Mainline Coach Kit - we need your input
GRS has a number of new products in the planning and development stages, but in order to proceed we require feedback from G3 members.
It is important to stress that without firm support from G3 members and the wider GRS clientele, these projects will not proceed.
For the past two years, we have been trying to design a mainline coach kit for G3 that has a strong rigid construction, is easy to build and is not overweight. This remit is surprisingly difficult to fulfil given the size of the market, where economies of scale are difficult to capture.
The aim of the project is to produce a coach kit in plastic, which most people find acceptable. The parts are easily welded together to produce a rigid box structure.
The roof and ends are injection moulded in plastic with the former being supplied in modular form. The roof locks the sides in place. The sides have laser cut windows and droplights with CNC flush glazing. In this way the overall weight of the coach is reduced with the centre of gravity low down in the bogies.
The kits will include interior partitions and seats, corridor connections, door and grab handles, vents etc. A full underframe detailing pack will be included. Bogies will be RTR unpainted brass, fully sprung.
Estimated cost will be around £475.00.
The first two kits will be a GWR Collett 61ft brake composite diag. E159 and a full third diag. C77, both of 1938 period.
Kits will only be supplied initially to order. A deposit will be required for each coach. At a later date if demand justifies production, a composite and brake third may be added to the range.
It is envisaged that in 2011 LMS Stanier 57ft Period III corridor coaches could be offered in a similar manner, provided the GWR series goes ahead.
Recently we have been asked by two customers about the possibility of producing
a very limited number of Thompson LNER/BR suburban coaches. Are any of the society members interested in the coaches probably supplied in the form of made up brass coach body shells? Gresley bogie kits in steel and other parts will be available.
Let us know if you have a serious interest in this project.
The recent GRS promotion of the GWR 45XX RTR brass 2-6-2T loco has proved popular, but there are only a few left at the £675.00 price. If you intend purchasing, do not delay!
I will probably eventually purchase the GWR Collets. Would prefer earlier period. I have healthy backlog of GRS kits on the go so will delay purchase until it reduces.
David
I would purchase the colletts but also mrk 1's as this is my era.
I'd buy the Collett coaches as well.
Dave Owen
I think Keith will find that MK1 carriages will be available from another source before too long, so Colletts are a good choice by GRS.
Mike