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Bachmann 39-856

BR Mk1 RB(R) Restaurant Buffet Refurb. BR InterCity Charter (Swallow)

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.

New tooling has been developed to enable models of the Restaurant Buffet Refurbished (RBR) to be offered as part of the flagship Bachmann Branchline Mk1 Coach range for the first time. These brand new models feature all the hallmarks of the Branchline Mk1, and offer era-appropriate details, such as the presence or otherwise of end steps. Bogies are now fitted with integrated metal wheel bearings and electrical pickups to aid those wishing to add features to their models which may require power.

 

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 8
• Pristine BR InterCity Charter (Swallow) livery
• Running No. 1693
• Commonwealth Bogies
• End Steps Removed
• Accessory Pack
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Close Coupling Mechanism
• Length 270mm (over couplings)

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Bachmann's Branchline range of OO scale British Rail Mk1 coaches has long been a popular choice among model railway enthusiasts. The Bachmann BR Mk1 RB(R) Restaurant Buffet Refurbishment coach, specifically, is a key part of this range.

The Mk1 coach was a major design innovation by British Railways in the post-war period. Introduced in 1951 and built until the early 1960s, it was a standardised design that replaced a variety of earlier coaches from the 'Big Four' railway companies. The Mk1's steel body made it stronger and safer than its predecessors.

The Mk1 coach was built in a wide range of configurations, including standard accommodation coaches and specialist vehicles such as restaurant and buffet cars. Many of these coaches have been preserved and continue to operate on heritage railways today.

Bachmann's OO scale model of the Mk1 coach is highly detailed, with features such as finely moulded ventilators, metal handrails, and realistic door details. The underframe is also accurately modelled, with truss rod frames and other equipment included.

The BR Mk1 RB(R) Restaurant Buffet Refurbishment coach is a new addition to the Bachmann range. This model features the distinctive Swallow livery of BR InterCity Charter, a period-specific look that is sure to appeal to modellers of the British Rail Sectorisation era.

Key features of the model include Commonwealth bogies with integrated metal wheel bearings and electrical pickups, end steps removed, and a NEM coupling pocket. The model also includes a close coupling mechanism and a length of 270mm over the couplings.