Anyone know what the MOQ would be to commission Dapol to do a Maunsell Push-Pull set.

The driving vehicle would be relatively straightfoward - a modifed version of their forthcoming compo brake with high windows and driving end.

The third/second open would be a new vehicle - if built it might be sensible to do versions with and without the second corridor connections so it could be sold as a  stand alone?

Alternatively, perhaps just do the open as modding the standard compo brake yourself could be fairly straightforward?

Any thoughts?

Third open is not too difficult a hack from a Farish "mainline" corridor, see

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=34080.msg396941#msg396941

If you want to try the open 3rd, feel free to download the images for the sides (right click on image select "Copy image" paste into image editing software, print onto A4 label stock)
I'm not happy with the Restaurant hack as yet, needs more work, the side images are OK but the recessed doors make things awkward, think I'll do an Ironclad one, doors are flush and they were run with Maunsell stock.

Hi Paul,

For their own models, I think the MOQ for new tooling is 3000 units.

Of course, that is on the assumption that "standard" pricing will apply.

If you're prepared to pay, say, £60 per coach instead of £30 then the MOQ could be proportionately smaller.

If you're serious I would contact Neil or Joel at Dapol with your proposal and see what they say.

Cheers

Ben A.

The other thing to remember is that the existing Maunsell coaches are all of the "low window" type. This means that the body would need retooling (at least on one side) for the converted BCKs. This would limit the scope of potential savings. The problem is that CAD work is fairly cheap but it is the steel toolings that represent the largest individual cost of new models.

The other problem is the prototype. On the face of it, push-pull trains are popular with modelers and Dapol have been producing their GWR autocoach for year which shows a healthy market. But the GWR auto-trains ran for over half a century in one form or another whilst the converted Maunsell PP sets only ran for around 5 years.

If you are serious, then by all means approach Dapol (nothing ventured and all that ) but I suspect it might be better to investigate how to bash your own from existing models/kits. At least SR green is an easy livery to paint. 

Worsely Works claim they will make any Southern coaches for you. It might be worth asking to see if they can produced just etched sides for the diagram 2005 SO and modified diagram 2403 BCK. You could then use these sides to modify Dapol coaches. Please note, I have not actually tried this and it is just an "off the top of my head" suggestion.

http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/2mm/2mm_Southern.htm

Quote from: Karhedron on May 08, 2017, 02:03:42 PM
Worsely Works claim they will make any Southern coaches for you. It might be worth asking to see if they can produced just etched sides for the diagram 2005 SO and modified diagram 2403 BCK. You could then use these sides to modify Dapol coaches. Please note, I have not actually tried this and it is just an "off the top of my head" suggestion.

http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/2mm/2mm_Southern.htm

Hi

Allen is very approachable. A few years ago he did a set of sides for the Gatwick Express Mk2s for me on 5 thou brass so I could overlay them onto the Farish coaches.

Cheers

Paul

I've orderd 2 each of the Ironclad restaurants, Maunsell open thirds and watercart tenders, plus some bogie side frames for Urie/Maunsell tenders (BHE N15 kit) if he still has the artwork he used a few years back.

3,000 - ouch.

That is indeed a lot. As you say looks like converting 'normal' Dapol coaches is the way forward. Bill Bedford (mousa) also does the etched sides.

You can modify a low window brake to a high window quite easily (see below) but I think it would be better to replace the sides on both coaches to give a common workmanship.

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=29738;preview

Quote from: PaulinSouthMidlands on May 08, 2017, 06:15:00 PM
That is indeed a lot. As you say looks like converting 'normal' Dapol coaches is the way forward. Bill Bedford (mousa) also does the etched sides.

Sorry Paul, I think you'll be out of luck with Bill Bedford. As I wrote recently on a LNER thread:

Quote from: nabber on May 02, 2017, 08:39:02 AM
Unfortunately I tried to order some sides from Bill recently, and he replied that he's no longer taking orders for N or 2mm etches.

I don't have any more information than that, and it's a shame, because he did have a wide range.
Allen at Worsley Works is very helpful though.
Regards,
Neil