Bachmann 31-517DS

Class 158 2-Car DMU 158849 BR Regional Railways

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

Prototype Era
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

Sound Fitted

Highlights:

• PLUX22 DCC Sound (Sound Fitted Models)
• Accessory-pack
• Directional and interior lighting
• Exceptional standard of exterior and underframe decoration
• Exceptional standard of interior finish, detail and colouring

History

The British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a diesel multiple-unit (DMU), built specifically for British Rail's Provincial Services sector between 1989 and 1992 by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works and outshopped in Regional Railways Provincial blue. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, thereby reducing cost of operation, and to allow cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs. The majority of the 182 158 units were built as 2-car units, with 17 3-car units constructed specifically for use on Trans-Pennine services. Similar 3-car units were built for use by Network SouthEast but these were converted to Class 159 specification before introduction to service, with toilet retention tanks and other modifications to operate over the third-rail network.

All the Class 158s remain in service today, with operators including ScotRail, Northern, Great Western (GWR), East Midlands Trains (now EMR), and Transport for Wales (formerly Arriva). Former operators include Central Trains. The Class has worked extensively across the UK network, even into East Anglia as far as Stansted Airport and Norwich. Some 158s have been converted to additional Class 159s and now operate for South Western alongside their original classmates 159001-022, upon which our model of 159013 is based.

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 158 2‑Car DMU (model number 158849) represents a British Rail Regional Railways unit. The model is in pristine condition with a blue and white Regional Railways livery and carries the running number 158849.

The model measures 610 mm in length and is fitted with PLUX22 DCC sound. It includes directional and interior lighting, and the minimum curve radius is quoted as the second radius at 438 mm. The unit operates as a diesel multiple‑unit, reflecting the real Class 158’s maximum speed of 90 mph and 2‑car wheel arrangement. It is supplied as a DCC‑sound‑fitted model (manufacturer part number 31‑517DS) and represents the British Rail sectorisation period.

Key features of the kit include the DCC sound package, an accessory pack, directional and interior lighting, and a high standard of exterior, underframe and interior detailing and colouration.

The real British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter was built by British Rail Engineering Limited at Derby Litchurch Lane Works between 1989 and 1992, with a total of 182 units produced. Most were constructed as two‑car sets for Regional Railways’ provincial services, replacing older locomotive‑hauled trains and allowing newer Sprinter units to cascade to other routes. The class remains in regular service across the UK network.