The original London and North Western Railway (LNWR) opened in 1846 and lasted for over 75 years until it was absorbed into the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) as part of the 1923 Grouping. The LNWR’s influence can still be felt on the modern railway network as their main line connecting London to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool ultimately became the West Coast Main Line. The LNWR had many locomotives and coaches throughout their existence, so it should be no surprise that OO Scale models of many of these vehicles are currently available as part of the Bachmann Branchline range. Let’s have a look at these in more detail.

LNWR G2 and G2A Class Locomotives

Our first models are the LNWR’s G2 and G2A Class locomotives, and these finely detailed replicas are constructed from diecast running plates and a precision moulded bodyshell with crisp rivets and boiler bands. There are separately fitted handrails, whistles and safety valves, and a hinged smokebox door which can be positioned either open or closed. The detailing extends to the cab with its controls, dials and pipework, all of which is fully decorated. Under the running plate, there is a diecast chassis that features brake blocks, rigging and separately fitted sandpipes, whilst the tender also features separate details including lamp irons, tank vents, fire tool holders and handwheels, along with brake rigging, metal wheelsets and a realistic coal load. These locomotives also share the following features:

There are also SOUND FITTED versions of each model, each of which is fitted with an ESU Loksound V5DCC 21 Pin DCC Sound Decoder that has been pre-programmed with an exclusive sound project containing over 20 functions.

Sixty G2 Class locomotives were constructed by the LNWR at Crewe at the start of the 1920s. Intended for freight work, they were equipped with a belpaire boiler that could operate at a pressure of 175psi, making them one of the most powerful locomotives designed by the LNWR. The G2A Class was later created by the LMS when they upgraded the existing similar G1 locomotives with the same boiler, with the two classes of locomotive looking almost identical. Both classes lasted until Nationalisation in 1948 and went on to be used by British Railways (BR) until the 1960s when the use of steam traction was drawing to a close.

LNWR G2 574 LNWR Black

Era	Class	Running No.	Standard	SOUND FITTED
2	G2	574	31-482	31-482SF

LNWR G2 9446 LMS Black

Era	Class	Running No.	Standard	SOUND FITTED
3	G2	9446	31-483	31-483SF

LNWR G2A 49164 BR Black (Late Crest)

Era	Class	Running No.	Standard	SOUND FITTED
5	G2A	49164	31-479A	31-479ASF

LNWR 50ft Arc Roof Coaches

As well as locomotives, we also have models of the LNWR 50ft Arc Roof coaching stock that was used by the LNWR. The highly detailed models are constructed from over 175 components, including their bodyshells which accurately replicate the wood panelled bodies of the real vehicles, with separately fitted ventilators above each window. Etched brass door and grap handles have been fitted along the sides, along with the handles on the luggage compartment. There are even brass handrails fitted along the inside of the corridor side windows. 

Under the solebar, there are detailed truss rods and depictions of either a Westinghouse brake system or vacuum brake equipment depending on which coach is being portrayed. Coaches being depicted with gas lighting also have large gas cylinders, whilst those with Electric lighting have battery boxes. On the models depicting the coaches in their earlier conditions, there are footboards present along the bogies and solebar, whilst these aren’t present on the models depicting these coaches in their later conditions when these boards were removed. The inside of the coaches are similarly detailed, with the compartment doors featuring hinge and handle detailing as well as there being toilet and hand basins in the toilet compartments. 

The LNWR carriage works in Wolverton started constructing the 50ft Arc Roof coaches in the 1890s, and over 660 coaches were produced across 6 different diagrams. They were originally used on express services and excursions to locations outside of the LNWR’s network, including the Kent coast. When newer coaches to more modern designs were built, the Arc Roof coaches were moved onto secondary services away from the main line. The coaches originally had gas lighting when they were first constructed but this was removed starting from the early 1920s and replaced with electric lighting. The Arc Roof coaches continued in use with the LMS following Grouping, and some were later transferred to the Midland & Great Northern Railway (M&GN) with a small number remaining in service at the time of Nationalisation in 1948.

LNWR 50ft Arc Roof Coaches LNWR Dark Claret & White

Our first set of Arc Roof Coaches are decorated in the LNWR’s Dark Claret & White livery. These coaches all have gas lighting and LNWR-pattern wheels with wooden centres. The Tri-Composite Corridor features Westinghouse brakes, whilst the other coaches all have vacuum brakes. Footboards are present along the chassis on all coaches, with the Tri-Composite Corridor, Third Corridor and Brake Composite Corridor also having footboards on their bogies.

Era	Type	Running No.	Product Code
2	Tri-Composite Corridor	1082	39-860
2	Third Corridor	2358	39-870
2	Third Corridor	2374	39-870A
2	Brake Composite Corridor	1675	39-880
2	Full Brake	8082	39-890

LNWR 50ft Arc Roof Coaches LMS Crimson Lake

Our next set of Arc Roof Coaches are decorated in the LMS’ Crimson Lake livery. These coaches all have electric lighting so the gas lights and pipes on their roofs have been removed. Their wheels have been replaced with those made from steel and the coaches all have vacuum brakes. The Full Brake coach has footboards along the chassis.

Era	Type	Running No.	Product Code
3	Composite Corridor	4415	39-863
3	Third Corridor	2326	39-873
3	Third Corridor	2334	39-873A
3	Brake Third Corridor	6080	39-883
3	Full Brake	32505	39-893

LNWR 50ft Arc Roof Coaches M&GN Brown

Our final set of Arc Roof coaches are decorated in the Brown livery of the Midland & Great Northern Railway. These coaches all have gas lighting, along with vacuum brakes and steel wheels. There are footboards along the chassis of the Brake Third Corridor coach.

Era	Type	Running No.	Product Code
3	Composite Corridor	83006	39-861
3	Third Corridor	81023	39-871
3	Third Corridor	81040	39-871A
3	Brake Third Corridor	82001	39-881

Many of these models are already available from retailers now and the others are due to arrive over the next few months, so head to the Bachmann Europe website where you can find more information. Once you’ve selected your models, get in touch with your nearest retailer to order yours!