Product Highlight: New OO Scale BR Mk1 Coach Types

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The British Railways Mark 1 Coaches were a common sight on the railway for nearly half a century, so it only makes sense for models of these familiar carriages to be available as part of the Bachmann Branchline range of OO Scale models. Last year, we announced several new variants of these coaches which have been produced with new tooling; the Brake Second Open, First Open and Restaurant Buffet coaches. The first of these new variants are due to arrive shortly with the rest arriving during the course of 2025, so now is a good time to have a closer look at these upcoming models.

BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open COaches

These new Mk1 Coaches all feature the high level of intricate detail that you have come to expect from a Bachmann Branchline model. The coach rooves feature ventilators that have been finely moulded, along with separately fitted details such as hand rails and toilet filler pipes where they would have featured on the real carriages. Periscopes for the guard are also present on the rooves of the brake coaches from the earlier eras.

The doors on the body sides feature moulded hinges, handles and bumper details. The recognisable multi-pane windows are modelled faithfully including the sliding ventilators, as well as printed curtains and no smoking signs where appropriate.

The solebars feature footboards underneath the doors, whilst underneath the solebars are modelled truss rod frames along with relevant equipment such as battery boxes, vacuum cylinders, dynamos and other auxiliary equipment where appropriate. 

BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet Coaches

End steps also feature on coaches where they would have been present, and there are various types of detailed bogies that are suitable for each era. The bogies are equipped with metal wheelsets. The models also all share the following features:

BR MK1 FO First Open Coaches
  • Accessory Pack
  • NEM Coupling Pockets
  • Close Coupling Mechanism

The Mk1 Coaches were the first standard design of coach developed by British Railways and were built between 1951 and the early 1960s. The coaches were designed to incorporate the best features of the rolling stock used by the prior ‘Big Four’ railway operators and were built for higher levels of versatility, safety and resilience than previous coaches, with many different variants for different uses that all featured steel bodies and other safety features integrated into their construction. Widespread use of Mk1 coaches on the mainline continued until the late 1990s, and today they are the mainstay of many heritage railways services across the country and a small number are still used for mainline operations.

BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open

BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open BR Blue & Grey
BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open BR Chocolate & Cream

Our first new variant of Mk1 Coach is the BR MK1 Brake Second Open. These coaches all feature BR1 bogies. The earlier coaches have periscopes on the roof which would have made it easier for the guard to see signals, but these have been removed on the coaches from later eras. One model in BR Blue and Grey depicts a Brake Second Open Micro Buffet (BSOT) coach (39-804), which has an interior that features a counter and other spaces that are essential for preparing and serving food.

EraRunning No.LiveryBogieEnd StepsRoof PeriscopesProduct Code
4E9201BR Crimson & CreamBR1YesYes39‑800
5SC9357BR MaroonBR1YesYes39‑801
5E9277BR MaroonBR1YesYes39‑801A
5W9276BR Chocolate & CreamBR1YesYes39‑802
7M9208BR Blue & GreyBR1RemovedRemoved39‑803
7SC9000 (BSOT)BR Blue & GreyBR1RemovedRemoved39‑804
39-800 - BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open BR Crimson & Cream
39-801 - BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open BR Maroon
39-801A - BR MK1 BSO Brake Second Open BR Maroon

BR MK1 FO First Open

39-828 - BR MK1 FO First Open BR Blue & Grey

Our next new type of BR Mk1 coach is the First Open. These models were also produced with new tooling and depict the coaches with either BR1 bogies and end steps, or with Commonwealth bogies with the end steps removed. 

EraRunning No.LiveryBogieEnd StepsProduct Code
4E3048BR Crimson & CreamBR1Yes39‑825
4M3043BR Crimson & CreamBR1Yes39‑825A
5SC3102BR MaroonCommonwealthRemoved39‑826
5E3123BR MaroonCommonwealthRemoved39826A
5W3085BR Chocolate & CreamBR1Yes39‑827
6M3116BR Blue & GreyCommonwealthRemoved39‑828
6E3080BR Blue & GreyCommonwealthRemoved39‑828A
39-826A - BR MK1 FO First Open BR Maroon
39-825 - BR MK1 FO First Open BR Crimson & Cream.jpg
39-827 - BR MK1 FO First Open BR Chocolate & Cream

BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet

39-853 - BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet BR Blue & Grey
39-852 - BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet BR (SR) Green

Our final new type of BR Mk1 coach is the Restaurant Buffet carriage, which feature a kitchen and pantry along with a service bar. The coaches are equipped with either BR2 or Commonwealth bogies as appropriate and the end steps are removed on all models. 

EraRunning No.LiveryBogiesProduct Code
5SC1658BR MaroonCommonwealth39‑850
5E1664BR MaroonCommonwealth39‑850A
5W1732BR Chocolate & CreamBR239‑851
5S1767BR (SR) GreenCommonwealth39‑852
6E1687BR Blue & GreyCommonwealth39‑853
39-850 - BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet BR Maroon
39-851 - BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet BR Chocolate & Cream
39-850A - BR MK1 RB Restaurant Buffet BR Maroon

The first of these new models will start arriving next week and the others are expected to arrive throughout the year, 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

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