I recently bought a Chinese manufactured Graham Farish GWR railcar because it was a good price.  It had a split drive gear, which was easily replaced but I estimate knocked £10-20 off the price.  I wanted one because the printing on the Chinese models is better and I have an older GWR rail car with slightly worn body printing.

Here it is:





The question is what to do with my old GWR rail car?  There is nothing wrong with the chassis but the body is a little past its best, with a lot of the lining worn away.  Pictures below.







My first thought was to sell it as it is.  The second thought was to convert it to the GWR parcels railcar either using vinyls or a replacement, 3D printed, body.  My preference is for vinyls for a quick and inexpensive conversion but I thought I'd see what other members thought.

I personally suggest some form of conversion as that way you end up with two models rather than one 

Parcels railcar is also something a bit different from the norm.

As for the method, I will leave that up to you to base on budget, time etc

Skyline2uk

If I remember correctly, Electra Railway Graphics do vinyl sides for these including the parcels one, just looking it up...

Yep, go to  -
http://www.electrarailwaygraphics.co.uk/

then look for the link on the left for Heritage Range and there is is.

Best wishes
Simon

I would definitely go for the conversion if I were you.

Another vote here for the parcels conversion

And me for the conversion.

You could do both,,,,
Relivery and then sell it

I've always been fond of those railcars, and as others have pointed out, the parcels version would be pretty cool.

If I went to the trouble of the conversion, I certainly wouldn't want to sell it! 

The parcels conversion from Electra looks excellent and has my vote as well

The B H Enterprises Parcel version should be ready for the N G S , A G M at Corsham on the 16 July .if it's not arrived by then it will be at TINGS.
IM not sure if Electas vinyls fit the  3D printed body or not but if it does it then means you just have to paint the front of the car as it's very dificult to get the vinyls to fit the slopes at the front.I tried to fit them on an ordinary Farish Railcar and  I Admit I'm not a very good  modeller  but I found it dificult , so ended up painting  the whole front and just used the vinyl for the sides.
Another way to convert the Railcar to a parcels car if you can work in brass is to use the B H E etched brass sides ,if Ray has still got them.I will ask him to dig them out .
Bob

That sounds like an acceptable solution, Bob.... any pics?

George

Bealman,  I haven't taken any pictures yet but Steve Spotter has one on his Midsummer End layout .I will try and take some over the weekend we do have a hand painted first print this is the razor edge version I will make sure Ray takes it to the Conway show at the weekend .
Even though I've retired it was a busy week last week and I actually forgot to take any photos while we were at the Great Central Event.
Bob

BR Lines sell spare bodies, so you could refurb your old one to look as new again:

Part no: GF8174B, £5.65

http://brlines.co.uk/original-farish-spares/

Cheers,
Alan