Sonic Models reveals retailer exclusive

Sonic Models is to release models in 2mm:1ft scale/N gauge of the Newton Chambers-built car transporter vehicles for late-2023. To be produced in Eastern Region BR maroon and BR Motorail blue/grey liveries, six packs are now available to pre-order (three guises for each livery) exclusively from retailer, Rails of Sheffield.

Packs are priced at £124.95, with models in production and expected to be delivered late 2023.

Vehicles in each pack are to feature a unique running number.

Features include:

• Fully detailed prototypical bodies including original and later style roof sky lights
• NEM couplings combined with a kinematic close coupling system
• Ends with buffer beam original detail and later ETH equipment
• Correct size RP25 profile bogie wheels
• Livery schemes for BR maroon and BR blue grey
• Models to be supplied in sets of three in a bespoke box

Originally designated as TCVs, the vehicles later became NVV (vacuum-braked) and NVX (dual-braked) under BR’s TOPS computer system. Unusually, they featured a hydraulically-operated central well capable of storing two cars as well as four cars on the upper deck – a 50% increase in capacity over more conventional car carrying vehicles of the time.

When introduced in the early-1960s, the TCV car transporters were used between London, York and Edinburgh in sets of five or six vehicles with a handful of BR maroon Mk1 coaches, hauled by ex-LNER ‘Pacifics’ and later BR green ‘Deltics’, Class 40s, 45s, 46s or 47s.

Related: Read what we thought about Sonic Models' VEA 'Vanwides' for 'N'

From the late-1960s onwards, they were painted in BR blue/grey and started to venture further afield on ‘Motorail’ services from London and northern England to the West of England, being hauled by Class 45s, 46s, 47s and ‘Westerns’. However, they were closely associated with the East Coast Main Line throughout their career.

This weekend (April 28-30, 2023): Bristol Model Railway Exhibition. Full details, here.