In light of the demand for the recently released BR(s) Pull Push sets converted from Maunsell coaches Hornby have today announced the additional release of coach pack R4534A as Set 616 comprising of Driving Brake Composite number S6695S and Second Open number S1359S. The coach pack should be available in November.
This is a sensible addition to the range and looks likely to have been pulled forward from next years catalogue to meet the obvious demand, so full marks to Hornby. My review of the Pull Push sets can be read here.
Set 616 was originally Central Section based but was transfered to the Western Section during 1962.
A further addition to the 2012 range is R3159 a new M7 class number 30055. This is a long frame pull push fitted version and therefore suitable motive power for the Pull Push Sets. Unlike 30029 contained in the R3087 Train pack 30055 should have the dog clamp style smokebox door, and is illustrated as such on the packaging for the coach packs so hopefully it will be modelled correctly by Hornby.
As per my subsequent post regarding availability of these sets here further deliveries to complete retailers outstanding pre-orders of R3087 and R4534 should be completed in July. I would add that this does not mean that retailers whom have either not got outstanding orders or ordered enough at the time will be able to order more of this batch as they may already be all accounted for.
Further to my review of the excellent Hornby BR(s) Pull Push set conversions last week, it would certainly appear that they have been popular. In many cases retailers have sold out and in some cases have not been able to even full fill pre-orders.
In some instances emails have been received from retailers advising that orders have been cancelled as the item is out of stock and production has been cancelled, which has raised a few eyebrows and in some instances hackles.
In response to this I have communicated with Simon Kohler, Sales and Marketing Director at Hornby who advises me that further stocks will be available in July, so I am happy to try here and put the record straight.
I assure those trying to get hold of them that they will be worth the wait!
As first announced by Hornby in January this year the models of the BR conversions of Maunsell stock into Twenty Pull Push sets, that were converted by BR(SR) from late 1959 to mid 1960, have now started to hit the retailers. The Hornby models correctly consisted of an 1935 built ex-Diagram 2403 Maunsell Brake Corridor Composite and a Diagram 2023 (ex 1930 built Diagram 2005) Maunsell Second Open (was designated a Third Open until 1956). Hornby have released the sets both as a coach pack (R4534) as Set 610 and the train pack (R3087) as set 600 with M7 30029.
Building on the success of their excellent Maunsell coach range they have of course utilised a number of common components such as the underframes and bogies, complete with their standard close coupling cam arrangement and NEM pockets etc. Both coach bodies are new toolings to take into account the driving brake and also the Diagram 2023 Third / Open Second.
The models correctly recreate the modifications to the prototype; where the brake end was modified by inserting two windows to form a driving compartment, the corridor connection removed and plated over (complete with rivet detail), and droplights replacing the familiar former guard’s lookout duckets. Similarly the outer end of the Second Open had its outer corridor connection removed and plated over but the corridor connection between the two vehicles was retained. Hornby’s attention to detail has included the up-rated EMU style buffer stocks fitted to the outer ends of both coaches along with fine rivet detail, the additional lamp irons, handrails, steps and whistle on the driving end. This attention to detail has also extended to the fact that the driving end bogie correctly has the guard irons represented, and also within the interior that features correctly coloured seating for both 1st. & 2nd. class along with brown partitions, all very nice touches!
Livery and printing matches the high standard of the existing Maunsell Stock range, and unlike on their recently released Van Bs have they managed to get the ‘Guard’ lettering on the doors the correct size. 30029 within the R3087 Train pack version has the shed plate 75F for Tonbridge Wells West, printed on the smokebox door, which is correct for both the 30029’s and Set 600’s allocation for the time period c1963. They have however used the dog clamp fitted smokebox door arrangement on this M7, where in reality 30029 retained the centre dart method of keeping the door closed.
The Second / Third Open type is also due to be released as a Diagram 2005 loose coach in Olive Green as No. 1400 and BR(s) Green as s1314s but of course fitted with standard buffers and corridor connections at each end.
As these were only introduced by BR(s) from 1959 for those of us modelling earlier periods it should be remembered that ex LSWR Gate Stock Pull Push units have been commissioned by Kernow Model Centre for release probably early 2013 and I know that the early stages of the CAD preparation is underway.
Note: ‘Pull Push’ rather than ‘Push Pull’ was the description usually coined by the Southern Railway / Southern Region within working notices etc for these type of workings.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
