Thank you for the reminder Mick, I believe the concert is now to be shown on BBC4 (not sure of date but might be next week) and will be on iPlayer/BBC Sounds. I will update ASAP.

Tim

Quote from: eddief83 on July 13, 2026, 02:38:56 PMAs someone who models the 1980's its much easier as support coaches didn't have much if any modifications then 

You raise an interesting point. When did the practice of a dedicated, customised support coach actually start, rather than simply attaching a reasonably standard BSK or BCK behind the locomotive?

In the early preservation era and railtour days, my impression is that the support vehicle was often little more than a convenient brake coach for the crew and equipment. The heavily modified support coaches we see today seem to have evolved gradually as main line operations became more professionalised, locomotives spent longer periods away from base, and support crews started carrying significantly more tools, spares and onboard facilities.

In theory I'm modelling the autumn of 1988, so a fairly standard BR Mk1 would probably be the correct answer. However, occasional bouts of time travel permit the appearance of a visiting locomotive, which is how I've ended up down the support coach rabbit hole!

very sad news.

Sam Neill died suddenly. Sorry about pic sideways.

Just a reminder the BBC Prog Rock prom is Saturday 18th July

Must admit laughed at that

Who remembers 66 and what happened then ?
Rattin sent off, Sir Geoff Hurst only goal. Ramsey branded the Argentinians as 'Animals'


1986 the infamous hand of Maradona and Lineker late gial

1998 lost on penalties Beckham sent off. Owen famous goal

2002 redemption

As someone who models the 1980's its much easier as support coaches didn't have much if any modifications then 

I do have a maroon, a crimson & cream plus a chocolate & cream Mk1 brake (can't remember which are BSK or BCK) for use with steam tours - I have the full SLOA pullman set and want an intercity charter set similar to Mallard pulled in 1988 for the anniversary run.

The main one I want to do and it will be a full repaint is Gresley's support coach which was painted in 2 tone blue as per the Coronation coaches

Mainly it's about picking one that nobody changed the windows on. Periscopes (and fingers) come off with a sharp blade. Underframe equipment is available as castings or etches from various sources, notably the 2mmSA or can be bodged up from bits of plasticard and the like given you are doing one coach not 15.

Quote from: KiwiAlan on July 11, 2026, 07:25:58 AMI'm also trying to work out the best starting point in N gauge. For 99953 and 35457, I'm currently looking at the Graham Farish range and wondering whether the 374-187E Mk1 BSK would be a better base model than the 374-199 Mk1 BCK. My instinct is that the BSK is the more appropriate starting point given the prototype vehicles, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has researched or built either coach.

I've got a maroon BSK which is destined to become NRM's earlier support coach, 99950.

I'd always base the model on the same coach as the prototype - a BSK in the case of either of the NRM coaches (99950 or 99953). The passenger section windows on the BCK are different and the guards half has differently spaced doors and windows.

If you has a BCK you want to use then use the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's BCK 21268 as inspiration.

For a modelling project, M35469 has one pair of luggage doors replaced with grills to allow air flow around the generator. Alternatively, for something a bit more involved try 80217 - a BSK that was converted by BR into a courier van by replacing one set of windows on each side with a roller shutter and plating over two other windows.