Product Highlight: OO Scale Class 121 ‘Bubble Cars’
One of our previous Product Highlights in August focused on the upcoming return of the Class 117 3-Car Diesel Multiple Unit to the Bachmann Branchline range of OO Scale models. The same range is also due to welcome another unit that was introduced at the same time to a similar design – the single-car Class 121 ‘Bubble Car’.
These upcoming Class 121 models all feature the original cab front with directional marker and tail lights, with many separately fitted details such as the cab handrails which have varying lengths and differing styles of sprung metal buffer as appropriate to the era. The livery is applied using accurate colours and authentic typefaces and logos, with the seating, partitions and driver’s chair and control desk inside the cab and passenger saloon also decorated to the same high standard, all of which is highlighted by the interior lighting. The directional, cab and passenger saloon lighting can all be controlled using chassis-mounted switches or dedicated functions when used on DCC. Some models are also available with PASSENGERS FITTED, providing an additional level of realism.
The models are similarly impressive under the solebar, with faithful engine, drive gear and auxiliary equipment that is designed to seamlessly hide the drive mechanism without requiring it to intrude into the interior of the cars. The models also all share the following features:
- Three pole motor and flywheel providing drive to the bogie at the guard’s compartment end
- Equipped with a PLUX 22 DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-570B
- Two axle drive with separate metal bearings fitted to each driven axle
- Trailing axles run in metal pinpoint bearings
- Electrical pickup from all wheels
- Detachable coupling pockets to NEM362 standards fitted to each bogie
- Each model is supplied with a full set of decorated bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts
All models are also available as SOUND FITTED versions, which have a Zimo MS450P22 DCC Sound Decoder that has been programmed using an exclusive sound project that contains over 25 sound and lighting functions using recordings from real locomotives. The SOUND FITTED models may also be used on most Analogue (DC) layouts with suitable controllers, where they will play normal load running sounds and many other automatic or randomised sounds.
The BR Class 121s were built between 1959 and 1961 by the Pressed Steel Company following the same basic design of the Class 117 3-Car DMU. Nicknamed ‘Bubble Cars’, the units were delivered to the British Railways Western Region, initially to be used on branch lines in Cornwall and the Thames Valley before they were rolled out to the rest of the region and eventually to the other regions as well. The Class 121s continued to be used until the last was withdrawn in 2017, earning them the title of longest serving first generation DMU and enabling many to survive into preservation.
Class 121 Single-Car DMU W55028 BR Green (Small Yellow Panels)
Our first model is No. W55028 in BR Green with small yellow panels. This car full length cab handrails, a glazed headbox displaying a headcode of 2A40, and destination blinds for Bourne End and High Wycombe. The buffer beam features oval buffers and under the solebar is an exhaust pipe with large silencers.
| Era | Livery | Running No. | Standard | PASSENGERS FITTED | SOUND FITTED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | BR Green (Small Yellow Panels) | W55028 | 35‑528 | 35‑528PF | 35‑528SF |
Class 121 Single-Car DMU W55033 BR Blue
Our next Class 121 is No. W55033 in BR’s Blue livery. This unit has shortened cab handrails, a plated headcode box, and destination blinds for Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach. Once again, there are oval buffers on the buffer beam and an exhaust pipe with large silencers below the solebar.
Class 121 Single-Car DMU W55034 BR White & Blue
Our penultimate model is Class 121 No. W55034 in BR White and Blue. This unit also has shortened cab handrails and a plated headcode box, but features cut buffers and destination blinds for Oxford and Banbury. The exhast pipes have small silencers. Please note that there is no PASSENGERS FITTED version of this model.
Class 121 Single-Car DMU 55022 BR Network SouthEast (Original)
Our final Class 121 is No. 55022, in BR Network SouthEast’s original livery. This model also features the plated headcode box and shortened cab handrails, but had round buffers and destination blinds for Ealing Broadway and Greenford. Once again, the exhast pipes have small silencers.
| Era | Livery | Running No. | Standard | PASSENGERS FITTED | SOUND FITTED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | BR Network SouthEast (Original) | 55022 | 35‑530 | 35‑530PF | 35‑530SF |
These models are expected to arrive with Bachmann stockists over the next few months, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information about the full range. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!
Your nearest retailer can be found by using the Retailers page on our website, which can be accessed either from the menu at the top of the page or by clicking on the button below.
