REE Narrow gauge Billard Autorail
In the interwar years the small diesel rail car was found to be the perfect solution for the metre gauge secondary lines in France
The Billard Company of Tours specialised in small railcars and narrow gauge stock. In 1936 the Billard company collaborated with the CFD (Compagnie de chemins de fer départementaux) to produce the A80D. Fitted with an 80hp diesel motor and capable of carrying 32 passengers at up to 75km/h. 32 A80D were made. Within the group are many variants - different numbers of radiators, doors and external lights. REE have reproduced the A80D with larger bodies (2.4m wide). There are also rail cars with narrow bodies (2.2m wide) A80D1 A80D2 and A80D4 and the Articulated A150D2.
5 of the wide A80D are preserved, unfortunately none of the narrow bodied versions have survived.
The models come with both HOm and HOe wheel sets and this would open the model to a greater number of collectors.
Minimum Radius HOe = 220mm
Minimum Radius HOm = 310mm
We have the REE Railcars on order we expect to have them over the summer of 2023 They will arrive in batches. The nature of the UK border will mean that we receive them over 6 weeks after dispatch from France. The poor import service we receive is now a feature and not a temporary bug.
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