Today, Saturday, 17th June, leading model railway manufacturer Bachmann Europe has announced the release of a range of all-new OO scale models of the Newton Chambers Car Carriers in its EFE Rail range.

The announcement was made at this year’s DEMU Showcase, which is staged by Diesel Electric Modellers United (DEMU) and is a highlight of the exhibition calendar for many Diesel & Electric enthusiasts. At last year’s event, Bachmann released its Branchline Class 37 model.

Newton Chambers Car Carriers are double-deck bogie vehicles that were built in 1961 by Newton, Chambers & Co. for British Railways’ Eastern Region.

Fourteen of the vehicles were built, each of which could carry six cars, with two in a well between the bogies and four on the upper deck up.

They were usually employed on Anglo-Scottish trains but were built and registered to UIC standards so that they could operate on train ferry services to the continent.

Fitted initially with through steam heat pipes and vacuum brakes, by the mid-1970s they started to be modified with through ETH and by the early-1980s all had been fitted with through ETH when Mk.3 sleeping coaches were introduced.

Their original livery was BR Lined Maroon livery with ‘Eastern Region Car Transporter’ lettering, but when Motorail services were introduced in 1966 they were repainted into BR’s corporate Blue & Grey scheme with ‘Motorail’ branding.

Originally coded TCV for ‘Two-Tier Motor Car Van’, with the introduction of TOPS they became NVV for vacuum-brake fitted versions and NVX for those with dual vacuum and air brakes. All of the vehicles were withdrawn during the 1980s.

The models have finely-moulded panel lines throughout and accurate end detailing that captures the vehicles’ distinct character. The bogies replicate the relief of the axle boxes and spring leaf suspension, and have full brake gear push/pull rods and safety loops fitted separately between the frames.

Smooth running is ensured with pinpoint metal wheels, whilst a tension lock coupling is mounted via a NEM socket mounted on a close-coupling mechanism built into the vehicle’s floor.

The initial releases offer two options for buffer beam arrangements that depict vehicles as built with vacuum brakes and through-piped for steam heating, or when dual braked and fitted for through-ETH.

Eight models are now in production and delivery is expected towards the end of this year at an RRP of £59.95 each, Bachmann stockists can take orders now.

• E86003 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Maroon E96293E £59.95
• E86004 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Maroon E96294E £59.95
• E86005 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Maroon [W] E96296E £59.95
• E86006 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Maroon [W] E96297E £59.95
• E86007 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Blue & Grey E96291E £59.95
• E86008 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Blue & Grey E96294E £59.95
• E86009 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Blue & Grey [W] E96298E £59.95
• E86010 Newton Chambers Car Carrier BR Blue & Grey [W] E96299E £59.95