PULLMAN NEWS   MODEL DEVELOPMENTS
 

Bachmann

MARK 1 PULLMANS

Bachmann have modelled five body types of Mk 1 Pullmans, as built in 1960. Initially released in the original Pullman umber and cream colours, they were announced for 2006 issue in a later grey-blue colour scheme. We hope they will be re-issued in more typical in service grey-roof Pullman umber and cream colours, as well as in the slightly longer lived standard blue-grey.

There are a number of aspects that we think could have been done better:
  • The umber and cream colours don't match any Hornby Pullman cars, making representative rakes look odd - in real life the different types were mixed and shown to be colour matched in numerous photographs,
  • Aluminium window frames had thick black rubber seals either side, creating a less than all silver appearance - which should surely be easier to reproduce than some of the finer loco triple lining these days,
  • The lampstand illuminations are not the same shape or colour as the actual hanging lantern types - it should have been possible to stick the shade ends to hang from angled gold-painted filament ends,
  • Moulded later "L"-shape door handles should have been plain straight handles out of rectangular escutcheons,
  • Each real bogie had twin step ledges under the doors - Bachmann left them all off and don't even have extra bits to apply.
The colours of lining (where it does appear on the original livery models), names and crests all have problems. So we have produced some custom named side panels to at least cover that up and improve things for the umber and cream period - see SL20 and SL21 for more details of problems and corrections you can easily make.

Presently the models are only available as loose items.


Hornby

SUPER DETAILED K-TYPE PULLMANS

Hornby released a new range of "super-detailed" Pullman cars in April 2003. These were based on 1928 'K-Type' bodies - as used extensively on the Southern Region. Moulding inserts allow both aluminium plated and match-boarded finishes, to give a wide range of options for using these models, including preserved cars. Hornby told us that they will not be modelling the "White" pre-1930 livery on the new bodies. However, for 2006 they announced a digital train set which includes the former un-lit Queen of Scots style Parlour First bodies in Toquay Pullman Limited "white" livery. There were no new Pullman cars released in 2005.

Four different body top tools and five different seating formations were created for the new coaches - Kitchen cars of different classes having the same outer body. Each of the models uses interior lighting and has many other beautiful details both printed and moulded. Small compromises for specific cars were made to create generic bodies - for example the real "Car No 62" had an oval window on the other side of the body to which it was modelled on the "Bournemouth Belle" pack model.

The side profile of the new match-boarded models look very effective, but compromise on tooling complexity makes them wrong on several of the finest details:
  • The cream stripe over the windows was moulded as a flat area - on the real cars there was a raised beading, with the arrow headed lines printed on the vertical beading.
  • Under the windows there should be a sill which protruded further from the body.
  • The match-board paneling effect was not made to extend far enough up the body - the top line of the printed twin panels forced to run outside the match-board area which should contain it.
  • The depth and width of the indentations for the seams between match-board planks were grossly over done - in true scale the effect can even be printed rather than moulded.
  • The name and crest areas were filled in flat on the real cars to allow for the use of transfers.
For the versions of the bodies with aluminimum plated sides, Hornby have not moulded any plate joints - there were seams between the plate sections much like the match-board joints.
    
A White Livery Match-Boarded Car.  Close-Up On Match-Boarding.
Photograph
by Terry Bye.

Hornby also still produce models based on Pullman body types that were designed for the Queen Of Scots service - the all-steel smooth sided cars without the underframe trussing. For many years R223 and R233 were issued, now these are R4212 and R4313 in the "Railroad Range", modelled on coaches built in 1927 that mostly served the Eastern Region, however these types were also used elsewhere. They are ideal, for example, for modelling the GWR's Torquay Pullman (in "White" livery). For 2004 the old bodies were catalogued to be used again in a set based on the South Wales Pullman service - however, that train was made up mostly from cars of the latest moulding types.

For any type of Hornby Pullman we make correcting label panels that can change the livery details as well as the names. We reproduce the plate and match-board joints in true scale form, with the correct filled-in efect under the crests. Our K-Type brake car panels in original livery carry the luggage loading restriction message, and letter spacing for the "CAR No XX" format names is as it should be. Multicoloured printing for the logo details gives a more acurate and detailed representation.


The Devon Belle

For 2006 Hornby released delightful models of one of the two Devon Belle trains - a train pack for a Plymouth section, and coach pack for an Ilfracombe portion, making up to six cars behind a winged West Country class loco.

In reality the Plymouth sections operated as four cars split from the main train at Exeter, running to Plymouth without the special observation tail car. The rest of the formation from Paddington, with the different destination roof boards, typically eight more vehicles including the tail car, continued to Ilfracombe. A very long train indeed, beautifully modelled by Hornby.

To complete the train pack and represent a recorded formation just prior to Nationalisation, parlour brake CAR No 55 THIRD CLASS is required.

A tail car is required to accurately complete the coach pack - a special model is made by the OO Works, details of which can be found along with those for our L18D pack of side panels to go on it. The full Ilfracombe section also requires CYNTHIA (Kitchen First done as R4145), along with CAR Nos 35 (Parlour R4144), 169 (ex-Viking Kitchen) and 60 (Kitchen), all marked THIRD CLASS, as well as the number 14 tail car.

Precision Labels had a hand in the production of the Hornby models, providing images for the wing and headboard components, as well as details of the roof boards and car names. To complete your model of the full train, including the famous tail car, see our various L18* packs and also the special order named side panels SL6 and SL7.


The Queen Of Scots

The 2001 catalogue announced the first time Hornby were to produce the late-crest (horizintal lions, no scrolls) Pullman livery - it was a Queen Of Scots train set with three cars based on the R223/233/4312/4313 bodies.

During 2004, a special train pack was produced for a catalogue company. This time the coaches were the latest K-type bodies in the original crest (vertical lions and scolls) livery. Sadly "ROSAMUND" got spell-checked incorrectly to produce "ROSAMOND". Also the tail board plaque which was included was not very representative of the real thing, being the wrong shape, without lining and using dots where an elegant art-Deco logo device was used.

Precision Labels, various L13 packs, can create a detailed model of this train using either R223/233/4312/4313 original cars, or the new K-Type Pullmans. We've got the tailboard exactly as it was.


The Golden Arrow

In their 2004 catalogue, Hornby listed a "Golden Arrow" train and coach pack. The pictures showed cars with Pullman crests in the usual place and the small arrow boards which were used from 1949 - between 1946 and 1949 larger arrows were painted directly on to the match-board panel sides. The essential bar car, which was always used with this train, was missing. With our new L15A pack you can put these details right by modelling the earlier S.R. train. Using the new coach types you can model the bar car exactly as it was when first used in 1946.

If you would prefer to model the train with R223 coach bodies, we have a range of other packs to suit. But please note that as yet no manufacturer has produced truely accurate 1951 bodies for later versions of this train.


The Bournemouth Belle

A "Bournemouth Belle" train pack and coach pack was issued through main outlets in 2003 - using the same catalogue number as the earlier advertised "Thanet Belle", with a Merchant Navy loco in early BR totem livery accompanying new super detail Pullman models with smooth sides in a late crest livery. These coaches did not appear in the service in that livery until after 1964, so rather a remarkable mix of liveries.

Records show that for most of the train's life, twelve-wheel match-boarded coaches were used on the train. With transfers of stock, all-steel Queen Of Scots style coaches appeared in the train after 1960, by that time bearing the horizontal lions late crests. So it would also be appropriate for Hornby to have used the bodies modelled by R233/223/4312/4313 in a train pack. Using those coaches, you can make a post 1960 Bournemouth Belle with our L2A pack of Precision Labels.

To model with the latest Hornby cars and in a livery more suitable for the steam era, dating to cars used between 1957 and 1964, our new L2B pack has the original crest side panels needed.


The Thanet & Kentish Belles

In their 2002 catalogue, Hornby listed a "Thanet Belle" train pack with coaches shown as: "Leghorn", "Car No 54" and "Car No 95" - none of which ran in that train, and on final production the names were altered. Their "Kentish Belle" pack of some years ago was actually produced with all the wrong coach names.

When the "Thanet Belle" pack appeared through the Kays mail order catalogue, it made use of the R233/223/4312/4313 coach bodies instead of advertised new super-detailed models. The top brown panels above the windows did not have the usual scrolls which should be present - a mistake probably resulting from an alteration to the tooling made for the Queen Of Scots train set. The coach names were as usual over scale, made all the more noticable because the brake had such a uniqely long name for a Hornby model. There's no headboard or tail board, which this train was famous for.

Precision Labels, L14 and L21 packs, can fully detail a model of these trains made from R223/233/4312/4313 cars. Our latest L14A and L14B packs allow either of the trains to be modelled using the new coaches, which are of the most appropriate types.



HORNBY K-TYPE PULLMAN NAMES UP TO APRIL 2006    
 
 
Match-board single coaches White Roof:
R4143 LEONA (P1)
R4144 CAR No 35 THIRD CLASS (P3)
R4145 CYNTHIA (K1)
R4146 CAR No 171 THIRD CLASS (K3)
R4150 CAR No 65 THIRD CLASS (B3)
R4143A NIOBE (P1)
R4144A CAR No 34 THIRD CLASS (P3)
R4145A SAPPHO (K1)
R4146A CAR No 166 THIRD CLASS (K3)
R4150A CAR No 161 THIRD CLASS (B3)
 
Smooth Sided Late Crest Single Coaches Grey Roof:
R4162 MINERVA (P1) - incorrect round windows
R4163 CAR No 64 (P2)
R4164 ARGUS (K1)
R4165 CAR No 167 (K2)
R4166 CAR No 248 (B2)
 
R2300 (2003) Bournemouth Belle Train Pack - Smooth Sided Late Crest Grey Roof - 35021 "New Zealand Line" With Headboard But Inappropriate Late Tender Totem:
ROSEMARY (P1)
CAR No 169 (K2)
CAR No 62 (B2) - round window on wrong side of body - train name board fitted
 
R4169 (2003) Bournemouth Belle Coach Pack - Smooth Sided Late Crest Grey Roof:
CAR No 66 (P2)
FINGALL (K1)
CAR No 63 (B2) - train name board fitted
 
R1038 (2004) VSOE Premier Boxed Set - Smooth Sided Original Crest Grey-Style White Roof (No Rain Ribs Or End Standing Plates) - 35012 "United States Line":
MINERVA (P1) - incorrect round windows
CYGNUS (P1) - incorrect round windows
IBIS (K1)
 
Announced for 2006: R4254 Venice Simplon orient Express 3-car Pullman coach pack - no names were listed in the catalogue for the models to be released in the second quarter. The format to be the smooth plated sides with restored white roof and original style coat of arms.
 
R2369 (2004) Golden Arrow Train Pack - Match-board Original Crest White Roof With Golden Arrow Side Boards - 34074 Battle Of Britain With Side Arrows & Headboard (No Flags):
CECILIA (K1)
CHLORIA (K1)
NIOBE (P1)
 
R4196 (2004) Golden Arrow Coach Pack - Match-board Original Crest White Roof With Golden Arrow Side Boards:
ZENOBIA (K1)
ADRIAN (K1)
ONYX (P1)
 
R2365M (2004) Queen Of Scots train pack - Smooth Sided Original Crest Grey Roof With 8 Foot Roof Boards - A3 60051 "Blink Bonny" With Headboard & Not Very Accurate Tail Board:
ROSAMOND (K1) - incorrectly spelled - should be ROSAMUND
CAR No 64 (P2)
CAR No 161 (B2)
 
R2568 (2006) Devon Belle Train Pack - Match-board Original Crest White Roof With Twin 11 Foot Roof Boards - 34030 "Watersmeet" With Wings & Headboard:
CAR No 61 THIRD CLASS (K3)
IOLANTHE (K1)
CAR No 36 THIRD CLASS (P3)
 
R4251 (2006) Devon Belle Coach Pack - Match-board Original Crest White Roof With Twin 11 Foot Roof Boards:
MINERVA (P1)
FINGALL (K1)
CAR No 65 THIRD CLASS (B3) - as R4150 issued earlier, but with the added roof boards
 
Other "Premier Boxed Sets" were also issued with variations of the above normal issue coaches.
Link: www.Hornby.com




Keen Systems

Keen Systems have produced a range of resin Pullman bodies. Designed to replace Hornby body tops on R223/233/4312/4313 coaches, to create the other types of all-steel 1927 coaches that were used in the Queen of Scots train. They improve on quite accurate Hornby mouldings by adding more detailed roof ventilators, weather covers over end doors, and raised beading around the oval side windows. The new body styles are:

  • Kitchen First
  • Parlour Third
  • Brake Third

Keen Systems are also working on a Kitchen Third body top to complete the variations.

Each of these cream coloured resin tops requires painting, but with Precision Labels the livery details can be easily applied. We have created a range of items to provide the lined and named side panels. Just paint the roof and body in plain colours and fit our labels before varnishing. See details of the "K" packs from the home page.

Some of the range of Keen Systems resin body tops - note the different window positions...

Keen Systems Kitchen First Body.  The essential Kitchen First which featured in most Pullman trains.
 
Keen Systems Parlour Third Body.    The Parlour Third with an extra window versus a Parlour First.
   
Keen Systems Brake Third Body.    The original Brake Third with the oval door window versus Hornby's later square version.

Link: www.Keen-Systems.com
 

Coupe News

 
Terry Bye of the Pullman Society produces a monthly newsletter with details of the real Pullman cars in preservation. The back issues are posted at the Southern Railway E-mail Group website, where there is a link to subscribe to the service.

Link: sremg.org.uk