Product Highlight: N Scale ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans
Our OO scale models of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway’s 25 Ton ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Van were a swinging success when they were introduced into the Bachmann Branchline range in Autumn 2022. It’s now time for N Scale modellers to take to the dancefloor as the same vans have made their debut as part of the Graham Farish range for the first time!
Much like their OO scale counterparts, these vans have been designed to fit a huge amount of detail into their small size. The body sides and ends feature finely moulded planking and separately fitted handrails. The moulded planking is also evident in the floor boards inside the verandas. The cabin features glazed windows at each end.
There are four liveries available representing these vans at several stages during their lives. Each livery has a choice of two different running numbers, allowing you to run a second Dance Hall brake van on your layout without duplication. The vans also come with an accessory pack and feature NEM coupling pockets.
The ‘Dance Hall’ brake vans were built in the early years of the 20th century by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. They were referred to by the name ‘Dance Hall’ due to their spacious cabins. The SE&CR was grouped into the Southern Railway in 1923, and the SR continued to build further vans of the same design. The brake vans had long lives, with many continuing to be used by British Railways until the late 20th century.
378-025(A) – SE&CR 25T ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans SE&CR Grey
Our first pair of SE&CR ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans are decorated in the SE&CR’s grey livery from Era 2. Van No. 11902 as depicted in 378-025 is now preserved and can be seen at Whitwell And Reepham Railway Station in Norfolk.
378-026(A) – SE&CR 25T ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans SR Brown
Our next pair of SE&CR ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans are decorated in the Southern Railway’s brown livery from Era 3.
378-027(A) – SE&CR 25T ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans BR Grey
378-028(A) – SE&CR 25T ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans BR Departmental Olive Green
Our final pair of SE&CR ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Vans depict examples that gained a second life in Departmental use following withdrawal from revenue earning service. These models carry BR’s Departmental olive green livery from Era 6.
These models are available from Bachmann retailers now, 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!
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.
378-025K – SE&CR 25T ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Van BR Crane Mess Van
Members of the Bachmann Collectors Club also have the additional opportunity to purchase an exclusive limited edition version of the SE&CR ‘Dance Hall’ Brake Van that isn’t available from retailers. This van carries the number DS55466 and is decorated in BR’s Departmental olive green livery with yellow ends. You can find more information about the benefits of the Bachmann Collectors Club from the club’s website at www.bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk/page/join-the-club.
