Beautiful new additions for Southern Region modellers come with the arrival of EFE Rail’s OO scale recreations of the LBSCR-origin coaches sent to the Isle of Wight in the late 1930s. These exceptional models are produced exclusively for Bachmann’s EFE Rail range in four-coach packs. They capture the character, detail and fixed-formation appearance of the rebuilt 54ft LBSCR vehicles that worked island services for decades.

Brief history

In the late 1930s the Southern Railway modernised Isle of Wight services by transferring rebuilt former LB&SCR coaches to the island. These bodies were mounted on new 54ft chassis and fitted with Westinghouse brakes, turning worn-out stock into reliable passenger sets. The result was a distinctive set of coaches that went on to serve in numerous liveries through island and mainland service.

The coaches were formed into four- and six-coach sets with four of the most common vehicles to see use on the island being the six compartment Brake Third (Diagram 210), the seven compartment Brake Third (Diagram 211), the nine compartment Third (Diagram 90) and the eight compartment Composite (Diagram 373). In common with SR practice, the four-coach sets into which these vehicles were formed carried prominent set numbers at either end and were operated as semi-permanent sets, being used primarily on the Ryde-Newport-Yarmouth line.

What’s included

Each four-coach pack models an authentic set, complete with accurately-applied set numbers on the solebars and outer ends so the train is ready to run in a correct formation straight from the box. The first packs to arrive are presented in BR crimson and BR (SR) green liveries, with Southern Railway Maunsell green and malachite green packs due before Christmas.

Get yours here

Uncompromising detail

EFE Rail has reproduced the coaches using high-fidelity injection-moulded bodyshells and a wealth of separately fitted parts:

  • Finely modelled metal handrails fitted individually
  • Etched metal end steps and emergency brake gear on the non-step end
  • Authentic truss rods beneath the chassis (two prototype types modelled)
  • Separate battery boxes and Westinghouse brake components underframe-mounted
  • Metal wheelsets throughout and NEM close-coupling mechanisms for realistic operation

These features combine to make the sets visually convincing both rolling on the layout and in close inspection.

These coach packs are ideal for a new Isle of Wight or Southern Region project, depicting services from the 1930s through to BR days. They provide an instant, authentic train — perfect for secondary route and branchline workings.

Pair with...

  • LSWR O2 Class 0-4-4Ts — the workhorses for passenger trains (the O2s handled up to six bogie coaches and were the last steam passenger locomotives on the island). 
  • LB&SCR A1 / A1X 'Terriers' (0-6-0T) — used earlier on island and branch duties and seen paired with LB&SCR coaches. 
  • LB&SCR E1 class 0-6-0Ts — four were transferred to the island in the 1930s (W1–W4); primarily goods tanks but used on passenger workings when required.