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Bachmann 31-368DS

Class 03 03026 BR Blue

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

Prototype Eras
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

Class 03 03026 BR Blue - DCC Sound

Built: 1957 - 1962

Constructed by: BR Doncaster & Swindon Works

Duties: shunting & station pilot

Highlights

• Factory fitted DCC sound

• Optional buffer-beam in-fill plate to cover the NEM coupling pocket when not in use

• Conical chimney

• Sprung buffers

• Driver figure fitted

History

The Class 03 diesel shunters were introduced in 1957 and were one of BR's most successful smaller 0-6-0 diesel-mechanical shunters. The 230 shunters were built by British Railways' Swindon and Doncaster works between 1957-1962. Initially, allocation was spread around all regions except Scottish. Like other shunters of this size, the Class 03 was built for light duties where a larger locomotive was not needed, especially for shunting at locomotive and carriage depots and as station pilots.

The Class 03 locomotives survived to work over some lines with limited weight restrictions. The locomotives weighed 30 tonnes, as opposed to the 48 tons of Class 08. They were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, with two examples on the Isle of Wight lasting until 1993. In 1998, one of the Isle of Wight locos, No. 03 179, was re-instated into service by the West Anglia Great Northern Railway Company (WAGN) for service at their Hornsey depot. This remains the last operational Class 03 locomotive on the network. Over 50 locomotives have been preserved.

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 Class 03 model 03026 reproduces a British Rail diesel shunter in its original BR Blue livery. The locomotive is finished in pristine condition, measures 108 mm in length and carries the running number 03026. It is fitted with factory‑installed DCC sound and is compatible with DCC operation.

The model represents a 0‑6‑0 diesel‑mechanical shunter built between 1957 and 1962 at BR Doncaster and Swindon Works. The real locomotives were used for shunting and station pilot duties, had a maximum speed of 28.5 mph and operated on a minimum radius curve of 371 mm (first radius). A conical chimney, sprung buffers, an optional buffer‑beam in‑fill plate and a driver figure are included.

The prototype Class 03 fleet comprised 230 units, constructed for light‑weight duties where larger locomotives were unnecessary. They weighed 30 tonnes, considerably lighter than the 48‑ton Class 08, and were withdrawn from service from 1968, with a few surviving in preservation. Over 50 examples have been saved, making the class a popular subject for modelers.