📢 Please take a minute to read this personal message from the creator of RailwayModels.uk

Bachmann 32-616NRM

BR Class 90 No.90028 "Sir William McAlpine" DB Cargo

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

Prototype Era
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Model Details:

• DCC Ready – 21 Pin Decoder Socket

• 00 Gauge

• DB Cargo Red No.90028 'Sir William McAlpine'

• This model has been developed and produced exclusively for Locomotion Models and the Bachmann Collectors Club by Bachmann Europe Plc.

• 32-616NRM

Locomotion Models and the Bachmann Collectors Club have joined forces to release this striking model of Class 90 electric locomotive No.90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ in DB Cargo livery. The model was officially launched at the opening of Model Rail Scotland, 25th February 2022, and is available for immediate release.

Three hundred 00 scale models have been released in DCC READY format for Locomotion Models, you can make your purchase here or at the National Railway Museum, York or Locomotion, Shildon.

Two hundred 00 scale models have been released with DCC SOUND to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club. For more information about the Bachmann Collectors Club please visit their website.

Fifty Class 90 locomotives were ordered by British Rail in 1986 to replace the ageing Class 85 fleet on West Coast Main Line duties. Construction of the 110mph rated locomotives was completed by British Rail Engineering Limited, Crewe, in 1990. They subsequently saw service with several operators and have carried numerous different liveries since 1994.

DB Schenker named Class 90 locomotive No. 90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ on 11th January 2019 at the National Railway Museum in York. A special train was hauled non-stop from Kings Cross by ‘Flying Scotsman’ and returned with the newly named electric locomotive. Both locomotives posed for photographs outside the museum as a tribute to a remarkable man.

Sir William McAlpine, a lifelong railway enthusiast, passed away on 4th March 2018. He had joined the family construction company straight from school eventually becoming the Director responsible for its operations in Scotland. He bought, for himself, their last steam locomotive in 1961 for £100 and built a railway for it to run on at his Buckinghamshire home. Then in 1973 he rescued ‘Flying Scotsman’ from the USA purchasing it from the receivers after a failed tour retaining part ownership until 1996.

Sir William became involved in railway preservation and was the first Chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust.

FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2019

National Railway Museum, York

A Class 90 is named after the dedicated railway preservationist who saved the famous locomotive from a failed excursion to the USA.

Members of the public and invited guests attended a special event at the National Railway Museum this Friday (11 January), to honour the memory of Sir William McAlpine—the saviour of world-famous locomotive no.60103 Flying Scotsman—who died last year.

At the event which was held on the museum’s Great Hall turntable, DB Cargo/LNER Class 90 locomotive no.90028 was officially named Sir William McAlpine. The newly named locomotive then joined Flying Scotsman in the museum’s North Yard to give people the chance to see both locomotives side by side.

Flying Scotsman began the day by leading a special memorial trip from London King’s Cross to York named ‘Scotsman Salute’ in Sir William’s honour. Hundreds of people attended at the museum and at York station to see the famous engine and to remember Sir William McAlpine’s lasting contribution to preserving the UK’s railway heritage.

The event was attended by Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, representatives from the rail industry, Lady Judy McAlpine and other members of Sir William’s family.

Jim Lowe, Head of Operations at the National Railway Museum, said: “On behalf of myself, colleagues and volunteers I would like to publicly thank Sir William for his significant contribution to the museum and to the wider preservation of Flying Scotsman and railway heritage in this country.”

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 BR Class 90 No. 90028 “Sir William McAlpine” is a limited‑edition 00‑gauge model released in collaboration with Locomotion Models and the Bachmann Collectors Club. The locomotive is fitted with a 21‑pin DCC ready socket and bears the DB Cargo red livery as seen on the current‑era electric locomotive No. 90028. The model carries the manufacturer part number 32‑616NRM and was officially launched at Model Rail Scotland on 25 February 2022.

Three hundred DCC‑ready examples are available for purchase through Locomotion Models, the National Railway Museum in York, and the Locomotion shop in Shildon. An additional two hundred DCC‑sound versions are supplied exclusively to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club.

The real Class 90 locomotives were built by British Rail Engineering Limited, Crewe, in 1990 to replace the ageing Class 85 fleet on the West Coast Main Line. Locomotive No. 90028 was named “Sir William McAlpine” on 11 January 2019 at the National Railway Museum, commemorating the railway enthusiast who rescued the Flying Scotsman and served as the first Chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust. Sir William McAlpine died on 4 March 2018.