Product Highlight: West Coast Railways BR Mk1 Coaches
We’re now two thirds of the way through 2023, so some of our Product Highlights are starting to focus on models that will arrive in 2024. This is the case again this week, where we will look at some Bachmann Branchline models that are due to arrive in early-2024.
These models are OO Scale BR Mark 1 Coaches in West Coast Railways livery. To model these coaches accurately, the Branchline tooling has been developed allowing us the option to model coaches without end steps, as is prototypically correct for each of these West Coast Railway vehicles.
The livery on these coaches is based on one used by British Railways, with maroon bodies and double yellow stripes along the sides. The coach’s number is painted on the left hand side of the coach, whilst the right hand side carries West Coast Railways branding.
On the roof, there are ventilators and rain strips above some of the doors, whilst separate metal wires are fitted to represent the water filler pipes. The cantrail is lined with an orange stripe. Along the solebar, the footboards below the doors are decorated in yellow. The underframes feature truss rod frames, battery boxes, vacuum cylinders, and dynamos.
The coaches are carried on Commonwealth Bogies with yellow axle boxes and red springs. Metal wheelsets with a blackened finish are fitted to all coaches and the standard ‘tension lock’ couplings are mounted on close coupling mechanisms – these allow the models to couple closely together whilst still enabling them to be used on curves as small as second radius.
39-059 – BR Mk1 TSO Tourist Second Open WCRC Maroon
Our first model is 39-059, which depicts BR Mk1 Tourist Second Open Coach No. 4973. This coach has open seating in groups of 4 chairs around a table, with a toilet at one end.
39-266 – BR Mk1 RMB Restaurant Miniature Buffet WCRC Maroon
Our second model is 39-266, which is BR Mk1 Restaurant Miniature Buffet Coach No. 1860. This coach uses a similar layout to the previous model, however there is a small buffet area toward the centre.
39-083 – BR Mk1 BSK Brake Second Corridor WCRC Maroon
Our last model is 39-083, which is BR Mk1 Brake Second Corridor Coach No. 99723. Unlike the other two coaches, this has compartments along half of the coach, whilst the remaining half provides guard’s accommodation and an area for luggage and parcels.
These models are currently expected to be available early in the new year, but if you want to get your West Coast Railway Coach collection started now, our BR Mk2 Tourist Second Open in WCRC Maroon livery is already available from retailers. Head to the Bachmann Europe website to find the latest release information about our Mk1 coaches and once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to pre-order yours!
Your nearest retailer can be found by using the Retailers page on our website, which can be accessed either from the menu at the top of the page or by clicking on the button below.