Ffestiniog Railway ‘Carriage 117 – 1990s Push Pull Condition’

This kit represents FR ‘Tin-Car’ ‘Carriage 117’ as it was rebuilt in 1989/1990 for use as part of the ‘Push-Pull’ set. During this rebuild it gained new ’88 Pattern Bogies’, large ‘Beclawat’ style windows, gas heating and all of the necessary cable and pipe runs. It was turned out in the rather striking green and cream livery.

During later years it reverted to the more usual ‘Mountain Prince’ red and cream livery, before being eventually refitted in 2010/11, when it lost its gas heating system and saw other small changes to the interior and window layout. In November 2015 it was sold to the Moseley Railway Trust  along with FR Carriage 120 for use on the Apedale Valley Light Railway at Newcastle-Under-Lyme, where the two can still be found today. Interestingly enough they didn’t take their 88 pattern bogies with them, instead gaining ex-South African Railway ‘SARCAST’ types.

I am particularly grateful to the Moseley Railway Trust who were exceptionally helpful in facilitating access to 117 as well as 120 allowing a full and detailed survey of both vehicles. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit Apedale then it comes highly recommended, with a wide variety of Narrow Gauge equipment on site, as well as the excellent adjacent Apedale Heritage Centre. Although this kit specifically represents Carriage 117 in its 1990s condition, I have all the necessary information required to turn it out in either its final FR form, or its current condition at Apedale. Please just ask.

A significant amount of time and effort has been expended in order to produce the best possible representation of these particularly distinctive vehicles. The roof on this vehicle feature 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 corners of the carriage body are also represented in full relief utilising 3D printed overlays.

The kit also features the usual hidden slot and tab construction, for easy and accurate assembly and is available in either MDF or Plywood which should be specified at time or Ordering. Full interior panel detail and furniture is included, with MDF profiles representing the seat cushions. The windows feature fully glazed panels with droplight frames and or window beading incorporated in full relief.

A variety of other 3D printed details 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, ‘Electrical Connector Terminals’, ‘solid’ Vacuum Pipes, correct pattern door handles, grab-rails as well as highly detailed Bogie Side overlays.  Turned steel wheels on shouldered axles running in bronze bearings are all incorporated as standard.

These kits are available for both 32mm and 45mm gauge. However, due to the still comparatively restricted underframe, the ‘era-correct’ 88 Pattern’ bogies are 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 the 1990s period, there is a prototypical precedent for using them on this vehicle.

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 of course the Rounhdouse Engineering ‘Conway Castle’ (Contact Roundhouse or one of their dealers directly, for the latter). Of course this 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 117 – 1990s Push-Pull condition

Please specify at time of ordering

MDF: £245.00 each + Postage

Plywood: £285.00 each + Postage

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