GRAHAM FARISH HAWK SWORTH AUTO-COACH
Continuing its policy of translating ‘OO’ models into ‘N’ gauge, Bachmann has followed the Graham Farish ‘64XX’ 0‑6‑0PT with its natural partner, the Hawksworth auto-coach. Introduced in 1951, the Hawksworth-designed auto-coaches were the last new vehicles of their type. Several survive in preservation and one or two have appeared in bogus GWR chocolate and cream, despite the fact that they weren’t introduced until after nationalisation. The first liveries carried by these coaches were either plain crimson or crimson and cream, and our sample carries the latter. The first two coaches released to traffic were almost immediately refitted with bus-style seating and named Wren and Thrush, but the idea was not perpetuated and subsequent cars appeared with more traditional auto-coach seating. Bachmann’s ‘OO’ model is a fine rendering of this distinctive push-pull coach with its near-flat sides, big windows, and driver’s cab at one end. The ‘N’ gauge version is every bit as good as its bigger brother and features a clear plastic body with detail in relief and printed with full livery and lining detail. The interior has a correct seating layout and the cab features the regulator and handbrake standard. It would benefit from the installation of a driver and a few passengers.
RIB TICKLED
The bodyside panel ribs which showed up so prominently on the unpainted engineering sample do not look nearly as heavy-handed on the finished model, and the character of the doors to cab, guard’s van and the main passenger saloon has been well captured. Shell-type roof vents and some extremely fine rivet lines give the
roof a convincing appearance, and the cab front carries a separate bell, correctly finished in the body colour. Turn the coach over and there’s some pleasing underframe detail, including the folding passenger steps (depicted in the open position) truss
rods, battery boxes, brake cylinders and rodding. The classic long, oval auto-coach buffers are fitted and the Hawksworth bogies carry Rapido-style couplers. Wheelsets are metal, on bushed metal axles. This little coach is a worthy companion to the ‘64XX’, and at a recommended retail price of £34.95, it represents good value, too.