Railway Models UK

On Wednesday 6 May 2026, Bachmann Europe announced its forthcoming British Railways model range for the summer of 2026.

The new line will introduce fresh tooling for both N and OO scale. N‑scale examples are produced under Bachmann’s Graham Farish brand, while the OO models belong to the flagship Bachmann Branchline range.

In March, Bachmann revealed new tooling options for its Class 20/0 diesel locomotives, together with upgrades that enable sound fittings. This will allow the models to be manufactured in N scale.

Class 20 locomotives built for Scotland featured large cab side windows and recessed bodyside panels – elements that will be reproduced in the model. A new chassis, including a Next18 DCC decoder socket and a pre‑fitted speaker, will allow the company to offer sound‑fitted versions. Bachmann promises to roll out these upgrades across its existing Graham Farish Class 20/0 line.

This summer will also see a selection of Graham Farish freight vehicles added to the Class 20 range:

Conflat wagons carrying “Birds Eye” branded containers
Four new variations of the BR12‑ton ventilated vans
HTA coal hopper wagons suitable for contemporary scenes

In OO scale, the summer launch will feature new Bachmann Branchline Class 170 and 171 Turbostar DMUs. The company had announced these models last month, and has now confirmed that the first releases will depict the Class 170s in service with Midland Mainline up to their current operation with East Midland Railway and Cross Country. A two‑car Class 171 will be the first Southern Turbostar model.

Bachmann is also reintroducing three popular steam classes to its Branchline catalogue. New versions of the Peppercorn A1 and A2 Pacifics, together with Ivatt’s Mogul “Mickey Mouse” 2MT 2‑6‑0s, will be available this summer.

The A1 will showcase a new‑build version of 60163 Tornado in Apple Green, while the Moguls will include three preserved examples, one of which is 46521 in BR Lined Green livery – the paint scheme it wore when it appeared as “Blossom” in the BBC sitcom Oh Doctor Beeching over thirty years ago.

Additional OO‑scale freight will comprise:

BR plywood ventilated vans
LNER fruit vans
PCA Metalair bulk power wagons

See the full list of OO announcements here

Bachmann reveals Summer 2026 British railway models

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