Model Railway Forum

If anyone has one or two of these they have no use for, I do !

Specifically part numbers R4886, R4886a, R4886b.
I would also consider the Southern region versions for a repaint if I can not find the above, those are part numbers R4882 and R4882a.

If you have any of the above please PM me pics and a price

I would keep an eye on Ebay and perhaps have it email you when one of these is listed. A couple of days ago a set of 3 with the composite in BR colours went for £46. The BR and SR versions are the same colour, so you would not need a repaint just a number change. I have bought the 4 Bachmann coaches in SR malachite and renumbered them to BR. It wasn't difficult.

I don't think they are supposed to be the same green, but Hornby may well have made them that way, its hard to tell from pictures.
I find auctions a PITA and unless I can be around for the last few minutes I dont bother, I would rather have a buy it now price TBH.
I was not aware you could be notified of listings though.
Did Bachmann do the same coaches ? I thought theirs were the 63 ft versions compared to the Hornby 59 foot ones.

Where might one find the decals to change the composites to BR numbering and markings ?
I do have fox transfers on my favourites, but the nearest I can find is numbers for MK1's, also IDK if the set numbers were only put on brake ends, or also on the composites.

Any recommendations on the best way to remove the factory SR numbering without damaging the paint ?

Now that (I think) I have found and purchased 2 SR versions for close to retail, watch as a shed load of BR/ SR composites arrive on ebay for less

Too Tall wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 8:49 am Now that (I think) I have found and purchased 2 SR versions for close to retail

And the half expected Telephone call came today, regarding your order .... ..well at least one SR Bulleid composite should be on its way soon ...

A recurring theme .... The one SR composite did duly arrive.
I managed to track down a BR and and SR listed as in stock at another seller, but the website was playing silly beggars, and although I did get an email receipt from paypal, I decided it best to phone to ensure the order was in, especially as it looked like they were doing a show at the weekend.
They had the SR one, but could not find the BR one, "it may be in the show stock but is unlikely". I was happy to hold off until after the sho so it gives them a chance to look, but these little blighters are proving elusive
It appears for some reason Hornby made a lot of brakes but not many composites, as the brakes are dirt cheap and available readily from lots of sources !

They do crop up on ebay, as has been said you just have to keep looking. A while back Kernows were selling a wide variety of BR/SR Bulleid brakes for £17.50. Picked up a couple to make up "Sets".

Your probably aware of the following:

R4886, R4888 and R4888A = Set 968
R4886A, R4888B and R4888C = Set 972
R4886B, R4888D and R4888E = Set 967

Too Tall wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2024 6:22 am
It appears for some reason Hornby made a lot of brakes but not many composites, as the brakes are dirt cheap and available readily from lots of sources !

Indeed they did make a big mistake, which is why retailers and Ebay are flooded with brakes and no-one has composites.

3 of the BR composites came up at this auction last Friday. Thought about bidding but by the time you've added 35% commission and £19 postage ...

https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalog ... n-lot-332/

They still got them for around £40 a coach, so not terrible considering.

I did buy 2 sets of the BR brakes + an odd one as I thought they would make a good parts donors if I didn't use them all.
I have one SR composite coach here and at another SR composite on the way, which I may renumber/decal (paint colour doesn't look much different).
But I may well just leave them as is,(struggling to find the right decals) and see if the BR ones pop up in future.

Too Tall wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2024 7:15 am They still got them for around £40 a coach, so not terrible considering.

I did buy 2 sets of the BR brakes + an odd one as I thought they would make a good parts donors if I didn't use them all.
I have one SR composite coach here and at another SR composite on the way, which I may renumber/decal (paint colour doesn't look much different).
But I may well just leave them as is,(struggling to find the right decals) and see if the BR ones pop up in future.

I have renumbered the Bachmann 3-set that was in SR Malachite + the loose 3rd that was in the same livery but minus the SOUTHERN on the coach sides. It was very easy to remove the existing decals and I renumbered using Fox Transfers sheet FRH4027 to convert them into BR style.

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfe ... llow-58239