Livery samples arrive for new Bachmann Class 69

As the Class 69s were rebuilt from Class 56s, which themselves had various build differences, the cab ends of our models can depict locomotives with either an aluminium nose – which exhibits a gentle curve underneath the windows – or a steel nose with its flat top. There are also different side window arrangements, depending on whether the donor locomotive was Romanian or Doncaster/Crewe built. The different cab combinations are all adorned with metal windscreen wipers and separately fitted handrails along both sides of the driver’s doors.

The interiors of the cabs have been decorated with a similarly high level of detail, with the chairs and desks fully painted and warning signs and information panels printed along the walls. The machine room interiors are also fully decorated despite only being visible through the bodyside grilles, with each pipe, cable, dial and fan having been faithfully picked out. The decorations in both rooms are complemented by separately controllable interior lighting when used on DCC. 

There are sprung buffers on the bufferbeam, while under the solebar, the bogies will have full-relief detail and feature a wealth of separately fitted components including the brakes, suspension equipment and securing chains. 

The models also all share the following features:

• Five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to both bogies
• All axle drive with electrical pickup from all wheels and separate metal bearings fitted to each axle
• Close coupling mechanism fitted at each end, each of which is fitted with coupling pockets to NEM362 standards
• Directional lighting, switchable on/off at either end on DCC or Analogue control
• Plux22 DCC decoder interface – recommended Decoder Item No. 36-570B
• Each model is supplied with a full set of decorated, model-specific bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts, including etched nameplates where applicable.

There will also be Sound-Fitted and Sound-Fitted Deluxe versions of each model. These versions will be fitted with an ESU Loksound V5 DCC Sound Decoder that has been pre-programmed with an exclusive sound project using recordings from real locomotives and the first to feature Bachmann’s new Dual Fitted XL Speaker System which combines two speakers, including our new speaker with enhanced bass reproduction, for optimum sound performance.

The Class 69 also boasts the Bach-Up Stay Alive System ,which prevents stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs when running on DCC.

Available liveries

• Class 69 No. 69001 ‘Mayflower’ GBRf (UK & US Flags)
• Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ BR Blue (Large Logo) (GBRf)
• Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ GBRf
• Class 69 No. 69005 ‘Eastleigh’ BR Green (Late Crest) (GBRf)

The new models are due to arrive later in the year and can be pre-ordered now, priced at £249.95, £359.95 for sound-fitted models and £389.95 for sound-fitted deluxe.

About the prototype

The Class 69s were designed by GB Railfreight, who had a requirement for additional locomotives with similar capabilities to its existing Class 66s. They were converted from older Class 56 locomotives, which had originally been constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited in Crewe and Doncaster, along with Electroputere in Romania. The conversion included the installation of new equipment and systems, including the same type of EMD 710 diesel engine that was used on the Class 66. The first 10 Class 69 locomotives were in service by the start of 2024, with further locomotives still to be completed. 

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