Support the RPSI With Our New Mark 2 Coach Pack
Our railway heritage would be nothing without preservation societies and groups. The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) was formed in 1964 to preserve Irish steam locomotives, carriages and rolling stock and to operate them on the Irish railway network for everyone to see, appreciate, enjoy and travel on.
Operating from bases in Whitehead, Mullingar and Dublin, the RPSI has kept the wheels of Irish steam turning for almost 60 years, funded by donations and operating rail tours across the Irish rail network. both north and south of the border.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, the vital revenue resource of rail tours has been cut off from the organisation following two years of postponed trips on the mainline. However in recent years, the RPSI has also received funding from a series of limited edition models which have provided a vital income stream. We've been delighted to aid the RPSI in facilitating the sale of some of these models, such as the limited edition production run of Murphy Models B134.
With our recent announcement of our NIR Mark 2B Enterprise stock, we can now come together and produce our first model in conjunction with the RPSI; a three car pack of their Mark 2 railtour rake of coaches.
The RPSI previously commissioned a three pack of coaches in its green livery, featuring a trio of Mark 2A coaches. We can now offer three more coaches in Mark 2B format, including the Mark 2B Grille car no. 547, as well as FK no. 181 and SO no. 300.
This heritage rake has been operating on RPSI rail tour trains behind both steam and diesel power from NIR and IE since their introduction into service almost 20 years ago, on both sides of the border.
Featuring our first Irish outline coach tooling, our Mark 2B coaches look resplendent in the RPSI green livery. A high specification of full interior lighting, museum quality detailing with a wealth of separately applied parts, close coupling and prototypically correct Irish gauge B4 bogies allowing for simple conversion for 21mm gauge if desired.
Speaking of the announcement, RPSI Chairperson John McKegney said that he is delighted to see high quality models of the Society’s Mk2 rake being produced; "After almost two years of lockdown it will be good to see both the prototypes and then models in action. The Society very much appreciates the support given by IRM to the ongoing maintenance of our Northern main running rake. It is delighted to be able to assist in the creation of such high quality models for which IRM has become famous.”
IRM Director Patrick Conboy expressed his delight on being able to assist the RPSI with our latest model; "We're delighted to announce this special edition of our Mk2b coaches in the widely-recognised livery of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. Proceeds from sales of these coaches will be donated to the RPSI to aid the Society in its ongoing work to preserve and maintain its unique and historically important collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
"While locomotives may be the star attractions, its coaching stock such as the RPSI's Mk2s which allow enthusiasts to enjoy them on railtours, and where the all-important social aspect of such events is enjoyed, whether that's conversations in the saloons or a pint or two enjoyed at the bar.
"These coaches are sure to be popular as they are a familiar sight from their extensive travels across the island of Ireland, hauled by a wide variety of motive power which not only includes the RPSI's superb collection of steam locomotives but also diesels provided by both Iarnród Éireann and Translink/Northern Ireland Railways."
We recently received a first decorated sample of the Mark 2 and took it to Whitehead to meet its big brothers. James Friel, Technical Operations Engineer with the RPSI was on hand to inspect the model and gave us a tour of the real thing, along with all the other impressive projects currently underway at the RPSI HQ.
This special RPSI pack will feature all the high specification featured in our new range of Mark 2 coaches, including full interior lighting, close coupling system, a wealth of separately applied detail, correct widened B4 bogies to cater for 5ft 3in gauge (and allowing for conversion to 21mm) and prototype specific detailing.
Arriving in Q4 2022 along with their NIR counterparts, our RPSI coach packs are strictly limited to 300 sets with numbered limited edition certificates and presentation packaging. RRP is €219.95 with proceeds going to the RPSI to support railway preservation.
Pre-ordering is advised due to the limited and special nature of these coaches, considering the recent sales for our A3r locomotive to raise funds for the ITG. Available exclusively via IRM, they can be pre-ordered by clicking here.