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Bachmann 32-132

GWR 45XX Prairie Tank 4562 BR Lined Green (Early Emblem)

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

Prototype Era
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

Unveiled in the Spring 2022 British Railway Announcements, we are delighted to present the Bachmann Branchline GWR 45XX Class Prairie Tank as No. 4562 in BR Lined Green livery with Early Emblem.

The Great Western Railway has long been a favourite subject amongst railway modellers and the Bachmann Branchline 45XX Class Prairie Tank is sure to be a valuable addition to the motive power fleet of any GWR-based layout. With its fine lines and beautiful livery, this Branchline model is assembled from countless components to produce a highly detailed model which reflects all the character of the prototype.

 

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 4
• Pristine BR Lined Green (Early Emblem) livery
• Running No. 4562
• Accessory Pack
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• Equipped with a 8 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-566
• Length 150mm

 

45XX PRAIRIE TANK HISTORY

The 45XX Class Prairie Tank was a development of Churchward’s earlier 44XX Class locomotives. Almost identical to the 44XX Class, the only major differences of note were the 45XX’s larger diameter driving wheels and the profile of the running plate at the front end, which was changed from a square drop to a curved drop from No. 4530 onwards. The increased wheel diameter made the 45XXs generally a more useful engine due to the resulting increase in speed. They were employed mainly on branch line duties hauling both passenger and freight trains.

Built originally at Stafford Road Works, Wolverhampton between 1906 and 1908, the first batch of 45XX locomotives were numbered 2161-80 (these became Nos. 4500-4519 following renumbering in 1912). These 20 were the final locomotives to be built at Stafford Road Works and all subsequent examples came from Swindon. Swindon built four batches, with the last entering traffic in 1924, and in total 75 Class 45XXs were built. The locomotives found particular favour on the hilly lines of Wales and the West Country, and the entire Class was transferred to BR-ownership following Nationalisation in 1948. The first withdrawals occurred in early-1950, although the last remained in service until 1964. Three examples are 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 Branchline OO scale model of a Great Western Railway 45XX Prairie Tank locomotive, number 4562, presented in British Railways Lined Green livery with the Early Emblem. The model is finished in pristine condition, measures 150 mm in length, and is equipped with a three‑pole motor, sprung buffers, NEM coupling pockets and an 8‑pin DCC decoder socket (decoder recommended item 36‑566). It carries the manufacturer part number 32‑132 and is marketed as Era 4.

The prototype was built between 1906 and 1924, with a total of 175 locomotives produced. It features a 2‑6‑2 wheel arrangement, larger driving wheels than the earlier 44XX class and a curved front running plate from No 4530 onwards. The class was primarily used on branch‑line passenger and freight duties, especially in Wales and the West Country, and was transferred to British Railways ownership after nationalisation in 1948. The final member of the class was withdrawn in 1964, with three examples preserved.

The model was unveiled at the British Railway Announcements in the spring of 2022 and is intended for collectors and modellers of GWR‑based layouts. It is DCC ready with an 8‑pin socket and includes an accessory pack.