Bachmann unveils new Brush Type 4 / Class 47

Ahead of its Autumn 2021 British Railway Announcements tomorrow, Bachmann has unveiled a new Co-Co locomotive tooling suite for OO gauge in the form of the Class 47.

Owing nothing to its predecessors, development of the new models began several years ago using original drawings, diagrams, site visits and surveys of real locomotives. The manufacturer claims to have "created an unrivalled model of British Rail’s most prolific first-generation mainline diesel locomotive."

In a video presentation by Bachmann Europe’s Production Development Manager, Dave Parsons and Communications Manager, Richard Proudman, the duo discusses the project in detail, showcasing the suite of tooling that has been developed to produce models of the majority of the 512-strong fleet throughout their working lives. 

Models are to feature an innovative motorised fan system – the first of its type on a British-outline, OO scale model. The twin radiator fans, a prominent feature of the Class 47 when viewed from above, are to be operated by a dedicated motor, with fan rotation configured within the DCC decoder to provide rotation of both fans when the model is operated on either DCC and analogue control.

A new dual-fitted speaker system for authentic sound reproduction and extensive lighting features including engine room lighting, all of which can be controlled independently when operated on DCC is also promised. Movement is provided by a five-pole motor, fitted with twin flywheels, driving all axles and with electrical pickup from all wheels.

Each axle runs in a pair of separate metal bearings, located in the die-cast metal bogie towers which are fitted to the die-cast metal chassis block, resulting in a 10% greater total weight for the finished model than its predecessor.

Models are to be produced in three formats, with standard versions ready for use on analogue control from the box and with a Plux22 DCC decoder socket for customers wishing to fit their own DCC decoder. Sound-fitted models are to be offered, pre-fitted with an ESU Loksound V5 DCC Decoder, while a new sound-fitted deluxe format has been introduced for models that feature the new motorised fan system. The sound-fitted deluxe specification includes windscreen glazing that has been treated with a specialist technique to replicate the tinting seen on the prototype. When used on analogue control, a range of authentic sound effects can be enjoyed when power is applied, including a convincing engine start up procedure before the model moves – along with randomised rotation of the motorised fans on sound-fitted deluxe versions.

David Haarhaus, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe Plc said, “We strive to ensure that our customers, your local retailers, continue to purchase contemporary Bachmann models manufactured to the highest definition available today. We shall always review our existing portfolio, revisit previous subjects and where commercially viable invest in an updated Branchline or Graham Farish product. This is a well-established policy here at Barwell, illustrated by the complete retooling of our N scale range and the replacement of many elderly OO scale items such as the J72 and Jubilee, alongside complete ranges of coaches and wagons as witnessed with the Thompson coaches to name just one. The 2021 Class 20 and Class 24 are completely new models in every detail. We hope our brand-new Class 47, with the backing of the Bachmann Branchline brand, will light up the shelves and display cases of our customers around the world for many years to come.”

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