Bachmann Confirms Details of Six New Tooling Projects in Final British Railway Announcements of 2024

In N Scale, the EFE Rail Class 41 D600 ‘Warship’ locomotives that took centre stage at The International N Gauge Show in September will arrive later this month. Six models make up the launch offering, depicting the locomotives in their as-built condition through to their final years after having been modified with new ends, new grilles and, in the case of two examples at least, painted into BR’s new corporate blue livery. Joining the ‘Warship’ is the Mk1 POT Post Office Tender, Engineering Prototypes for which broke cover at the same time and four liveries, each with a choice of two running numbers, will be available spanning the full career of the prototypes, from their introduction in 1968 to the end of the Travelling Post Office in 2004.

Other pioneering diesels that feature in the Winter range are the LMS ‘Twins’, Nos. 10000 and 10001. Following their launch earlier in the year, new versions now join the range depicting the pair in early BR livery and later in life, after returning to the Midland Region from the Southern and now decorated in BR Green with Late Crests. New versions of the Mk2A coaches, CCTs and Stanier Full Brakes will also be available, expanding Graham Farish’s vast range of N scale rolling stock. New N Scale additions to the Scenecraft range centre on the East of England with models of March Station and Wroxham Signal Box amongst the highlights this Winter.

For OO9 Scale the Bachmann Narrow Gauge range saw the announcement of two new tooling projects during the Ffestiniog Railway’s Bygones Weekend in October, and today the ‘Tin Car’ Saloon Third Coaches were put on general release following an initial period of exclusivity with the Ffestiniog Railway. Four models are available depicting coaches No. 119 and 120 in their original Maroon livery and later Crimson & Cream colour scheme. The Curly Roof Van and its rebuilt counterpart the Brake Third are the next coaches to be produced in OO9 by Bachmann and the ornate Curly Roof Van will be produced as Van 1 in the ornate Lined Plum livery. The rebuilt version of this vehicle, the Brake Third, appears in two authentic Ffestiniog Railway liveries of Yellow & Crimson and Green & Red, whilst a third version carries an attractive Crimson & Cream livery. In Bachmann’s Scenecraft range, a new Stone-built Engine Shed and Corrugated Platform Shelter join the lineup, with both models available in a choice of two colour schemes.

The Bachmann Branchline range has a strong steam-theme this Winter as new models of the LNWR G2 and G2A join the range, and these will be available with the option of SOUND FITTED for the first time. The Midland Class 1532 (1P) also returns with new liveries for the Midland Railway, LMS and British Railways, showcasing these characterful machines throughout their working lives. There is also a trio of new GWR releases, with the 4575 Prairie Tanks, the 8750 Panniers and the Class 56XX 0-6-2Ts each returning to the Branchline range in a selection of liveries. Bachmann’s brand new London & North Western Railway (LNWR) 50ft Arc Roof Coaches only broke cover at the end of October and the first releases were detailed today, with the initial offering comprising models in the stunning LNWR Dark Claret and White livery, LMS Crimson Lake and the Brown livery of the Midland & Great Northern Railway (M&GN).

New releases for the post-steam era include the trio of new Branchline Mk1 Coaches, the Brake Second Open (BSO), First Open (FO) and Restaurant Buffet (RB), which appear in BR Blue & Grey livery for the first time. The BSO will also be produced as a BSOT with Micro Buffet and the model includes an appropriately modified interior and authentic livery detailing. For the current scene the 4-TC joins the Bachmann Branchline range for the first time as set number 428 in London Transport Maroon. This officially licensed product depicts the 4-car coach set that operates on the mainline on railtours, charters and at heritage railways during galas and special events.

Further OO Scale models come from Bachmann’s EFE Rail range this Winter and the London & South Western Railway’s (LSWR) T3 Class locomotive which was revealed to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club first during the 2024 Members Day at the Swanage Railway. The new EFE Rail model will first be available in a choice of five guises, showcasing many of the details and variants that have been built into Bachmann’s extensive tooling suite and including the preserved locomotive, No. 563. New versions of the SR Booster locomotive, as No. 20001 in BR Green livery, and the Plasser 12T YOB Diesel-Hydraulic Crane, in Balfour Beatty’s Blue & White scheme, will also be delivered this Winter.

The final additions to the Scenecraft range this year come in OO scale and these include Low Relief models of a Department Store and a Town Garage. Full Relief models depict a Thatched Tavern, Snodland Signal Box, a Station Buffet, a Bus & Coach Station and a Wooden Bus Stop. The final pair of buildings are particularly suited to use alongside the new EFE Road models for Winter 2024, which depict the venerable Bedford OB as we celebrate 85 years since the first examples rolled off the production line with six new EFE Road releases.

Also revealed this quarter were new models for Bachmann’s Thomas & Friends™ range, with Duck, Daisy, Terence the Tractor, S.C.Ruffey and the Sodor Fruit & Veg Co. Ventilated Van all joining the lineup. Like all of Bachmann Europe’s OO Scale Thomas & Friends™ range, these new models are officially licensed and are certified for ages 3+.