NETWORK RAIL MK.3 DVT
Hornby reissued its Mk.3 DVT model earlier in the summer in two liveries, including Network Rail No. 82129 (R4990) and InterCity Swallow No. 82116 (R4996). It is a welcome return of a model which has made only sporadic appearances in the Hornby catalogue in recent times.
The featured Network Rail model represents one of the four displaced InterCity West Coast Mk.3 Driving Van Trailers (DVT) acquired by Network Rail (Nos. 82111/124/129/145) in 2013 for push-pull operation with test trains to ease the operational issues of running round trains or reduce the use of two locomotives in top and tail formation. An on-board generator was fitted alongside camera and additional lighting equipment to assist with track assessment work undertaken on a regular basis by Network Rail over most of its routes. The model has the correct style of forward light cluster covers and air horn covers for the Network Rail era and is fitted with LED lighting. An eight-pin DCC interface socket is fitted, with the wiring configured for push-pull working. During testing, some light bleed was observed through the front of the model.
The model retains the sprung cab doors and has fully detailed headstocks with metal sprung buffers, air brake pipes and screw coupling. No close coupling cams are fitted to the inner end where the coupling is fitted to the bogie. Overall, it is a close but useful interpretation of the
Network Rail DVTs in having printed grilles for the on-board generator and none of the front camera and lighting equipment. It is an excellent base model for further enhancement and adds to the collection of Network Rail equipment released by Hornby in the last couple of years.
❒ Produced by Hornby Hobbies Ltd. www.hornby.com
£ RRP £82.49