Gresley coaches, Minitrix v Dapol

Wingman mothergoose · July 13, 2014, 10:01:34 AM

Which Gresley coaches do you consider to be the best? Those by Dapol or the old Minitrix coaches?

Discuss...

Chris

Roy L S · July 13, 2014, 10:10:43 AM

I have a number of maroon Minitrix Gresleys and they are very fine coaches indeed, especially considering they go back to about 1987.

The Dapol model is equally fine with added enhancements of lots of extra detail, close coupling and NEM pockets but bogie centres too close (less on later models) to accommodate the close coupling mechanism.

As to which is "Best" it is my understanding that they actually represent different Diagrams of coach so I'm not sure you can really compare side by side.

Regards

Roy

Wingman mothergoose · July 13, 2014, 10:25:09 AM

:NGaugersRule:Very true, but to the 'layman' it's probably not going to matter which diagram they represent, and he or she would be more interested in getting a bargain or a coach/coaches that offer smooth running, are well painted and detailed.

I currently have 5 Dapol Gresley coaches in teak and blood & custard, very fine models and very smooth and quiet, but they don't like being coupled to older Farish MK1's!
I'll shortly be buying a load of Minitrix Gresleys, in a mix of blood & custard and maroon, looking forward to having mixed rakes of coaches

Chris

Roy L S · July 13, 2014, 10:34:53 AM

Quote from: Wingman mothergoose on July 13, 2014, 10:25:09 AM
Very true, but to the 'layman' it's probably not going to matter which diagram they represent, and he or she would be more interested in getting a bargain or a coach/coaches that offer smooth running, are well painted and detailed.

I currently have 5 Dapol Gresley coaches in teak and blood & custard, very fine models and very smooth and quiet, but they don't like being coupled to older Farish MK1's!
I'll shortly be buying a load of Minitrix Gresleys, in a mix or blood & custard and maroon, looking forward to having mixed rakes of coaches

Chris

Hi Chris

Depends on the purpose of your comparison I guess!

In my experience you will be very lucky (unlikely?) to get any "bargain" BR Maroon Minitrix Gresleys (unless they are repaints from the more common LNER Teak ones). Only 1000 were made of each type in maroon - 2000 in all. They do turn up on e**y occasionally but are pretty rare and tend to command top dollar.

If you buy "Blood and Custards" they will definitely be repaints as Minitrix never released Gresleys in that livery.

Regards

Roy

Paul B · July 13, 2014, 10:36:29 AM

I have both Minitrix and Dapol Gresleys, all in LNER teak finish. I have 8 Minitrix ones, and 10 Dapol. Putting them in a train together, the actual shape and size of each type is very close, and they look fine running together. The Dapol coaches look very slightly 'crisper' in the overall construction, with the roof vents looking better, and the 'teak' finish on the Dapol ones gives a better impression that the overall pale brown with no attempt at 'teak graining' on the Minitrix coaches. (I do plan to have a go at adding some light 'grain' to my Minitrix coaches - it is on the 'to do' list!)

When the Minitrix coaches were first introduced, they were the most accurate Gresley coaches available, and meant that I could relegate my Farish LNER coaches to lesser duties! When Dapol introduced theirs, I was happy to see that Minitrix had got the shape and size accurate as it meant that I didn't need to get rid of those and spend a fortune on the Dapol coaches (hasn't stopped me though!)

Roy L S · July 13, 2014, 10:45:45 AM

Quote from: Paul B on July 13, 2014, 10:36:29 AM

When the Minitrix coaches were first introduced, they were the most accurate Gresley coaches available, and meant that I could relegate my Farish LNER coaches to lesser duties! When Dapol introduced theirs, I was happy to see that Minitrix had got the shape and size accurate as it meant that I didn't need to get rid of those and spend a fortune on the Dapol coaches (hasn't stopped me though!)

Hi Paul

When released the Minitrix ones were the only Gresley coaches available, the Farish ones were generic with hints of each of the "Big Four" in their look but the livery defining the company.

I think I am right in saying that until the advent of the Dapol "Colletts" the Minitrix Gresleys were in fact the only authentic pre-nationalisation mainline corridor coaches you could buy in N - haven't things come a long way in the last few years!

Regards

Roy

Wingman mothergoose · July 13, 2014, 12:01:43 PM

Quote from: Roy L S on July 13, 2014, 10:34:53 AM

In my experience you will be very lucky (unlikely?) to get any "bargain" BR Maroon Minitrix Gresleys (unless they are repaints from the more common LNER Teak ones). Only 1000 were made of each type in maroon - 2000 in all. They do turn up on e**y occasionally but are pretty rare and tend to command top dollar.

If you buy "Blood and Custards" they will definitely be repaints as Minitrix never released Gresleys in that livery.

Regards

Roy

Oh they're more than likely repainted, they look the part though. And the blood & custards are all repainted, they look great too. £100 for 12 coaches was a bargain though I thought.
They're replacing pretty much all of my older Farish MK1's, so my GCR layout will be left with a couple of the new Farish MK1's, 4 Farish suburbans in Crimson, 5 Stanier coaches in blood & custard and the rest Gresley coaches. Maybe I'll also add some more new Farish MK1's next year....

Chris

Roy L S · July 13, 2014, 12:07:04 PM

Quote from: Wingman mothergoose on July 13, 2014, 12:01:43 PM

Oh they're more than likely repainted, they look the part though. And the blood & custards are all repainted, they look great too. £100 for 12 coaches was a bargain though I thought.
They're replacing pretty much all of my older Farish MK1's, so my GCR layout will be left with a couple of the new Farish MK1's, 4 Farish suburbans in Crimson, 5 Stanier coaches in blood & custard and the rest Gresley coaches. Maybe I'll also add some more new Farish MK1's next year....

Chris

Hi Chris

If they are half decent repaints then that is a one heck of a bargain - less than £10 each!

Ideal for a GC layout based in the 50s before Mk1s became more commonplace too.

Well done!

Regards

Roy

Luke Piewalker · July 13, 2014, 12:58:28 PM

Rummage, rummage... I still have a minitrix teak break composite that could easily find its way back onto the n'porium...

Stevie DC · July 13, 2014, 02:02:34 PM

I think that the Minitrix Gresley coaches stand up very well to the Dapol offerings and actually have the bogies mounted in the correct place - the Dapol ones are 1 or 2mm out (depending if they are from the first or subsequent batches) to provide clearance for the close coupling mech.

I have (and will keep) both types, the Minitrix version actually represents pre 1931(?) Gresley stock with oval buffers and the original truss rods under the sole bars. The Dapol offering is the later 1930's type with clipped buffers and angle iron rods. A nice bit of variation within a train formation...

painbrook · July 13, 2014, 08:31:26 PM

Topic from a different angle, bought the Farish J39 in LNER livery and was wondering what sort of train it would be pulling. I'm now thinking/wishing I'd bought the early emblem BR one, anyone want to swap?. Cheers john.

Wingman mothergoose · July 13, 2014, 09:20:29 PM

Can't swap John, but I'd buy it off you! ;-)

Chris

Wingman mothergoose · July 21, 2014, 03:25:11 PM

Quote from: Roy L S on July 13, 2014, 10:34:53 AM
Hi Chris

Depends on the purpose of your comparison I guess!

In my experience you will be very lucky (unlikely?) to get any "bargain" BR Maroon Minitrix Gresleys (unless they are repaints from the more common LNER Teak ones). Only 1000 were made of each type in maroon - 2000 in all. They do turn up on e**y occasionally but are pretty rare and tend to command top dollar.

If you buy "Blood and Custards" they will definitely be repaints as Minitrix never released Gresleys in that livery.

Regards

Roy

Roy,
Had it confirmed last night that the 4 Minitrix Gresley coaches I'm buying in maroon are not repaints and are proper Minitrix maroon coaches...

Chris

Roy L S · July 21, 2014, 03:30:47 PM

Quote from: Wingman mothergoose on July 21, 2014, 03:25:11 PM
Quote from: Roy L S on July 13, 2014, 10:34:53 AM
Hi Chris

Depends on the purpose of your comparison I guess!

In my experience you will be very lucky (unlikely?) to get any "bargain" BR Maroon Minitrix Gresleys (unless they are repaints from the more common LNER Teak ones). Only 1000 were made of each type in maroon - 2000 in all. They do turn up on e**y occasionally but are pretty rare and tend to command top dollar.

If you buy "Blood and Custards" they will definitely be repaints as Minitrix never released Gresleys in that livery.

Regards

Roy

Roy,
Had it confirmed last night that the 4 Minitrix Gresley coaches I'm buying in maroon are not repaints and are proper Minitrix maroon coaches...

Chris

Hi Chris

That is interesting given the price.

The seller is certainly letting the maroons go to you very cheaply considering what he might have got for them, certainly a smidge more that than £8 or £9 a time I'd say!

Still it's nice when the dice rolls in one's favour occasionally!

Regards

Roy

Wingman mothergoose · July 21, 2014, 06:14:58 PM

They were originally part of a job lot, including a load of other coaches, wagons, locos and a layout, but the guy hasn't had a buyer so he's decided he will split. Hopefully I will be able to bag a few more LNER and BR locos, along with at least one DMU and some of the wagons. He did offer me the whole lot, but I've got enough hassle with the layout I've already got...

If anybody wants to buy the layout, let me know and I'll try and get a price and some photographs.

Chris