The Southern Railway (SR) took over operations of the railways on the Isle of Wight upon Grouping in 1923, inheriting an eclectic mix of locomotives and rolling stock. To replace many of these antiquated vehicles, ageing stock from the mainland was given a second life on the island and in the late-1930s, sixty former London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) coaches arrived after having been rebuilt onto new 54ft chassis and fitted with Westinghouse brake equipment.
Four different coaches have been developed to allow authentic coach sets to be offered in a range of liveries spanning the working lives of the exiled prototypes and every model boasts a high level of detail. Produced using high fidelity injection moulded bodyshells, extra parts are fitted in the form of the ornate metal handrails that are each separately fitted, the etched metal end steps and the emergency brake gear found at the opposite end to the steps. Beneath each coach the truss rods have been authentically modelled, with two different types to suit the variations found on the prototypes, and separate battery boxes and Westinghouse brake components are added to complete the look. Metal wheelsets are used throughout whilst the NEM coupling pockets are mounted on close-coupling mechanisms fitted to the chassis of each coach.
In classic Southern style, the coach sets were used in fixed formations with set numbers at either end and on the solebar of each vehicle. Naturally, this numbering is incorporated into the EFE Rail models, along with a full complement of livery details to complete this coach pack and provide a complete train ready to be hauled by your chosen locomotive.
The EFE Rail 54ft non-Corridor Bogie Coaches are based on the brand’s highly acclaimed Isle of Wight Coaching stock – the prototypes for which were rebuilt from former London, Brighton & South Coast Railway vehicles before their move to the island. With no authentic coaching stock available to depict passenger operations of many of the Victorian railway companies, these EFE models give a true feel of train travel from yesteryear and come finished in authentic liveries for some of the pre-Grouping companies that have so far been uncatered for when it comes to ready to run coaching stock.
Each model is produced using a high fidelity injection moulded bodyshell adorned with extra details, like the ornate metal handrails that are each separately fitted, the etched metal end steps and the emergency brake gear. Beneath each coach the truss rods have been authentically modelled alongside separate battery boxes, the Westinghouse brake components complete the look. Metal wheelsets are used throughout whilst the NEM coupling pockets are mounted on close-coupling mechanisms fitted to the coach chassis, providing close coupling whilst still allowing the models to negotiate second radius curves.
MODEL FEATURES:
- EFE Rail OO Scale
- Era 2
- Pristine LBSCR Raw Umber livery
- Running No. 4935
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Length 236mm (over couplings)