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Bachmann 39-422A

BR Mk1 POS Post Office Sorting Van Royal Mail Travelling Post Office

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The British Railways Mk1 was the designation given to BR’s first standard design of main line coaching stock, and one of its most successful. Built from 1951 until the early 1960s to augment and replace the array of ‘Big Four’ and earlier ‘pre-grouping’ designs inherited from the LMS, LNER, GWR and SR, BR took the best features from several of these types to produce the new steel-bodied design. As a result, the Mk1 was stronger and safer than any of the inherited types that came before.

Vehicles providing standard accommodation, with first- or second-class seating, or a composite mix of the two, were built in their thousands, along with many specialist types each with their own dedicated purpose. Numerous different catering vehicles were built, offering as little as a counter service right through to a full restaurant dining experience, whilst vehicles which incorporated an area for the Guard were combined with passenger accommodation and varying spaces for the conveyance of luggage, newspapers and parcels. Sleeping cars were also included, along with various general merchandise and specialised Post Office vans – some of which were equipped with apparatus to allow mail to be collected and set down on the move. Such was their success that following withdrawal from BR service, Mk1 coaches have become the mainstay of preservation operations and hundreds of vehicles remain in service today with heritage railways, whilst several still run on the main line in charter formations.

The Bachmann Branchline Mk1 Coaches have long been the model of choice for the discerning enthusiast wishing to add the iconic Mk1 Coach to their collection and today, these models continue to provide OO scale modellers with the finest models, carrying all the hallmarks of this iconic design. The distinctive profile of the Mk1 coach is captured to a tee and on the roof, the finely moulded ventilators are complemented by separately fitted metal handrails and, where appropriate, toilet filler pipes. On the bodysides each door is complete with hinges, handles and even door bumper details, whilst even the sliding window ventilators are discernible. Footboards are present on the solebars below each door whilst the underframe sports a full complement of equipment, with the truss rod frames modelled in all their glory and flanked by battery boxes, vacuum cylinders, dynamo and, where appropriate, other auxiliary equipment.

The bogies are fitted with metal wheelsets, whilst the standard tension lock coupling is attached via a NEM coupling pocket to the close coupling mechanism that is fitted to the carriage floor, which operates in tandem with the bogie. Inside each model is an interior featuring the prototypical layout of tables and chairs, whilst the icing on the cake is the livery application, using authentic colours, logos and fonts to give every model an exquisite appearance.

 

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 8
• Pristine Royal Mail Travelling Post Office livery
• Running No. 80301
• B4 Bogies
• Scallop Roof Ventilators
• Accessory Pack
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Close Coupling Mechanism
• Length 270mm

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

The Bachmann Branchline model of the British Railways Mk1 Post Office Sorting Van is a highly detailed and accurate representation of a Royal Mail Travelling Post Office vehicle. The model is part of the BR Mk1 range, which was a standard design of main line coaching stock produced by British Railways from 1951 to the early 1960s.

The Mk1 was a significant improvement over earlier designs, featuring a stronger and safer steel body. Thousands of Mk1 vehicles were built, including specialist types such as Post Office vans, which were equipped with apparatus to collect and set down mail on the move. Many Mk1 coaches have been preserved and continue to operate on heritage railways and main line charters.

The Bachmann Branchline model of the Post Office Sorting Van features a distinctive profile and accurately moulded details, including ventilators, handrails, door hinges, and window details. The underframe includes truss rod frames, battery boxes, vacuum cylinders, and dynamo. The model is fitted with metal wheelsets and a NEM coupling, allowing for smooth operation with other compatible models. The interior features a prototypical layout of tables and chairs, and the livery application is authentic, complete with Royal Mail colours, logos, and fonts.

This model is part of the Bachmann Branchline OO scale range, Era 8, and features a length of 270mm. It is a great addition to any model railway layout depicting the British Rail Sectorisation period.