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Two brake second coaches are to be offered including M43301 (shown) and M43226.
Mk.1 suburban coach
Seated passengers enhance the popular Bachmann OO gauge suburban coach, writes Nigel Burkin.
M
k.1 ‘short frame’ suburban coaches have been part of the Bachmann OO gauge range for many years and remain popular with modellers. Current models include four BR Eastern Region coaches in plain BR blue livery, which would be suitable for modelling Great Northern suburban services centred on King’s Cross and East Coast Main Line routes. Four BR lined maroon models labelled for Midland Region suburban services, released at the end of 2016, include two brake coaches, a composite coach with both first- and second-class compartments, together with a second-class coach. The inclusion of two brake coaches with this new issue of the models is not accidental – a relatively high proportion of brakes were used in locomotive-hauled suburban train formations compared with long-distance passenger trains. All of the coaches are modelled on high-density nongangwayed compartment stock with 57ft-long bodies fitted to
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short underframes making them suitable for routes with a tight loading gauge and shorter than usual platforms. ‘Metrogauge’ profile 57ft stock allowed London Midland allocated suburban coaches to work the restricted tunnels through to Moorgate station. Passenger conditions were cramped in the compartment stock – suburban coaches were not described as high-density stock for nothing. A 57ft second-class coach could seat 108 passengers, while the brake could manage 72 passengers. Compartments were enclosed with bench-style seats on either side and minimal leg room. A small number of open second coaches (some with lavatories) and corridor composite coaches were constructed. However, the bulk of the 57ft suburban coach fleet was based on compartments for maximum passenger density. Suburban coaches gave way to DMUs on the Midland and Western Regions whereas suburban coaches lasted until 1977 on the Great Northern
when electrification of the inner suburban East Coast main line routes was completed in 1976 and later extended to Royston in 1978. Class 312 and 313s took over Great Northern suburban services from suburban stock and DMUs from that time. It is worth noting that suburban coach operation was not restricted to London routes
Model details: BR Mk.1 short frame suburban coaches finished in BR lined maroon livery.
Manufacturer: Bachmann Europe Plc.
Scale: 4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge.
Era: 1954 until the late 1970s depending on region.
Web: www.bachmann.co.uk
Suggested retail price: £39.95.
and both the short frame and particularly the 64ft-long frame versions did operate in other parts of the UK. The models: Bachmann’s suburban coaches are not as up-to-date as its main line Mk.1 coaching stock, lacking flush glazing and technical features such as NEM coupling pockets. Nonetheless, they stand up well to scrutiny in having finely tooled details and a neatly applied livery. Care has been taken over livery application, which has accurate colour and lining that is sharp, clean and without any flaws such as dust. The variety of body shells offered by Bachmann allows modellers to represent most, if not all, suburban train formations too. One of the latest features to be added to Bachmann coaches is the fitting of passenger figures. Of the sample models, the brake second coach numbered M43301, has 11 passengers fitted, equally distributed throughout the six compartments while M46067 is a second-class coach