Farish Mk2 coaches with Dapol Mk3s... roof heights okay?

[NeMo]

As we all know, mixing the new Farish Mk2s with Farish Mk1s looks a bit odd thanks to their different heights. But how well (or not) do the Mk2s mix with Dapol Mk3s?

I think I'm correct in saying that at least some Mk2s ran with Mk3s in the past? I certainly see sleeper versions of both in the Scottish overnight service running through Berkhamsted most days!

Cheers, NeMo

[red_death]

I think I'm correct in saying that at least some Mk2s ran with Mk3s in the past? I certainly see sleeper versions of both in the Scottish overnight service running through Berkhamsted most days!

Yes, definitely - WCML sets (even in Virgin's time IIRC) were often a mix of Mk2s and 3s and as you say the sleeper continues to be a mix of Mk2 lounge and brakes with Mk3 sleepers.

Cheers, Mike

[Buzzard]

Yes, definitely - WCML sets (even in Virgin's time IIRC) were often a mix of Mk2s and 3s

The mixed sets were, in 2002, basically Mk2 firsts and seconds with a Mk3 buffet (TOPS code RFM) and a Mk3 DVT.

From the London end of the train a standard formation would be

DVT
First x 3
Buffet
Second x 5

Other variations of the above were one less first or one less second, but not both.

Nigel

[NeMo]

All very useful! Thanks.

But has anyone put a Farish Mk2 next to a Dapol Mk3 and compared roofs? Do they line up nicely or are they different heights?

Thanks again!

NeMo

[MJKERR]

ScotRail also operated many sets with a mix of TSO Mark 2 and Mark 3A (excluding the obvious DBSO)

has anyone put a Farish Mk2 next to a Dapol Mk3 and compared roofs? Do they line up nicely or are they different heights?

There is a very slight difference, but it is negligible
The main issue is the difference in colour between the roof colours, but personally this is fairly realistic based on photos

[NeMo]

There is a very slight difference, but it is negligible

Cool. The height difference between the Mk2s and the Mk1s is too big to ignore, which is a real shame.

The main issue is the difference in colour between the roof colours, but personally this is fairly realistic based on photos

And nothing a bit of weathering won't fix!

Cheers, NeMo

[jivebunny]

Any excuse to get my trains out 

They're poor quality iPhone photos due to the poor lighting, but it should give you an idea of just how negligible the height difference is. There are two versions of the Dapol Mk3 roof as you may be aware, the earlier ones seem to have light-coloured roof sections, the later ones are a much darker tone of black. Some repainting of the Mk2 roofs may be in order to match the rest of the stock, although in reality there would have been a mish-mash of roof colours anyway.

Mk2 on the left, L/H Mk3 on the right.


DVT on the left, Mk2 on the right.


The three together.


And a Mk2 and IC Swallow Mk3 for good measure.


JB

[Zakalwe]

yep, that is clearly a gap that is big to ignore.........

[scruff]

Good pictures but I think Nemo was after the new blue riband Mk2a coach height compared to the Dapol mk3.
If and its a big if.. I can find mine I'll post a pic. The height difference between the blue riband Mk1 and mk2a is about a foot in scale terms.. Not good, I just hope they don't repeat this with the new aircon Mk2d/f.
Cheers
Mark

[red_death]

I'm pretty sure that Mk2a were mostly long gone from the WCML by then. Air con mk2s were introduced by the time the Mk3s came in service.

Cheers, Mike

[NeMo]

I'm pretty sure that Mk2a were mostly long gone from the WCML by then. Air con mk2s were introduced by the time the Mk3s came in service.

Indeed. I'm buying the Mk2a coaches to go with my 'Westerns', where they work nicely.

But since Mk2a TSOs are rare (I've only got the one, plus two corridor firsts) I thought about mixing in some Mk3 second class stock to put behind my BR blue 86/2. Just for fun rather than trying to create a perfectly accurate train -- the lack of overhead equipment surely requires a greater suspension of disbelief than the precise type of Mk2 coach being used!

Cheers, NeMo

[NeMo]

The height difference between the blue riband Mk1 and mk2a is about a foot in scale terms.. Not good, I just hope they don't repeat this with the new aircon Mk2d/f.

Or should they...?

If they "fix" the height of their Mk2d and Mk2f coaches, they won't match the Mk2a coaches. But they will match the Mk1 coaches. Is that better?

Would air-con Mk2s run with Mk1 coaches? Or are combinations of Mk2a and Mk2d/f coaches more realistic? Indeed, did Mk2d/f coaches run with anything other than themselves and Mk3s? 

Cheers, NeMo

[scruff]

Mk1 full brake(BG) and buffet cars were used with mk2a, 2f and mk3 stock.
I just had a scout around and found one test rake in the 1980's that was formed,
Mk2a SO (NSE livery) /Mk3 DVT/ 2x Mk1 GUV (both Intercity livery)
The train was topped and tailed by a class 08 and class 31 both in BR Blue.
HTH
Cheers
Mark

[Rabbitaway]

Hi

The new GUV has the same problem with a low roof line compared to other coaches

Are the MK2 and GUV under scale?

[scruff]

well.. I just found the prototype for everything department.
First was a blue 87 hauling mk2a BFK? mk2f FO and 2 mk3 FO Mk1 buffet and around 5 SO probably mk3's
The next was a blue 86 hauling mk2a BSO mk2a FO Mk3 FO and the rest was invisible
Both were dated early 1980's.
Are the MK1's running too high?
Cheers
Mark