Palitoy had planned to introduce a 25T Southern brake van in 1985 but in 1984 production was closed down. It was to be Mainline's spiritual successor, Bachmann, who eventually released the model in 1995. Since then, 16 versions of it have arrived. This is the fifth version in SR dark brown livery with red-oxide ends and buffer beams.
In 1933/4 the 'Queen Mary' brake vans were built at Ashford for fully fitted goods trains which were being planned. Their name probably refers to their size and relates to the ocean liner of that name. The brake vans in the initial batch were built on 21 redundant LBSC 'AC' motor luggage van bases and the result was the finest brake vans ever to be built for use on the British network. So successful were they that a further 25 were built on a shortened carriage underframes and with carriage bogies. Our model is one of these. It comes with the bogie mounted footsteps supplied loose for fitting.
Model Railway Express
Run by model railway enthusiasts, Modelfair is an online shop specialising in new, pre-owned and collectable model railways. http://www.modelfair.com for friendly and reliable service.
For Hornby and spares for Hornby, Electrotren, Lima (HO), Jouef and Rivarossi visit www.hornbyspares.co.uk
You too could advertise here. E-mail us
at Pat@mremag.com for details.