SUCCESS FOR THE QUARRY HUNSLET CRUSADERS!
SUCCESS FOR THE QUARRY HUNSLET CRUSADERS!
Ever since the first Bachmann Narrow Gauge OO9 scale Quarry Hunslets arrived at the end of 2022, a loyal army of enthusiasts have been asking when more of these delightful locomotives will appear. Today Bachmann Narrow Gauge answered those questions by revealing the latest addition to the OO9 scale range – Holy War! Announced alongside the launch partner for this model, the Bala Lake Railway, the model will be available to purchase at their ‘Welcome Back Alice and Holy War’ event next weekend (Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April 2023).
One of eleven Alice Class Quarry Hunslet locomotives built for the Dinorwic Quarry in North Wales, ‘Holy War’ was delivered in 1902 and identified simply as No. 3 – the name ‘Holy War’ was not given until 1908. The locomotive spent much of its working life on the higher levels of Dinorwic Quarry – for a time being housed in the highest engine shed in Britain at 1,860ft above sea level on the quarry’s Lernion Level. Withdrawn in November 1967, ‘Holy War’ was the last working steam locomotive in a Welsh slate quarry and so ended 120 years of quarry steam.
Purchased from the quarry in 1968, ‘Holy War’ moved to Quainton Road in 1970 before being sold again in 1975 – the new owner selecting the Bala Lake Railway in North Wales as the loco’s new home. A full restoration followed, during which an enclosed cab was fabricated and fitted in place of the original open-cab design. The Bala Lake Railway secured ‘Holy War’s’ long term future when it purchased the locomotive in 1989, decorating her in the mid-1990s in the vibrant lined blue livery as seen today. In 2018 it was time for the locomotive to be overhauled and 2023 sees the return to steam of ‘Holy War’ alongside sister locomotive ‘Alice’ – a locomotive that has already been modelled by Bachmann Narrow Gauge.
The Bachmann Narrow Gauge model of ‘Holy War’ depicts the locomotive in its preserved state, with enclosed cab and in the stunning lined blue livery. Featuring a diecast boiler and running plate, accompanied by a wealth of separately fitted details including handrails, valves, springs, brake shoes and cab controls, every aspect of the prototype is captured in miniature. The 0-4-0ST wheel formation is faithfully modelled, with authentically-profiled wheels running in metal bearings ensuring smooth running, powered by a coreless motor with flywheel, and with a 6 Pin DCC decoder socket for those wishing to use the models with a DCC system. NEM coupling pockets feature at both ends, into which standard OO9 scale couplings are fitted.
‘Holy War’ is in stock now and will be available to purchase from our launch partner the Bala Lake Railway during their ‘Welcome Back Alice and Holy War’ event on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April 2023. For those not attending the event, the model can be ordered online now from https://shop.bala-lake-railway.co.uk.
As an additional incentive, the Bala Lake Railway will include a voucher for a free return ticket (valid from 2nd May to 4th November 2023) with all models ordered before midnight on Monday 1st May (including models purchased in person during the event). Please note that online orders will not be dispatched until after the event. The model is priced at £149.95 and proceeds from each sale will help the Bala Lake Railway.
