The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
Bachmann update and first pictures of the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock, updated 06/08/16
The Bachmann Europe team met up this week with the model trade press to update the market on the latest developments and progress, a full report can be found on the RmWeb forum here and I take this opportunity to update ion those items of a Southern / Southern Region interest. Although no new announcements were made it was indicated that the next catalogue and product announcements are likely to take place earlier next year, probably at some point in January. Although Bachmann have experienced delays in both the design and production arenas over the last couple of years tit is good news that they appear to starting to catch up a bit during the last twelve months or so of consolidation as had been previously promised.
The 1st EP of the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage Brake composite (Dia 2432). Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachmannThe item of most interest for Southern modellers was the first images of the first Engineering Prototypes (EP) for the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock Trio ‘C’ 30 sets, (SR set Nos 567-570, 575-589, 602-5 and 612-8) announced back in March 2013. These compriise of aBrake Composite to SR Diagram 162, a Composite to SR Diagram 315 and Brake Third to SR Diagram 160. These sets pretty much remained intact throughout their lives until withdrawal between 1956 and 1958.
1st EP Ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock composite (Dia 2315) . Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachamnnAs can be seen from the pictures, copyright and courtesy of Andy York and Bachmann, the first impressions are very favourable with a high level of detail, although I have not had the chance to see them up close and in the flesh (plastic) yet.
Ex SECR 60′ Brake Third EP (Dia 2431). Picture Copyright and courtesy A York/BachmannAlso the ex LBSC H2 class Atlantic, announced even earlier in August 2013, has now also progressed to tooling for the engineering Prototypes and we hope to see these EPs soon.
Delivery of both the Birdcage stock and the H2 Atlantic is expected in May 2017.
The Model Rail ref MR-102 USA Tank as No 68 in SR livery. Picture copyright and courtesy Kernow Model CentreThe SR / BR(s) USA 0-6-0 tanks being produced by Bachmann for Model Rail magazine are imminent to arrive at Bachmann’s Barwell HQ, before being shipped to the Kernow Model Centre for orders to be despatched, this could take a few weeks to complete due to the shear column of orders so be patient.
The South West Trains class 450 Desiro 3rd rail units, based on tooling changes to the previously released 350 class units are now ready to enter production although delivery was stated as being likely to be February 2017, while the class 414 2 Hap units announced earlier this year are still at the design stage. Although announced back in march 2015 along with the Class 450, the 45 ton Ransomes and Rapier steam crane is still at the design stage prior to CAD work taking place, so is some way off yet.
Keep an eye on this blog in the next week or so for further updates on both released and imminent Southern / Southern Region relevant models form other manufacturers.
3 thoughts on “Bachmann update and first pictures of the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock, updated 06/08/16”
I'm disappointed to see that Bachmann are going with the diagram 315 lavatory composite rather than the later 'improved' diagram 316 version. I provided them with a lot of details some years ago and strongly suggested diagram 316 was the better bet. Apart from anything else it would have facilitated 'kit-bashing' Pull-Push set 660!
Now the question is will or when will Hornby do the SR Malachite versions of the Hornby rebuilt LSWR 48′ coaches. I have an olive set 45 for my Padstow on the Pacific but it would appear that by 1947 a large number of the Hornby rebuilt LSWR 48′ coaches had been repainted to Malachite. Put an “s” prefix on the malachite numbers and you have the post nationalization coaches that were not painted crimson.
I'm disappointed to see that Bachmann are going with the diagram 315 lavatory composite rather than the later 'improved' diagram 316 version. I provided them with a lot of details some years ago and strongly suggested diagram 316 was the better bet. Apart from anything else it would have facilitated 'kit-bashing' Pull-Push set 660!
Regards
Chris Knowles-Thomas
Many retailers have now sold out of the Hornby rebuilt LSWR 48′ coaches; particularly set no. 43.
I hope Bachmann has similar success with this most welcomed Birdcage set!
Now the question is will or when will Hornby do the SR Malachite versions of the Hornby rebuilt LSWR 48′ coaches. I have an olive set 45 for my Padstow on the Pacific but it would appear that by 1947 a large number of the Hornby rebuilt LSWR 48′ coaches had been repainted to Malachite. Put an “s” prefix on the malachite numbers and you have the post nationalization coaches that were not painted crimson.
Ken Adams