Bachmann’s Lymington Lucy has arrived

The second of refurbished CEP units from Bachmann’s Autumn 2023 new products announcement has now arrived.  Only a fortnight behind the 4TEP unit, this one is 31-420, 3CEP unit 1199 of South West Trains.  Whilst 3CEP units were formed for a number of reasons on the South East Division, this one was almost unique on the South West as it was formed in 2003 as a dedicated unit to work Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier services.  Formerly 4BEP 2326, it was known on the branch as “Lucy”.  It was not there for long though and was not to be unique as it was withdrawn in May 2004 and replaced in June 2004 by former 4BEP 2314 reformed as 1198 “Linda”. 1198 was withdrawn early 2005, having been replaced on the branch by newly formed 3Cig unit 1499.  Then 1499 was replaced with especially refurbished (including central door locking control) 3Cig units 1497 and 1498, by then the last slam door units working passenger services on the Southern Electric system.

The DMSO with the motor bogie comes supplied with its headcode box displaying 97, which is correctly Waterloo or Brockenhurst to Lymington Town or Lymington Pier.  Headcodes are normally described by their extreme end points and incorporate any intermediate and shorter journeys, however this one details the regular options!  The headcode box on the unpowered DMSO displays a double white blank.  In the plastic bag with the conducting bar couplings to join the carriages together are two alternative cab front doors with headcode boxes, both having double red blanks.  Note for this version Bachmann have correctly added high intensity headlights to the cab fronts.

Colin Duff.  Modelling Officer. 9th November 2023