No.114 ‘B’ Set Couplings and Colours

The ex GWR ‘B’ Set Airfix model coaches date from 1975. Almost forty years later and the coaches reappeared as Hornby R4293. The coaches must have proved popular and in the intervening years similar models have been available first from Mainline and later Dapol.

Bachmann 9017 on Airfix ‘B’ Set passing Hornby Crimson ‘B’ Set


The ‘B’ Set coaches were operated in pairs. As fitted with standard Airfix (or Hornby) couplings the gap between the coaches is hugely too large.

Original Airfix/Hornby Couplings Left, Bachmann Mini Long Couplings Right


One relatively easy way of closing the gap is to substitute Bachmann Mini Long Couplings (36-026), with the wings cut off.

Original Airfix/Hornby Left, Bachmann Mini Long 36-026 minus wings Right


The original Airfix/Hornby couplings are a simple push fit. Fitting the Bachmann couplings requires removal of the small keeper plate on the underside of the coupling pocket. I used a tiny screw driver for the purpose. In addition the wings on the Bachmann coupling need cutting off, and the hole for the fixing screw needs to be reamed to a sightly larger diameter. This coupling modification works for all models including the Mainline and Dapol varieties.


Airfix provided free running nylon wheels on pinpoint steel axles. The Mainline and Dapol models seemed to use the same wheel type. I am not sure what Hornby provided when new. All my ‘B’ Set coaches are now fitted with Hornby R8234 14.1mm diameter metal wheels which are a straight replacement for the older nylon types.



The liveries of the different models seem to be a bit of minefield, not helped in my case by not having seen any of the coaches in the flesh.

Airfix muddy Maroon top left, Hornby Crimson top right, Mainline Lined Maroon at the bottom


I am happy with the Mainline BR lined maroon coaches, the shade of maroon and the size and shade of the lining fitting well with other model types. I am also relatively happy with the Airfix BR muddy maroon which with its ‘matt’ finish seems to me to represent the weathered look of the 1950s period. I am less sure of Hornby’s choice of crimson which at times seems rather garish and reminiscent of Royal Mail.

Bachmann 3205 on Mainline BR lined Maroon passing Hornby Crimson


Our perception of different colours is heavily influenced by the surroundings and I would say that Hornby’s crimson appears to me much more acceptable in the view above.

One I sold earlier - Dapol E24


I have included an image of Dapol’s BR lined maroon model, E24. I did not keep this model. Superficially it is the same as the earlier Mainline model. However the shade of maroon is different and I thought the lining too heavy and too orange. I was not happy at running the Dapol and Mainline models together.

The 1960s – Heljan Hymek on Bachmann BR Mk1 Suburban’s


I am guessing that ex GWR ‘B’ Sets would have been withdrawn during the early 1960s. Perhaps they were replaced by BR Mk1 suburban coaches cascaded down from the suburbs?

Bachmann Mk1 Suburban – original coupling Left, Mainline coupling Right


My Bachmann Mk1 suburban coaches came with a grotesque plastic hook and bar coupling. Replacement with an original Mainline hook and bar coupling makes an instant improvement.

Bachmann large hook and bar Left, Mainline hook and bar Right, Bachmann Mini Small 36-025 Centre


However the Mainline hook and bar coupling is still quite heavy and plastic. I would try using Bachmann Mini Couplings Long and Short (36-026 and 36-025 respectively). The ‘short’ couplings are too short whilst the ’long’ couplings still leave quite a gap between coaches.

Bachmann Mini Long Coupling 36-026 offset/positioned inboard


One answer is to offset or move the coupling inboard.  I did this previously for the Bachmann/Mainline Collett coaches with their Mini Short couplings. This time it was with their Mini Long couplings.

Bachmann Mk1 Suburban, Mainline Coupling Left, Bachmann Mini Long Coupling (offset) Right


This way I achieved almost the same degree of ‘close coupling’ as when using the Mainline plastic hook and bar coupler and with a far less obtrusive coupler.

Hornby BR Crimson compared to Mainline BR Lined Maroon


Finally another view – I would like to think around 1960.

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