SKU: 68194462298

NIR Mk.2b SO 821 NIR Maroon/Blue

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Description

NIR Mk.2b SO 821 NIR Maroon/BlueBuilt at Litchurch Lane, Derby, in 1970, eight examples were constructed for Northern Ireland Railways for its new Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin. This landmark service featured a range of bespoke vehicles that were quite unlike anything then in operation in Irelandor indeed on British Raildespite being a derivative of a BR design. The eight Mk. 2b coaches acquired by the newly formed Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) included several new

Built at Litchurch Lane, Derby, in 1970, eight examples were constructed for Northern Ireland Railways for its new Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin.
This landmark service featured a range of bespoke vehicles that were quite unlike anything then in operation in Ireland—or indeed on British Rail—despite being a derivative of a BR design.

The eight Mk.2b coaches acquired by the newly formed Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) included several new types: one First Open (FO), two Brake Driving Trailer Seconds (BDTS), and a single Grill-Bar—the latter being the only purpose-built Mk.2 catering vehicle. The other four vehicles were designated SOs, although they were almost indistinguishable from BR TSOs.

Delivered in NIR’s blue and maroon scheme and fitted with B4 bogies set to the Irish 5ft 3in track gauge, they initially worked in push-pull formation on the Belfast–Dublin Enterprise express service, powered by one of the three Hunslet DL Class 101 locomotives—or by pairs of them, either top-and-tailed or double-headed during the summer months.In 1978, the fleet—which now included five Mk.2c coaches purchased in 1972—was refurbished and repainted in a new silver-grey and blue livery.

However, the increasingly unreliable Hunslets—despite sharing an engine and many mechanical and electrical components with the BR Class 20s—were replaced in 1980 with General Motors 111 Class locomotives.The lack of electric train supply on the new motive power required the addition of a generator coach to each Enterprise formation.

In 1980, NIR acquired five ex-BR Mk.2b BFKs for conversion, along with an additional ten secondhand Mk.2b coaches and three Mk.2cs. The use of driving trailers on the Enterprise ended with the introduction of the 111s, and the trains reverted to being hauled as conventional coaching stock.With this extra stock, it became increasingly common to see Enterprise trains away from their usual cross-border route.

Formations of three to five coaches were regularly used on Portadown/Lisburn–Belfast–Bangor and Belfast–Derry/Londonderry services, typically with a single Hunslet operating in push-pull mode. By the mid-1980s, several ex-BR coaches were rebuilt as open coaches, while others were converted to strengthen 80 Class DEMU sets or replace bomb-damaged vehicles.

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SKU: 68194462298

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Phillip Quinn
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 4
Bruce Wayne: Not Super | Comic Review
Format: Paperback
I recently had the opportunity to check out Bruce Wayne: Not Super from DC Comics. The story is from Stuart Gibbs and the artwork is from Berat Pekmezci, and it is obviously about Batman. The middle-grade graphic novel follows a teenage Cape Crusader going to school with every other DC character. Heroes and villains all going to school together is a funny concept that I think is pulled off well here. What’s the joke about Batman? He’s just a rich kid with no powers, so what happens when he goes to a prep school with Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, etc.? Bruce has to come to grip with having no powers and how that affects his daily interactions with his classmates. Bruce’s alienation at being powerless directly conflicts with his goal of being a vigilante hero for Gotham City. His camaraderie with Dick Grayson (Robin) helps him work through his feelings on wanting to be Ferretman Batman. Aging adult characters down to young teens can come with their own difficulties, but I think Pekmezci nailed it. The artwork is very good throughout this book. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I really dig these “Elseworlds” stories that place the heroes in completely weird situations. And, what’s weirder than a middle/high school full of super-powered kids! Clearly, I wasn’t the intended audience for this book, but I think those kids will have a great time reading this.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
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Mel
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Fast read but well loved
Format: Paperback
I gave book 1 and 2 to my 9 year old and she read them both in 2 days and informed me when book 3 will be released. She said she liked the story, the characters had interesting names, and the graphics were exceptional.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2025
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Andrea
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Can’t wait for the next one
Format: Paperback
My daughter loved this book
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2026
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MamaR
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Good read
Format: Paperback
She loves the series it’s cute
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2026
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merilu sepulveda
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Libro
Format: Paperback
Muy bueno
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Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2025

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