Bachmann announce ex LBSC Isle of Wight coaches as part of their EFE Rail brand in 00 Gauge [Updated 17/03/25]

Bachmann have today, ahead of the London Festival of Railway Modelling have announced ex LBSC Isle of Wight coaches as part of their EFE Rail brand in 00 Gauge. I have developed these models in my role with Kernow Model Rail Centre for the Bachmann EFE Rail brand. 

Between 1936 and 1939 sixty ex LBSC coaches were rebuilt on to 54ft chassis and made up into 4 or 6 coach sets numbered 485 to 507. Sets 490 to 499 and 502/3 however included coaches of older and subsequently later origins. These coaches had many variations especially with respect to the Brake Thirds that totaled ten different diagrams, ranging from 4 compartment to 7 compartment styles. Most coaches arrived on the Island as fully paneled, although some had additional steel sheeting and all the original LBSC Guards ducket positions were steel panelled from the outset.

Post nationalisation 52 ex South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) coaches were modified and arrived on the Island between 1948 and 1949. These initially formed larger sets,  however later many of the started to be mixed with coaches of other origins such as the ex LBSC type in their formation.  The end of loco hauled passenger trains on the Isle of Wight was in 1966, however three of the ex-LBSCR coaches, including Composite No. 6349 and Third No. 2416, were saved and today operate on the preserved Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

The new EFE Rail Isle of Wight coaches are being released as four coach packs comprising of a 6 compartment Brake Third to Diagram 210, 9 compartment Third to Diagram 90, 8 compartment Composite to Diagram 373 and a 7 compartment Brake Third to Diagram 211.

• E86021 Isle of Wight ex LBSC four coach set 486 – SR Lined Olive Green. Comprising D210 4152, D90 2416, D373 6354, D211 4158
• E86022 Isle of Wight ex LBSC four coach set 485 – SR Malachite Green. Comprising D210 4151, D90 2415, D373 6353, D211 4157
• E86023 Isle of Wight ex LBSC four coach set 488 – BR Crimson. Comprising D210 s4154, D90 s2414, D373 s6356, D211 s4160
• E86024 Isle of Wight ex LBSC four coach set 487 – BR Green. Comprising D210 s4152, D90 s2416, D373 s6354, D211 s4158 (note this set formation is a slight compromise as by this time it was mixed with ex SECR stock that arrived on the island between 1948/9)

Each model sports a high level of detail including fine panel engraving and intricately moulded ventilators, doors stops and door handles. Separately fitted items include: ornate metal door handrails, etched brass end steps, lamp irons, air pipework  and the emergency brake gear. Interior detailing including seating and compartment partitions. Beneath the solebars two styles of truss rod are modelled, the queen-post type found on the Brake Thirds and Third and the cross I Beam type as featured on the Composite. Battery boxes are added individually along with the dynamo and brake equipment, complete with metal wire piping between the various components.

The bogies are fitted with turned metal wheelsets and standard tension lock couplings are employed, attached via a chassis-mounted close coupling mechanism. Decoration includes period-appropriate ‘smoking’ and ‘no smoking’ signage on the windows and with set numbers applied to each brake vehicle at the outer ends and on the solebars of the four individual coaches.

It should be noted that the images released with this announcement are of the first engineering porotypes and some tooling amendments have been made to improve some areas including the roof edge gutters, end windows and bogie foot steps.

These coach sets will be ideal to accompany the previously released KMRC /EFE Rail Adams O2 locomotives, delivery is due Q4 this year and are available to pre-order at all of Bachmann’s retailers (RRP £269.95) including being discounted at Kernow Model Rail Centre.

Edit 17/03/25 

To respond to a couple of questions raise since the announcement:
Firstly, the coaches are not being released individually as it would not have been possible to justify tooling four different body types if not being produced in complete sets.
Secondly,  these coaches were substantially modified in a variety of ways, including being cut and shut, prior to going to the Island and therefore not possible within the tooling suite to justify producing in original mainland LBSC form and livery accurately (the only common part would be the bogies!).
Thirdly, some of the panelling, especially on the brake coaches was steel sheeted over in later life, we have purposely avoided those that were so sheeted for the BR livery versions.

Bachmann have also today announced a new tooled range of LMS Standard 20 Ton Brake Vans in 00 gauge covering diagrams 1919, 2036 and 2068. Additionally they have announced price reductions for their forthcoming Bachmann Branchline Class 350/450 ‘Desiro’ EMUs!