A highly detailed model of a type of coach which helped many small operators expand is coming out soon – including a legendary film example.
More than 12,700 Bedford OBs were built from 1939 and 1951, mostly going to smaller independent operators who built businesses using them. The vehicles were a familiar sight into the 1970s. Built mainly with Duple Vista coachwork and petrol engines, they were rugged and simple to maintain. A few OBs were built as buses, some to wartime austerity specification.
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Now, model manufacturer Rapido is launching an OB in miniature, in three body styles, and with working steering and an opening sunroof. “We’re confident we have produced the definitive 1:76 scale Bedford OB,” said Rapido Sales and Marketing Manager Richard Foster.
Final touches are being put to the model but orders can be taken now.
Several larger operators did take small numbers of OBs, so East Kent, Southern Vectis, Western National, British Rail, Hants & Sussex and West Yorkshire Road car will also be represented.
Most important, it could be argued, will be the Pearce & Crump OB. If you haven’t seen that operator before in the pages of CBW, that’s not surprising as it only existed in Ealing movie ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt,’ about a group of eccentrics running their own railway, despite the best efforts of the coach company and Bedford OB GAM 338 to stop them. The railway rolling stock from the film is also being created in time for the film’s 70th anniversary next year.
The OB models cost £44.95. Full details and how to order via rapidotrains.co.uk
