Product Highlight: N Scale ‘Desiro’ EMUs
It’s been a while since we last previewed the upcoming N Scale models of the Class 350 and 450 Electrical Multiple Units from Graham Farish. These models are due to arrive shortly, and with additional liveries announced in our Summer 2024 British Railways Announcements, it’s the perfect time to take another look at these masterpieces in miniature.
These ‘Desiro’ units are all formed of four cars – a Driving Motor Open Composite (DMOC) car, a Trailing Open Composite Lavatory (TOCL) car, a Trailing Open Second Lavatory Wheelchair car either with a Pantagraph (PTOSLW) or without (TOSLW) depending on the class, and either a Driving Motor Open Standard (DMOS) car or another DMOC car. All cars feature the high level of detail and precise livery applications that you would expect from Graham Farish models.
The Class 350 has been available from Graham Farish previously and can be most easily identified by the sprung pantographs protruding from the wells on the roof. The Class 450 is a new addition to the range with rooves that feature empty pantograph wells whilst there are third rail pickup shoes on the bogies. Both classes feature detailed equipment under the solebar on all cars as appropriate. The models also all share the following features:
- Powerful drive mechanism which incorporates a flywheel
- Directional lighting – switchable on/off via DCC or the chassis-mounted switches
- NEM Couplings
- Accessory pack
- Equipped with 3 x 6 Pin DCC Decoder Sockets – recommended Decoder 36-568A
- Ready to Accept a Speaker
The first Class 450 EMUs were ordered by South West Trains in 2001 and had started service by 2003. The 4-car units were designed to run on lines in the South that were powered by a 750V DC third-rail power supply and replace the older trains used on those lines which did not meet the modern health and safety requirements. The design was considered to be successful and more units were ordered over the next few years.
In 2004, some of the Class 450 units that had been ordered but not yet built were reallocated to the West Coast Main Line, with their design changed to incorporate pantographs on the roof to draw power from overhead lines. These units became the Class 350, with several further batches ordered over the next decade. Both classes are still in use today and are a common site on electrified routes.
371-703 – Class 350/4 4-Car EMU 350407 First TransPennine Express
The first ‘Desiro’ model is 371-703, which is Class 350/4 ‘Desiro’ set No. 350407 in First TransPennine Express’ metallic silver, blue and purple livery. This set is made up of DMOS car No. 60677, TOCL car No. 60907, PTOSLW car No. 60947 and DMOS car No. 60697, with destination blinds for Manchester Airport.
371-704 – Class 350/3 4-Car EMU 350372 London Northwestern Railway
The second ‘Desiro’ is 371-704, which was announced in our Summer 2024 British Railway Announcements. This model depicts Class 350/3 ‘Desiro’ set No. 350372 in London Northwestern Railway’s grey, green and teal livery. This set comprises DMOS car No. 60145, TOCL car No. 60515, PTOSLW car No. 60655 and DMOS car No. 60155 with destination blinds for London Euston.
371-725 – Class 450/0 4-Car EMU 450073 South West Trains
The next ‘Desiro’ model is 371-725, which is Class 450/0 ‘Desiro’ set No. 450073 in the blue, orange, yellow and red livery of South West Trains. This set is made up from DMOC car No. 63273, TOSL car No. 64273, TOSLW car No. 68173 and DMOC car No. 63673 and features destination blinds for Portsmouth & Southsea.
371-726 – Class 450/0 4-Car EMU 450036 South Western Railway
Our final ‘Desiro’ model is 371-726, which was also announced in our latest British Railway Announcements. This depicts Class 450/0 ‘Desiro’ set No. 450036 in South Western Railway livery. This set comprises DMOC car No. 63236, TOSL car No. 64236, TOSLW car No. 68136 and DMOC car No. 63636, with destination blinds for London Waterloo.
These models are currently expected to arrive during the next few months, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!
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