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Bachmann 31-364B

Class 03 D2099 BR Green (Wasp Stripes) (Weathered)

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

Prototype Era
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

We are delighted to welcome the Class 03 Diesel Shunter back to the Bachmann Branchline OO scale range as No. D2099 in weathered BR Green 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, 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 5
• Locomotive is now Preserved
• Weathered BR Green (Wasp Stripes) livery
• Running No. D2099
• Flowerpot Chimney
• Radiator-side Steps
• 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 has released a new addition to their Branchline OO scale range, the Class 03 Diesel Shunter, modelled as No. D2099 in weathered BR Green livery with wasp stripes. This model is DCC ready, featuring a coreless motor and a Next18 DCC decoder socket.

The model includes a detailed chassis and bodyshell, with numerous separately-fitted detail parts. The bonnet doors, handrails, lamps irons, windscreen wipers, flowerpot chimney, and air horn are all individually fitted. The model has NEM coupling pockets and features standard tension lock couplings with a filling piece to complete the look of the deep bufferbeams.

The model features a weathered BR Green livery and a detailed cab interior with a pre-fitted driver. It also includes cab lighting, which is activated when used on DCC, and is ready to accept a speaker. The model is 105mm in length and is suitable for Era 5.

The Class 03 diesel shunters were introduced between 1957 and 1962 and were used for shunting duties on British Railways. A total of 230 were built, with examples being used in various regions across the country. The Class 03s were fitted with Gardner engines and had a jackshaft drive arrangement, giving them a top speed of 28½ mph. The last Class 03 in mainland Britain was withdrawn in 1987, although two examples continued in service on the Isle of Wight until 1993. One of these locos was later preserved and is now in operational condition.