Ffestiniog Railway ‘Carriage 111 – 1990s Push Pull Condition’

This kit represents FR ‘Tin-Car’ ‘Carriage 111’ as it was built in 1989/1990 as a combined, Driving Trailer / First Class Observation Car / Lavatory and Guard’s area for the Push Pull Set. It featured new ’88 Pattern Bogies’, large ‘Beclawat’ style windows, gas heating, swivel mounted ‘shell seats’ in the passenger area and all the necessary cable and pipe runs, including the high charge vacuum system. It was turned out in the rather striking green and cream livery.

Like most modern FR vehicles it evolved over time, first gaining the more common red and cream livery, then seeing conversion from gas to diesel fired heating and a change to free standing chairs. The push-pull equipment eventually fell out of use, but it remained in use as a First-Class Observation car until 2016, when it was cascaded to the permanent way department.

Before proceeding further, I would like to thank the Ffestiniog Railway’s Carriage Works Staff at Boston Lodge who were so helpful during site visits to conduct the necessary surveys on this and other vehicles in their current condition. Although this kit specifically represents Carriage 117 in its 1990s condition, I have all the necessary information required to turn it out in any of its subsequent conditions; please just ask.

A significant amount of time and effort has been expended to produce the best possible representation of this unique vehicle. The roof features not only ‘domed ends’ but also a noticeable compound curve to the roof profile. To represent this as authentically as possible, the entire roof is made up of 3D printed sections which are easy to assemble, paint and install. The curved external corners at the Blaenau Ffestiniog End are also represented in full relief utilising 3D printed corner section overlays.

The driving end is also deceptively complicated with a slight angled form, not unlike ships bow along with curved corners as well as mountings for the headlight and marker lights. As such the whole external driving end is supplied as a one-piece 3D print. Transparent lenses are also supplied for the headlight and marker light, and pathways have been left in the print to allow for cable runs should you wish to fit your own working lights.

I will though point out that the vehicle shown is an engineering prototype, and yes if you are wondering, the windows in the driving end are not quite as tall as they ought to be. A simple error whilst transferring data from my field sketches to the CAD system, which didn’t become apparent until after I had securely fitted the end section. Rest assured this has already been amended and production models will be correct.

The driving desk is another standout feature of this vehicle, being easily visible through the large windows. This has been represented as faithfully as possible, incorporating 8 individual 3D printed parts (and two small ‘track pins’) to represent the vacuum brake valve, vacuum gauge, power controllers and heater outlet as well as additional detail buttons and gauges printed as an integral part of the desk base. The ‘gauge faces’ (and flower marquetry in the passenger area) shown in the accompanying photographs are not included with the kit but are available as part of the ‘Carriage 111’ decal pack available separately from Endon Valley Custom Transfers.

Moving ‘forwards’ up the vehicle, the first class observation area is supplied with ten 3D printed ‘shell seats’ as standard, whilst the guard’s area includes a variety of additional detail including the handbrake wheel, vacuum brake setter, fire extinguisher and full furniture fit-out.

The kit also features the customary hidden slot and tab construction, for easy and accurate assembly and is available in either MDF or Plywood; please specify at the time of ordering. Each of the windows is individually glazed, with frames, beading and sliding ventilators modelled in full relief as appropriate. A variety of other 3D printed detail components are also present, including the ‘gas locker’ access panel complete with louvre style vents in full relief, roof mounted vent for the gas heater, side mounted vent for the toilet compartment, ‘Electrical Connector Terminals’, ‘solid’ Vacuum Pipes, correct pattern door handles, grab-rails and the highly detailed Bogie Side overlays.  Turned steel wheels on shouldered axles running in bronze bearings are all incorporated as standard.

This kits is available for both 32mm and 45mm gauge. However, due to the still comparatively restricted underframe, the ‘era-correct’ 88 Pattern’ bogies will only be available for 32mm gauge, on which they will operate down to a recommended minimum radius of 3ft with suitable couplings, although they do cut a substantial chord in the process. Kits for 45mm gauge will be supplied with our recently upgraded ‘SARCAST’ bogies, on which they will again operate down to a recommended minimum radius of 3ft with suitable couplings. Although these bogies are not technically correct for Carriage 111, they have been subsequently fitted under the four ‘Tin Cars’ that were sold to other railways, so this is not totally without precedent.

For reference these vehicles are similar in size to Lynton & Barnstaple Passenger Carriages, so although comparatively large, similar sized vehicles have been a feature of 16mm scale modelling for many years.

It is now possible to create the ‘original’ 3-Car push pull set of the 1990s using Resurgam Rolling stock kits for Carriages 111, 117 and 121 and the Roundhouse Engineering ‘Conway Castle’ (Contact Roundhouse or one of their dealers directly, for the latter). Of course Carriage 111 would also be an ideal vehicle for a freelance line looking for something with a slightly more modern outline.

The kit is available with either cut-outs to accept Accucraft Chopper Couplings, or plain headstocks to fit couplings of your choice. Please specify when ordering.

Couplings and decals are not supplied with the kit, but the correct decals are available from Endon Valley Custom Decals.

Dimensions

Length Over Headstocks: 550 mm

Roof Height: 130mm

Width Over Body: 102 mm

Extreme Width: 110mm over footboards

Availability

At present it is planned the first kits will be available for dispatch in July 2025, then at 28 days notice thereafter.

Prices

Ffestiniog Railway Carriage 111 – 1990s Push-Pull condition

Please specify at time of ordering

MDF: £265.00 each + Postage

Plywood: £300.00 each + Postage

If you would like to place an order, please see our ‘Ordering Page’