Bachmann ‘Conflat’
Bachmann’s newly tooled container is here – Richard Foster sets it to work on our test track.
Bachmann deserves credit for going above and beyond to bring a little variety to the transition-era goods train
◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Bachmann Branchline 37‑990 ‘Conflat’ No. B737725, with BA container, LMR Speedfreight silver ◆ PRICE £19.95 ◆ AVAILABILITY Bachmann stockists
You know we railway modellers have never had it so good in terms of the range and quality of ready-to-run models when Bachmann spends time and money to tool a new type of container! Speedfreight was a BR initiative to accelerate timings on its London-manchester/ Glasgow container services. Its Earlstown works built new BA containers from light alloy. They had one end door and sliding doors on each side. Bachmann’s new model is rather delightful. It captures the shape and features very crisply moulded rivets and door handles/locking gear. The finish is excellent too, with metallic silver and yellow – not colours we see much of on review models. Bachmann’s rendition looks suitably striking and is complemented by lots of fine and legible lettering. It may only be a simple plastic box, but Bachmann deserves credit for going above and beyond to bring a little variety to the transition-era goods train. There is a ‘but’, however, and that concerns ‘Conflat’ No. B737725. Most containers were attached to their carrying wagon with ropes and chains. Securing a container was a lengthy process so, as part of the accelerated timings, BR introduced a new locking system that could release or secure a container in a few seconds, rather than minutes. ‘Conflat As’ were modified with these new fittings and if you visit Locomotion, the NRM’S Shildon outstation, you’ll be able to inspect them on the real No. B737725. Sadly, despite the model carrying this number it is the standard ‘Conflat A’ model, which retains the rope and chain shackle fixings along the side. True, it’s not particularly noticeable with the wagon in motion, but if you want to model this forerunner to the modern container system accurately, you’re going to have to break out the tools.