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Product Preview: OO Scale Class 350 and 450 ‘Desiro’ EMUs
After our N scale versions of the Class 350 and 450 ‘Desiro’ Electric Multiple Units made their debut last year, it’s now time for modellers of OO Scale to look forward to these units’ highly anticipated return to the Bachmann Branchline range as well!
Each of the Branchline ‘Desiro’ units is formed of four cars, with two driving vehicles sandwiching a pair of trailers. The Class 350 units can be most easily identified by the poseable sprung metal pantograph protruding from the well on the roof of one of the trailer vehicles, whilst the Class 450s feature an empty pantograph well on the roof and instead are fitted with third rail pickup shoes on the bogies.
Regardless of the specific class that is being represented, these multiple units are modelled to the high levels of detail that you would expect from a Bachmann Branchline model. The roof features several individual components that depict the cabling, insulators and air conditioning units. At the cab ends, there are separate windscreen wipers on the windows and an illuminated destination panel. Under the solebar, each vehicle has electrical boxes, brake equipment and other auxiliary gear, along with sandboxes and sandpipes where appropriate. Inside the cars, the driver’s cabs feature a seat and control desk with controls and dials, whilst the passenger saloons feature detailed depictions of the tables and chairs. The decorations in the cabs and passenger saloons are all enhanced by internal lighting. These models also all share the following features:
- Five pole motor and flywheel providing drive to one bogie
- Twin axle drive with separate metal bearings fitted to each driven axle
- Trailing axles on all vehicles run in metal pinpoint bearings
- Electrical pickup from all wheels
- Equipped with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommended Decoder item No. 36-557A
- Space is provided for a speaker to be fitted along with connection points on the PCB
- Driven bogie features an integral gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
- Detachable coupling pockets to NEM362 standards fitted to each bogie at the cab end of each DMCO/DMOS vehicle
- Plug-in conductive couplings with integral close coupling mechanisms fitted between vehicles
For the first time, SOUND FITTED versions of each model will also be available. These versions feature a ESU Loksound V5 DCC Sound Decoder that has been programmed using an exclusive sound project that contains over 20 functions. The SOUND FITTED models may also be used on most Analogue (DC) layouts, where they will play normal running sounds when power is applied. Directional lights and passenger compartment lights will also illuminate when power is applied.
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 sight on electrified routes.
Class 350/4 4-Car EMU 350407 First TransPennine Express
The first new ‘Desiro’ EMU is Class 350/4 No. 350407 in First TransPennine Express livery. This unit is made up of DMOS Car No. 60697, PTOSLW Car No. 60947, TOCL Car No. 60907 and DMOS Car No. 60677 and has destination blinds for Manchester Airport.
Class 350/3 4-Car EMU 350372 London Northwestern Railway
Our next new ‘Desiro’ EMU is Class 350/3 No. 350372 in London Northwestern Railway’s white, teal and green livery. This unit features destination blinds for London Euston and is comprised of DMOS Car No. 60145, PTOSLW Car No. 60655, TOCL Car No. 60515 and DMOS Car No. 60155.
Class 450/0 4-Car EMU 450036 South Western Railway
Our final new ‘Desiro’ EMU is Class 450/0 No. 450036 in South Western Railway livery. This unit is formed from DMOC Car No. 63236, TOSL Car No. 64236, TOSLW Car No. 68136 and DMOC Car No. 63636 and features destination blinds for London Waterloo.
These new ‘Desiro’ EMUs have now entered production and we’re delighted to announce that our factory has been able to provide us with a lower price for these high fidelity, elaborately decorated models – and we’re passing this saving straight on to you! We are therefore pleased to announce that the new RRP for the standard models will be £469.95 (item Nos. 31-033, 31-034, 31-042 – was £499.95) and £569.95 for SOUND FITTED versions (item Nos. 31-033SF, 31-034SF, 31-042SF – was £599.95). Order yours now from your local Bachmann retailer ahead of their arrival later this year!
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