Review: Accurascale Mk2B Coaches - NIR Intercity Livery

Accurscale's Mk2b coaching stock has been long anticipated by modellers and likewise have been these Irish Mk2bs under their Irish Railway Models brand. Now that we have them on our layouts, how do they live up expectations and how to they compare to some of the other premium coaching stock that is out there. It's time to take a close look.
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - Unboxing
11:58 - Close-up Views
16:41 - Running Session
19:57 - Summary
21:53 - Scoring
25:44 - Recommendation
Link to full running session: • Accurascale Mk2b Coach...
Specific coaches covered in this review:
IRM1244-NIR-IC1 NIR - Mk2b Pack - Corporate Intercity 1
IRM1245-NIR-IC2 NIR - Mk2b Pack - Corporate Intercity 2
IRM1246-NIR-IC3 NIR - Mk2b Pack - Corporate Intercity 3

[@allanpeoples7410]

Thanks for this video. I've got this set, but have not yet put them on my layout. And thank you for your suggestion about using magnetic couplers. That's one I will follow. I have also ordered sets of these carriages in the BR green and maroon liveries. I have a couple of steam locomotive models for them. Considering how well these NIR models run, there's plenty to look forward to! Being from 'up North', it's great to have some models of those liveries.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. We had the Lima versions but these are a class apart. Great to have these now, particularly if you had invested in one of the Murphy Models NIR locos.

[@petertate5741]

Great review Eugene, a well crafted, quality model .Nice to see the Variation in interiors. I'd like to see some BR Mk.1 stock next .Once again thanks for a well thought out and comprehensive review.👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Peter. Yeah, Accurascale have hit this out of the park. An equivalent job on the BR Mk1s would be very welcome.

[@paulisnotonfire]

Glad to hear these are excellent coaches. Looking forward to getting the MK2bs in the NIR White/Blue stripe. Cheers

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Paul. You shouldn't be disappointed.

[@bogiesandbricks]

Great review and spot on with your conclusions, great coaches and I really agree with your comment about how you'll never have to upgrade. My favorite part is the attention to detail for example they added a toilet and wash basin even though you'll never see it. Keep up the great videos!

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. Yeah, the interiors are really good.

[@StarWarsJay]

Sold out.Accurascale need to get more stock.

[@EuviRail]

I guess they were playing it safe to see what demand would be like. They've got their answer.

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

Thanks for another top quality review, these coaches look extremely good in all aspects. The Bachmann and Accurascale coaches seem at the moment to be top of the pile, we are getting high quality rolling stock to go with the latest generation of super detailed locomotives. I'll certainly check out Accurascale for the BR variants.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that. A lot of the BR models are sold out but I would expect re-reruns pretty soon based on demand.

[@ArcadiaJunctionModelTrains]

That 10% discount on 2 or more is a very good deal.

[@EuviRail]

100%. When building a rake, you need discounts like this.

[@97SEMTEX]

I can't wait to recieve my MK2's and MK1's. I still have a while to wait though; but I have a layout to build so I will have plenty to occupy my self with in the mean time.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for sharing. First things first as they say but at least you'll have plenty to look forward to.

[@stephenchambers5900]

Fantastic review as always. I’ve got a mixture of Era 8 on order for 2B and 2C. Look to be great value

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Stephen. Based on this, those coaches should be really good.

[@AllensTrains]

A convincing and believeable rake of coaches. It is a pity that there is so little available for the Irish modeller, and what has been produced always seems to be, "sold out"! Thanks for uploading.

[@TATICMOOR]

This is a great review of these fabulous passenger coaches. The Accurascale IRM has a big hit on their hands and a must-have if not already sold out. The RPSI set are also a beautiful model if you don’t have them, or maybe that's for a future review. All in all, I can't disagree with you because they are such wonderful models, as you've stated here yourself.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks. I suspect IRM weren't too sure regarding the demand for NIR coaches but I think they go their answer.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that.

[@tradtrain]

I think sprung buffers would be unrealistic as the prototype don’t use the buffers between the coaches,the only time they are used is between the locomotive and the coach.The rest of the coaches are coupled using the buck-eye couplers.At least that’s the case in mainland Britain.Thank you for your review.

[@sparks447]

Just picked up 2 packs today looking forward to getting them on the layout, excellent review. Do tou think that since IRM have done the driving trailer & mk2's does that mean a possible NIR 80's class could be in the works?

[@andydavidson9440]

Good review Eugen, I have three BR coaches due from Rails very soon and following your review I am really looking forward to their arrival! Seeing on the Accurascale stand always thought the bulkhead doors stood out as you suggest. Ref the need for a decoder in the driving car, is this for additional lights etc? I wasn’t aware the Bachmann version had this, but I could be wrong.

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Andy. The decoder in the driving trailer is required in order to set the directionality of the lighting when on DCC as On/Off isn't enough. The Bachmann DBSOs have decoders as well which will control all of the lighting across the car not just the directional piece.

[@andydavidson9440]

Thanks for enlightening me Eugen, much appreciated!

[@bobbymcloughlin3452]

18:29 There Needs To Be A Driving Trailer At The Other End Of The Train, The Entire Train Is Standard Class Either 1st, 2nd Or 3rd Classes, They’re Standard (Plain Standard Or Luxury Standard Each) Driving Trailer (Plain) 5 Passenger Carriages (Plain) Catering Carriage 5 Passenger Carriages (Luxury) Driving Trailer (Luxury) Driving Trailer Have Gangway Connection, GM Bogtrotter Switcher-Cab Diesel, Can’t Join The Carriages, But At Least It Can Couple To Them The Train Needs A Corridor Carriages, Ireland’s Railway Didn’t Have A Corridor Steam Locomotive On Its Own, Only In The Angloceltic Railways (E & C R) When You Stop The Train At A Terminal Station, Make Sure The Station Has A Turntable For Your Engine, Then Get The Whole Train To Pass The Switch Tracks (When They’re Ready For The Train), When An Engine Finally Is Ready From The Turntable To The Other Direction, Let The Locomotive First, Then The Whole Train, Once An Engine Stops At The End Of The Station, And Your Train Is Ready For A Return Journey 27:25 They Did The BREL Mark Stock Redesign (Classed: “MK2B”) What Are The Next Mark Stock Carriage Sets From Generations That You’ll Like From Accurascale For The Irish Coaching Stock Angloceltic Railway’s Mark Stock (Classed As: “MK1”) BREL Mark Stock (Air Con) Classed As: “MK2D”, “MK2E” (Edit) BREL Mark Stock (Modern) Classed As: “MK2F” BREL Mark Stock (Replica) Classed As: “MK3” (Sports), A. (HST), B. (Loco-Hauled), C. (International) Metropolitan Cammell Mark Stock (Classed As: “MK4”) Known As The “Intercity 225” CAF Mark Stock & A Mark Stock (Known As The “Intercity 250”) Both Of Them Classed As: “MK5”, A. Local

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Good detail on that Train.Cheers from overseas the United States

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that and Best Wishes.

[@James-ih4gz]

would you be able to do a vid on the bogies getting messed up what customers can do to get right ones. some people might not know they have wrong bogies

[@clivecobbold6815]

0:17 0:23 Hi mate I am waiting for the,,BR Mk2b/c coaches to come out mate I would like to see mk3a 8:41 sleeper coaches and mk2D FK/BFK/TSO coaches in BR to mate

[@EuviRail]

Hi Clive, based on this they be worth the wait.

[@ianobrien6908]

Nice review, however the mix of bogies is a little infuriating. Supposedly a factory mix-up, Accurascale and IRM made side by side, different gauges. Bit of a headache for IRM / Accurascale, especially as they have a lifetime warranty. Besides that (not IRMs mistake) the coaches are beautiful and well manufactured.

[@Georgeconna32]

Punters are waiting for the Factories Reply to be communicated to the great unwashed..........nothing yet. Sad to hear about the uncoupling coaches, Whats with the Irish Stuff and couplings? Nice coaches though.

[@ianobrien6908]

@@Georgeconna32 I'm sure the uncoupling is due to the unevenness of the track and the slight difference in height of the NEM pockets. This (I assume) is due to the incorrect gauges on a mix of the coaches.

[@EuviRail]

TLCs and spring return coupling assemblies can develop a "concertina" effect when running because of the play on the TLC connection and the springs either side. This can lead to an unrealistic look and in the worst case uncoupling of the end coach(s) as these are in the least state of tension and hence more free to move. Magnetic couplers solve both problems, give better close coupling and better convenience when moving coaches around. It's a no brainer really.

[@James-ih4gz]

The white versions had the wrong bogies

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, they appear to have got mixed up during the manufacturing process - which means there are other Accurascale coaches out there with those bogies!

[@James-ih4gz]

@@EuviRail i got the whole white set and i think 6 coaches had wrong bogie types i think

[@James-ih4gz]

i think there uk mk2s got irish bogies

[@EuviRail]

@@James-ih4gz I purchased that set after I did this review. I actually had some running problems on my circuit and had to modify 3 bogies to address it. I've been tied up with other things so haven't had a chance to do a video on it yet.

[@James-ih4gz]

@@EuviRail thats all good more just giving suggestions once your less busy

[@rowdyperson6393]

The coaches look too low just like the bachmann mk2 and compared to the Irish loco model they do line upo to the roof of the model unlike the real thing also in this clip thanks

[@EuviRail]

And you're correct, with a consequence I need to cover in another video. Two of my 2nd batch of nine had problems on includes with wheels touching the underside of the coach.

[@rowdyperson6393]

Oh shit I have purchased some of the UK mk2bs and they may also be shit@@EuviRail

[@James-ih4gz]

even a few of your coaches have the wrong bogies i think just by looking at the video

[@EuviRail]

Hi James, I need to revisit across both 9-car sets I have once I clear my backlog including the running issues I had. Accurascale are usually good at resolving issues and a bogie swap is far less costly than coach returns.