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Bachmann 31-362B

Class 03 03056 BR Blue

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

Prototype Era
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

We are delighted to welcome the Class 03 Diesel Shunter back to the Bachmann Branchline OO scale range as No. 03056 in BR Blue livery with the distinct wasp stripes at either end. Taking advantage of the technical upgrades undertaken to the popular Branchline model a few years ago, this Class 03 features a coreless motor, Next18 DCC decoder socket and has space for a speaker for those wishing to add sound – or why not opt for our SOUND FITTED model which has a Speaker and DCC Sound Decoder pre-fitted.

The Bachmann Branchline model combines a detailed chassis, depicting the jackshaft drive arrangement of the prototype and complete with sandboxes, sandpipes and underframe equipment, with a high fidelity bodyshell adorned with numerous separately-fitted detail parts. The distinctive bonnet doors are fitted with separate handrails, with further separate handrails to be found around the cab, at the front of the locomotive and on the running plate. Lamps irons and windscreen wipers are each fitted individually, as is the flowerpot chimney and the turned metal air horn. With NEM coupling pockets, the standard tension lock couplings can be removed and replaced with the supplied filling piece to complete the look of the deep bufferbeams that are a feature of the prototype. Finished with an exquisite livery application using authentic colours, logos and fonts, this is an attractive addition to any OO scale collection.

 

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Pristine BR Blue (Wasp Stripes) livery
• Running No. 03056
• Flowerpot Chimney
• Single Air Horn
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful Coreless Motor
• Detailed Cab Interior with pre-fitted Driver in one cab
• Cab Lighting (when used on DCC only)
• Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
• Accessory Pack
• Equipped with a Next18 DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-567A
• Length 105mm

 

CLASS 03 HISTORY

The Class 03 diesel shunters were introduced between 1957 and 1962 and with 230 built, the type was one of BR's most successful small 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters and was adopted as BR’s standard small shunter. A development of the Class 04 ‘Drewry’ shunter, construction was shared between British Railways' Swindon Works and Doncaster Works and initial allocations for the class covered all regions except Scotland. Shunting was the main employment, with their short wheelbase and light weight making them particularly useful in areas where weight restrictions or tight trackwork existed. Examples were also assigned to station pilot duties and due to the short wheelbase, it was common for them to be coupled to a ‘shunter’s truck’ or ‘runner wagon’ to ensure sufficient length for reliable operation of track circuits.

Weighing in at 30 Tons, some 18 Tons less than the Class 08 diesel shunter, the Class 03’s were fitted with Gardner engines and their distinctive jackshaft drive arrangement gave the locomotives a top speed of 28½ mph. Despite their usefulness, a downturn in shunting requirements meant that withdrawals began in 1968, although the last remained in service on mainland Britain until 1987. Two examples operated on the Isle of Wight, with lowered cab roofs to account for the restricted loading gauge, and these remained in traffic on the island until 1993. One of these Isle of Wight locos, No. 03179, was resurrected by West Anglia Great Northern in 1998 to shunt their Hornsey Depot. Subsequently operated by First Capital Connect, the loco was finally withdrawn in 2008 after which the locomotive was preserved bringing the total number of surviving examples to 56.

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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's new OO scale model of the Class 03 diesel shunter is now available in BR Blue livery with the distinctive wasp stripes at either end. This model is part of the Bachmann Branchline range and features a coreless motor, Next18 DCC decoder socket, and space for a speaker to add sound.

The model has a detailed chassis with a jackshaft drive arrangement, complete with sandboxes, sandpipes, and underframe equipment. The bodyshell is adorned with numerous separately-fitted detail parts, including lamps irons, windscreen wipers, a flowerpot chimney, and a turned metal air horn. The model also features NEM coupling pockets, allowing for the use of standard tension lock couplings or the supplied filling piece to create the look of the deep bufferbeams.

This model is DCC ready, with an 18-pin socket, and features interior lighting when used with a DCC system. The model is also available with a pre-fitted speaker and DCC sound decoder. The OO scale model measures 105mm in length and features a running number of 03056.

The Class 03 diesel shunter was introduced between 1957 and 1962 and was one of British Rail's most successful small 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. A total of 230 were built, with initial allocations covering all regions except Scotland. The locomotives were primarily used for shunting duties, but were also employed on station pilot duties and were often coupled to a 'shunter's truck' or 'runner wagon' to ensure reliable operation of track circuits. The Class 03 was withdrawn from service in mainland Britain in 1987, but two examples remained in service on the Isle of Wight until 1993.