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Bachmann 31-147DS

GCR 11F 502 'Zeebrugge' GCR Lined Green

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 2 (1875 to 1923) Pre-grouping

Manufacturer description

Class 11F 502 'Zeebrugge' Great Central Railway Lined Green

Built: 1919 – 1924

Built for: GCR (absorbed by the LNER)

Designed by: John G. Robinson

Duties: mixed traffic

Wheels: 4-4-0

Highlights

• Sound Fitted

GCR built D11/1 variant

• Adjustable tender draw-bar length

• Sprung buffers

• Hinged tender fall-plate

• Removable coal load with empty coal space modelled below

• Etched name and number plates

History

The Class D11 came into being as a result of the success of Robinson’s D10 ‘Director’ Class (GCR Class 11E). In 1917, Robinson built his B3 ‘Lord Faringdon’ 4-6-0s, but they never quite matched the renown of the Director Class. As such, the decision was taken to order a batch of five 4-4-0 locomotives similar in design to the D10s. The locomotives received the classification of D11 (GCR Class 11F) and became known as the ‘Improved Directors’. They were named after GCR Directors, Royalty & WW1 battles and the first batch was delivered between 1919 and 1920. A further six were built in 1922 due to their popularity.

On its creation in January 1923, the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) found itself short of express passenger trains. As an urgent solution, Gresley took the decision to build additional locomotives of the D11.To fit within the restricted North British Railway loading gauge, the original Robinson design was modified to include lower cabs and boiler fittings. They also received a Gresley chimney and a flatter dome, but were not fitted with the original GCR water pick up apparatus. The original GCR Class D11s were classified as D11/1 and the NBR locomotives as D11/2.Twenty-four D11/2 locomotives were delivered over five months during 1924, carrying names of characters from the works of Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott.

Withdrawals of the locomotives only began in 1958 but were rapid, with the last of the D11/1s disappearing in December 1960 and the final D11/2 being taken from the tracks at the beginning of 1962. The Class D11 is widely acknowledged as Robinson’s most successful express passenger design.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Bachmann GCR 11F 502 ‘Zeebrge’ is a 240 mm (2‑inch) scale model of the Great Central Railway Class 11F “Improved Director” locomotive, presented in a lined green livery with a pristine finish. It carries the running number 502 and the name “Zeebrugge”, and is part of Bachmann’s 2018 range. The model is equipped with DCC sound and is ready for digital control.

The locomotive is represented as a 4‑4‑0 steam engine built between 1919 and 1924, of which 35 were produced in real life. Technical details include a minimum radius of 438 mm (2nd radius), an adjustable tender draw‑bar length, sprung buffers, a hinged tender fall‑plate and a removable coal load with a modelled empty coal space. Etched name and number plates complete the detailing, and the model carries the manufacturer part number 31‑147DS.

Historically, the class originated as an “Improved Director” design by John G. Robinson, intended for mixed‑traffic duties on the Great Central Railway before its absorption into the London & North Eastern Railway. The D11/1 variant (to which this model belongs) retained the original Robinson design, while the later D11/2s were modified for the North British Railway loading gauge. The class remained in service until withdrawals began in 1958, with the final examples removed by early 1962. The model reflects the pre‑grouping era and is intended for collectors and railway enthusiasts.