Hornby RailRoad Long Wheelbase Van R6474

The basic model dates back to 1974 and was tooled to provide a van with fairly plain sides onto which a variety of non-authentic liveries could be printed. This was towards the end of the period when finish detail was heat printed onto the sides of wagons and, for a very short period, transfers were experimented with (e.g. the early Cory large mineral wagons). However, about this time, Tampo printing machines were acquired and these could print onto quite detailed mouldings.

The long wheelbase van of 1974 went on to carry many different colourful imaginary liveries and the model under review is the latest of these. It also represents a return of the basic model after an absence from the Hornby catalogue of 13 years. It owes its new life to the creation of the Hornby RailRoad range, as the model is cheap to produce, having clip together parts and self-coloured maroon plastic to receive the Tampo-printed finish detail.