the earlier design. Resprayed and fitted with smaller wheels and home made transfers plus a few details like windscreen wipers and mirrors I think they certainly look the part. I just made up Sheffield based registration plates for the vehicles but I know for certain someone will tell me they belong to a Mk2 Ford Escort and Morris Marina so I will happily change them if anyone can provide the correct plates.

 

2 - Copy.JPG3 - Copy.JPG

 

And here they are outside Dearnefield station:-

 

4 - Copy.JPG5 - Copy.JPG

 

Geoff

Outstanding work, as someone has already said, it's great to see period vehicles on a layout, especially when it's the 80's

Around 1980 the Post Office were using a lot of the EA vans too.

A model of one of these would be great , hint hint Oxford

[BernardTPM]

Thanks BernardTPM thats a lovely clear photo of an EA in Royal Mail livery of that time, usually only seen in the distance or peeping out from other vehicles. I dont think I could successfully scratch build one and I dont think any kits exist so PLEEEEEASE Oxford Diecast?

The back is easy enough - a box with slightly rounded corners to the roof, but the front is the hard bit. When first introduced the front panel was almost identical to that used on the Morris/BMC G cab, but not the later version as done by Base Toys unfortunately. If scratchbuilding the best place to start would be to find a piece of moulded plastic with the correct curvature for the windscreen area (possibly a coach roof?), then add the grille surround sticking out the appropriate distance and correct angle, then blend the snub 'nose' in with filler. Not easy!

[delticman]

The back is easy enough - a box with slightly rounded corners to the roof, but the front is the hard bit. When first introduced the front panel was almost identical to that used on the Morris/BMC G cab, but not the later version as done by Base Toys unfortunately. If scratchbuilding the best place to start would be to find a piece of moulded plastic with the correct curvature for the windscreen area (possibly a coach roof?), then add the grille surround sticking out the appropriate distance and correct angle, then blend the snub 'nose' in with filler. Not easy!

 

That would be major work and I am just too lazy these days! Paragon Kits used to do a BMC EA based minibus but even if you could source one it would be an expensive way to get a cab front!

 

Geoff

[Merfyn Jones]

The back is easy enough - a box with slightly rounded corners to the roof, but the front is the hard bit. When first introduced the front panel was almost identical to that used on the Morris/BMC G cab, but not the later version as done by Base Toys unfortunately. If scratchbuilding the best place to start would be to find a piece of moulded plastic with the correct curvature for the windscreen area (possibly a coach roof?), then add the grille surround sticking out the appropriate distance and correct angle, then blend the snub 'nose' in with filler. Not easy!

 

Only a shame you have retired from the 4mm kit building Bernard.  All were very nice kits.

Merf.

[BernardTPM]

Oxford pretty much killed the kit market. And now it seems they are no longer interested in ordinary cars. Hey ho.

[Scottish Modeller]

Oxford pretty much killed the kit market. And now it seems they are no longer interested in ordinary cars. Hey ho.

Hi Bernard,

 

If they are no longer interested in ordinary cars...

 

Surely this presents an opportunity for yourself to reintroduce some of your kits?

 

I remember having to build enough of your car kits to fill a set of Motorrail flats for someone.

 

I for one, would be quite happy to see them return!

 

That is, unless someone is going to 3D print some?

 

Thanks

[RANGERS]

Hi Bernard,

 

If they are no longer interested in ordinary cars...

 

Surely this presents an opportunity for yourself to reintroduce some of your kits?

 

I remember having to build enough of your car kits to fill a set of Motorrail flats for someone.

 

I for one, would be quite happy to see them return!

 

That is, unless someone is going to 3D print some?

 

Thanks

I'd love to see Bernard's kits back on the market but appreciate the commercial reality of the market, even the wheel castings would be a big bonus.

 

There are some 3d printings on the Shapeways site but they are eye wateringly expensive.

[BernardTPM]

A couple of points. Firstly they have done 'ordinary' in the recent past so despite what they've said they may still do more. Secondly I need to find new moulders/casters willing to do very small quantities because the investment to get them produced in larger numbers is too great. I'm working on the latter, the former is beyond my control. I can never be price competitive, of course and I'll concentrate on models I want. In general that makes for a 1972 cut-off (for introduction year) for any new models. Anything beyond that date will have to be because I really like it.

Edited January 17, 2017 by BernardTPM

[grahame]

Oxford pretty much killed the kit market. And now it seems they are no longer interested in ordinary cars. Hey ho.

Yep, and unfortunately the situation is worse in N/2mm. ODC did promised a Cortina Mk3 but so far it hasn't appeared. They do seem more interested in producing buses, military vehicles, sports/luxury cars and commercials rather than bog standard ordinary people saloon cars so perhaps some 1980s postal vans might be on the cards. But then the 80s and 90s is an era they avoid . . . . . Sigh.

 

G.

[RANGERS]

A couple of points. Firstly they have done 'ordinary' in the recent past so despite what they've said they may still do more. Secondly I need to find new moulders/casters willing to do very small quantities because the investment to get them produced in larger numbers is too great. I'm working on the latter, the former is beyond my control. I can never be price competitive, of course and I'll concentrate on models I want. In general that makes for a 1972 cut-off (for introduction year) for any new models. Anything beyond that date will have to be because I really like it.

This sounds more promising than I ever dared hope for....

[PatB]

The other GPO staple c1980 was the Dodge (nee Commer) Spacevan. Built to 00 standards too .

[fodenway]

The EAs were very much the backbone of the Royal Mail fleet in that period. The drivers at our place referred to them as '240s' for some reason I never found out. Could it relate to the hp?

 

Dave.

Dave, "240" referred to the van's carrying capacity, i.e. 240 cubic feet. Hope that helps,

 Kevin

[fodenway]

Hello All,

I have been frustrated for years by the lack of suitable Royal Mail vans to park outside the parcels loading bay at Dearnefield, the station on my model railway set around 1980 South Yorkshire/ West Yorkshire borders. Ancient Matchbox Dodge Commandos filled in the gap until recently when Hattons were selling Base Toys box vans so cheaply that I took the plunge to make a pair of Leyland Terriers which could be seen buzzing around major stations in the area at that time.

The chassis and boxes were suitably shortened and new cabs from Road Transport Images fitted as the Base Toys cabs were of the earlier design. Resprayed and fitted with smaller wheels and home made transfers plus a few details like windscreen wipers and mirrors I think they certainly look the part. I just made up Sheffield based registration plates for the vehicles but I know for certain someone will tell me they belong to a Mk2 Ford Escort and Morris Marina so I will happily change them if anyone can provide the correct plates.

 

2 - Copy.JPG3 - Copy.JPG

 

And here they are outside Dearnefield station:-

 

4 - Copy.JPG5 - Copy.JPG

 

Geoff

Very well done, that man! And good to see tax discs and operators licence discs in the windscreens, easy to do and adds realism, but left off by the vast majority of modellers!

[RANGERS]

The 240 refers to the capacity in cubic feet, this referred to the short wheelbase, low roof version. There were also 260 (short wheelbase, high roof), 340 (long wheelbase, low roof) and 380 I think it was (long wheelbase, high roof).

 

A 240bhp variant would be pretty nippy!

 

 

Thanks BernardTPM thats a lovely clear photo of an EA in Royal Mail livery of that time, usually only seen in the distance or peeping out from other vehicles. I dont think I could successfully scratch build one and I dont think any kits exist so PLEEEEEASE Oxford Diecast?

 

Regards,

Geoff

 

Welcome news from Frank Waller that the two low roof variants have just been added to the Road Transport Images range.