David41283 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Hi everyone, In a job lot of coaches I've acquired an RU - running as M1908. I couldn't find this number in any of my 1980's coaching stock pocket books, so I've been doing a bit of further reading. I would be grateful if someone with greater knowledge than me could confirm my understanding. 1. a lot of Mk 1 catering coaches were refurbished into RBR coaches - these were from two sources; former RB and former RU. 2. An RU converted into an RBR would have had a buffet counter added - as I understand it an RU would have had a kitchen and unclassified seating for dining - but no counter. 3. Can anyone point me in the direction of a photo of an RBR, which was a former RU (ideally one in the 19xx number series)? Thanks David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium keefer Posted March 10, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 10, 2016 You're pretty much right enough - I think the only major difference between the RU and RBR( ex-RU) is the filling in of the door and 2 windows behind where the buffet is (on the kitchen side) Kitchen side of 1956: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p189779447/h14bb63e7#h14bb63e7 Corridor side of M1984: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p189779447/hdb73e53#hdb73e53 You can tell an ex-RU by the door between the two small kitchen Windows, or on the corridor side there is one less door (about the middle of the coach) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flood Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 I'm not sure whether you want interior (difficult) or exterior photos but here goes: 19xx RBR at Exeter in 1989 Photo from Chaddy Goods on Flickr RBR W1946 at Doncaster RBR 1966 at Reading in 1988 Photo from Pats Trains UK on Flickr Note that there has been no change to the sides on the corridor side but on the kitchen side there are two windows and a door which have been removed (the buffet is behind this blank space). The window spacings and one less door are the difference between a 16xx and 19xx RBR on the corridor side. On the kitchen side the easiest way to tell between the two is the door between the two sink windows on the 19xx. There is an interior photo of an early RU buffet conversion, an RB(S), in Mk1 Coaches by Parkin. This is what the longitudinal buffet conversions from the RU coaches were classified before they were refurbished. The only other photos I have are those of my conversion: The change to the corridor side to make a roof water tank version (one 3ft window becomes a 4ft window) The filling of the windows on the kitchen side The revised interior The interior placed in the coach The change in the roof vent position when the buffet was added (some coaches had the extra rain strips, some didn't) and two photos of the completed coach Hope these are of use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David41283 Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 Great, thanks Mr Flood. The generosity of spirit shown by rmwebbers, who take the time to post pictures to help others out never fails to impress me. I am working in N gauge, but I reckon blocking up a couple of windows and adding a small counter could still be viable. Cheer again. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David41283 Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 You're pretty much right enough - I think the only major difference between the RU and RBR( ex-RU) is the filling in of the door and 2 windows behind where the buffet is (on the kitchen side) Kitchen side of 1956: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p189779447/h14bb63e7#h14bb63e7 Corridor side of M1984: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p189779447/hdb73e53#hdb73e53 You can tell an ex-RU by the door between the two small kitchen Windows, or on the corridor side there is one less door (about the middle of the coach) Thanks - I'd trawled Flickr, but hadn't found zenfolio - great links. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium keefer Posted March 10, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 10, 2016 No problem David, that site is one of my faves and covers locos and units too. I know there are loads of great Flickr sites but my computer/broadband aren't the fastest and Flickr just seems so slow to load since they've 'improved' it. Incidentally, there's another difference I remembered (also shown on Flood's models). RUs had 'Restaurant' on the sides but RBs and RBRs had 'Buffet Restaurant' (or possibly 'Restaurant Buffet'). Best to check photos as I think the positioning of these could vary. Don't envy you working in N gauge, but good luck anyway! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.