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Bachmann 39-528A

SR CCT Covered Carriage Truck BR Blue (Weathered)

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

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

The Covered Carriage Truck was built by the Southern Railway and was known initially as the Van U or Van Utility. Sharing many aspects of its design and features with the Passenger Luggage Vans (PLV, later designated ‘PMV’ by BR), the CCTs differed by having a pair of full width doors at each end, allowing motor vehicles to be loaded and indeed the SR applied the code ‘Covcar’ to many examples, denoting their use as covered car carriers. In addition to transporting motor vehicles and carriages, the CCTs were used to convey all manner of parcels and general merchandise and being express rated, they could run at speed and were often included as part of passenger trains. Construction continued after Nationalisation, however the final examples built had plywood sides – by this time BR had designated them as Covered Carraige Trucks (CCT). These were large vehicles with a 21ft wheelbase and construction was from a metal frame with even planking on the sides and ends. The vans remained in traffic until the 1980s, with some surviving later still, in departmental use.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Bachmann SR CCT Covered Carriage Truck BR Blue (Weathered) is a 145 mm model of a Southern Railway covered carriage truck, supplied in a weathered blue finish and marked with running number S1733. The model is classified as a CCT (Covered Carriage Truck), represents a British Rail (TOPS) Blue period vehicle, and carries the manufacturer part number 39‑528A. It is a replica of the Southern Railway Van type used by British Rail, with a length of 145 mm and an overall design based on the original Southern Railway Van U (later known as the CCT).

The real‑world covered carriage trucks were built by the Southern Railway as Van Utility vehicles, featuring full‑width doors at each end to allow motor vehicles, parcels and general merchandise to be loaded. They shared many design elements with the Passenger Luggage Vans but were express‑rated and could run at speed as part of passenger trains. After nationalisation the final examples were constructed with plywood sides, retaining a 21 ft wheelbase and a metal frame with planked sides and ends. The vehicles remained in service until the 1980s, with some later used in departmental roles.