Product Preview: OO Scale Class 69s

It has been a few years since our upcoming OO scale models of the Class 69 were first announced for the Bachmann Branchline range, and it’s clear from all of the questions that we’ve received since then that there is a keen interest for these new locomotives. Our models have been developed concurrently with the production of the real locomotives and we have recently received the livery samples for our miniature Class 69s, so this is a great opportunity to go into more detail about the many features that you can expect to see when they arrive.
As the Class 69s were rebuilt from Class 56s, which themselves had various build differences, the cab ends of our models can depict locomotives with either an aluminium nose – which exhibits a gentle curve underneath the windows – or a steel nose with its flat top. There are also different side window arrangements, depending on whether the donor locomotive was Romanian or Doncaster/Crewe built. The different cab combinations are all adorned with metal windscreen wipers and separately fitted handrails along both sides of the driver’s doors.
The interiors of the cabs have been decorated with a similarly high level of detail, with the chairs and desks fully painted and warning signs and information panels printed along the walls. The machine room interiors are also fully decorated despite only being visible through the bodyside grilles, with each pipe, cable, dial and fan having been faithfully picked out. The decorations in both rooms are complemented by separately controllable interior lighting when used on DCC.
There are sprung buffers on the bufferbeam, whilst under the solebar, the bogies will have full-relief detail and feature a wealth of separately fitted components including the brakes, suspension equipment and securing chains.
The models also all share the following features:
- Five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to both bogies
- All axle drive with electrical pickup from all wheels and separate metal bearings fitted to each axle
- Close coupling mechanism fitted at each end, each of which is fitted with coupling pockets to NEM362 standards
- Directional lighting, switchable on/off at either end on DCC or Analogue control
- Plux22 DCC decoder interface – recommended Decoder Item No. 36-570B
- Each model supplied with a full set of decorated, model-specific bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts, including etched nameplates where applicable
There will also be SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE versions of each model. These versions will be fitted with an ESU Loksound V5 DCC Sound Decoder that has been pre-programmed with an exclusive sound project using recordings from real locomotives.
Our SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models will be the first to feature our new Dual Fitted XL Speaker System which combines two speakers, including our new speaker with enhanced bass reproduction, for optimum sound performance. The Class 69 also boasts our Bach-Up Stay Alive System which prevents stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs when running on DCC. And that’s not all, our top of the range SOUND FITTED DELUXE models feature motorised radiator fans and Bachmann’s revolutionary Auto-Release Coupling System for hands-free, DCC operated uncoupling.
Both the SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE variants can also be used on most Analogue (DC) layouts, where they will play authentic engine start up sequences and running sounds when power is applied.
The Class 69s were designed by GB Railfreight, who had a requirement for additional locomotives with similar capabilities to their existing Class 66s. They were converted from older Class 56 locomotives which had originally been constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited in Crewe and Doncaster, along with Electroputere in Romania. The conversion included the installation of new equipment and systems, including the same type of EMD 710 diesel engine that was used on the Class 66. The first ten Class 69 locomotives were in service by the start of 2024, with further locomotives still to be completed.
Class 69 No. 69001 ‘Mayflower’ GBRf (UK & US Flags)
Our first model is Class 69 No. 69001 which has been given the name ‘Mayflower’. This locomotive is decorated in GBRf livery with UK and US Flags, which symbolise the input by the American company Progress Rail into the rebuilding of this British-designed locomotive. The cab features the aluminium style of nose along with the style of side windows associated with the locomotives constructed at BREL Doncaster.
Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ BR Blue (Large Logo) (GBRf)
Our second Class 69 model depicts No. 69002, which has been named ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’. Decorated in GBRf’s interpretation of the BR Blue livery with large logo, this locomotive’s cab depicts the steel version of the nose with Doncaster style side windows.
Era | Running No. | Name | Standard | SOUND FITTED | SOUND FITTED DELUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 69002 | ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ | 35‑777 | 35‑777SF | 35‑777SFX |
Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ GBRf
Our penultimate model is Class 69 No. 69003, which is called ‘The Railway Observer’. This locomotive carries the livery of GBRf, whilst the cab depicts an aluminium nose with the style of windows appropriate to locomotives which were originally constructed by Electroputere in Romania.
Era | Running No. | Name | Standard | SOUND FITTED | SOUND FITTED DELUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 69003 | ‘The Railway Observer‘ | 35‑778 | 35‑778SF | 35‑778SFX |
Class 69 No. 69005 ‘Eastleigh’ BR Green (Late Crest) (GBRf)
The final Class 69 model is No. 69005 which has been given the name ‘Eastleigh’. This locomotive is decorated in GBRf’s version of the BR Green livery with late BR crest and small yellow ends. The cab depicts the aluminium nose and has the Romanian style of side windows.
With these stunning new models due to arrive later in the year, the recommended retail prices have now been published and you can find all of these along with the latest delivery projections on the Bachmann Europe website. The only place to purchase the Class 69s and the entire Bachmann range is from a Bachmann stockist, and pre-orders can be placed with your local stockist now.
Your nearest retailer can be found using the Retailers page on our website, so get in touch with your local retailer and place your pre-orders today!
