Bachmann adds two new Bulleid coaches to its Branchline OO scale range

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Bachmann adds two new Bulleid coaches to its Branchline OO scale range

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Picture of Roger Smith

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Bachmann Bulleid BCK coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe
Bachmann Bulleid BCK coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe

Europe has announced the addition of two new Bulleid coaches to its Bachmann Branchline OO scale range.

The new vehicles depict a Diagram 2406 Brake Composite Corridor (BCK) and a Diagram 2017 Third Open (TO) coach.

Bulleid, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway (SR), designed his first 63ft 5in. corridor coaches in 1946, and as usual with Southern Railway trains, they were coupled into semi-permanent sets.

End view of Bachmann Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe
End view of Bachmann Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe

Bulleid’s designs continued to be built after Nationalisation in 1948, when the first Diagram 2406 BCK was built and was the last type to feature the shallower 10¼in. window ventilators.

Although the Southern Railway built some Diagram 2017 TOs, most were built by British Railways and had the deeper 15in. window ventilators as that are depicted in the new Branchline models.

Forty Diagram 2406 BCKs were built at Eastleigh. They were not formed into fixed sets, but used as loose coaches to strengthen sets at peak times, or included in trains where they could be detached part way through a journey, such as The Atlantic Coast Express where up to six BCKs for different destinations could be coupled to the main set on departure from London Waterloo. They would progressively be uncoupled during the journey and continue to their final destination as part of a local or branch service, or as a single coach.

The BCKs were out-shopped in SR Malachite Green with BR markings, whilst the TOs appeared from new in BR’s Crimson & Cream livery. In 1956, they were repainted into BR (SR) Green livery, and with the abolition of Third Class also in 1956, the Third Opens were reclassified to Second Opens (SO).

Underside view of Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe
Underside view of Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe

The two new Bachmann Branchline Bulleid Coaches feature a wealth of detail including components fitted separately such as roof vents, lamp irons, toilet filler & overflow pipework, and a complete vacuum pipe-run between the sockets at each end of the coaches.

Brake details and footsteps are included as appropriate, along with authentic interiors and full underframe gear. The electrical pickups are incorporated into the bogies.

Several variations will be available to allow depictions of both coach types over the course of their working lives.

These include the original smooth bodysides, the later addition of strengthening ribs, and twin or single handrails next to the luggage compartment doors on the BCK.

Beneath the solebar is the option for the original centrally mounted vacuum brake cylinder or later pair of offset cylinders , and Bulleid or BR Mk.1 pattern battery boxes and dynamo.

The new models are expected to be available in 2026, but details of the liveries for the initial models and information about further Bulleid Coaches will be made in the Spring 2025 British Railway Announcement on Bachmann Europe’s YouTube Channel at 09.30 on Wednesday 5th February.

End view of Bachmann End view of Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe
End view of Bachmann Bulleid BCK and TO coaches. // Credit: Bachmann Europe

Last August, Bachmann announced the introduction of nearly 200 new products in its autumn range,
and in November it announced the introduction of 168 new items as part its Winter 2024 British Railways range.

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