- Bachmann Pre-Production 31-427Z 4-CEP
Having commuted to London’s Victoria Station for a number of years, (bear second class of course) I grew to actually enjoy bouncing around in a 4 CEP! You normally got a seat, you could have a nap, and the seats on the refurbished units grew more comfy the less un-refurbished units there were or the more free Pimm’s samples you could get (2 per bear) as you rushed across the concourse at Victoria. Then modern units, with sliding doors, led by Class 508’s and then Networkers, arrived, and the end then slowly approached for them.
Still, after what seems like an eternity the Bachmann 4 CEP gets nearer to actually arriving in store! And yes, we even have pictures and a sample and its ‘really rather good’ as they say! Modelled on unit 7119 (one of a handful) in BR all over blue it really will be worth the wait! It has loads of separately applied handrails and pipes, illuminated headcodes, and internal lighting, curtains at the windows; you just want to hear the doors slam and the compressor start up under the floor. The coaches are have a bar coupling between them, and normal couplings on the ends. With Modelzone’s NSE Networker late this year and the Bachmann 2 EPB most likely next year (hmm we will see) any 3rd rail fan (or sad ex commuter like me) has it made. Even the elderly Class 73’s keep getting new liveries like First Group 73141, seen at Tonbridge on 8th July when fresh out of the box! An idea for Hornby's 2010 range perhaps?
