As part of their quarterly British Railway Announcements for Summer 2024 Bachmann have announced a further run of the LSWR/SR Adams O2 as part of their EFE Rail brand.  Some of these versions include new tooling to allow earlier condition versions and liveries to be produced. These models are produced by Kernow Model Rail Centre on behalf of the Bachmann EFE Rail brand and I have therefore been involved in the development.

The additional tooling allows for mainland versions, still with Drummond chimney, but with open coal rails, and Isle Of Wight air brake fitted but as first delivered to the island prior to gaining the extended bunker.

The five versions being released, and will be with retails in the next couple of weeks are as follows:

• E85014 Class O2 Steam Locomotive 205 in LSWR Urie Green Livery, Mainland, with open coal rails, as running between 1918 and June 1924
• E85015 Class O2 Steam Locomotive W25 in Olive Green livery, Isle of Wight, with original style bunker and open coal rails, as running between June 1925 and May 1929
• E85016 Class O2 Steam locomotive W26 “Whitwell” SR Maunsell Green livery, Isle of Wight, with extended bunker, as running between June 1925 to c1941
• E85017 Class O2 Steam Locomotive number 30179 in BR Black livery with Early Emblem, as running between February 1954 and December 1959
• E85018 Class O2 Steam Locomotive number 30199 in BR Black livery with late crest  as running between February 1956 and December 1966

Two other new tooled  items announced as part of the EFE Rail Range are firstly the  GWR S8, S9 and S10 Fish Bloater Vans, as introduced between 1916 and 1925, including the dual braked ‘A’ versions that were converted vacuum only in the mid 1930s and ran between between Cornwall or Pembrokeshire and London, later used for parcels and departmental use. Available in various GWR and BR liveries.

And secondly the more modern 12T Plasser YOB  cranes, in operation since the mid 1970s  that could be see working at track relaying sites across the Southern Region being allocated for example at Hither Green, Ashford, Three Bridges, Eastleigh and Woking.

E87047 represents YOB Crane DRP8522 in original BR yellow livery & also as preserved on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway by friend Ron Bailes who has kindly assisted with the project. Other livery versions are E87048 Southern Track Renewals yellow and E87049 Jarvis/Fastline maroon.  Note this model is a completely new project  from the ground up and has no connection with a previously abandoned plan elsewhere to produce these cranes.   

These two totally new EFE Rail models takes the number of completely newly tooled models, including those within the KMRC brand, that I have been responsible for since working full time for KMRC in mid 2020 to over 15 models across three scales (with another well rounded new model to be announced at the KMRC Guildford branch 5th anniversary event on Friday 17th May!)

The Bachmann Branchline 00 gauge BR Mark 1 coaches is expanded with the addition of Brake Second Open (BSO), First Open (FO) and Restaurant Buffet (RB) vehicles.
These brand new models have  flush glazing, extensive detail and separately fitted parts including various handrails and pipework, and a full complement of underframe equipment. Era-appropriate details, such as the presence of end steps and, on the BSO, the inclusion of roof periscopes, are all catered for. The new tooling extends to the bogies fitted beneath each vehicle, with new BR1, Commonwealth, B4 and B5 bogies being developed. In addition, the BR2 bogie has been added to the pool of options.
Of the Diagram 73 First Open is by far the most numerous type of Mark 1 FO with S3063-3070  allocated from new in 1955 to the Southern region, and received SR green post 1956.

The Diagram 24 Restaurant Buffet was the most numerous of BR’s many catering vehicles, with the RB providing both a kitchen and pantry along with a service bar and seats for 23 passengers. Numbers S1755 to S1772 were introduced by the Southern Region in 1962 in BR(s) Green.

The first batch of these new Mk1 coaches announced includes 39-852 a Diagram 24 Restaurant Buffet S1767 in BR(s) Green.

The other highlights of the Bachmann BRA  Summer announcements are a range of Class 25 diesels and Palvans (vans due at the end of the year) in 00 and also a new NG7 brand of 0-16.5 narrow gauge models. For N Gauge modellers new tooled  14T anchor mounted tank  wagons and an SR style concrete footbridge enter the range and the previously announced Class 450 EMU will be available in South West Trains and South Western Railway liveries due to arrive this summer.

The location of the excellent and well worth joining Bachmann Collectors Club, members day event in September was announced as being at the Swanage Railway… I look forward to being there…

The full Bachmann BRA  Summer announcements video can be viewed here.

You can of course pre-order the Adams O2s and all their newly announced items, at retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.