Bachmann Europe have announced a change to their new product announcements and produced a new catalogue encompassing all their British Outline brands / scales including: Branchline, Graham Farish, Narrow Gauge, Scenecraft and other complimentary products; called “The Combined Volume” a term which I am sure will be familiar to those who were trainspotters in their younger days.
This new Combined Volume illustrates ongoing items that are available to purchase, or have been included within previous catalogues for delivery at a future date. It does not include any new re-liveries (announced today) or new tooling products.
We have come to expect new tooling announcements from a number of manufacturers during the first couple of months of each year with some having been criticised in the past for the length of time between announcements and the products being released. Some of you might have been expecting a post regarding new product tooling announcements today.
Bachmann’s Managing Director; David Haarhaus explains about their ‘new era’: “In response to customer and consumer feedback, we have taken steps to reduce the lead time between the announcement and release of new products. Working with our colleagues at Kadar, real progress has been made in the latter half of 2019 to release many of the outstanding items announced several years ago. Last year 13 new tooling products were released, plus more that 200 re-liveried or modified models.” David continued that in appreciating the support of and benefits to members of their Collectors Club: “Each issue of the club’s Bachmann Times magazine will feature a new product brochure, highlighting completely new items to be released during the following three months. New tooling announcements will no longer be illustrated by black and white photographs of the original prototype, replaced instead by pictures of our actual models.”
New livery items
As Bachmann continue to deliver the models previously announced it does mean that fewer items and no new tooling announcements are being being made at this moment in time, but that this will clear the path for new models to be revealed later in the year. However the SR related new 00 livery items, out of a total of 20, announced today and due to arrive this spring, within the next three months, are as follows:
31-464A – ex SECR C Class 0-6-0 No. 1573 in post 1931 SR Lined Black livery
39-600A – SECR 60ft Birdcage Brake Composite Lavatory No. 1157, Set 143 in SECR Dark Lake livery
39-610A – SECR 60ft Birdcage Composite Lavatory No. 1150, Set 143 in SECR Dark Lake livery
39-620A – SECR 60ft Birdcage Brake Third No. 1164, Set 143 in SECR Dark Lake livery,
Also announced within the Scenecraft range are the suite of Bluebell buildings in either Crimson and Cream or Green and Cream including: Booking office, station canopy, Waiting room and toilet, and office and store room.
Work in Progress Update
A total of 30 previously announced models are confirmed as being released this spring, however by way of an update of items with a Southern / Southern Region flavour I advise as follows:
The 2019 Bachmann Branchline and Graham Farish Catalogues were launched today at a trade event held in London. Alongside the announcement of a small number of new-tooling projects, mainly wagons in 00 and N gauges the 009 range increases with new tooling for the delightful and minuscule Baguley-Drewry 70hp Diesel 0-4-0 shunter, as used since the early 1980s by the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, along with 4 suitable wagons.
Although no new tooling specifically for SR / BR(s) modellers have been announced as many previously announced models are still under development such as the 64ft Bulleid coaches, a host of new models utilising existing tooling were unveiled.
Bachmann Europe advised that with a changing retail climate and increased competition across multiple sectors, 2018 proved to be a challenging, but ultimately still a successful year for Bachmann Europe, culminating in the release of several key products during the final quarter. These of course included the lovely 00 scale ex LBSC H1 and H2 4-4-2 Atlantics. Bachmann Europe also stated that despite the closure of one of the production facilities operated by their parent company, Kader, the new facilities in China (Gaobu) that were in the process of being commissioned during 2018, are now fully operational with staffing levels and output continuing to rise.
Bachmann Branchlines 00 Gauge
The only new 00 gauge tooling is that of the HKA bogie hopper wagon seen on the current network since 1995 and these will be released three livery variants, with plug in buffers to be adaptable between inner and outer wagons within rakes.
31-381 Class 416 2-EPB 2-Car EMU 6262 BR Blue & Grey – weathered
31-426C Class 411 4-CEP 4-Car EMU 7122 BR (SR) Green (Small Yellow Panels)
31-427C Class 411 4-CEP 4-Car EMU 7106 BR Blue & Grey – weathered
31-265A Class 419 MLV S68002 BR (SR) Green
31-267A Class 419 MLV S68008 BR Blue & Green
Coaches
39-604 SE&CR 60ft Birdcage Brake Composite Lavatory SE&CR Wellington Brown
39-614 SE&CR 60ft Birdcage Composite Lavatory SE&CR Wellington Brown
39-624 SE&CR 60ft Birdcage Brake Third SE&CR Wellington Brown
39-526A SR PMV Parcels & Miscellaneous Van BR Crimson
Wagons
37-935 3 Plank Wagon SR Brown
38-081C SR 12T 2+2 Planked Ventilated Van BR Grey (Early) – weathered
38-082D SR 12T 2+2 Planked Ventilated Van BR Bauxite (Early) – weathered
38-076D SR 12T Plywood Ventilated Van BR Bauxite (Early)
38-401B SR 25T ‘Pill Box’ Brake Van Left-Hand Duckets BR Grey (Early) – weathered
38-077 SR 12T Plywood Ventilated Van BR Bauxite (Late) – weathered
38-402B SR 25T ‘Pill Box’ Brake Van Right-Hand Duckets BR Bauxite (Early) – weathered
and in 009
391-032 Baldwin 10-12-D Tank E763 ‘Sid’ SR Maunsell Green
393-030 Bogie Covered Goods Wagon SR Insulated
Graham Farish N Gauge
New tooling in the Graham Farish range includes the WD 40T ‘Parrot’ bogie wagon in WD department and LMS grey liveries and also, as per in 00, the HKA bogie hopper wagon in the three livery versions. The British Railways Class 5 MT 4-6-0 has been upgraded to include for the fitting of Sound with options of a fully sound fitted version or just a factory fitted speaker. The sound upgrade has also been applied to the Class 14, Class 60, Class 101 DMU and Class 150 DMU.
372-727A BR Standard 5MT with BR1B Tender 73109 BR Lined Black (Early Emblem)
372-728SF BR Standard 5MT with BR1 Tender 73049 BR Lined Green (Late Crest) – SOUND FITTED
372-729 BR Standard 5MT with BR1 Tender 73050 BR Lined Black (Late Crest) – weathered
The new livery releases base on existing tolling of SR / BR(s) interest are as follows:
372-936 SE&CR N Class 1860 SR Black (Sunshine)
371-606 Class 42 ‘Warship’ D820 ‘Grenville’ BR Green (Late Crest)
374-418 SR PLV Passenger Luggage Van SR Maunsell Green
374-011C BR Mk1 TSO Tourist Second Open BR (SR) Green
374-010E BR Mk1 TSO Tourist Second Open BR Crimson & Cream
374-815A BR Mk1 FO First Open BR Crimson & Cream
374-160A BR Mk1 FK First Corridor BR Crimson & Cream
374-632A SR Bogie B Luggage Van BR Blue – weathered
374-419 SR CCT Covered Carriage Truck BR Departmental Olive Green
Wagons
377-875A SR 25T ‘Queen Mary’ Brake Van SR Brown
377-852A SR 25T ‘Pill Box’ Brake Van BR Grey (Early)
377-876A SR 25T ‘Queen Mary’ Brake Van BR Bauxite (Late)
377-878 SR 25T ‘Queen Mary’ Brake Van BR Departmental Olive Green
Work in progress
In the Drawing Office
Bulleid Coaches (00)
Class 410 / 4Bep (00)
Class 450 (N)
Class 319 (N)
Engineering Samples
Class 414 / 2Hap (00) [Due Q4]
Class 117 (00) [Due Q4]
Artwork (and due to be in production this year)
Class 159 (00) [Due Q4]
Ransomes & Rapier 45T Steam Crane (00) [Due Q3]
ex SECR C CLass 0-6-0 (N) [Due Q2]
ex SECR Birdcage coaches (N) [Due Q1]
The full range can be found on the Bachmann website here. Many will consider this appearing to be a lean year for Bachmann Europe especially when compared to the 2019 range announcement made by Hornby last week, however with much work in progress from previous announcements still to appear this is perhaps hardly surprising and sensible especially in light of the factory upheaval experienced during 2018.
As has been the case in previous years the team at Bachmann have provided the media, and Bachamnn Collectors Club members, with a mid-term update on work in progress across all the many stages of the manufacturing process from: research, Drawing office CAD, Tool room, Engineering Prototypes samples, livery artwork, production and being shipped. This post is a quick summary of the status of those models of a Southern Railway / British Railways Southern Region flavour. Although some items have been a long time coming, what can be seen is that catch up / progress is being made. Click on the linked text to get more information on the details of each item from my post on the original announcement.
Bachmann 00
The EP1 of the 2HAP EMU. Picture copyright and courtesy of Bachmann.
The long-awaited ex LBSC H2 Class 4-4-2 Atlantic is very imminent, being released in two versions No. 2421 ‘South Foreland’ SR Olive Green and No. 32424 ‘Beachy Head’ BR Black Early livery. I have been fortunate to have a review sample in my possession and will be posting a review in the next week or so, watch this space. Being produced alongside the H2 Class is the earlier H1 Class version initially as No. 39 ‘La France’ in LBSCR livery, which is also being shipped.
A front end close up of the 2HAP EP1. Picture copyright and courtesy A York
The 2HAP (Class 414) EMU is at the first Engineering Prototype (EP1) stage and as from the accompanying pictures is looking the part. Three livery versions will initially be released being: BR green livery, BR blue & grey livery and Network South East livery. At the second Engineering Prototype stage is the 158/159 DMU with with the 3 car 159 Class to be released as No. 159013 in Network South East livery.
Graham Farish N
Recently shipped have been the four versions of the Bulleid coaches in BR(s) malachite green that together, BTK – TK – CK- BTK, create four coach set s84.
The lovely ex SECR Birdcage coaches, already released in 00, scaled down for N gauge and being released in SECR Wellington Brown, Southern Railway Olive Green and BR Crimson liveries are now approved for production.
The Class 450 and Class 319 EMUs are in the drawing office, whilst the 3 versions of the ex SECR C Class 0-6-0 as No. 271 SECR plain green livery, No. 1256 Southern Railway Black livery and No. 31227 in BR Black livery with early emblem along with the Class 170 2 Car DMU No. in 170308 in South West Trains livery are at the artwork approval stage.
I hope you find this round up interesting and as stated above watch this space for a forthcoming review of the ex LBSC H2 Class 4-4-2 Atlantic.
The Bachmann Europe team met up this week with the model trade press to update the market on the latest developments and progress, a full report can be found on the RmWeb forum here and I take this opportunity to update on those items of a Southern / Southern Region interest. As in previous years at this Media day no new product announcements were made. All images on this post are copyright and courtesy of Andy York / BRM and or Bachmann Europe.
Firstly, in 00 gauge the relevant SR updates from Bachmann are as follows:
The impressive SECR livery sample of the 60′ birdcage stock
Since the London festival of model railways where I reported on the ex South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) 60′ Birdcage stock BR Crimson livery sample being shown, the livery samples for the SECR
The SECR 60′ composite livery sample
and SR Olive Green versions have now been received and signed off. I have to say the decoration and lining look extremely fine and
The other SECR brake 3rd livery sample
well done. The SECR dark lake version in particular is very impressive and must be a first such accurate and highly detailed ready to run rolling stock for the pre-grouping era . Delivery is expected in September.
SR livery sample of the ex SECR 60′ Birdcage stock
The first releases will comprise of the following:
39-600 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake Composite SECR Dark Lake
SR Composite livery sample
39-601 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake Composite SR Olive Green
39-602 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake Composite BR Vermillion
39-610 SECR 60’ Birdcage Composite SECR Dark Lake
39-611 SECR 60’ Birdcage Composite SR Olive Green
ex SECR Brake 3rd in SR livery
39-612 SECR 60’ Birdcage Composite BR Vermillion
39-620 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd SECR Dark Lake
39-621 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd SR Olive Green
39-622 SECR 60’ Birdcage Brake 3rd BR Vermillion
Bachmann H2 Class CADs
The ex London Brighton and South Coast H2 class Marsh Atlantic 4-4-2 announced in September 2013 is being delayed by another 3 months as an issue with the curvature of the rear splashers was identified and a decision made to address that so it is likely to be around February/March 2018 when they are finally released. The CAD drawings can be seen left.
Two versions are due for initial release:
31-921 – 32424 “Beachy Head” BR Black Early Emblem
31-920 – 2426 ‘St. Albans Head” SR Olive Green
The impressive CAD artwork is shown left, not all the gear wheels will work but some items such as the outriggers will be positionable.
Initially they are producing four versions:
38-800 SR livery,
38-801 GWR Livery
38-802 BR black livery
38-803 BR red livery
Lastly from a Graham Farish perspective there is an update on the N gauge version of the ex SECR 60ft Birdcage stock and also the ex SECR C class 0-6-0.
Graham Farish C Class 0-6-0 CADS
Firstly the ex SECR C Class 0-6-0 that was announced in January this year is now at the CAD stage as per the image left. The model will feature a NEXT 18 DCC decoder socket, coreless motor, loco drive, fine cab detail and NEM couplers, the initial release will comprise of:
372-775 C Class 0-6-0 No. 271 in SECR plain green livery
372-776 C Class 0-6-0 No. 1256 Southern Railway Black livery
372-777 C Class 0-6-0 No. 31227 in BR Black livery with early emblem
Graham Farish EP of the N Gauge 60′ Birdcage stock
The first EP samples of the 60′ Birdcage stock were on show, they were first announced in July 2014, and these are likely to be available in the second quarter of 2018. The initial releases will be sold as three coach sets, as follows:
374-910 60′ Birdcage Stock – 3-Pack – SECR Wellington Brown
374-911 60′ Birdcage Stock – 3-Pack – SR Olive Green
374-912 60′ Birdcage Stock – 3-Pack – BR Vermillion
Good to see further progress being made on the above items. As any additional information comes to light I will post accordingly.
Today Bachmann Europe Plc. having brought forward the timing from their traditional March slot, and hot on the heals of Hornby last week, announced their plans for the next 18 months, or so (as we have seen in the past progress on some of the previously announced models have certainly taken, or are taking longer longer than their intended 18 month timescales for a number of reasons), for both the Bachmann Branchlines (00) and Graham Farish (N) brands. They also provided updates on the current work in progress. I outline below the items of Southern / Southern Region interest.
Following the last few years that have had to be a case of consolidation, to catch up with previously announced models due to resource and manufacturing capacity issues, the addition of new resources put into the areas of CAD and tooling has started to see an improvement in bringing existing projects to fruition, overall 12 new tooling products have been delivered to the market in 2016, such as the excellent USA tank on behalf of Model Rail magazine and also the progress now seen in the Engineering prototypes of the ex SECR Birdcage coaching stock and the ex LBSC 4-4-2 H2 Class ‘Atlantics’.
The overall theme for both brands this year is the 30th Anniversary of the launch of the RailFreight sector in 1987, the Railfreight brand was relaunched with a bold new colour scheme combining three-tone grey paintwork with colourful sector symbols and imaginative depot plaques.
Also included in both brands is a unique Vulcan collectors pack featuring Class 37 ‘Vulcan XH558’ locomotives in each respective scale and newly tooled 1:144 scale models of the Vulcan aircraft.
Despite post Brexit exchange rates falls (up to 20%) Bachmann held pricing during 2016 and although rises will be seen during 2017 they tried to mitigate this and keep such rises to a minimum as much as possible. Just 28% of the 00 range (36% in N) will see an increase with an average rise of approximately 6% (4% in N).
Bachmann 00 gauge
The headline new tooling is the Class 410 4BEP EMU.
The Class 410 4-BEP EMU Picture copyright and courtesy of Bachmann.The Class 410 (or 4BEP) electrical multiple units (7003 to 7012) were delivered from Eastleigh works in 1958/59. The 4BEP was conceived alongside the existing 4CEP to provide buffet accommodation and were often to be found as the centre 4 coaches in a 12 car formation between two 4CEP units, but could also be found running singularly or paired with a single 4CEP.
The Class 410 4-BEP EMU in Blue and Grey Picture copyright and courtesy of Bachmann.The models feature full underfloor equipment, dedicated coupling system, internal lighting and illuminated train head code boxes.
31-490 4 BEP 4 Car EMU No. 7003in BR Green livery with Small Yellow Panel
31-491 Class 410 4 Car EMU No. 7010 in BR Blue & Grey livery
Other items of SR / BR(s) interest being released as new items for 2017 are as follows:
32-860 BR Standard Class 9F Numbr 92211 BR(s) Large Tender with late crest as allocated to Eastleigh 1961, then to Feltham 6/1963 before being transferred to ER 9/1963. Used on Fawley Oil traffic.
31-236A Class 205 No. 1121 BR Green livery with Small Yellow Panel (Weathered)
31-238 Class 205 No. 1122 in BR Blue livery with Full Yellow Ends – No Headlight (Weathered)
38-526 Mk1 Horse Box in BR Green(S) livery
New tooling for 00 also includes: Midland Class 1532 (1P), Class 20/3, MK1 Carflats (to a different diagram to the Oxford Rail planned release), VEA Vanwide ventilated vans and BR ‘Prestwin’ Twin Silos wagons.
Not specifically SR / BR(s) related (although she visited Salisbury only last week) I also feel it is worth mentioning their release of Class 37 ‘Merl Evans’
To honour their colleague:, who unfortunately passed away last year following his retirement from being head of Research and Development, Bachmann are producing a OO scale model of the Class 37 locomotive number 37099 in Colas Rail livery that was recently named ‘Merl Evans’.
The ‘Merl Evans’ Colas Class 37 No. 37099 Picture copyright and courtesy of Bachmann.I had the pleasure of dealing with Merl during his time at Bachmann and this is a fine tribute to the work he put in to moving the hobby fowards as a whole. The locomotive has just been extensively overhauled and modified for the latest chapter in its working life with Colas working on the Main Line. As part of these works, a change had to be made to the headlight position on the nose (something that we will replicate on our tooling) and it was out-shopped in the latest Colas livery proudly carrying its unique tribute to Merl. A donation will be made from the sale of each model towards LOROS, the chosen charity of Merl’s family. LOROS provides hospice care in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and further details can be found here.
32-789 Class 37/0 No. 37099 “Merl Evans” in Colas livery with Split Headcode
Graham Farish N gauge
New tooling in N Gauge is the ex SECR C Class 0-6-0
The 00 ex SECR C Class is getting reduced to N gauge. Picture copyright and courtesy of Bachmann.C Class (which is sound enabled) Designed primarily for goods duties, Harry Wainwright’s ‘C’ Class 0-6-0 also proved useful for local passenger and excursion trains. Built by Neilson, Reid & Co., Sharp Stewart and the South Eastern & Chatham Railway’s works at Longhedge and Ashford, they proved to be a successful and long-lived class with the last trio surviving in use until 1966. No. 592 is preserved at the Bluebell Railway.
This will be a perfect companion for the SECR ‘Birdcage’ coaches, also due to be released this year, as well as the many Southern Railway goods wagons in the range.
The model will feature a NEXT 18 DCC decoder socket, coreless motor, loco drive, fine cab detail and NEM couplers
372-775 C Class 0-6-0 No. 271 in SECR plain green livery
372-776 C Class 0-6-0 No. 1256 Southern Railway Black livery
372-777 C Class 0-6-0 No. 31227 in BR Black livery with early emblem
Other items of SR / BR(s) interest being released as new items for 2017 are as follows:
374-432 Bulleid 63ft Semi Open Brake Third in BR(s) Malachite Green livery, number S4019 of Set 84
374-432A Bulleid 63ft Semi Open Brake Third in BR(s) Malachite Green livery number S4020 of Set 84
374-442 Bulleid 63ft Corridor Third in BR(s) Malachite Green livery, number S34 of Set 84
374-462 Bulleid 63ft Corridor Composite in BR(s) Malachite Green livery, number S5831 of Set 84
374-951 BR Mk2A FK Corridor First in BR(s) Green livery
374-631A SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van in BR(s) Green livery
374-683 BR Mk2 BSO in Network Rail livery
374-633 SR 50′ Bogie B Luggage Van in BR Departmental livery
377-850A SR 25 Ton ‘Pill Box’Brake Van in SR Brown livery with white Roof
377-854A SR 25 Ton ‘Pill Box’ Brake Van in BR Bauxite early livery
Graham Farish 474-432 Bulleid Semi Open Brake Third number S4109 of Set 84Note that the four versions of Bulleid coaches, although being sold separately, will be numbered and branded to make a correct 4 coach Set Number 84, as introduced in May 1949 for the South Eastern Section, with set numbers on the ends of the two Semi Open Brake Thirds. Set 84 remained in this livery until gaining the darker BR(s) green in August 1956.
New tooling for N also includes: Stanier 8F 2-8-0, Refurbished Class 31, Thompson coaches and retooled 100 T TEA tanker wagons.
Work in Progress
From a work in progress perspective, in 00: the ex SECR Birdcage coaches and ex LBSC 4-4-2 H2 Class ‘Atlantics’ are as already seen at last year at the Engineering Prototype stage and are now at the artwork / livery samples stage. The 450 Desiro EMU should be available in June this year and the warflat wagons should also be in production this year. The Class 414 2HAP and the 45 ton Ransomes and Rapier steam crane are both still at the R & D stage.
Whilst this running sample is substantially more complete detail wise than the first samples there are still a number of details to be added and this running sample, does not yet represent the finished models, although it is pretty much the Kernow Model Centre K2105 variant representing number 225 (the finished model will be in Southern Black with Bulleid sunshine lettering) as fitted with Pull Push gear.
The left hand side of the running sample.
It is good to see we are getting tantalisingly close, the next steps will be a few minor tweaks / corrections before moving onto livery samples.
Although the video quality is slightly questionable Kernow have posted this video showing the running sample doing what a running should be doing i.e. running…
Latest deliveries from Bachmann with a Southern flavour include a couple of livery variants of the Wainwright C Class 0-6-0: 31-464 number 593 in Southern Railway Black livery with Green Lining and also 31-464 number 271 in simplified SECR lined green.
Also about to hit the shops from Dapol in 7mm is the first of the SR 25t Pill Box Brake Vans. This first variant is the even planked Right Hand ducket version and was first tooled before Richard Webster started at Dapol. Whilst Richard was able to retool a couple of areas, e.g. the roof profile, of this model there are still a number of errors that will be corrected on later variants.
Each year Model Rail magazine, RMweb and MREmag join forces to ask modellers to vote for their favourite models of the preceding 12 months. The results of the latest poll, are published today on both RMweb and MREmag .
In another busy year for new British ready-to-run models in the three major scales, Bachmann Europe emerged as the clear winner, sweeping the board in ‘N’ gauge, winning all but one of the ‘00’ categories and scooping the overall Manufacturer of the Year award with almost 60% of the vote.
Southern Railway / Southern Region models were top in many categories: Hornby claimed just one top prize – for its popular Maunsell pull-push coaches, whilst the Bachmann C Class 0-6-0 won the best ’00’ Steam outline model and their 25T SR ‘Pillbox’ brake vans won both the ’00’ and ‘N’ wagon categories.
Model Rail editor Ben Jones added: “Congratulations to all our winners. There are worthy victors in every category, but the quality of many models that didn’t win is testament to the high standards now being achieved by all our RTR manufacturers.” The full list of Model of the Year 2012 awards winners is published in the Spring issue of MODEL RAIL magazine, on sale Thursday March 21st.
“We are pleased to present our latest limited edition model. The popular Bachmann Branchline C Class 0-6-0 locomotive is now available exclusively from the Bachmann Collectors Club depicted in South Eastern & Chatham Railway Dark Grey livery as No.689. No.689 was one of a batch built in July 1900 by Neilson, Reid & Co of Glasgow, the class eventually totaling 109 examples with 70 being constructed at Ashford Works. During World War 1 in an effort to reduce cost and relieve the shortage of labour in the workshops, a simplified green livery with yellow numerals was introduced by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway. This livery change coincided with the Operating Department’s adoption of the American despatch system which required easy identification of the locomotive as part of the procedure. Considerable difficulty was experienced with the colours weathering quickly and becoming difficult to read so the livery was changed to a dark slate grey with large white running numbers on the tender to aid identification in signal boxes and yards, particularly at night. This is the period of operation depicted by the release of the latest Bachmann Collectors’ Club model.
Picture courtesy of Bachmann Europe Plc
Just 504 certificated models of the C Class have been produced (31-460K). This product is now available for Bachmann Collectors’ Club members to purchase through the Club website at www.bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk and can also be ordered via telephone on 01455 841756. The model costs £84.35 and is available for immediate delivery.”
Built between 1900 and 1908 the eventually 109 strong Wainwright C Class 0-6-0 tender locomotives were one of the first three new designs introduced after the creation of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway following the legal union of the South Eastern Railway and the London Chatham and Dover Railway. The class was long lived with only two not passing into British Railways ownership. The last members of the class were not withdrawn, mainly as a result of the Kent Coast electrification, until 1962 (although three survived into departmental use as Ashford Works shunters until 1966).
With excellent riding qualities the C Class were often found on passenger and excursion duties as well as their primary role on goods trains throughout originally the SECR and subsequently the Eastern Section of the SR. Number 592 is now preserved on the Bluebell Railway.
Bachmann C Class in SR post 1937 livery
Bachmann first announced their intention to produce a C Class in 2011. Initially three versions are now available and hitting the retailers:
31-460 as number 592 in SECR Lined Green as preserved on the Bluebell Railway
31-461 as number 1256 in post 1940 Southern Railway Black
31-462 as number 31086 in BR Black with Early Emblem
Bachmann have certainly done an excellent job in capturing the looks of these engines and the initial impression is very positive.
The lovely SECR livery. Picture courtesy and copyright A York
The SECR livery application is extremely fine, pretty much second to none, capturing nearly all the intricate lining and lettering including the tiny SECR lettering on the tender axle boxes. The steam reverser however should also be lined but is in plain green on the model presumably due to limitations in the printing process. The other limitation of the livery application in model form is the finish of the brass dome does not quite match the highly polished original.
3/4 view from behind shows the tender detail and the cast metal coal load
Bachmann have also tooled for the correct taller original pattern chimney on the SECR livery version which is different to the other two releases.
I am sure many sales will / have occurred just because it looks so pretty.
On the post 1940 Southern black version illustrated here the lettering and numerals, shaded in green, are nicely applied and correct in that the numbers do not have the same inside black line as the lettering on the tender. They certainly look very comparable to my usual preferred use of HMRS decals for most of the SR post 1937 black locos in my fleet.
The underframe detail including the brakes, sandpipes and guard irons are all finely moulded including those on the tender. Brake rigging is supplied for the purchaser to fit to the locomotive and tender, although this is quite fiddly especially on the loco needing to take care around the sanding pipes.
The face of the C Class
The loco to tender coupling is a semi permanent fixed bar and is adjustable to shorten the gap between the loco and tender. The DCC plug location is in the tender so the wires between the loco and tender are connected via a small plug, very similar to that used by Hornby for a while now, which will make splitting the tender and loco apart if necessary much easier. It should be noted however that no pick ups are included on the tender itself which is a shame.
Bachmann’s usual use of a cast metal coal load helps give some weight to the otherwise quite light tender however if the load is removed it leaves a flat topped tender with a two locating holes rather than any representation of the albeit very small coal space, I assume that this is compromise to leave enough space inside the tender for the fitting of a DCC Sound speaker. I am not personally convinced by the coal effect this gives and will be adding a layer of real crushed coal once the loco is weathered.
On the all over black livery versions the fine details unlike that of the SECR livery are sometimes lost and some light weathering will actually help accentuate this detail.
The slight protrusion of the motor and gearbox in front of the firebox can be seen
The motor and drive is very well concealed within the firebox and it does protrude slightly forward of the front of the firebox, which is more noticeable on the SECR green version due to the prominence of the end of the polished boiler band but less so on the black versions. This does leave the correct daylight under the boiler but it is a shame that Bachmann have not included, unlike some recent models, any representation of the inside motion between the frames here as just a flat plate is visible.
Excellent detail and painting within the cab
A lovely wealth of detail is present including lubricating and control pipework especially around the steam reverser, hand rails and lamp irons. The detail inside the open cab is excellent and Bachmann have recently upped their game with such detail including the painting and printing. Like some recent Hornby models there is even representation of the letting and needles on the pressure gauges. Curiously all versions have the protruding top of the firebox inside the cab painted in brass. Whilst this is likely to be correct for the SECR livery version I am not convinced it would have looked that way in later life as per the other livery variations.
As well as the brake rigging already mentioned for the purchaser to fit the model also comes with nicely moulded screw couplings one is factory fitted to the Loco and a spare for the tender if the tension lock coupling is removed; cab doors that will need to be glued in place as there does not appear to be any locating devices for them; and a nice set of fire irons for the tender. The only thing missing these days from the main manufacturer’s products are loco crew, but I assume that these ideally would need to be painted and would therefore increase costs too much.
Overall this model of the C Class is a sure fire winner and hopefully it will convince Bachmann to consider other such southern area pre grouping prototypes in the future.
Well the annual event that is the Warley National Model Railway show at the NEC has now been and gone and by all accounts it appears that it was a good year for the show. I certainly thought that this year there was a good selection of layouts, attendance was apparently up by 8% and most of the traders appeared to be doing good business. I certainly had a good weekend on the Hornby Magazine stand operating Mike Wild’s Hettle layout despite it being N gauge, Midland Region and DCC meaning my comfort zone was somewhere outside of Hall 5, but I think I pulled it off!
As is becoming more usual now a number of suppliers and manufacturers time announcements, product development updates and availability of new product around the time of / during the show and this year was no exception. This post attempts to round up some of those items of interest from a Southern perspective.
Kernow Model Centre
As per my post on Saturday, Kernow Model Centre have announced they are to commission via Dapol a Beattie Well Tank in 7mm along with suitable china clay wagons. Pre ordering and making a deposit payment of £100 will give you a saving of £100 off the £299 usual price. A ready to run 0 Gauge loco for £199 is a bargain I am sure many will not be able to resist. Full details can be found on my previous post here. I predict a number of new Cornish china clay shelf type inglenook shunting layouts popping up due to these models, which could also be easily changed to be a decade or so later by switching the Well Tank for a Dapol Class 08!
They also had some of the livery samples of their Class 205 ‘Thumper’ DEMU on display, commissioned via Bachmann this certainly looks an excellent model.
Peco
At the show an entire area was dedicated to the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway with the full size replica L&B locomotive Lyd being a centre piece surrounded by more L & B layouts than you could shake a stick at.
Peco’s R-T-R L&B Wagons
Peco took the opportunity to announce a new range of ready to run wagons and coaches in 009. Initial releases will be a box van and an open wagon in both L & B grey and SR brown available early in the new year with suitable coaches to follow later. More details and pictures can be found here Whilst I am sure these will be popular with existing 009 modellers the current lack of any suitable R-T-R locomotives in 009 might still deter new entrants to the genre (although fingers crossed that perhaps locomotives might follow).
Bachmann
The long awaited C Class from Bachmann in both the exquisite full SECR livery and post 1937 Southern Liveries were available at the show and the BR black version is also imminent. I will be reviewing this model on this blog hopefully later in the week.
The EP of LMS diesel 10000
In their usual display cases at the show were a number of Engineering prototypes of current work in progress and their version of the LMS main line diesel twins 10000 and 10001 looked impressive, mentioned on here as they of course ran on the Southern Region. This model is in part commissioned by Rails of Sheffield with some livery versions being exclusive to them. Availability is anticipated to be early next year.
Dapol
Whilst the announcements made by Dapol at the show were for some modern image wagons in 0 Gauge (I assume to compliment their previously announced Class 08 shunter) they had for sale on the stand SR 5 and 8 plank open wagons also in 0 Gauge although I think these are generic open wagons rather based on specific SR prototypes.
Dapol have also rereleased their N Gauge CCT (Van U) utility van which appears to have been slightly updated with finer tooling and NEM coupling pockets.
RT Models
Robert continues to add useful detailing items to his ever expanding range that can be found at www.rtmodels.co.uk. I covered his etched LSWR and LBSC lamp irons in my post here and can now confirm that the LBSC version is now available and has enough irons for two locomotives including the extended bufferbeam irons.
On show for the first time at Warley were SR engine lamps very nicely cast in white metal offering a much finer scale alternative to those available from Spingside (although Robert’s do not have the jewelled lens).
Also under his custodianship the Albert Goodall range now includes cast white metal brake cylinders for the Bulleid Pacific 4500 and 5500 gallon tenders that are noticeably absent from the Hornby models and are well designed to be a simple direct fit.
Trafford Model Centre (TMC)
The TMC Mk1 Horseboxes, picture courtesy and copyright M Wild
The TMC commission, via Bachmann of the Mk1 Horsebox was available at the show and the weathered Southern Region green version I saw certainly looked extremely good. Further details can be found here.
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The model railway world and mainly Southern Railway meanderings of Graham 'Muz' Muspratt
