This Limited Edition Bachmann Collectors Club model depicts the BR Mk1 Brake Composite Corridor (BCK) coach in the attractive Pullman Umber and Cream livery as Car No. 356 that operated as part of the SLOA charter rake from the early 1980s onwards. The SLOA charter rake was formed of Parlour Second (SP) vehicles as-well as Bar Second (BSP) ‘The Hadrian Bar’, and two Mark 1 BCKs – these were painted into Pullman Umber & Cream livery and numbered ‘Car No. 355’ and ‘Car No. 356’. Both types of Pullman vehicle have featured in the Graham Farish range over the years, and in 2015 a model of BCK ‘Car No. 355’ was also produced for the Bachmann Collectors Club. Therefore, the introduction of this new brake coach allows modellers to create an complete and authentic SLOA rake using ready to run models for the first time.
Based on the Graham Farish N scale Mk1 BCK, our model is highly detailed and carries a wonderful rendition of this popular colour scheme. Fitted with Commonwealth bogies, the model includes NEM coupling pockets mounted on a close coupling mechanism.
MODEL FEATURES:
- Graham Farish N Scale
- Era 8
- Pristine Pullman Umber & Cream livery
- Running No. ‘Car No. 356’
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Length 136mm
- Bachmann Collectors Club Limited Edition - 504 Certificated Pieces
HISTORY
The Steam Locomotive Operators Association (SLOA) was formed in 1975 to bring together steam locomotive owners and groups who wished to run on the main line. The SLOA recognised that the number of vacuum braked and steam heated coaches was in decline in the 1970s so in 1981, in order to preserve steam haulage on the main line, they purchased a rake of eight 1960 built Metropolitan Cammell Mark 1 Pullman vehicles. Two standard BR Mark 1 Brake Corridor Composite (BCK) vehicles were also sourced to provide the necessary guards’ accommodation. SLOA quickly realised that to operate, hire and maintain these vehicles was a fully commercial venture and so in 1983 the vehicles were sold to Pullman Rail, a company setup by Sir William McAlpine, who at the time owned ‘Flying Scotsman’, one of the locomotives used with the SLOA train.
Car No. 356 was one of 16 vehicles built by BR Swindon Works to diagram 171 as part of lot 30669. With construction completed in 1962, the coach was out-shopped as No. M21245 for operation on the London Midland Region. SLOA hired the vehicle from British Rail shortly after purchasing its rake of Mk1 Pullman Cars and the TOPS running number 99356 was applied. The second BCK required for the charter rake was purchased by the National Railway Museum in 1981 and loaned to the SLOA before being purchased by Pullman Rail in 1984. In late-1993 the train was withdrawn for overhaul but was later disbanded with ‘Car No. 356’ finding a new use in charter trains having returned to its original number of 21245.
