The VDA van was a development of British Rail’s Cov AB air-braked van which was first introduced in the late 1960s, with the VDAs entering traffic from 1975. Sharing the same 20ft 9in wheelbase as the original Cov ABs, the VDAs not only had sliding doors to allow the sides to be fully opened for loading/unloading but these doors could also be opened individually as cupboard doors to allow quicker access to just one internal area. The vans entered traffic in Speedlink services and were used to transport general merchandise, often being marshalled into mixed goods trains as opposed to being operated as uniform rakes and could carry all manner of general merchandise. By the 1980s their traffic was reducing and so many VDAs were rebuilt to suit new traffic, most notably as OTA timber carrying wagons or low sided ballast/spoil wagons where were often coded as ZCA ‘Sea Urchins’.

The Bachmann Branchline model employs a highly detailed bodyshell which boasts precision moulded panel lines, door handles and mechanisms, and fine rivet detailing. At either end a separate lamp iron is present, along with metal buffers and a cosmetic coupling hook. The solebar includes prototypical detailing along with the door runners, whilst the wagon’s suspension and brake gear is added using separate components. The metal wheelsets are mounted on a pivoting frame, allowing this long wheelbase wagon to traverse tight curves with ease whilst NEM coupling pockets are also incorporated. Authentic colours and typefaces are employed during the livery application process, completing this high-fidelity model.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Weathered BR Railfreight Red & Grey livery
• Running No. 200819
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Length 156mm (over couplings)