Hornby mk2 coach sets

[Azzawba92]

Hi all, my first post on the site after finally signing up. I'm in need of some help with my mk2 coach rakes, basically i'd like to know what else to add to make the train complete.

My layout is based around the Midlands (mainly Birmingham) from 1995 to 2005. 

 

To business anyway coach sets are as follows.

 

Virgin 

R4088b open first, R4086c standard second, R4087c brake open standard & virgin trains DVT R4147b

 

R4087 open first, R4086 standard second, R4088 brake open standard 

 

Intercity MK2E

R4617 open first, R4616 open standard, R4618 brake open standard.

 

Also straying away slightly from the topic but i'd also like to know what classes would of been pulling said trains, i currently posses 1 Hornby virgin class 47, 2 Hornby virgin class 90s & An intercity swallow liveried 90. (Though i'm about to buy a intercity swallow liveried 47 "fire fly" from Bachmann) 

 

Thanks for any help

[muddy water]

Cross country trains were haul by class 86 and class 47. They did exchange coaches to take them off wire.The train was made up of

One Brake second open

Five second opens

One first open.

 

The first open could be replaced by a first with catering facilities. (one or two seating bay replaced by a counter with the windows plated over.

 

The dvt could be used in main line trains with the class 90.

 

Dvt

Two or three first open

Mk3 restaurant first modular (RFM)

six second class opens

Class 90

 

This would run as a semi fixed set. Working in push pull mode, so the loco does not need to run round at the terminus station. (it did happen when there was a fault with the dvt)

 

In this formation the dvt can be replaced with the brake second open.

 

The virgin and intercity liveried coaches can be mixed, as they were not repainted in one go.

 

Search for photos of Birmingham New street for good photo examples.

[muddy water]

Also look on rmweb for virgin mk2 buffets. Mr Hall has some great photos of an easy conversion.

[Azzawba92]

Ah sweet, same goes for Intercity but without a dvt? Apologies if i'm asking obvious questions but have only just started getting into passenger trains lol, been a freight lover abit too long haha.

 

I've already got an mk3 buffet for my virgin 125, seem cheap enough on ebay after digging about abit

[muddy water]

No worries! Now I know who to ask about freight!

[Nile_Griffith]

Be warned!!! Once you buy that Bachmann Class 47, you might find it a bit hard to go back to your Hornby 47's and 90's.

 

Have fun.

[muddy water]

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/44060-virgin-cross-country-mk2-formations/

 

This will give you some more information on the cross country trains.

 

The HST mk3 buffet is a bit different from the loco hauled one. The RFM has four seating bays and buffers.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hurstmodels.com%2F4%2FMK%25203%2520RFM.JPG&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hurstmodels.com%2F4%2F4mm_mk3.htm&docid=LG6ftnAAlkpUkM&tbnid=DalV1wGukeLJMM%3A&w=567&h=128&ved=0ahUKEwiqv8ffhv3LAhVCthQKHWOqDuIQMwgmKAkwCQ&iact=mrc&uact=8

[Azzawba92]

I know, the Hornby's 47s & 90s i own Haven't a scratch on my Bachmann 37s & 66s haha. Any idea who makes better 47s? Been browsing a few virgin Heljan models which look nice. I also saw somewhere that there a new 90s coming out soon, can't remember who though, I think it was Bachmann.

 

Looking forward to the new Hornby virgin mk2s with lights

[Nile_Griffith]

I know, the Hornby's 47s & 90s i own Haven't a scratch on my Bachmann 37s & 66s haha. Any idea who makes better 47s? Been browsing a few virgin Heljan models which look nice. I also saw somewhere that there a new 90s coming out soon, can't remember who though, I think it was Bachmann.

 

Looking forward to the new Hornby virgin mk2s with lights

 

 

I have a dozen Heljan 47's which I have been very happy with (in fact they are what drew me into the hobby after buying a Hornby RES 47 pack). However some people feel that the Heljan 47 is a bit on the plump side and nicknamed it the "Tubby Duff" However to my eye and ear both the Heljan and Bachmann models are great. As for the Class 90 thats a planned Bachmann release. However don't hold your breath, we've been waiting for some time for its arrival and frankly I think we will be waiting a good deal longer for its release.

[Azzawba92]

I have a dozen Heljan 47's which I have been very happy with (in fact they are what drew me into the hobby after buying a Hornby RES 47 pack). However some people feel that the Heljan 47 is a bit on the plump side and nicknamed it the "Tubby Duff" However to my eye and ear both the Heljan and Bachmann models are great. As for the Class 90 thats a planned Bachmann release. However don't hold your breath, we've been waiting for some time for its arrival and frankly I think we will be waiting a good deal longer for its release.

Ah shame that, i've got 4 Hornby 90s but would love to see how Bachmann would do. 

[JDW]

You probably have half a chance of making a decent model out of the Hornby 90, its not a terrible starting point (it looks like one!) and with a bit of work can be made in to a decent model.  PH Designs (Pete is a member of this forum) do a detailing kit with (IIRC) etched replacement valences and lights/horn grilles.  Other kits may of course be available, thats just what happened to come to mind.  As for the 47s, the Hornby one is not much of a model, the newer Hornby-ex-Lima one is better though dated, but neither of them are as good as some of the more modern models, there are plenty of threads on here debating which is best though so I won't get in to that here, my point being that its worth keeping the 90s, at least for now, but the 47s might as well be replaced with something better.  Even second hand Lima ones would be an improvement in my book, but its up to you.  

 

The advice about the rakes of coaches sounds about right.  

[Azzawba92]

Hi all, i'm in need of the sites endless knowledge once again lol

 

First off is my virgin 125 train, I currently have the maiden voyager set with a buffet coach separate. To my knowledge there's 8 cars in the formation, i'd like to know what i'm missing please.

 

Secondly i'm looking to invest in some Bachmann RES MK1s, but i have no idea of what the train would consist of, i'm mainly seeing super GB full break coaches. Are they varied or would 5/6 of these be ok?

 

Thanks in advance, look forward to having a clearer picture

 

Ps. To give an update from the top of the thread, completed both virgin & intercity mk2 rakes. The class 47 "Firefly" from Bachmann is superb, looking at buying the RES version next to go with aforementioned RES coaches aha.

[muddy water]

Hi glad you are progressing with your rolling stock. Do not forget to build a layout to run them on!

 

HSTs come in two types

 

2+8 car West coast main line

 

power car, TGS, TSO TSO TSO TSO TRFB TF TF power car

 

or 2+7 car cross country

 

power car TGS TSO TSO TSO TSO TRSB TF power car

 

 

Also see

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/31572-west-coast-hst-formation-info-required/

 

So you need one TGS, four TSO and one or two TF

 

The restaurant cars were swapped around, so that will not matter as much.

[muddy water]

RES is Rail Express Systems. It took over the mail trains.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3849%2F14881432886_667fb161a5_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fflickrhivemind.net%2FTags%2Fmail%2Cres%2FInteresting&docid=oZc3FpESnlGYwM&tbnid=dv5Yrhw971rcNM%3A&w=240&h=171&client=firefox-b&bih=505&biw=1047&ved=0ahUKEwiro5OF2PDMAhVIbhQKHQhDA7sQMwgnKAowCg&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

The above photo shows: 

 

class 47 RES

BG parcel red

GUV blue

BG blue/grey

super BG  RES

super GUV RES

super GUV RES

super BG RES

 

This was the first photo I pulled off the a web search of 'image res train'

 

So any parcels bogie vans in most liveries can be run with mainly RES locos.

 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lightstraw.co.uk%2Fgpo%2Ftpo%2Fres1.html&psig=AFQjCNGHpC3CxvUoMaWRfVfV4uirGIPDIg&ust=1464109766038205

 

Also do not forget the class 67, which was bought to run high speed 125mph mail trains! Shame most of it now goes by road or planes!

 

Just find a photo and recreate it miniature!

 

 

http://www.lightstraw.co.uk/gpo/tpo/res1.html

 

This site explains abit more and also gives helpful TOPS codes for passenger and parcel stock

[Azzawba92]

Hi glad you are progressing with your rolling stock. Do not forget to build a layout to run them on!

 

HSTs come in two types

 

2+8 car West coast main line

 

power car, TGS, TSO TSO TSO TSO TRFB TF TF power car

 

or 2+7 car cross country

 

power car TGS TSO TSO TSO TSO TRSB TF power car

 

 

Also see

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/31572-west-coast-hst-formation-info-required/

 

So you need one TGS, four TSO and one or two TF

 

The restaurant cars were swapped around, so that will not matter as much.

A great, will be going for the wcml one as better suits my layout (Birmingham & local area), thanks mate. This site & it's users have helped me out of another muddle haha

[Azzawba92]

RES is Rail Express Systems. It took over the mail trains.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3849%2F14881432886_667fb161a5_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fflickrhivemind.net%2FTags%2Fmail%2Cres%2FInteresting&docid=oZc3FpESnlGYwM&tbnid=dv5Yrhw971rcNM%3A&w=240&h=171&client=firefox-b&bih=505&biw=1047&ved=0ahUKEwiro5OF2PDMAhVIbhQKHQhDA7sQMwgnKAowCg&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

The above photo shows: 

 

class 47 RES

BG parcel red

GUV blue

BG blue/grey

super BG  RES

super GUV RES

super GUV RES

super BG RES

 

This was the first photo I pulled off the a web search of 'image res train'

 

So any parcels bogie vans in most liveries can be run with mainly RES locos.

 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lightstraw.co.uk%2Fgpo%2Ftpo%2Fres1.html&psig=AFQjCNGHpC3CxvUoMaWRfVfV4uirGIPDIg&ust=1464109766038205

 

Also do not forget the class 67, which was bought to run high speed 125mph mail trains! Shame most of it now goes by road or planes!

 

Just find a photo and recreate it miniature!

 

 

http://www.lightstraw.co.uk/gpo/tpo/res1.html

 

This site explains abit more and also gives helpful TOPS codes for passenger and parcel stock

I'll be honest, i couldn't tell the difference between coaches lmao, & as mentioned above i live right next to the wcml on the stour valley line, luckily enough i remember most liveries & trains. Just the actual details i'm short on. & I already own ews 67027 but there's something about 47s that's pulling me to get another lmao. I had many trips on the railways around the late 90's & beyond, now i know alot more it makes me happy to understand what i was seeing back then.

 

As a kid sometime around the 90s around 11/12pm i'd always hear & feel a right thunderous racket going past my house, we called it the boneshaker. Turned out to be a class 37 on a steel train from wolverhampton haha, & So began my love of the railways & Big dirty diesels.

[Azzawba92]

Hi again all, just a quick question on virgin mk3s, obviously both Hornby & lima made these but is there any major differences? As i'm currently after the TGS but Hornby's one going for 50+ & the lima one is 25.  Thanks in advance:)

[tamperman36]

The Hornby ones are effectively an updated version of the old Lima model as Hornby bought the remains of Lima when the company went under. However the Hornby model is actually a better model, it features flush glazing and better bogies, also the livery application tends to be better on the Hornby vehicles.

[muddy water]

Lima Virgin coaches and locos have a 'different' red as they are painted on yellow plastic, rather than a grey under coat. So they are slightly orangey when coupled up to Hornby stock.

I have Hornby mk2s and mk3s, so I am having to repaint the Lima 87s I have to match.I have picked up a class 87 that someone had repainted and it does not look to hard to do. Fox transfers for the white lines.

[Azzawba92]

Yeah i had my suspicions about the lima version, just don't wanna fork out 50/55 for just 1 coach lol