Mark 2b, By Accurascale and IRM!

[The Evil Bus Driver]

I've just been comparing my solitary Bachmann 2A with the Accurascale mk2B. There was already a Hubt Magnetic coupling on the Bachmann coach and the Accurascale one has the one out of the bag and there's a decent close couple there. I haven't tried it around a curve yet though. 

[SouthernMafia]

Did a boat train ECS on Redbridge Wharf today, mmmm...

 

[BR Blue]

54 minutes ago, Melton Works said:

I have watched plenty of YouTube footage and the set that seems to feature alot is a 9 coach rake, which comprises of TSO, TSO, TSO, BFK, TSOT, BFK, TSO, TSO, TSO, predominantly Mk2 A and B, with and without the TSOT, or a TSO missing. This is the set I am modelling. Bachmann 2A bodies on modified Accurascale Interior/chassis, mixed with MK2Bs, Just got to wait for the mk2c TSOT I have on preorder. 

TSO, TSO, TSO, BFK, TSOT, BFK, TSO, TSO, TSO, was indeed the most common configuration. Occasionally an FK could replace a BFK but it was generally as you mentioned. I believe there were 5 such rakes.

[TomScrut]

On 25/03/2024 at 22:01, WCML100 said:

The more I look at these, the more I think that Accurascale have got the colour correct. And feel the camera does make them appear ever so slightly lighter than to the naked eye.

 

The thing is, for whatever reason, the shade of paint they put on locos appears to be slightly darker than that if coaches so I think there should be a mismatch between loco and coach. Not sure that's the case with Bachmann ones (don't have an appropriate loco at the moment)

[dj_crisp]

1 hour ago, BR Blue said:

TSO, TSO, TSO, BFK, TSOT, BFK, TSO, TSO, TSO, was indeed the most common configuration. Occasionally an FK could replace a BFK but it was generally as you mentioned. I believe there were 5 such rakes.

 

Interesting.... were the BFKs Mk2bs? 

[SRman]

3 hours ago, Melton Works said:

I have watched plenty of YouTube footage and the set that seems to feature alot is a 9 coach rake, which comprises of TSO, TSO, TSO, BFK, TSOT, BFK, TSO, TSO, TSO, predominantly Mk2 A and B, with and without the TSOT, or a TSO missing. This is the set I am modelling. Bachmann 2A bodies on modified Accurascale Interior/chassis, mixed with MK2Bs, Just got to wait for the mk2c TSOT I have on preorder. 

 

Subsequent to my previous post, I looked at the SEMG site and there was a pic of a BFK in NSE livery. Thanks go to all the posters with the information on the types and formations too.

Currently I have a mixed set based on nowhere in particular, with Bachmann Mark 1s in NSE livery (FK, CK, BSK, TSO), a Hornby Mark 2A TSO in NSE livery (flush glazing improved this one a bit), and a couple of Bachmann Mark 2A TSOs, one in NSE livery and the other in unbranded blue/grey. I realised that adding just the one Accurascale 2B TSO was going to stand out because of the lighting, with a Mk 2C TSOT pre-ordered to come later, meaning I would have to add lights to all the others, or make sure I always turned the lights off on the two Accurascale coaches. Hence, I put in the order for four more Accurascale coaches from AJM, so I only have two Bachmann Mk 2As to add lights to, and maybe the Hornby one, although I may retire that one and sell it.

I'll have to see about getting another BFK now, preferably in NSE livery.

 

[The Evil Bus Driver]

Just as a bit of whimsy, were mk2s ever portion worked? I'm kind of used to fixed rakes and mine will be running as such however I was pondering this the other day. Since I grew up on and around the Southern Region, portion working of EMUs is commonplace there. I know LHCS is a lot more complicated to shunt around and I'm told there are certain rules around reversing over pointwork with passengers on, however it's not unheard of.

[Flood]

Plymouth had portion working until 1979 with a catering coach, first class coach and second class coach being taken off before heading into Cornwall and being added when heading East.

[apollo 079]

11 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

 

Interesting.... were the BFKs Mk2bs? 

The BFKs were mostly Mark 2As and a few mark 2Cs as there were very few 2Bs built and their numbers dwindled until just one (17107) survived by 1987, and that coach went soon after. The BFKs were often formed together, with the mark 2C TSO(T) at one end but almost always three TSOs at either end. On at least one occasion I remember the BFKs formed with the brake ends facing one another, which was not the usual way.

 

These were the Waterloo-Exeter sets from 1980 when class 50s took over from 33s.

 

Kevin

 

Edited March 29 by apollo 079
More detail

[The Evil Bus Driver]

13 hours ago, SouthernMafia said:

Did a boat train ECS on Redbridge Wharf today, mmmm...

 

Looks fantastic! What third rail did you use? It looks great!

[BR Blue]

11 hours ago, dj_crisp said:

 

Interesting.... were the BFKs Mk2bs? 

Looking at notes here I have one example was 17097 which is a 2A. There were not that many 2B BFKs so I would guess that 2As were more common. There were 48 x 2A BFKs but just 9 x 2Bs. 

 

Edit: Just seen apollo 079's post above, so no 2B BFKs.

Edited March 29 by BR Blue

[Melton Works]

42 minutes ago, BR Blue said:

Looking at notes here I have one example was 17097 which is a 2A. There were not that many 2B BFKs so I would guess that 2As were more common. There were 48 x 2A BFKs but just 9 x 2Bs. 

 

Edit: Just seen apollo 079's post above, so no 2B BFKs.

That's why for now, I have produced my own 2As in Network SouthEast livery. I also have west of England branded 2Cs on preorder. Until Accurascale release a quality MK2A, that will have to be the order of the day. Bachmann 2A body with all the Accurascale MK2b features...

[Melton Works]

15 hours ago, TomScrut said:

 

The thing is, for whatever reason, the shade of paint they put on locos appears to be slightly darker than that if coaches so I think there should be a mismatch between loco and coach. Not sure that's the case with Bachmann ones (don't have an appropriate loco at the moment)

Like I said previously, I have painted 20 WCRC coaches including the oddball kitchen/luggage cars in BR Crimson and 2 locos in BR Maroon. The Crimson is a good match to the Accurascale MK2Bs. 12 coaches were for a friend in Yeovil and the other 8 Are with Benjamin Brady and featured at Warley in 2019 on their Weaver Hill Layout. 

 

[Melton Works]

12 hours ago, SRman said:

 

Subsequent to my previous post, I looked at the SEMG site and there was a pic of a BFK in NSE livery. Thanks go to all the posters with the information on the types and formations too.

Currently I have a mixed set based on nowhere in particular, with Bachmann Mark 1s in NSE livery (FK, CK, BSK, TSO), a Hornby Mark 2A TSO in NSE livery (flush glazing improved this one a bit), and a couple of Bachmann Mark 2A TSOs, one in NSE livery and the other in unbranded blue/grey. I realised that adding just the one Accurascale 2B TSO was going to stand out because of the lighting, with a Mk 2C TSOT pre-ordered to come later, meaning I would have to add lights to all the others, or make sure I always turned the lights off on the two Accurascale coaches. Hence, I put in the order for four more Accurascale coaches from AJM, so I only have two Bachmann Mk 2As to add lights to, and maybe the Hornby one, although I may retire that one and sell it.

I'll have to see about getting another BFK now, preferably in NSE livery.

 

Accurascale have sold out on MK2Cs on preorder, but some retailers still have them, so I would act fast as they seem popular.

[WCML100]

19 hours ago, TomScrut said:

 

The thing is, for whatever reason, the shade of paint they put on locos appears to be slightly darker than that if coaches so I think there should be a mismatch between loco and coach. Not sure that's the case with Bachmann ones (don't have an appropriate loco at the moment)

Yeah agreed. 
 

These are both shot in similar lighting positions in roughly the same spot for comparison. There is still a colour difference between the Bachmann MK2a and the loco…

Accura MK2b:

 

 

 

 

Bachmann MK2a:

 

 

 

It certainly makes for interesting viewing 😂

[TomScrut]

3 minutes ago, WCML100 said:

There is still a colour difference between the Bachmann MK2a and the loco

 

Although that loco is a Heljan one.

 

Actually, I had a Bachmann 37669 and a 37706 and I think they were slightly different colours anyway!

[brushman47544]

Anyone, especially if in the EU, looking for Mk2Bs, I’ve just received an email from ModelBahn Union in Germany saying that they have them in stock. €69.99 each plus postage of course.

[Steadfast]

On 28/03/2024 at 21:38, TomScrut said:

 

The thing is, for whatever reason, the shade of paint they put on locos appears to be slightly darker than that if coaches so I think there should be a mismatch between loco and coach. Not sure that's the case with Bachmann ones (don't have an appropriate loco at the moment)

I can't remember where I read it, but my understanding is that WCRC loco maroon is the same as on the Royal Scotsman coaches, as the contract stipulated matching locos, hence why EWS had the matching 37s and GB now have the maroon 66s. It also shows what a bit of lining and a grey roof can do, as the EWS Royal Scotman 37s  looked a lot less drab than the WCRC machines.

 

Originally WCRC locos were a similar shade to their own coaches, and had a black stripe down the side, like a reverse Fragonset livery.

 

Jo

Edited March 30 by Steadfast

[SouthernMafia]

On 28/03/2024 at 21:20, SouthernMafia said:

Did a boat train ECS on Redbridge Wharf today, mmmm...

 

 

That boat train is in demand! Bachmann 2A BFK added to the rake (for now), and someone's chucked a 50 out from Bournemouth, outrageous:

 

 

Such smooth runners these Mk2Bs, credit to Accurascale they glide round our 24ft long layout with ease.

 

In need of a blue/grey BFK for a Pompey-Cardiff train, foolishly left it too late. Anyone spotted any? (Not in Germany)

 

 

Edited April 1 by SouthernMafia

[McC]

17 hours ago, SouthernMafia said:

 

That boat train is in demand! Bachmann 2A BFK added to the rake (for now), and someone's chucked a 50 out from Bournemouth, outrageous:

 

 

Such smooth runners these Mk2Bs, credit to Accurascale they glide round our 24ft long layout with ease.

 

In need of a blue/grey BFK for a Pompey-Cardiff train, foolishly left it too late. Anyone spotted any? (Not in Germany)

 

 

 

Keep watching the website, there is a final balance-up of stock in hand now all preorders are chased down and beaten with sticks, which will likely go online for sale on Thur.

[brushman47544]

On 29/03/2024 at 11:05, apollo 079 said:

The BFKs were mostly Mark 2As and a few mark 2Cs as there were very few 2Bs built and their numbers dwindled until just one (17107) survived by 1987, and that coach went soon after. The BFKs were often formed together, with the mark 2C TSO(T) at one end but almost always three TSOs at either end. On at least one occasion I remember the BFKs formed with the brake ends facing one another, which was not the usual way.

 

These were the Waterloo-Exeter sets from 1980 when class 50s took over from 33s.

 

Kevin

 

The last two Mk2b BFKs in service were 17109 and 17107, both being converted to Royal Train coaches - 2920 and 2921 respectively - in 1986/87. I don’t think the Mk2b BFKs were ever formally allocated to the Waterloo - Exeter sets; in the early 80s the WR had a few mostly Mk2b sets made up of First Class coaches only that were downgraded to Second Class and used on Paddington - West of England trains such as the Class 50 hauled 10.27 Paddington to Penzance and 10.50 Penzance to Paddington and related workings.

[Flood]

I certainly caught 17107 and 17109 in Waterloo - Exeter trains in the mid 1980s. Both were allocated to Laira in the 1985 Pocket Book and the following rake was seen at Exeter on 23 June 1985:

50028; 6512, 5457, 5474, 6503, 17107, 17080, 5486, 5468, 5481

 

@brushman47544 is correct strictly speaking. Coaches were in a general regional pool until around 1987/88 so neither 17107 or 17109 would have been officially allocated to Waterloo - Exeter duties. That said I remember them being used with the Mk2A BFKs on that line on a regular basis.

Edited April 2 by Flood

[SRman]

5 hours ago, Flood said:

I certainly caught 17107 and 17109 in Waterloo - Exeter trains in the mid 1980s. Both were allocated to Laira in the 1985 Pocket Book and the following rake was seen at Exeter on 23 June 1985:

50028; 6512, 5457, 5474, 6503, 17107, 17080, 5486, 5468, 5481

 

@brushman47544 is correct strictly speaking. Coaches were in a general regional pool until around 1987/88 so neither 17107 or 17109 would have been officially allocated to Waterloo - Exeter duties. That said I remember them being used with the Mk2A BFKs on that line on a regular basis.

 

That's good news for me as I bought the blue and grey 17107 for use in my set. 😎

Did it get to NSE branding on blue and grey, or even into NSE livery at all?

 

[Flood]

12 hours ago, SRman said:

 

That's good news for me as I bought the blue and grey 17107 for use in my set. 😎

Did it get to NSE branding on blue and grey, or even into NSE livery at all?

 

I've now checked the 1988 Platform 5 Coaching Stock book and 17107 was allocated to NWRA like all the other Laira Mk2A BFKs. It was withdrawn on 29 March 1988 so only had about 6 months officially allocated to Waterloo - Exeter services.

 

I went for a two day trip at Easter 1987 (21st and 22nd April) with my friends and, from one of whom, I made the following notes:

 

50016; 5255, 5303, 5336, 6502, 17081, 17096, 5447, 5408, 5465

50010; 5261 I, 5462, 5443, 17070, 17086, 6500, 5480, 5459, 5254

50041; 3924, 3848, 4392, 13399, 35010, 5290, 3829, 95201, 93235

50047; 5496, 5450, 5477, 17107 I, 17082, 6504 I, 5466, 5278, 5246

50050; 5345, 5471, 5453, 6503, 17074, 17058, 5468, 5454, 5435

 

All coaches in black were blue and grey, those in blue were full NSE. 5261, 17107 and 6504 were still branded Inter-City, all the other blue and grey coaches had small NSE branding.

 

6502, 5465 and 5435 kept their silver window framing, all the other NSE coaches listed had them painted blue. 5248 (no branding), 5433, 5468, 5471, 17076, 17080 and 17086 also had silver frames. Whether any of the frames were subsequently painted over I don't know.

 

The Southern Region air brake Mk1 stock behind 50041 were reallocated, or scrapped, from the start of the May timetable that year.

 

17082, 5454 and 5435 were from the original batch of repaints which had numbers to the left of the coach and NetworkSouthEast to the right. Others were 5265, 5303, 5381, 5448, 5462, 17069, 17073, 17079 and 17086. At least one Mk2A TSO was still in this style in May 1991 (see subsequent post).

Also one Mk2Z TSO (5118) was never changed but that wasn't a Waterloo - Exeter coach.

 

So to answer your question I'm sure that 17107 never received full NSE but I honestly don't know about the NSE branding (although I would have guessed so).

Edited April 3 by Flood

[BR Blue]

Many thanks for the coach numbers and formations. That will be very useful.