Bachmann’s model of the Network Rail Multiple Purpose Vehicle (MPV) made its debut in 2011 and offered contemporary layout builders the opportunity to purchase an unusual model of an enthralling prototype in ‘OO’. A new batch of these unusual vehicles is coming soon. Check out what we thought of the original release.
THE MPV UNITS were built for Railtrack by German manufacturer Windhoff in 1998-2001 to replace the company's varied range of aging departmental vehicles. The two car MPV units were built entirely from new, whereas the majority of the departmental vehicles they were due to replace had been converted from passenger stock for duties such as Sandite distribution in the autumn and de-icing in the winter.
The fleet began entering traffic in 1999 under Railtrack ownership and transferred to Network Rail following Railtrack's collapse. The basic design came from the Windhoff Cargo Sprinter operated by DB – German Rail – and provides a pair of flat cargo beds between two cabs. The first units consisted of a powered and unpowered vehicle, but later orders for the South East of England and overhead electrified routes were produced with both vehicles powered for increased acceleration.
The flatbed allows combinations of 10ft …
