LLETT COACHES
wire handrails and torpedo vents, while the roofboard brackets and water tanks are moulded. The interior features seats and corridor partitions. Corridor handrails, printed on the inside of the glazing, are one of few disappointing features. But below the solebar, with its continuous footboard, modellers are in for a treat. The distinctive Collett 7ft wheelbase bogies are richly detailed mouldings fitted with blackened metal wheelsets. The tie-bar that joins the axleguards is an incredibly fine moulding, particularly in comparison to the cast whitemetal equivalents of the past. The underframe carries battery boxes, dynamos, brake cylinders and V-hangers, and features various holes and slots so that these components can be positioned correctly for the different vehicle types. Tension-lock couplings are fitted to NEM pockets on the bogies, but the included detail pack contains
COACH TRIPLE
Bachmann has produced a triple-pack of Mk 1 coaches in West Highland Line green & cream livery for Harburn Hobbies. Stock code: 39-000J. Price: £115.00. Availability: Harburn Hobbies. Tel: 01315 563233. Web: www.harburnhobbies.co.uk alternative close-couplers similar to those used on the SR pull-push set. Also included are corridor blanking plates and two blank roofboards. The models are currently offered in GWR chocolate and cream with the crest, which was introduced in 1927 and lasted until Nationalisation, but interrupted for a while in the 1930s by the ‘shirt-button’ logo. The BR livery is the post-1948 crimson and cream. Many of these coaches survived into the mid-1960s, by which time they had received lined maroon livery. Doubtless, these two liveries will be included in later releases. My samples are all in BR crimson and cream and the decoration is up to Hornby’s usual high standard. Some may feel that the ‘carmine’ is a little dark. In service it was prone to fading and we’ll all have differing memories of the ‘correct’ shade. The Hornby colour looks acceptable to me. It has a nice flat finish and is relieved only by some very neat printing of numbers, ‘guard’ and first class markings, plus of course, the yellow and black lining. Exquisitely printed ‘first’ lozenges and ‘No smoking’ triangles are printed on the windows. Thank you, Hornby, these are brilliant! Now, can we have a refreshment vehicle, a slip coach, and a full brake, please? (CJL)
CLUB EDITION
Graham Farish has produced a limited edition of its LMS Fairburn 2-6-4Ts in Caledonian Railway blue, to represent the way the real No. 42085 was painted in the 1970s/1980s. It’s only available from the Collector’s Club. Stock code: 372-750K. Price: £119.95. Availability: www.bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk