gridwatcher Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Brilliant wagons - just finished modding my Network Rail Blue/Grey set, correcting the position of the the brake handwheels on the bogies and fitting magnetic couplings in place of the supplied coupling bars. These are slightly larger in diameter than the supplied bars but being fixed means you place them on the track and just push together till they latch - simples! A 10 wagon rake topped and tailed looked great and no problems with couplings parting either. Wiil post some pics if anyone is interested. Yes please...... what, where from, how, pics etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YesTor Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Pleased with my set which arrived today, all very nicely detailed. The only slight hitch being that I too have both missing and detatched lifting-eyes - something I also noticed with my earlier Network Rail yellow set. They are a lovely detail and its easy to see why they may become detatched during transit, but hopefully replacements will be available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin_R Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 (edited) Please do. Interested in the TNT also - any hiccups with regard to that ? Yes please...... what, where from, how, pics etc etc Here is some info on the magnetic couplings - hope it helps. With regard to topping and tailing It was done on a friends large layout with very generous curves but I suspect that I will come to grief on tighter curves. A 5 wagon rake through pointwork was no problem with Class 66's at both ends but when I get another chance will try a full 10 wagon rake on some more complex track. Right - on to the couplings. The couplings are made from lengths of 3mm brass tube 7.5mm long with the end flared out and then drilled/reamed to accept a 3mm magnet. I had planned to use 2mm magnets but felt that there was more risk of the wagons parting under load. The magnets are glued in and the other end crimped slightly to fit in the coupling slot in the wagon. A small hole was drilled in the wagon and in the brass tube at the crimped end. Ensure that there is adequate clearance in the hole in the brass tube to allow side to side and some up and down movement when fitted. When everything is assembled and tested OK give the couplings a clean up and a coat of paint, I used Humbrol RC416. This method of coupling is now my preferred method for fixed wagon and coach rakes – one word of warning wagons are now ‘handed’ and will only couple one way round due to the magnets so make sure you assemble both the couplings and wagons correctly for your needs. Small hole drilled in wagon Brass tube and magnet Flare tube and drill/ream to 3mm Magnet fitted Crimp end and drill clearance hole Fixing screw Test fitting to wagon Check alignment and movement is OK Clean and paint Magnets used Screws used Edited June 1, 2013 by Martin_R 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 My set arrived today. I have assembled it on the layout using the Dapol couplings for the time being but may change it to something better in the near future. It hasn't actually run yet!! I am still admiring the detail and thinking about a little weathering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rembrow Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Followed Martin_R's method of producing magnetised couplings. A great idea. I used 2.3mm outside diameter brass tube and extended the crimped ends further than the securing hole so that the tab created could slot between the metal bars in the Dapol system, which assisted in taking up and down pressure off the locating hole. I also used 2mm diameter magnets, type F412 from Magnet Expert Ltd, these are the non higher temperature tolerant 2mmx2mm magnets that can hold more force. I carried out drawbar tests and they can hold together a 5 unit set on pointwork and on steep inclines. The benefit of them is that the 2.3 mm tube can be drilled out to take the magnet without having to flare it. Thanks for the idea and the prototype photos. The other good news with the blue/grey set is that Dapol have produced them correctly with the part ribbed part flat sided doors of the earlier build, compared to the fully flat sided for the later build yellow livery. Unfortunately had the same problem that I PM'd Dapol Dave about re the earlier set, with the bins not being seated on the chassis, due to the plastic mouldings attached to the bottom of the bins being too tight to go over the chassis side detail. Most of them needed the be shaved narrower in order to locate down properly. I prefer mine to have the bins fixed in travelling/yard mode and don't intend to use them tipped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Network Rail B&G ones in stock at Hattons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Wonder where the Railtrack B&G ones have got too..............? All the usual on-line sources (inc Dapol) have little or no info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_B Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Aren't they in the next batch? Ian_B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted January 27, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) Wonder where the Railtrack B&G ones have got too..............? All the usual on-line sources (inc Dapol) have little or no info. Aren't they in the next batch? Ian_B Just noticed this on the Dapol website regarding Railtrack liveried MRA's... Dated 6/12/13! http://Dapol.co.uk/index.php?route=information/news&news_id=64#.UuaYJMxFC70 NQP - not quite perfect Cheers, Mick Edited January 27, 2014 by newbryford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tase Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 The Railtrack ones have been around and advertised on at least two different and well known railway modelling websites since way before Christmas. I myself bought a couple of sets at £90 each! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRAILRAGE Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Just purchased the Railtrack set from Rails for £84.50 . Always said I wouldn't bother getting any but at that price the missus got them for me birthday bless her! Couple of lifting eye detached and a small part from the underframe from the power wagon but 2 mins with some Mechpak and all's good . Very impressive models 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonkeyVong Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 When were the Railtrack wagons re-branded to Network Rail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium James Makin Posted September 23, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 23, 2014 Hi guys Very quick question, apologies if covered elsewhere... The MRA's in Railtrack colours are going cheap at places like Hattons and Kernow - http://www.ehattons.com/70125/Dapol_B859RTBG2_MRA_side_tipping_ballast_train_5_car_unit_generator_vehicle_Railtrack_blue_grey/StockDetail.aspx http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/product/42006/B859_Dapol_MRA_side_tipping_ballast_wagon_5_car_set_Railtrack Can you remind me what the 'error' was please - just incorrect numbers, or is there more to it? I'm happy to have a go at a good bodge correction, but just wondered what needs doing? Many thanks! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) It's the box labelling...........................so b*gger all for a great price reduction............ Edited September 23, 2014 by Southernman46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungrange Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 The link to the Dapol website that Newbryford posted #209 states "Due to a the incorrect deco spec being approved early in the year, the recently delivered Railtrack Blue/Grey MRA's have some innacuracies (can you spot them!)" Since I don't know what the issue is (and ignorance is bliss), I decided to buy a set a few months back. I still don't know what the issue is, but I haven't seen many of the prototypes up close enough to be truly knowlegable on the various liveries. I don't even know when they were overstickered with Network Rail logos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rus578 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) From pictures i have scene they only thing i see it's " renewing your railway " should be " renewing your railway " the your is in the wrong place ! Edited September 23, 2014 by rus578 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted March 2, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 2, 2015 Bit of a bump for this topic Has anyone tried a different coupling method other than the magnet method above, got my set out for the first time today and quite frankly they are the worst running wagons ive tried on the layout, as my track rises and falls (planned, not dodgy trackwork!) and has tight curves etc the coupling bars are proving troublesome On the tight curves they appear to cause the wagon body to raise at the rear end which in turn raises the outer end of the bogie lifting the wheel off the track Could shanked kaydees/knuckle couplers be fitted into the coupling hole (such as the type fitted to Bachmann megaboxes etc) or can you buy some sort of hinged/swivelling nem socket to fit to the wagon underframe and use that to mount kaydees? They are a cracking set of wagons and it would be a shame for them to be 'looking at wagons' if i cant get them to run smoothly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 20, 2015 as an update to the above question i've been looking for a solution to replacing the couplings between the wagons and have bougth some bits today to see if i can do anything basically i called into alton model centre earlier who have some parkside dundas kits and bits on the shelf, and i noticed they do a coupling plate for use with Bachmann cranked NEM coupling unit, the type with an nem pocket with a fantail end, they didnt have any of the Bachmann cranked couplings in stock however they did have the equivlant 'dmu' couplings, which look like what i'd call 'continental loop couplings' my plan is to simply glue the parkside unit to the wagon below solbar level, set back to keep the gap as close as i can but still allowing me the 'play' i need to allow the wagons to negociate the curves, i cant see a problem as the nem pockets move left and right in the holder watch this space (when i finally get home) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted May 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 20, 2015 as an update to the above question i've been looking for a solution to replacing the couplings between the wagons and have bougth some bits today to see if i can do anything basically i called into alton model centre earlier who have some parkside dundas kits and bits on the shelf, and i noticed they do a coupling plate for use with Bachmann cranked NEM coupling unit, the type with an nem pocket with a fantail end, they didnt have any of the Bachmann cranked couplings in stock however they did have the equivlant 'dmu' couplings, which look like what i'd call 'continental loop couplings' my plan is to simply glue the parkside unit to the wagon below solbar level, set back to keep the gap as close as i can but still allowing me the 'play' i need to allow the wagons to negociate the curves, i cant see a problem as the nem pockets move left and right in the holder watch this space (when i finally get home) Hi Jim, I've been trying to use the Gutzhold spring pivoting pockets with the Kadee couplers as well. They are fine between the separate rakes of wagons but look out of place between the wagons of a set. So - I thought about rigid coupler bars between individual wagons. Most of the ones available are too long and give an increased gap that looks wrong between the wagons. I've just started to try and make something a bit shorter. Take the standard Hornby or Bachmann coupling that fits the NEM pocket. Cut the bar part of the coupling off - leaving a shank with a wider plate at the end. Drill holes in both of these at the same distance from the front of the shortened coupling. (Hole sizes are up to you!) Cut 2 bits of 20thou plasticard 3mm wide by 20mm long. Drill holes in both ends of these. (same size as holes in the coupling) Assemble with one piece plasticard above couplings and one below. Make short T pegs to go through the hoes and couple the wagons. You may need to adjust the length of the plasticard pieces. Once happy - It's up to you to either make these into solid bars or leave with the extra ability to pivot. I'm still playing at this point. They seem to work but only going forwards. Needs sorting out to enable them to work in reverse. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2015 This is what ive got planned for the wagons Parkside NEM pocket holders Once removed from the moulding frame you can see how you can secure them to the underside of the wagon, i may well, depending on how low the coupling sits cut away the raised ridges on either side so the holder is completly flush on the wagon I picked up a pack of Bachmann shanked DMU couplings so if i do cut the ridges off the actual coupling will not be foul of the wagon body Lets see what happens when i get to actually try them on the wagons!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted May 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2015 i couldnt get the couplings to attach to the wagons as they need to be a fair way back so would have been between the outer set of wheels which would prevent the bogies turning and distance so to keep it simple i have had a go at fitting the coupling holder to a piece of plasticard on the bogie, i attached it using plastic weld, seems strong enough, ive not run the rake yet as i wanted to be sure the bond had set the view from above comparing the original couplings with my modified one, i've reduced the gap slightly since the pic so it matches the original as i say i'll see how it runs tomorrow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Ive done the same as you Jim,in the above picture!! Not had any derailments since... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungrange Posted December 28, 2016 Share Posted December 28, 2016 Followed Martin_R's method of producing magnetised couplings. A great idea. I used 2.3mm outside diameter brass tube and extended the crimped ends further than the securing hole so that the tab created could slot between the metal bars in the Dapol system, which assisted in taking up and down pressure off the locating hole. I also used 2mm diameter magnets, type F412 from Magnet Expert Ltd, these are the non higher temperature tolerant 2mmx2mm magnets that can hold more force. I carried out drawbar tests and they can hold together a 5 unit set on pointwork and on steep inclines. The benefit of them is that the 2.3 mm tube can be drilled out to take the magnet without having to flare it. Thanks for the idea and the prototype photos. Having run my first set of these on the club layout, the bar coupling between the inner wagons seems to be a weakness in the design. The set stayed in the track fine and I had no problems with derailments, but the set uncoupled several times in the fiddle yard and therefore I'm tempted to try something like this. When doing your drawbar test, did you undertake any tests with a trailing load? I'm interested to know how they'd preform with a second set of MRA wagons (ie a 10 unit set) or alternatively with several other infrastructure wagons such as the JJA and JNA wagons towards the end of the rake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomScrut Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Given these seem to be fetching £200 ish on eBay at times does anyone think Dapol will do another run? I fancy some yellow ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearwood West Yard Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 4 hours ago, TomScrut said: Given these seem to be fetching £200 ish on eBay at times does anyone think Dapol will do another run? I fancy some yellow ones. I read somewhere, think it was on Dapol's Digest forum that it wouldn't be economical to produce given rising costs. I remember it was quoted that models would fetch around the £225 mark a set. Though, for a set of five highly detailed wagons that works out to be around £45 a wagon. Expensive but seeming to become the norm. They do pop up from time to time on ebay and I saw the listing you're referring to.. so rare now that they go for silly money. Originally wanted the NR ex-railtrack grey/blue ones but getting into the hobby late, its get what you can get. Got a yellow set second hand off a facebook group and by chance stumbled across a Railtrack set in the most unlikely of places in town, an instant buy. I cycled to college that week instead of getting the bus after looking at my bank account 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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