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Bees Hill Models / West Coast Models N Gauge WCML Overhead Line Maintenance Train

Bees Hill Models and West Coast Models are to produce a 3D printed set of kits to allow a reproduction of the Overhead Line Maintenance Train used on the West Coast Mainline.

West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train

Conversions of the coaching stock to form the train started in the early 1980s using ex SK, CK, BSK and BCK Mk1s and all wore olive green up until the very early 90s. A couple of sets survived in service in green up until late 1999 but the majority were repainted into blue and given the large, red electrification flash from circa 1991 onwards.


Early 2000 modellers could model the Rugby Jarvis set which was painted red and cream or the Preston Balfour Beatty set which was painted blue and white.


The cable drum carriers are fully 3D printed sitting on Farish B1 bogies. The drum cradles are separate to allow ease of painting. Separate buffers, end steps, 0.3mm wire handrails on the ends of the coaches, separate and correct underframe fittings such as air tanks, LPG boxes, brake distributors, fluorescent lights etc. Handbrake wheels will also be included but are not shown on the samples.

Coaches to be available are:


Cable drum carrier

Pantograph Coach

Stores coach

Roof access coach

Generator coach

Managers / office coach


West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train
West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train
West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train
N Gauge West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train
West Coast Models Bees Hill Models overhead line maintenance train

For the majority of the time the trains ran as an 8 car set, 2 cable drum carriers 2 Pantograph coaches at each end with stores, roof access, Generator and office coaches in the middle. However, from time to time they did run shorter.

The set shown here has been finished using Railtec Transfers but plans are in place for transfers being made available for the striking blue set with white roof and large red electrification flashes.

Conversions of the coaching stock to form the train started in the early 1980s using ex SK, CK, BSK and BCK Mk1s and all wore olive green up until the very early 90s. A couple of sets survived in service in green up until late 1999 but the majority were repainted into blue and given the large, red electrification flash from circa 1991 onwards.


Early 2000 modellers could model the Rugby Jarvis set which was painted red and cream or the Preston Balfour Beatty set which was painted blue and white.


Keep an eye on the Bees Hill Models website for more information.

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