Bachmann ‘2‑HAP’ EMU
◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Bachmann Branchline 31-391 Class 414 two-car EMU 6063, BR blue/grey ◆ PRICE £259.95 ◆ AVAILABILITY Bachmann stockists
My one surviving Abc Combined Volume shows that my observation of ‘2-HAP’ units was patchy, to say the least. The tiny unit numbers, placed in the middle of the ends, made Southern Region EMUS something of a spotters’ nightmare. On an eight-car train comprising four two-car units, one would be lucky to read the numbers on any more than the front and rear units when moving at speed. However, my predominance of ‘cops’ in the series above unit 6145 suggests that later-built ‘2-HAPS’ were present on the Western Section, though the rest of the class was prevalent in the central and south-east suburbs.
Nevertheless, there is something refreshingly familiar about Bachmann Branchline’s latest third-rail EMU release. The sample that Bachmann has kindly supplied for review is finished in Rail blue and grey as 6063 and it is immediately recognisable as a spot-on rendering of one of these very basic, ordinary trains. Once you have a Southern EMU chassis, it is not difficult to adapt it to suit a variety of units, just as the Southern Railway and Southern
Region did over much of the 20th Century. Bachmann has done just that, with the chassis that was developed for Kernow MRC’S Class 205 diesel-electric unit and Bachmann’s own Class 411 ‘4-CEP’, for which the ‘2-HAP’ is the perfect companion.
IN DETAIL
Like the ‘4-CEP’, this model captures the character of the real thing exceptionally well and boasts some stunning details. The cluster of separately fitted jumpers and cables on the cab ends reminded me of the hisses and bangs as trains were joined or divided at Staines Central.
It is not just the end detail that impresses. Printed detail on the electrical equipment made me look twice to see if it was moulded or merely printed on, and most of the underframe components are separate fittings.
Simple shapes are often the most difficult to capture accurately, but the very plain Mk 1 non-gangwayed body looks the part, the only distraction being the inevitable prismatic effect around the multitude of flush-glazed windows.
Starting with its Class 121 (MR273) and ‘117’ (MR277), Bachmann seems to have moved its paint finishes up to a new level this year. The Rail blue and grey paintwork on this model has an excellent satin-matt finish, which matches well with my memory that this livery was seldom shiny, even when freshly applied.
It is, however, the printing that is impossible to overlook. Corporate image lettering was, of course, upper and lower case, so the lower case letters are particularly small.
The crowning glory is on the ends again – and take care not to break the jumper cables while looking for it!
Yes, partly hidden behind the cables below the driver’s windscreen is the WD depot sticker for Wimbledon printed in black. Almost behind the cables on the other side is a Rail blue and grey label reading ‘Class 414/3’. Many of us ‘Southerners’ could never really get to grips with TOPS class numbers, and it seems depot staff were similarly affected, for one had neatly painted ‘2HAP’ immediately below it in black freehand and Bachmann has painstakingly reproduced it.
The chassis and mechanism used here is similar to that used in the ‘4-CEP’ and the Class 419 ‘MLV’, rather than the newer, low-height design used in the recent WR diesel units. Thus, we merely have directional-controlled lighting behind the two-character head code panels at the front
Detail on the electrical equipment made me look twice to see if it was moulded or merely printed on
and rear. The motor coach carries the ‘84’ headcode and the trailer the two red bars which formed the tail light on SR units.
The bogies are similar to those used on the ‘4-CEP’ with excellent depth of detail, including
JARGON BUSTER l Route 84 (Central Section): Victoria and Epsom Downs via Streatham Common and West Croydon l Route 84 (Eastern Section): Charing Cross and Paddock Wood via Greenwich, Strood and Maidstone West
separately fitted shoe-beams. Electrical connection between the two vehicles is by the same clip-fit plastic bar as used on the previous EMU, rather than the more cumbersome multi-pin plug used on the DMUS.
The motor is concealed in a black-painted metal casting within the ‘van’ area of the motor coach and drives the outer bogie by way of a Cardan shaft and gearbox. It’s this area which harks back to criticisms of the ‘4-CEP’ model and some of Bachmann’s other multiple units, because it intrudes into the passenger area and is visible through the windows. On the ‘2-HAP’, it blocks approximately one and a half seating bays but then there are various electrical components and other chassis parts which, though they are below window level, take up further interior space, filling a total roughly half the car length. These are less conspicuous, despite being highlighted by the interior lighting of the coach.
Bachmann has done everything possible to produce the ‘2-HAP’ to its highest possible 21st-century standards, given the use of an existing chassis design. It has succeeded, but the model is held back by the intrusion of so much chassis and electrics into the passenger area, which is a pity, and why it misses out on a 10/10 for looks and for features. (CJL)