Prototype Power Cars from Bachmann Collectors Club for Spring 2025
Prototype Power Cars from Bachmann Collectors Club for Spring 2025
As part of Bachmann Europe’s Spring 2025 British Railway Announcements, the Bachmann Collectors Club has today (Wednesday 5th February 2025) launched its latest Limited Edition models depicting the Prototype Power Cars from the High Speed Diesel Train (HSDT – otherwise known as the HST). The models are available in two formats, as a twin pack containing the pair of prototype power cars in their original condition and numbered 41001 & 41002, or as a single unit finished as No. ADB975812, the number given to No. 41001 when it was transferred to Departmental use as part of the Railway Technical Centre fleet – the latter , is also available with the option of SOUND FITTED.
During the 1960s, in its quest for high speed travel and reduced journey times, British Rail set about developing new trains that could run at an increased line speed of 125mph. The HSDT was one solution, and a prototype train was authorised by British Rail in August 1970, with the first vehicles delivered to the Railway Technical Centre (RTC) for testing and type approval less than two years later in the summer of 1972.
Conceived by the Railway Technical Centre, the train owed a great deal of its design to the Western Region, as many of the RTC’s design staff came from Swindon. The experimental train comprised two power cars, along with a set of carriages that would be the prototypes for BR’s Mk3 coaching stock. The power cars were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Crewe Works, whilst the Mk3s were constructed at BREL’s Litchurch Lane site in Derby. Under the Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) the power cars were designated Class 41, with the complete train allocated Class 252.
With the introduction of the production HSTs, the prototype power cars were withdrawn from serviced in late-1976 and both entered Departmental stock, returning to the RTC in Derby where they were used to haul various test trains for a number of years. By the mid-1980s the two vehicles had been stored out of use and whilst one was later scrapped, the other, No. 41001, was preserved as part of the National Collection and now takes pride of place at the National Railway Museum’s Locomotion Museum in Shildon, Country Durham.
The Bachmann Branchline model boasts an impressive specification with a high fidelity, injection moulded body shell which is enhanced by separately fitted metal handrails, windscreen wipers, corridor end pipework, underframe equipment and sprung metal buffers. The chassis is built around a powerful five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels which drives both bogies – every axle is geared and runs in separate metal bearings, whilst electrical pickup comes from every wheel. The comprehensive lighting suite includes directional lights along with front and rear cab lights and guard’s compartment lighting, all controlled using chassis mounted switches on analogue control, or via DCC functions when a Plux22 DCC decoder is installed. The SOUND FITTED model is fitted with a Zimo MS450P22 DCC Sound Decoder and all models have a Dual Fitted speaker system pre-installed.
The Bachmann Collectors Club models are in stock now and as ever, Club members enjoy a 10% discount on the RRP of these models. The single departmental power car is priced at £179.95 (item No. 35-111K – RRP £199.95) or £278.95 with SOUND FITTED (35-111KSF – RRP £309.95). The twin pack of power cars in original condition is priced at £359.95 (35-110K – RRP £399.95).
Orders can be placed now for immediate dispatch by visiting the Club website or by calling the Club office on 01455 245565.
