Hornby definitely made models of the early Mk2 coaches, but it was some time ago. Having had a quick look on a well-known online auction site, it would appear that Bachmann also made some, although I don't know if they're still in production. The latter will likely be more detailed.
Had lost track of the original thread where you asked the question...
BSOs were used as well.
Apologies, original thread here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ype-of-mk-1-2-rolling-stock-these-are.244768/
railsofsheffield.com
www.accurascale.com
I remember they did a Limited Run twin set of RR Mk2A TSO + BSK for Model Rail, but yes - i can only find the BSO itself in Blue/Grey.
AS keep bringing out new liveries, just wait and they'll be announced once the first batch arrive due shortly.
Though Accurascale are no use for Mk.2As.
Indeed. I'll probably be taking on a Mk.2c TSO when they come out, seeing as Bachmann seem to be in no hurry to release additional Regional Railways liveried Mk.2a vehicles: I'm assuming an Accurascale vehicle won't look incongruous at one end of an otherwise Bachmann rake, as the Bachmanns are still fantastic models IMO.
I'm a little surprised that Accurascale haven't (thus far) announced this livery among their mk2 range, as I think there'd be reasonable demand for it. Maybe one for the future...
Definitely a 305. The 304s were all blue/grey until they went except for three or four that got the full Regional Railways treatment.
In terms of EMUs, as well as the 305s you mention there were certainly a couple of the 309s transferred to Manchester that received a variant of that approach, before they were repainted into RR North West 'Green stripe' livery, see photo here (not mine), for example:
www.flickr.com
I can help with this bit!
I certainly remember hearing staff refer to the FNW loco-hauled service between Chester/Greenbank and Blackpool/St. Annes as the "club train"... though as it used air-conditioned mk2s in FGW "Cigarette Packet" livery it was quite an upgrade compared to the usual 142!
The AS products really are very good and very accurate. My advice would be to research what you would like then get on the Accuracale web page and pay a reservation for them. Athough they offer all sorts of payment options. Beware though because their stuff tends to sell out really quickly. The class 31s they offered last year are pretty much all sold out prior to production. Get your orders in, then if you don't want to keep them they will be salable on various selling sites.
Ahhh, I didn't know that - thank for the background!
100%, I have preordered their 31 in RR colours, it looks amazing. If they turn their hand to Mk2a coaches you'd better believe I'll placing orders, they are really pushing the quality bar high. Other manufacturers need to try and match prices because AS offer unbeatable value for money compared to the likes of Hornby atm.
Do you really need to have Mk2As or could you "get away" with some A/S Mk2Bs ?
On this, is that a BFK or a BSO it's trailing there? My coach recognition is dreadful, apologies...
Ideally I'd like to be accurate but I'll see how I go, because those AS coaches do look amazing...
Looks to be a BFK. Beyond the yellow first class stripe visible on that photo I find it difficult to tell the two apart, as the Mark 2 and Mark 2A BSOs used the same window spacing as the BFKs.
The Manchester area loco-hauled turns of the early 1990s predominantly used mark 2As. To the best of my knowledge it would be unusual to see more than one mark 2B or C vehicle in a rake, as there weren't many allocated to that fleet.
Lovely, thank you for the info and apologies to you all for the ceaseless questions!
I had a bit of a kid in a sweet shop moment. I've now got 7 mk2 coaches (3x 2b and 4x 2C) on preordet along with a 31, a 50, a 37 and Deltic. My credit card is hurriedly being replenished
Magic, thank you - the discovery journey continues! I always thought I'd be happy with something similar but as soon as I set to it, I figured I should get it right if things cost this much... Cheap it is not these days as a hobby; I bought a Class 4MT for £65 new about 20 years ago - oh how things change!
