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Bachmann 32-287BSF

Class 101 2-Car DMU BR Blue & Grey

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

Revealed as part of our Autumn 2022 British Railway Announcements, the iconic Class 101 DMU returns to the Bachmann Branchline range in the classic BR Blue & Grey colour scheme complete with SOUND FITTED.

Our model of the Class 101 two-car Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) captures the character of these first generation DMUs to a tee. Featuring detailed bodywork and interiors, the bogies have been finely rendered and all of the chassis-mounted equipment is present and correct too. All of these details are highlighted by the exquisite livery application, using BR-specification colours and authentic numbers and logos to produce a multiple unit fit for any British Rail fleet. Being SOUND FITTED, this model comes complete with a DCC sound decoder and speaker pre-fitted, meaning you can enjoy realistic sounds on both Analogue and DCC straight out of the box.

 

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Pristine BR Blue & Grey Livery
• 2-Car Unit comprising DMBS No. M51198 and DTCL No. M56337
• Destination Blinds for Chester and Manchester
• Accessory Pack
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Powerful 5 Pole Motor with Flywheel
• Sprung Buffers
• Directional Lighting and Illuminated Destination Blinds
• Interior Lighting
• SOUND FITTED- Fitted with a Zimo MS440C 21MTC DCC Sound Decoder – See below for the function list
• Length 495mm

 

SOUNDS

F0 - Directional Lights - On/Off (and Switch Sound)

F1 - On - Warm Engine Start / On, Off - Failed Engine Start / On, Off, On - Cold Engine Start

F2 - Brake

F3 - Single Horn (Speed & Direction Related)

F4 - Two-Tone Horn (Speed & Direction Related)

F5 - Light Engine Mode

F6 - Stationary - Engine Speed Up for Compressor / Moving - Engine at Cruise

F7 - Flange Squeal (Speed Related)

F8 - Detonators (Speed Related)

F9 - Air Tank Drain Down

F10 - Guard’s Whistle

F11 - On - Guard’s Buzzer / Off - Driver’s Response

F12 - On - Guard’s Double Buzzer / Off - Driver’s Response

F13 - On - Driver’s Window Opening / Off - Driver's Window Closing

F14 - On - Driver’s Door Opening / Off - Driver's Door Closing

F15 - Passenger Doors Slamming

F16 - Passengers Disembarking

F17 - Windscreen Wipers

F18 - Fade All Sounds

F19 - Hand Brake

F20 - Speed Restricted Movement

F21 - Rail Clack Sound Off

F22 - Saloon Heater

F23 - Passenger Requesting Destination

F24 - Tannoy

F25 - 'Mind the Step’

F26 - Station Ambience

F27 - Volume Down

F28 - Volume Up

Analogue Users: Please note that normal load running sounds and any other automatic or randomised sounds will also operate when this model is used on analogue control (DC) straight from the box!

 

CLASS 101 DMU HISTORY 

The Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) was one of the most numerous and widely used types of all the first generation DMUs. Typically formed into two-, three- or four-car sets, the first examples were introduced in 1956 and more than 600 vehicles, including driving vehicles fitted with a cab at one end and corridor gangway at the other, and intermediate cars with corridor gangways at both ends, were built by Metropolitan Cammell at Washwood Heath in Birmingham. Construction continued until 1959.

Initially allocated to the North Eastern, London Midland and Scottish Regions, the units later saw use on the Eastern and Western Regions, with occasional running into Southern Region territory too. Fitted with the Blue Square control system, the Class 101s could work in multiple with other 101s and numerous other DMUs when additional capacity was required.

During the 1970s BR embarked on a refurbishment programme to provide passengers with an improved travelling environment and the Class 101s were used as a testbed for these works which resulted in the majority of Class 101 vehicles being refurbished over a period of almost ten years.

In later years many sets were given an additional makeover to extend their passenger service life, whilst others found new roles carrying parcels, as route learning units and for sandite operations. Around thirty two-car units were still in traffic at the start of the 21st century making the Class 101 one of the final first generation DMUs to remain in revenue-earning service.

The type remains popular today, with more than forty vehicles being preserved and these can now be found operating on preserved railways around the UK.

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 2‑car model of the British Rail Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit, finished in pristine BR Blue & Grey livery. The model measures 495 mm in length and is equipped with a Zimo MS440C 21MTC DCC sound decoder and speaker, allowing realistic sound playback on both DCC and analogue (DC) control.

Key specifications include NEM coupling pockets, a 5‑pole motor with flywheel, sprung buffers, directional and interior lighting, and illuminated destination blinds for Chester and Manchester. The unit represents a two‑car set comprising DMBS No. M51198 and DTCL No. M56337, with era‑7 detailing and an accessory pack.

The model replicates the appearance of the Class 101 as it ran in British Rail Blue (TOPS) livery, reflecting the period 1956‑1960 when 527 units were built by Metropolitan Cammell. It was released as part of the Autumn 2022 collection.