Tri-ang Railways and
Tri-ang Hornby |
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BLUE PULLMAN SIX CAR
TRAIN (LONDON MIDLAND REGION)
The complete Midland Region train with the appropriate vehicles as it could
have appeared if issued during the Tri-ang Hornby era. See below for views
of the Type 1 Motor Brake First and Types 4 and 5 Kitchen Parlour First vehicles that were not
actually produced. |
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BLUE PULLMAN
TYPE 1 MOTOR BRAKE FIRST (MIDLAND)
The original Tri-ang Railways R555 and R556 Type 2 Blue Pullman power cars
were issued as Motor Brake Seconds as used in the three, eight car trains
that were operating on British Railways Western Region. This model has been
modified into a Type 1 Motor Brake First as used in the two, six car trains
that were operating on the London Midland Region Midland Pullman. |
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BLUE PULLMAN TYPE 2
MOTOR BRAKE SECOND (WESTERN)
As supplied by Tri-ang Railways this vehicle would appear correct for a
Western Region eight car train. Well, not quite. The passenger seating unit
is arranged with the passageway on the left instead of the right viewed
internally from the passenger doors. A simple
reversal of the seating unit makes this correct. |
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BLUE PULLMAN TYPE 3
PARLOUR SECOND (WESTERN)
By removal of the window strip from an R426 Parlour First and replacing it
with a seven window insert the Parlour Second is created. The Tri-ang
seating units installed are from the seat units removed from the Motor Brake
conversions from Western Seconds to Midland Firsts. |
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BLUE PULLMAN
TYPE 4 KITCHEN PARLOUR FIRST (MIDLAND)
Tri-ang Railways only ever issued two out of the six types of cars used in
the Blue Pullman trains. In this instance an R426 Type 6 Parlour First has
been converted into a Type 4 Kitchen Parlour First. Along with two regular
R426 Parlour Firsts, a correct representation of the Midland Pullman six car
set may now be formed. |
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BLUE PULLMAN TYPE 5
KITCHEN PARLOUR FIRST (WESTERN)
At first the two types of Kitchen Parlour cars seem identical. There is a
minor difference in the window arrangement in that the Western one has a
full sized vestibule window opposite the toilet whereas the Midland car has
a half sized window. This vehicle is also converted from an R426 Parlour
First. |
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BLUE PULLMAN TYPE 6
PARLOUR FIRST (MIDLAND & WESTERN)
This is the only Blue Pullman vehicle that is common between the Midland and
Western trains. It does not require any modification and is only shown to
complete the family of Blue Pullman vehicles. |
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CONTINENTAL DINING
CAR
One of the more esoteric models produced by Tri-ang was the R625 Continental
Sleeping Car. This was a standard Series 1 Pullman Car in CIWL blue with
opaque windows on one side and the interior of a Series 1 Corridor Composite
Car. It was suggested at the time of introduction that staying with the Pullman Car interior would have
made a more appropriate CIWL Dining Car. This conversion is done by
replacing the interior and removing the opaque windows. |
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Mk.1 BRAKE
SERVICE CORRIDOR (BSK) VENICE SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS, UK
Hornby introduced a slightly modified R469 Pullman Parlour Car fitted with
Gresley bogies in 1984. No brake or service vehicle was offered so this is
coach is simply a repainted BSK representing the brake vehicle in use by
VSOE at that time. |
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Mk.1 BRAKE
FIRST CORRIDOR (BFK)
Although similar in appearance to a Brake Second Corridor this Brake First
Corridor has the larger compartments taken from a Composite Corridor coach.
The arrangement of doors and windows in the brake section are also
rearranged. |
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Mk.1 BRAKE
COMPOSITE CORRIDOR (BCK)
Although of similar appearance to other brake coaches, this conversion has
irregularly spaced passenger windows and also the luxury of two toilet
compartments. |
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Mk.1 BRAKE
SECOND OPEN (BSO)
This is a modified Brake Second Corridor now with five passenger windows per
side and a rearranged and smaller brake section. Note the additional window
opposite the toilet, not present on a BSK. |
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Mk.1
CORRIDOR SECOND (SK)
The easiest conversion to make is a Second Corridor coach. Sides from two
Brake Second Corridor coaches are cut and joined to form the eight per side
passenger windows. The original interiors are also cut and joined to form
the interior compartments and toilets. |
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Mk.1 TOURIST
SECOND OPEN (TSO)
Using the same exterior window arrangement as the SK, what was once one of
the most common Mk.1 coaches on British Railways may be represented. In this
case an open plan interior representing the 64 seats is made up from plastic
card. |
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Mk.1
RESTAURANT SECOND OPEN (RSO)
Again using the same exterior window arrangement as the SK, this model
represents a fairly rare prototype coach that was found adjacent to
Restaurant Kitchen cars to provide accommodation for dining passengers. A
plastic interior is constructed representing the 2+1 across seating
arrangement. |
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Mk.1 RESTAURANT
MINIATURE BUFFET (RMB)
The first twelve RMB cars built seated 48 and the remainder seated 44 because of
the replacement of a seating bay with a storage cupboard. This model was
converted to represent one of the original batch by the insertion of a
window and seating bay to the left of the centre door. No ready to run
models of this variation have been available. |
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Mk.1 BULLION
VAN (SLB)
After cutting and reforming the original coach sides a surfeit of coach
frames, bogies and roofs remain. By making new plastic sides this unusual
vehicle may be made. No ready to run models of this type of vehicle have
been available. |
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Mk.2 BRAKE
SECOND OPEN (BSO)
This is probably the easiest conversion to make as it requires no
modification to the exterior. It is made by replacing the original compartment interior
with new open plan seating. Fortunately the real Mk.2 and Mk.2A BFK
and BSO have identical window spacing. The original interior is retained for
the FK conversion. |
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Mk.2
CORRIDOR FIRST (FK)
This model requires two BFK coaches with the passenger windows from one
substituting for the brake compartment in the other. As the Mk.2 coaches are
not modular, slightly more cutting and joining is required. The two seat
units are joined to form the seven compartment interior. |
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Ex LNER THOMPSON
BRAKE SECOND CORRIDOR (BSK)
This carriage, utilising the Mk1 frame, roof and bogies was only ever issued
in a teak finish and did not have an interior. This version is in British
Railways maroon and a compartment interior has been fabricated from plastic
card. |
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Ex LNER THOMPSON
CORRIDOR SECOND (SK)
For once Hornby did not follow their usual practice and issue a Corridor
Composite carriage. Probably because the real thing was a shorter than
standard vehicle, they made a Corridor Second instead. This version is in
British Railways maroon and a compartment interior has been fabricated from
plastic card. |
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R733 FREELANCE
FOUR-WHEEL COACH (STARTER SET)
This vehicle was produced for inclusion in inexpensive starter train sets.
It was only ever released in yellow. A green model was proposed but not
issued. |
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AMBULANCE CAR SUPPORT
VEHICLE
In 1963 Tri-ang introduced the R248, 2nd Series Transcontinental Baggage Car repainted as an
Ambulance Car. No other models were produced in these colours to complement
this vehicle. A simple solution to providing an additional different vehicle
for an ambulance train could have been a 2nd Series Transcontinental Coach Car
in matching colours. |
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R254 STEEPLE CAB
ELECTRIC LOCO
The Steeple Cab
loco was produced in British Railways green and Transcontinental green both
with operational pantograph and also in maroon with a fixed plastic non
working pantograph (Primary Series). The black version shows another
alternative livery that could have been. |
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R257 DOUBLE ENDED
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The Transcontinental Double Ended
Electric Locomotive was produced originally in orange and green with Tri-ang
Railways on the side. Later a pair of two tone green models were introduced,
one with Tri-ang Railways and the other with the TR shield. Here is another
possibility, orange and green with the TR shield instead of Tri-ang
Railways. |
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SINGLE ENDED
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE (A UNIT)
On the roof The R55 Transcontinental Diesel Locomotive there are four
protrusions which are almost at the correct spacing to accept a pantograph.
As was done with the R159 Double Ended Diesel Locomotive adapting it to the
R257 electric locomotive, this could also have been done with the single
ended unit too. |
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ELECTRIC BOOSTER LOCOMOTIVE (B UNIT)
There are also the four protrusions on the roof of the B unit locomotive and
the adaptation to an electric locomotive booster unit is quite
straightforward. |
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AUXILIARY WATER
TENDER
The Class 23 Transcontinental Pacific loco was produced in large numbers and
if a preserved example of the real thing was in service today a second water
carrying tender may be required. This is a fairly straightforward conversion
of a standard tender but with the coal bunker removed and plated over. |
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R154 CLASS N15
LOCOMOTIVE
The "Sir Dinadan" was introduced 1976 in Southern Railways green at
the height of Hornby's "Big Four" period when almost all steam locomotives
that could be were issued only in the colours of the pre nationalised railway
companies. A British Railway green model was proposed but unfortunately did
not reach production. |
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CLASS S15
LOCOMOTIVE
An economic model,
both for manufacturer and customer, would have been a "King Arthur"
Class
N15 issued in mixed traffic black. This would have made yet another
attractive livery for this model, in this case representing the similar Class
S15 locomotive. Nowadays however if this type of economic model was issued
it would bring howls of virulent protest from the fine scale zealots. This
variant was proposed but it also did not reach production. |
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R252 CLASS J83
LOCOMOTIVE
The Class J83
was also introduced in 1976, of course also in pre nationalised colours
only. Eventually a British Railways variant was produced but this was also
in green. Again, a black version was proposed but did not make it into
production. |
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R261 CLASS E2
LOCOMOTIVE
The Class E2 was
introduced in 1979 and was eventually produced in London Brighton & South
Coast Railway Brown Umber, Southern Railway Olive Green and Southern Railway
black liveries. An attractive fourth variant would have been in British
Railways black. |
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R450 CLASS 2P
LOCOMOTIVE
This locomotive was introduced in the 1973 catalogue. This is a classic
example of an economic model produced from modifying the Southern Railway
Class L1. It was of course only issued in London Midland & Scottish Railway
colours. A British Railways version would have offered the choice of another
model. Once again the fine scale zealots decried this model but it did offer
a new model of a locomotive that had not previously been produced. |
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R350 EM2 CLASS 77
LOCOMOTIVE
The EM2
model introduced into the Tri-ang Railways catalogue in 1960 was a lined
green model, number 27000 and named Electra. When the prototype locomotives
were introduced in 1954, they were in black as depicted here. This one would
eventually be named "Pandora". Tri-ang
Railways and Tri-ang Hornby eventually made models in differing blue
versions but not one in the original black. |
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R360 AL6 CLASS 86
LOCOMOTIVE
The Class 86 model was
originally issued in British Rail blue and a succession of Inter City and
other operator's colours but not in the original colour scheme of Electric
Blue. The first prototype locomotive modified was E3173 with the addition of
large external springs on the bogies thus earning the locomotive the
unofficial nickname "Zebedee" after a character in the then current BBC TV
program "Magic Roundabout". |
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TRI-ANG HORNBY
CONVERTER WAGON
On the amalgamation (assimilation) of Hornby Dublo by Tri-ang Railways a
special coupling converter wagon was produced with a Tri-ang Mk.3 tension
lock coupling at one end and a Dublo (Peco) type coupling at the other. The
wagon was illustrated in the 1965 Amalgamation Catalogue in green but when
it appeared it was in black. The two versions are illustrated. |
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TRANSCONTINENTAL
PULP WOOD CAR
Models on sale in the UK were normally grey but this one in green utilises a
flat car and bulkheads from a different model. |
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TRANSCONTINENTAL FLAT CAR WITH LOGS LOAD
Although the Flat Car was on sale in the UK it was not offered with a
Logs Load. They were however offered for the Canadian market in grey or
Canadian National black carrying a Logs Load. |
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TRANSCONTINENTAL FLAT CAR
The flat car on sale in the UK was usually in grey. For the Canadian market
a different model was offered lettered International Logging Company but
usually with a Pulp Wood load. |
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TRANSCONTINENTAL FLAT CAR WITH LOGS LOAD
A black or grey log carrying flat car was offered for the Canadian market but this model is a hybrid of a Pulp Wood Car and a log
carrying car. |
Hornby Dublo |
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Mk.1 TRAILER LUGGAGE VAN (TLV)
In the rush into service of the six Trailer Luggage Vans, one vehicle eluded
the conversion into blue/grey colours and entered service in maroon and is
represented by a standard BG but fitted with EPB (Electro Pneumatic Brake)
equipment as used on Southern Region Electric Multiple Units. |
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Mk.1 TRAILER LUGGAGE VAN (TLV)
Hornby Dublo did not issue any coaches in the then new British Rail
Blue/Grey colour scheme. This is a repainted Full Brake with the addition
of EPB (Electro Pneumatic Brake) equipment as used on Southern Region
Electric Multiple Units. Possible
number of 4077? |
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Mk.1 RESTAURANT UNCLASSIFIED (RU)
It is documented that Hornby Dublo intended to issue a Super Detail
Restaurant Car in Southern Region green (4072). No doubt had Meccano
remained in business longer, Super Detail coaches would have been issued in
British Rail Blue/Grey. Possible number of 4073? |
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BOGIE TIMBER WAGON
The Bogie Timber Wagon was to use a Super Detail coach underframe painted
grey and use the transfers of the Bogie Well Wagon. In this case a coach
underframe has been repainted and plastic restraints for the timber load
have been fabricated. The number of this model was to be 4612. |
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BOGIE CONTAINER WAGON (CONFLAT P)
The Bogie Container Wagon also uses a Super Detail coach underframe and in
this instance it is fitted with plastic planked decking and low retaining
side walls. The containers are plastic, not original wooden ones, as this was the
intention stated in the reference book. The number was to be 4638. |
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GOODS BRAKE VAN, WESTERN REGION (4312)
In the 1962, 1963 and 1964 Hornby Dublo catalogues, the Western Region brake
van was illustrated in a bauxite colour but models in this livery did not
seem to be produced. The bauxite coloured model illustrated is converted
from the grey model. |
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GOODS BRAKE VAN, BRITISH RAILWAYS (4311)
Although the LMR brake van was issued in both grey and bauxite colours,
there was only one choice of livery for the WR and BR brake vans. The grey
coloured model illustrated is converted from the bauxite model. |
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DIESEL BRAKE TENDER
This model is made entirely from Hornby Dublo components apart from
the aluminium block in the centre, underneath the upturned well-wagon body.
Model made and photo supplied by Brian Malaws. |
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SOUTHERN REGION QUEEN MARY BRAKE VAN
The Southern 'Queen Mary' bogie brake van, made with Hornby Dublo
components.
Model made and photo supplied by Brian Malaws. |
Lima |
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Mk2c CORRIDOR COMPOSITE (CK)
No Composite Corridor carriages in the Mk2 series were built from new for
British Rail but this model represents one of five Corridor Firsts that
ScotRail converted to Corridor Composites in the 1980's
by downgrading four of the first class compartments to standard class.
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Mk2c OPEN FIRST (FO)
The original carriage as supplied is configured as a Corridor First. This
simple conversion uses the interior from the Airfix Mk2d Open First. |
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Mk2f RESTAURANT FIRST OPEN (RFO)
No catering cars were built from new in the Mk2 series and this model
represents one of the Open Firsts that were converted for use in Cross Country sets.
This model was made by filling in the toilet window and the two adjacent
seating bay windows. The model can also represent the externally similar Restaurant Lounge Open
(RLO) as used in sleeper trains. |
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ASEA Rc4
Lima were well known for producing as many colour variations as possible
from their models. Although the Rc4 was produced in both Swedish and
Austrian colours they missed out on this single example that operated for
Amtrak as a demonstrator. The demonstration was successful resulting in an
order for a fleet of AEM7 locomotives built under licence by EMD. This model
is a standard Lima Austrian model repainted and fitted with American
couplers. |
AIRFIX |
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Mk2d CORRIDOR FIRST (FK)
The original carriage as supplied is configured as an Open First. This
simple conversion uses the interior from the Lima Mk2b Corridor first. |
JOUEF |
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SNCF CC21004
Whilst the ASEA Rc4 locomotive was on demonstration in the USA, a French
locomotive was also demonstrated. This did not result in any sales. This
model is a standard Jouef SNCF model repainted and fitted with American
couplers. |
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SNCF RTG GAS TURBINE FIVE CAR TRAIN
Jouef produced a five car RTG train in SNCF colours consisting of two power
cars, a food service car, a composite car and a standard class car. When
Amtrak purchased some of these trains in the mid 1970's, Jouef produced
models in Amtrak colours. The most obvious discrepancy between the two
models was the European style buffers on the outer ends of the power cars.
They have been removed from the model. |
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AMTRAK RTG GAS TURBINE FIVE CAR TRAIN
After acquiring the French trains, Amtrak purchased more Turboliners but
these were built in America to a more streamlined design. The rebuilt model
shown here is a Jouef model modified with new end cabs, new windows and
other alterations to represent the rebuilt French trains. |
Carriages built from
Tri-ang parts and other kits |
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EX SOUTHERN RAILWAY BRAKE COMPOSITE CORRIDOR (BCK)
After making the Tri-ang Hornby conversions you are left with a surfeit of
frames and roofs. A most economical use for these surplus parts was to fit
new sides as made by LAM models of Plumstead, London. At the time these were
listed at £0.86 for two coach sides. Interiors were made from surplus
Tri-ang corridor interiors. |
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EX SOUTHERN RAILWAY CORRIDOR SECOND (SK)
Some ex Southern Railway vehicles received paint jobs other than green. This
is again a Tri-ang LAM hybrid model. LAM models produced a good range of
flat pre punched plastic card Bulleid coach sides. Once rolled to give
tumblehome they were a direct replacement for the original Tri-ang sides. |
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EX SOUTHERN RAILWAY RESTAURANT SECOND KITCHEN +
RESTAURANT FIRST SEMI OPEN (RSK+RFSo)
LAM models even made pre punched sides with sides extended covering the
solebar as existed on the
Bournemouth six car coach sets. The illustration is of the two centre
vehicles containing the catering facilities. |
Carriages built mostly
from kits |
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THOMPSON CORRIDOR FIRST (FK)
Extending the range to compliment the Tri-ang Hornby Thompson coaches is a
Corridor First, a kit by BSL. Looking similar to the Corridor Second, this
vehicle has six and not seven compartments. Yes, the bogies are incorrect
but so are the ones on the Tri-ang Hornby models. |
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THOMPSON CORRIDOR COMPOSITE (CK)
The composite car also has six compartments but this time the vehicle is
shorter because of the three second class compartments. Again a BSL kit.
Bogies are once again Tri-ang Hornby matching the ones on their Thompson
coaches. |
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THOMPSON RESTAURANT BUFFET (RB)
Tri-ang Hornby only produced two Thompson passenger cars, a BSK and a SK but
did not offer any catering cars. This model is built from a BSL kit. |
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THOMPSON RESTAURANT BUFFET (RBR)
Tri-ang Hornby only produced two Thompson passenger cars, a BSK and a SK but
did not offer any catering cars. This model is a BSL
kit suitably modified with filled in windows. The real carriage was rebuilt
by BR and lasted in service long enough to receive Blue/Grey
colours. |
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MK.1 LOUNGE FIRST CORRIDOR (LFK)
The real vehicle was converted from a regular corridor
first coach and following this initiative the model was created by modifying
the kit for a corridor first coach. The original kit was by MTK (Modern Traction Kits) who produced a
vast range of kits. This model is running on Trix Liliput commonwealth
bogies to ensure good running. The bogie kits supplied were less than ideal. |
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MK.1 RESTAURANT KITCHEN BUFFET (RKB)
Kitchen cars have never been popular models by the manufacturers so if you
want to provide your model passengers with full dining facilities, this is
the type of car required along with a Restaurant Open car. This is also an
MTK item and is running on Tri-ang Hornby B4 bogies, (similar to the correct
B5 bogies) for the same reliability reasons. |
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Mk.1 SECOND OPEN (SO)
Originally an open first, this MTK model represents one of the vehicles that
were reclassified as seconds. Once again running quality is assured as it
sits on Tri-ang Hornby B4 bogies. |
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Mk.1 TOURIST SECOND OPEN (TSO)
Early built TSO's were fitted with only four doors allowing extra space for
the eight seating bays. Subsequent delays in loading and unloading resulted
in the vast majority of subsequent builds having central doors and a central
vestibule. Again an MTK item running on Tri-ang Hornby B1 bogies. |
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Mk.1 POST OFFICE SORTING VAN (POS)
This is an MTK item representing a mail sorting van and is running on
Tri-ang Hornby B4 bogies. |
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Mk.1 POST OFFICE BRAKE TENDER OR STOWAGE VAN (BPOT)
Once again an MTK item representing a van used for the stowage of mail
items. This one also has accommodation for the train guard. It is fitted
with Tri-ang Hornby B4 bogies |
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MK.2f RESTAURANT SELF SERVICE (RSS)
This vehicle is again a modified MTK item, this time converted from a Mk.2d
kit. The left hand toilet window was filled in and a new window inserted on
the opposite side. The 24 table seats and self service interior was
constructed from plastic card. Again Tri-ang Hornby B4 bogies have been used. |