THIS week’s ‘Model of the Week’ is yet to be finished, but it stood out at the London Model Engineering Exhibition as a model of an unusual subject and which promises to be something special. Built by Mike Price of the Ickenham and District Society of Model Engineers it is a 5in. gauge model of a British Railways Mk 1 restaurant/buffet car - large kitchen version.

Dating from the mid-1960s these carriages were fitted with B4 bogies, although the bogie under the kitchen was changed to a B5 type to cater for the uneven weight and give a more settled ride. Carriages weighed 38 tons and included seating for 12 diners.

Mike’s model is scratch built from drawings and photos in the book: British Railways Mark 1 Coaches. Build time to date is 18 months.