NoelG

Really nice job Kieran. As you say 'clean up the resin body' makes a lot of difference. Some folk don't spend the time preparing the resin before construction and painting. Like the interior and little details like the tail lamps. I like Silver Fox models in kit and RTR form. They do what they say on the tin admirably, especially at a reasonable price point. John H is very accommodating. I'll need a green RPSI one soon. Looks like SSM transfers are available. RailTec are out of stock.

GSV 3185 (BSK) continues. First coat of primer to reveal any filling blemishes. Next step is to fill the blemishes, insert the side grills, cut the water feeds at each end, and Keen systems suspended LMS gangways, B5 bogie kits from Replica, Bachmann oval buffers, modify the roof, add under frame fuel tanks, door steps, spray then decals from Studio Scale models, varnish, etc. As this is a Lima donor, the roof is also connected to clear plastic sides for the windows which slide inside the body in one piece, so will cut some of that away, but it will be useful to retain as its an easy snap fit which will allow me to fit out the interior at a later date and perhaps even add some DCC lighting and tail lamps. Flirting with the idea of leaving one of the guards door open, but might leave that for the next GSV which will be 3173 (BCK) which has a totally different door and window layout.

Looks super. Nostalgia lane. Btw they weren't real BAC 1-11's, they were leased with crews from Tarom who built them in Romania under license from BAC!!! But the real BAC 1-11s were the 'spitfire' of pax jets - pilots loved them.

Hi Mark. What donor coach to you recommend for 3173 BCK (ie. Bachmann, Hornby, Lima, other)? I presume any Mk1 coach type will do. Thanks Noel

Side one: Body modified, now filler and rub down, see blemishes, refill and run down again Humbrol model filler seems to dry in a few hours and then files and sands very easily Side Two: Completed modifications to other side. Twin doors swapped with window, two single doors filed flat ready for filler. Vent window squared off. Plastic panel RHS inserted to replace double doors moved where LHS 2nd window used to be. Next step filler, file, sand and first prime to reveal any blemishes. As these Lima roofs are snap fit and pop on and off really easily will leave interior for another day, but will have to make mods to under frame and source B5 bogies. Haven't really worked much with plastic card before but enjoying trying to figure it out. This is kind of fun.

Ok going to have a go at a GSV conversion from a Lima BR Mk1 BSK Step 1 - Swap double doors with window and file away two unwanted single doors Step 2 - Fill in unwanted door windows and small window Step 3b - fill window + door window with plasticard Step 4 - Use filler to fill the two unwanted door panels and plasticard joins + File out window square for grill Reinforced joins inside body More anon over the coming days . . .

Any video clips of a sim in action using Irish loco hauled train on an Irish route (e.g. A class, GM diesels, etc)?

I've fallen off my perch with delight. Superb Kieran. This foreground pic over the roof of the stanier coach of the removal truck and bus is just classic.

From what I can see there were two variants of ex-BR Mk1 GSVs using by CIE and later Irish Rail. CIE GSV 3185 seems to be the more common BSK variant often seen with rakes of Cravens, and RPSI 3173 GSV which is the rarer BCK variant. BSK 3185 common variant with Lima Br Mk1 brake 2nd donor shown BCK 3173 variant with Bachmann Br Mk1 brake corridor BCK donor shown Has anybody converted either of these BR Mk1 variants? Any advice or suggestions welcome.

After reading Dhu Varrens excellent suggestion, I spent a bit of time today trying to find out what is different between the Murphy Model Cravens and the RPSI Cravens that may be causing the wobbly running problem on the new RPSI variants. The RPSI Craven's seem 100% physically identical to the later 2nd generation of Murphy Model Cravens (ie. CIE B&T livery single white strip) including the bogies. The earlier 1st generation MM Cravens (IR/IE 'tippex' dual white stripe livery) had different bogies and the incorrect length NEM pockets. I have test run all my MM Cravens 1st and 2nd gen and none of them wobble, but all three coaches of my RPSI set do wobble. Findings RPSI Cravens + MM 2nd Gen Cravens have the same bogies, so bogie in itself not the cause. RPSI + Murphy Model 1st + 2nd gen Cravens weigh exactly the same so weight not the cause. Wheel sets appear to be identical on all three variants RPSI Cravens seem to have more play in the bogie pivot mounts - this could be the cause. The only difference I can find between the 2nd gen MM and RPSI is the bogie pivot mounts seem to have more play. If this is the case that should be easy to remedy by either employing Dhu Varrens suggestion, or by making the bogie holes in the coach bottoms narrower using some sort of thin shim or even paint to narrow the hole. Will try this next week when I get some time. Anyway its seems like an easy fix. Top: MM 1st gen Craven (IR/IE) has different bogie to RPSI Craven - no wobble. Middle: MM 2nd Gen Craven (CIE B&T livery) has the same bogie as RPSI, bottom RPSI Craven - no wobble. Bottom: RPSI Craven - wobbles - bogie pivot has more play than 1st or 2nd gen MM Cravens MM 2nd Gen Craven (B&T) + RPSI Craven are identical including bogies Comparing bogies on IE/IR Craven, CIE B&T Craven + RPSI Craven. You can see the bottom two are identical.

Overall the RPSI Cravens are lovely coaches despite the poor running due to different bogies. I don't understand why the plug in gangway borders frames are red. Fine for the optional end plates, but not the frames. Presume that was a factory mix up. Also slightly disappointed there was no certificate nor information sheet included about the coaches in the collectors box which was of a low quality construction compared to MM or Bachmann.

Yes hadn't noticed the bogie differences until saw the IRM post this evening. Had been planning to swap MM Craven bogies with the RPSI Cravens over the weekend to see if it made any difference to the running quality. It's a shame as these coaches look fab but run like dogs.

Some photos of the RPSI 3 coach Craven set They are beautifully finished but do not run well unlike MM Cravens. Will have to investigate replacing wheel sets or more weight to get rid of the excessive wobble on all three coaches in my set.

Hi George Bogies are snap fit and all seem snug. The wheels may be slightly out of axle alignment. Will check their weight as well against some MM cravens. I'm sure it can be fixed. They do look the biz though and after the recent rail tour feel quite attached to them. Noel

Yes the front one was very wobbly but that was just an off centre axle. They are physically 100% identical to MM Cravens (same tooling). The only difference is the livery colours, so they should run the same as MM cravens. I hadn't properly matched the two 071s CV settings for working in consists which seemed to cause some jerky loco action

A quickly cut video clip of the lovely RPSI model Craven coaches after their arrival on the layout today. Couldn't wait to get them out for a play session.

Short clip of mixed stills and video of RPSI rail tour, 8 Cravens + 1 GSV hauled by a pair of 071 locos in double headed consist (073+071). Rake formation: 073 IR Livery 071 CIE ST Livery GSV 3173 Maroon 1505 H carpet + curtains + lamps 1532 G 1541 F 1514 E bar car 1522 D diner + curtains 1508 C snack bar (merchandise) 1506 B 1523 A

RPSI Munster Double rail tour yesterday with 9 coach rake

Really enjoyed RPSI rail tour today - Munster Double - two 071 locos double heading. Picked up a set of the RPSI 3 Craven Coach sets (for my birthday) RPSI Cravens on board RPSI Craven Released today on board the 'Munster Double' rail tour

Hi Kieran, yes there are two narrow windows each side and one at the end. There are only four vertical panel sections on both the Hornby and the Bachmann so a little poetic license will be needed to pass the 'duck' test. I'll move the chimney, cut open one of the doors, put the vertical stanchions in the veranda, modify the under frame, add the plough and cut off the 'orrible metal tension lock couplings Hornby used back in 1972, and which were fitted with a rivet no less rather than a screw. Once they are not yellow and the roof properly overhangs the sides I'll be happy. Noel

Change of plan. I recently found a pair of these old 1970s Hornby GW brake vans which may make better donors for modification to ex-GSWR ploughs. At least they are closer to the wheelbase length and have shorter verandas than the Bachmann GWR toads. Step 1 - Coat of primer before cutting and adding bit'n'pieces. Torn between 'Duck' standards and having a go at these. These will end up a hybrid brown/bauxite colour with CIE roundels rather than GSWR markings. Hoping to use them with my rake of IRM ballast wagons in the early 70s era so thankfully there were no glaring yellow ploughs back then in an era before hi-vis jackets had been invented. These are far from ideal but should pass the 'duck' test when finished.

Love the matt almost egg shell finish. Looks superb, and that's a great photo.

Interesting stuff. I don't know why I never got into rail sims, used to have quite a flight sim setup years ago, but gave that up too once I ceased flying. What are the current sims folks use and are there any Irish routes available? PS: Are there any youtube clips of Irish route/train sims?

Video clip of CIE C class hauling converted AEC 2600 suburban push-pull set with Craven coaches. Loco is a Silverfox models kit running on a modified Bachmann centre drive chassis (141 donor), DVT is an AEC 2600 RTR by Silverfox models, and the coaches are MM RTR Cravens. [video=youtube;Zlkko3VPVW8]

Well done Kieran. Fabulous end result, and really helpful information. B103 looking and running really well. I have had a donor 071 lined up for an SF Sulzer and an SF A class for the past year but your success has inspired me to have a go this winter with them both. Super job. B107 also looks well and love the B24 class sound project your using. Hope you get a chance to post this over on the Irish forum because it is a golden nugget of information for all the Sulzer fans. PS: I used a carborundum cutting disc attached to a mini drill to cut down my 141 chassis blocks for the SF C class models.