Review of the Graham Farish Desiro Model

Reviews of Southern Electric models other than in 4mm scale are rare in on this website because I am a lifelong 4mm scale modeller and my periodic appeals for modellers in other scales to contribute have predominantly, but not completely, gone unheeded. However, with many thanks to fellow SEG member Richard Whitbread I have been able to give his model a thorough appraisal. I will admit I have, at times, had some difficulty adjusting my eyes to the results of this scale. So, if any of my observations seem harsh, I apologise. However, I have sought the opinion of a member of the Newbury Model Railway Club, Graham Elliott, who is a modern image 2mm scale modeller.

The Graham Farish 371-725 class 450 Desiro EMU unit number 450073 in South West Trains livery is Bachmann Industries Europe’s second foray into producing a Southern Electric unit. This unit number neatly avoids the been-and-gone High Capacity unit conversions so it can be run throughout the SWT livery period. Using the “duck” criterion I have previously quoted (such as when reviewing Hornby’s latest 4Vep model) it is a mighty fine duck indeed! Not only does it look right but when measuring up and comparing to many photographs it is, within measuring tolerances, accurate. The only details I have not been able to verify yet are on the floor of the vacant pantograph well. Me being me I probably have a suitable detail photograph somewhere, but I could not quickly find it and did not want to delay writing this review any longer.

To ensure the model is run in the correct formation the undersides of the cars are marked A to D plus the instruction booklet has a diagram showing the correct orientation of the TSO and TCO cars. The cars are coupled together with a simple capital serif L shaped coupling and without any multipole electrical connections between cars coupling and uncoupling is a very welcome breeze.

As previously mentioned, I ran a ruler over the principal dimensions of all four cars. I did not want to risk accidentally marking Richard’s model with a micrometer. Comparing to the equivalent dimensions quoted in Modern Locomotives Illustrated 178 Desiro EMUs I found the models were, as accurate as I can measure with a ruler, spot-on. The model compares very well with a plethora of photographs, both general and detail views. The moulding and construction of items is to a very high and crisp quality. The relief on some of the mouldings seems light to someone used to 4mm scale models but I cannot see how it could be more pronounced without looking too heavy. Is this a roundabout way of coming to the conclusion they are right? The windows are commendably flush. I am not sure if the windows of Desiro units are lightly tinted and from making observations of the real trains at Basingstoke Station prior to writing this review I would say the appearance of the windows varies considerably according to the angle of view plus the strength, quality and direction of lighting. So, I am still not sure, but I have a nagging feeling that the passenger windows on this model are a tad too clear.

I have also noticed a few – slight – detail issues. These units have rather noticeable coils of heavy cables low down between the cars. These are represented by a backing plate under the sides’ inner ends having lightly moulded detail of the coil, but only the portion of the coil under the car, not between cars. Between cars’ cables are a difficult detail to represent on a working model as they would be liable to cause derailments. The backing plate (which is not on the real trains) is far too noticeable and coil is so lightly moulded I think the whole thing is unconvincing. On Bachmann’s 4mm scale Desio model the coils are supplied as separate parts to fit beneath and between the cars for static display only, when running they cannot be represented. Unless, of course, you modify them to be like on the 2mm version. Additionally, the cables going to the next car where the backing plate ends are not sloping down enough and I think the horizontal restraint to the coil is represented a bit too low down. Under the cab sides of the DMSO cars the heavy frame member has two obvious large holes in it which are represented on the model by correctly shaped recesses, not holes. The bogie frames also have smaller holes which are not represented on the model at all. Pick-up shoes are represented on the bogies, but not the arms to which on the real thing the pick-up shoes are attached to. No doubt these differences are due the complexities of moulding and maintaining the strength of the part. All experienced modellers know that the properties and tolerances of the material used by the model are not the same as on the full-sized thing!

I took Richard’s model to my friend, Graham Elliott’s, East Midlands themed layout “Thealby”. (There is a real Thealby in North Lincolnshire but this layout is not based on it as part of its inspiration was our local oil terminal at Theale, Berkshire.) Whilst the model is still in need of running-in it ran well and responsively (on DC), though I was only able to run it on level track. It only derailed once when traversing a track gap at a baseboard join in one direction. Graham told me I was driving it too fast and when running at a more realistic speed it happily stayed on the track in this location. It survived this track gap at a high speed in the other direction! This model runs with a slight “growl” which may reduce with running-in. According to Graham it runs better and quieter than some earlier Graham Farish multiple units he has (such as classes 170 and 220) and as for detail and decoration it is “state of the art” for an item of modern rolling stock in 2mm scale.

In conclusion, if I modelled in 2mm (British 1:148) scale I would without hesitation want to buy several of these, and the forthcoming South Western Railway version. My grateful thanks to Richard Whitbread and Graham Elliott for the opportunities to enjoy this model.