Product Preview: OO9 Scale Quarry Renaissance
OO9 scale models of the Quarry Hunslet locomotives were first released as part of the Bachmann Narrow Gauge range towards the end of 2022 and were an immediate success, with the entire production run having sold out within a few months of their release. Since then, we’ve been inundated with requests for these diminutive locomotives to return, so we were delighted to announce earlier this week that these wishes are going to be fulfilled. With new versions of ‘Alice’ and ‘Britomart’ on their way, it’s a perfect time have a look at these models in more detail and discover why they were so popular.
Despite their small nature, these locomotives pack a punch with their diecast boiler around which the cab is fitted along with numerous separate details including handrails, valves, springs and chimneys. There are variants with open and enclosed cabs, and in both cases the cab controls are present too, complete with authentic decoration.
As well as the boiler, these locomotives also feature a diecast running plate, under which there are angled frames. The wheels are authentically profiled and have metal bearings ensuring smooth and reliable running. ’Alice’ sports dumb buffers, with two lengths of buffer supplied to suit individual requirements, whilst ‘Britomart’ has piston access holes in her front bufferbeam. The two models also share the following features:
- Powerful Coreless Motor and Flywheel
- Equipped with a 6 Pin Micro DCC Decoder Socket – Recommended Decoder item No. 36-571
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Etched Nameplates Included
- Accessory Pack
The Quarry Hunslets are a series of several different locomotives that were constructed to a similar design, with various modifications across the fleet to suit their intended use. They were built by the Hunslet Engine company in Leeds starting in the early 1880s and were popular for use at slate quarrying locations including the Penrhyn, Pen-yr-orsedd, Dinorwic and Dorothea Quarries. The locomotives continued to be used at quarries until the second half of the twentieth century, with ‘Holy War’ being the last to be withdrawn in 1967.
Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0 Tank ‘Alice’ Dinorwic Quarry Red
Our first model depicts ‘Alice’ which today can be found preserved at the Bala Lake Railway. The Bachmann Narrow Gauge model of ‘Alice’ is decorated in the Dinorwic Quarry’s red livery and has an open cab and tool rests that are mounted to the top of the tank. There is a single smokebox-mounted lubricator and a blower supply is fitted on the left hand side. The bufferbeam features dumb buffers.
| Scale | Era | Name | Product Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| OO9 | 2 | ‘Alice’ | 391-050 |
Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0 Tank ‘Britomart’ Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry Blue
The second model is ‘Britomart’, which is decorated in the Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry’s blue livery. ‘Britomart’ features an early-type enclosed cab which has a whistle mounted to the front and a roof that has been modified to fit the loading gauge of the Ffestiniog Railway where the locomotive now resides. The smokebox has lubricators mounted on both sides and the blower supply is fitted on the right hand side, whilst there is an optional toolbox that can be fitted to the top of the tank and the front bufferbeam features holes to access the pistons.
| Scale | Era | Name | Product Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| OO9 | 6 | ‘Britomart’ | 391-051 |
These Quarry Hunslets are expected to arrive in 2026 so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. With limited numbers being made, and given their popularity when they were first released, we recommend ordering yours with your nearest Bachmann retailer to ensure you don’t miss out!
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.
