BACHMANN’S BRILLIANT BRUSH JUST GOT EVEN BETTER!
The all-new Bachmann Branchline Brush Type 4, later known as the British Rail (BR) Class 47, first took to the tracks in 2021 and at the time, the Branchline models set new standards for OO Scale diesel locomotives. Winning a public vote to be crowned Model of the Year 2021, the Branchline Class 47 introduced two new features to the British market and in recognition of these advancements, Bachmann also received the Innovation of the Year award, again through a public vote.
Those features – the motorised radiator fans, driven by an independent motor and gearbox, and the tinted windscreen glazing replicating the finish applied to the windscreens of the real locomotives – have now become common features (where appropriate) on SOUND FITTED DELUXE variants of Bachmann’s latest generation of diesel locomotives.
But time stands still for no model, not even an icon like the Branchline Class 47, and following its release Bachmann has introduced even more innovations and enhancements to its range, including the revolutionary Auto-Release Coupling system that provides hands-free, automated uncoupling using Digital Command Control (DCC), enhancing the specification of SOUND FITTED DELUXE models even further..
Ahead of the Winter 2025 British Railway Announcements, Bachmann Europe has today (Thursday 9th October 2025) revealed a range of enhancements for its Class 47, including the addition of the Auto-Release Coupling system.
Bachmann’s David Haarhaus, Christina Jones and Richard Proudman visited Dean Park Model Railway following the 2025 Bachmann Collectors Club Members Day held at the nearby Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, and Richard sat down with the layout’s owner and creator David Watson to outline these improvements and share details of the next production run of Branchline Class 47s.
In addition to the Auto-Release Couplings, every Branchline Class 47 now comes with a Bach-Up Stay Alive System pre-installed, providing uninterrupted power when running on DCC to eliminate stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs.
This system is used to full effect in SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models, and these variants now boast the new Dual Fitted XL speaker system, combining two speakers – including the new enhanced bass reproduction speaker, a genuine patented TangBand component which incorporates a passive radiator design – ensuring the entire suite of authentic sounds that are loaded onto the pre-installed ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder are reproduced with full depth and clarity.
To define the Class 47 look even further, Bachmann has turned its attention to the cab windscreen glazing and made improvements to the fit and finish of this important area.
Snowploughs were a significant feature of some Class 47s too, and this optional component has been totally redesigned so that it now attaches to the chassis of the locomotive, providing a fixed position for a realistic appearance even when running on curved track, and allowing the bufferbeam detail to be fitted at the same time.
These enhancements only add to the stunning model that is the Branchline Class 47, with its high fidelity mouldings, a wealth of fitted parts and countless tooling variations to capture the minutiae of the real locomotives throughout their lives – ensuring each model is faithful to its prototype.
Five new models have been revealed so far, and these include much-requested liveries and variants that have not yet been produced using the latest generation of Branchline Class 47 tooling. Some of the models feature new tooling options too, like the Rail Express Systems (RES) Class 47/7 with its cab-end TDM Jumper Cables recreated using fine metal wire and with multifaceted taillight lenses as fitted to the RES locos.
In addition, a model in BR Two-Tone Green with Full Yellow Ends depicting No. D1676 ‘Vulcan’ has been commissioned by The Model Centre (TMC). Even with the numerous enhancements, the starting price for the Branchline Class 47 has been held at the previous RRP of £239.95 for the standard model.
Production of the models featured today will soon commence and delivery is due in the first half of 2026 and orders can be placed with Bachmann Retailers now. Further news about the Branchline Class 47 will be shared in the Winter 2025 British Railway Announcements on Wednesday 5th November.
