Product Highlight: N Scale LNER Thompson Coaches

It has been a bumper year for the Graham Farish range of N Scale models, with several new locomotives, coaches and wagons having already been released. Among those arrivals are the LNER Thompson Coaches, which are now available from retailers.

These new models feature up to 5 different types of coach decorated in one of four liveries. Most coach types are available with a choice of two different running numbers, enabling modellers to run longer trains without having duplicates. 

The bodies of these coaches have several finely moulded details, including the handrails, grab handles and roof vents. Below the solebar, the coaches have both vacuum and steam heat pipework and between the truss rod frames there are battery boxes, dynamo and brake equipment. The bogies are fitted with metal wheelsets, whilst the insides of the coaches feature layouts that are accurate to the prototypes. The models also share the following features:

• Close coupling mechanism with NEM couplings pockets
• Accessory Pack 

Traditionally, LNER coaches had been built with wooden teak-panelled bodies, however following World War Two new coaches were designed by Edward Thompson which featured steel panelling. These smooth steel sides were painted with a simulated teak effect to emulate the natural appearance of the earlier wooden bodied vehicles. 

The first Thompson coaches were built by the LNER in 1946 and construction continued following Nationalisation in 1948. During the transitional period from LNER to BR, coaches continued to be outshopped in the Teak Effect livery but with BR numbers, denoting their new owners. In the years that followed, vehicles were re-painted into Crimson and Cream livery, the scheme adopted by BR as its standard livery for mainline coaching stock. From 1956 lined Maroon became BR’s standard livery for mainline coaches and so again, over time coaches were repainted into this new identity. 

Whilst most Thompson coaches were withdrawn still carrying BR Maroon, a small number survived to receive the new corporate liveries of British Rail. Often it was specialist vehicles and non-passenger carrying stock that remained in traffic for extended periods, the latter receiving BR Blue livery from the mid-1960s to denote their non-passenger carrying status.

 

 

LNER Thompson Coaches – LNER Teak Effect

Our first group of LNER Thompson Coaches are decorated in the LNER’s teak effect livery from Era 3.

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-200A	First Corridor	136
376-200B	First Corridor	141
376-225A	Composite Corridor	147
376-225B	Composite Corridor	145

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-250A	Third Corridor	1006
376-250B	Third Corridor	1452
376-275A	Brake Third Corridor	E1915
376-275B	Brake Third Corridor	E1920

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
374-860	Full Brake	E15E

 

 

LNER Thompson Coaches – BR Crimson and Cream

The next set of LNER Thompson Coaches carry British Railways’ Crimson and Cream livery from Era 4.

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-201A	First Corridor	E11174E
376-201B	First Corridor	E11182E
376-226A	Composite Corridor	E1230E
376-226B	Composite Corridor	E1239E

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-251A	Third Corridor	E1568E
376-251B	Third Corridor	E1513E
376-276A	Brake Third Corridor	E1917E
376-276B	Brake Third Corridor	E1931E

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
374-861	Full Brake	E13E

 

 

LNER Thompson Coaches – BR Maroon

Our next group of LNER Thompson Coaches are decorated in the BR Maroon livery of Era 5.

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-202	First Corridor	E11176E
376-202A	First Corridor	E11185E
376-227	Composite Corridor	E1236E
276-227A	Composite Corridor	E1229E

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
376-252	Second Corridor	E1029E
376-252A	Second Corridor	E1435E
376-277	Brake Second Corridor	E16857E
376-277A	Brake Second Corridor	E16859E

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
374-862	Full Brake	E19E

 

 

LNER Thompson Coaches – BR Blue

Our final LNER Thompson Coach is decorated in the BR Blue livery from Era 6.

Product Code	Coach Type	Number
374-863	Full Brake	E11

 

 

These models are already available from retailers, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!