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Bachmann 32-444SF

Class 24/1 97201 'Experiment' Disc Headcode BR RTC (Original)

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

We are delighted to introduce our SOUND FITTED model of the all-new Branchline Class 24/1 No. 97201 ‘Experiment’ in BR RTC (Original) livery as part of our Summer 2021 British Railway Announcements.

We’ve taken a fresh look at the classic Class 24/1 with Headcode Discs and designed this model from the rails up, developing new tooling to incorporate a wealth of detail coupled with an exquisite livery application. Alongside working directional and cab* lighting, this model is also SOUND FITTED offering a fully authentic operating experience - see full details of the sound functions below.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Named ‘Experiment’
• Pristine BR RTC (Original) livery
• Accessory Pack included fully decorated Bufferbeam Pipework
• Supplied with a selection of Discs allowing you to choose the headcode arrangement that suits your needs
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful 5 Pole Motor with Twin Flywheels
• Detailed and Decorated Cab Interior
• Directional Lighting
• Interior Cab Lighting (*when used on DCC)
• Lighting can be controlled by chassis-mounted switches or via DCC
• SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a Zimo MX644C Sound Decoder – See below for the function list
• Length 210mm

SOUNDS

F0 - Directional Lights – On/Off (plus Light Switch Sound)

F1 - Warm Engine Start-up / Shut-down (With F8 On - Cold Engine Start-up)

F2 - Brake

F3 - Single Horn (Speed Related)

F4 - Two-Tone Horn (Speed Related)

F5 - On - Light Engine / Off - Heavy train

F6 - Engine Idle / Coasting

F7 - Speed Lock

F8 - Cold Start (engage F8 before F1)

F9 - Flange Squeal (Speed Related)

F10 - Despatch Whistle

F11 - Buffer Up

F12 - Coupling

F13 - Compressor

F14 - Cooler Group Fan

F15 - Detonators

F16 - Combined Pump

F17 - Auto Wagon Buffering

F18 - On - Driver’s Door Open / Off - Driver’s Door Close

F19 - Fade All Sounds

F20 - No. 1 End (Fan) Directional Lights Off

F21 - No. 2 End (non-Fan) Directional Lights Off

F22 - Cab Light On/Off

F23 - Window Wipers

F24 - Station Ambience

F25 - Spirax Valves

F26 - Shunting Mode

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 24/1 HISTORY

The Class 24/1 locomotives were a development of the BR Sulzer Type 2 design (later Class 24/0), which had been first introduced in 1958. Built at BR’s Derby, Crewe and Darlington Works from 1960, the Class 24/1 diesel-electric locomotives were produced in various batches until 1961, with a total of 151 Class 24s produced by the BR workshops between 1958 and 1961.

All Class 24s were powered by the reliable 6LDA28-A Sulzer engine which gave an output of 1,160bhp. The Class 24/1s were lighter in weight than the 24/0s, owing to their smaller fuel and water tanks which gave the locomotives wider route availability. Disc headcodes were fitted up to No. D5113 (24113), after which the remaining 24/1s were built with headcode boxes.

Examples were allocated to both the London Midland Region and Eastern Region, and with the Class becoming familiar to crews and staff around London they were used on freight trains over the Metropolitan Widened Lines. Locos allocated to East Anglia for use on freight soon became redundant due to the rundown of freight in that region, and these were, in turn, moved to Wales and Lancashire.

The batch numbered D5096–D5113 were all allocated to Gateshead depot in 1966 to replace 9F steam locomotives on the Tyne Dock to Consett iron ore trains. These workings used a special design of bogie hopper wagon and with typical loads of around 1,000 tons, the Class 24s were double-headed and continued in this role until taken over by Class 37s in the 1970s, when the 24s were reallocated to Scottish depots.

The first Class 24 was withdrawn in 1967 following fire damage but the last – 24/1 No. 24081 – remained in service until 1980. Class 24/1 No. 24061 survived until 1987 thanks to its transfer to Departmental use and was one of four Class 24s to be preserved (three of which are 24/1s).

The Bachmann Branchline range also includes models of the Class 24/0 and Class 24/1 with headcode boxes.

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 British Rail Class 24/1 locomotive number 97201, named “Experiment”, presented in the original BR Research Department (RTC) blue and red livery. The model carries the manufacturer part number 32‑444SF and is supplied as a pristine‑condition kit with an accessory pack that includes a fully decorated bufferbeam pipework.

The locomotive measures 210 mm in length, features a 5‑pole motor with twin flywheels and NEM coupling pockets, and is equipped with sprung buffers. The wheel arrangement is Bo‑Bo and the model includes directional and interior cab lighting, both operable via chassis switches or DCC control.

The unit is sound‑fitted with a Zimo MX644C decoder providing a range of functions including engine start‑up, brake, horn, whistle, coupling, compressor, wipers, station ambience and volume control. All sound and lighting functions are available on DCC and also operate on analogue (DC) control.

The model represents the Class 24/1 built between 1959 and 1961, a diesel‑electric locomotive used by British Rail on the London Midland and Eastern Regions, capable of a maximum speed of 75 mph. It depicts the Blue (TOPS) period of the class’s service history.