Description
The British Railways Mk1 was the designation given to BR’s first standard design of main line coaching stock, and one of its most successful. Built from 1951 until the early 1960s to augment and replace the array of ‘Big Four’ and earlier ‘pre-grouping’ designs inherited from the LMS, LNER, GWR and SR, BR took the best features from several of these types to produce the new steel-bodied design. As a result, the Mk1 was stronger and safer than any of the inherited types that came before it.
Alongside an array of passenger stock which ranged from vehicles providing standard accommodation to specialist catering cars, and numerous types which incorporated spaces to convey luggage, newspapers and parcels, dedicated parcels and mail coaches were also built. Two of the most numerous Non-Passenger Carrying Coaching Stock (NPCCS) designs were the Brake Gangwayed (BG) and the General Utility Van (GUV). Whilst the BG shared the body profile of its passenger carrying counterparts, the GUV was quite different to the other Mk1 corridor stock, being flat sided and with no corridor connections – instead a pair or doors were fitted at either end. As the name suggests, these vehicles were used to transport general merchandise – parcels mail, luggage etc. – and could even carry cars thanks to the large end doors.
The Bachmann Branchline Mk1 Coaches have long been the model of choice for the discerning enthusiast wishing to add the iconic Mk1 Coach to their collection and today, these models continue to provide OO scale modellers with the finest 4mm scale renditions, carrying all the hallmarks of this iconic design. The simple body profile of the GUV is captured to a tee, and this is adorned with hinges, handles and even door bumper details, whilst grab handles are fitted separately using metal components. The roof features finely moulded ventilators and rain strips, and the end doors are modelled faithfully, and onto which are mounted separate lamp irons. Below the solebar the underframe sports a full complement of equipment, with the truss rod frames modelled in all their glory and flanked by battery boxes, vacuum cylinders, dynamo and, where appropriate, other auxiliary equipment.
The bogies are fitted with metal wheelsets, whilst the standard tension lock coupling is attached via a NEM coupling pocket to the close coupling mechanism that is fitted to the carriage floor, which operates in tandem with the bogie. Bringing all of these details to life is the livery application, using authentic colours, logos and fonts to give every model an exquisite appearance.
MODEL FEATURES:
- Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
- Era 8
- Pristine Rail Express Systems livery
- Running No. 95151
- Commonwealth Bogies
- Accessory Pack
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Close Coupling Mechanism
- Length 242mm
