S-Express! A First Look At the TPE Mark 5a

[Warbonnet]

Earlier this week we brought you a first look at the Caledonian Sleeper Mark 5 coaches. The positive feedback on the sleepers has been unbelievable.

Today, it's the turn of the TPE Mark 5a coach sets!

The Driving Trailer (DT) is probably the most interesting and distinctive looking of all the Mark 5 coaches. As you can see in these images, it has received the full Accurascale treatment, with a wealth of separate detail including much use of etched components. The fit of the headlight and destination board glazing will receive further refinement too.

(Oh, and we are aware the buffers on the DT are the wrong way round, this will be rectified for production!)

The DT will also feature space a DCC socket to allow for independent control of the headlights and for sound installation. All coach interiors will be lit too, which will be controlled by magnetic wand and will function on both DC and DCC layouts. There are currently a couple of areas on these samples which suffer from 'light bleed'. but this will be corrected on the final models.

The DT is not the only star of the show though, with each coach in the five car set also featuring our high demands for detail and accuracy.

Like the Caledonian Sleeper Mark 5s, these coaches are currently being assessed by our design team, and once that is complete we will be able to bring you a more accurate delivery date for these models. However, it is now looking like Q3 2021 due to the COVID 19 situation and current logistical difficulties due to the pandemic and changes to recent changes to custom procedures.

These coaches will also feature a specific close coupling system using magnets similar in look to the real thing. However, early testing indicates we may have to make them a tad longer than this to cope with tighter curves! Traditional couplings and one to couple to the locomotive used to haul the coaches will also be provided.

There are four separate coach types in the TPE rakes, which have all been tooled. With a price of just £225 per five coach set which includes full lighting, this standard of detail, DCC capability and all variants tooled represents the highest bang for buck which we strive to provide.

We are all about the best deal, and with the levels of features and detail we provide for a most reasonable price point we firmly believe we are the best value around.

But enough of the sales patter! Check out the images of each coach above and make up your own mind. If you like what you see, you can place an order direct with us by clicking here.

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