Bachmann National Railway Museum launch OO gauge support coach

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 23 Aug 2007, 19:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is that some light weathering I see ?

If it is I would have though that the support coach would have been prestine to match the locomotive.

I think it is just a trick of the light. I don't think the NRM would want the coach to be weathered, not least because it hardly reflects well on them!

Interesting proposition but it does seem a bit much - £30 (via mail order) for a Mark One? I may yet be tempted, though. It's good to see preserved operations recreated in miniature - wouldn't the coach look good behind a Hornby Sir Lamiel N15 and a rake of green Mk.1s and 2s?

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 23 Aug 2007, 20:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is that some light weathering I see ?

If it is I would have though that the support coach would have been prestine to match the locomotive.
I think that it's just a reflection. The trucks and rear of the coach look pristine.

Here is the original photo

QUOTE (Doug @ 23 Aug 2007, 16:32) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bachmann Europe Plc has produced exclusively for The National Railway Museum, a model of the BSK support coach that they operate in conjunction with locomotives that are part of the National Collection. The model is of a Mark 1 BSK coach No. 99953 and is finished in BR maroon livery. It carries National Railway Museum York lettering.

The model (Catalogue No. 39-000U) is available to visitors from the National Railway Museum shop at York (Telephone 01904 621261) or by Mail Order from The National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ for £25.00. If purchasing by mail order please add £4.95 post and packing.

Only 504 models have been produced and these are ideal for operating behind one of the Heritage Range of OO gauge models produced by Bachmann.

I've just purchased one of these limited edition coaches, to go with the Hornby Limited edition 30777 "Sir Lamiel". It is definitely not weathered, and looks a very tidy model. In my opinioon, having worked on the real coach, with the real engine, it's too tidy. The interior needs to be "customised" with dirty overalls on the seats, rolled up sleeping bags stowed wherever they can, pallets of coach brake blocks in the guards compartment (although this may only apply to the West Coast Railway's support coach), and Ray Towell's railwayana everywhere!
Having dismantled the coach to see what I can do about rectifying the interior, I am dismayed that it involves removing handrail details from the coach ends in order to remove the body from the chassis. They are very fiddly and difficult to replace as well as when received from the museum. There are a cople of shiny marks on the otherwise eggshellfinish roof, and I've no idea where or how to fit some pipework supplied in a small plastic bag, nor the buckeye couplings. There are no instructions with the coach, nor any drawings of these bits. Backmann's website only gives exploded drawings for locomotives. No doubt coaches and wagons are expected to be used " straight from the box".
Anyone had any experience of these Mk1 coaches?
Blair

QUOTE (Blair Robinson @ 5 Sep 2007, 21:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Anyone had any experience of these Mk1 coaches?
Have about 40 of these very satisfactory items. Tweezers are best for removing and replacing the water pipe representations in the coach ends when dismantling. No need to totally remove them, leave them fitted in the roof.

The cosmetic couplers may be located in the bufferbeams, (but look a bit silly if a buckeye coupler is used).

The 'pipes' are an alternative semi permanent coupler for use if running in a fixed formation, and is a clip in replacement for the supplied tension lock coupler in the NEM pocket. If you ever decide to use these, but want the corridor connector faceplates in contact on straight track, the moulding is thermoplastic; softened by heat from a hot air gun it can be reset for distance to close the gap. The presence of the NEM pocket on an extending mechanism opens other possibilities. Best that I have tried is Hornby's R8220 coupler: this gives the same 'faceplates in contact' effect, with the convenience of lift out separation when required. NEM mounted Kadee buckeyes on the ends of such fixed sets provide reliable auto coupling and uncoupling to locos, and excellent appearance.

Biggest defect of these models is the over enthusiastic ribbing on the roof. This can be scraped down, before painting and weathering to reflect typical in-service appearance. Tedious job but worthwhile. Fortunately some of the most recent additions to the range now have smooth roofs.