Keighley & Worth
Valley Railway celebrates 40th
anniversary of reopening with limited edition
model of WD No. 90733
(6th May 2008)
The Keighley &
Worth Valley Railway reopened to passenger traffic on 29 June
1968 and has become one of Britain’s leading heritage railways.
As part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, it has
commissioned a limited edition run of 500 models of one its
resident locomotives, WD No. 90733.

No. 90733 was
built for the British War Department by The Vulcan Foundry at
Newton-le-Willows in January 1945. The 2-8-0 locomotive was
shipped to the continent as the allies advanced and after the
war was sold to the Netherlands State Railways (NS) where it
became No.4464. It was sold to Swedish State Railways (SJ) in
1953 where it operated as No. 1931. It saw limited service in
Sweden between 1954 and 1956. It was withdrawn and placed in
store as part of the strategic reserve where it remained until
1972. Members of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway examined
No.1931 and purchased it, the locomotive being shipped to Hull
before being unloaded at the railway in January 1973.
A total of 935 WD
2-8-0 locomotives were built for the War Department between 1943
and 1945. After the war the London & North Eastern Railway
purchased 200 of the same class from the War Department in 1946,
whilst others were sold to overseas railway operators. On its
formation British Railways purchased a further 533 of the class
in 1948. Withdrawals in Britain commenced in 1959 and the final
locomotive was disposed of in 1967. None of the British
locomotives survived. The British locomotives carried the number
series 90000 – 90732.
The Keighley and
Worth Valley Railway modified the cab to fit the UK loading
gauge so that the loco could be used on services until
withdrawal on expiry of the boiler certificate in 1976. The
locomotive returned to service in July 2007 after a substantial
rebuilding project, which saw the locomotive restored to its
as-built condition and given the next available number in the
series, No. 90733. This locomotive is unique; in recognition of
this and its war-time associations, in future it will carry the
name Remembrance, annually, on Armistice Weekend.
To commemorate
the rebuilding of 90733 and the reopening of its railway, the
railway’s charitable trust is sponsoring the production of 500
models of this unique locomotive. There will be only one
production run of 500 models – no more will be produced. All
proceeds from these sales will be devoted to the restoration of
the railway’s locomotive fleet.
The limited
edition Bachmann OO gauge model (catalogue number 32-250W) will
only be available from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. 500
models will be available and they will be sold with a numbered
certificate. Optional scale nameplates, which may be affixed at
the discretion of the purchaser, will be included in the pack.
The model is due
to be delivered to the railway in June 2008. You can order your
model by ringing 07500-165-814; please have your credit or debit
card details ready. Alternatively, order forms can be obtained
from the railway’s website (www.kwvr.co.uk),
by email to
trust@kwvr.co.uk or from Haworth shop.
Bachmann China 2008
releases Announced
(30th April 2008)
Bachmann China has announced its 2008 release
programme. New items include a JS 2-8-2 steam locomotive, two
diesels in the form of ND2 and ND5 locomotives, two coaches
(22RW and 22RZ) and a QG70 bogie tank car.

1,135 JS Class (Jainshe) were built between 1957
and 1965 at Dalian Works for freight use mainly in North and
North East China. Between 1986 and 1988 a further 423
locomotives of this improved B type were built at Datong Works.
One of the Class was built specifically for the Boone & Scenic
Valley Railroad, Iowa, USA for service on the tourist line,
where it remains in service. A few survive in industrial use
within China.
Electroputere of
Romania built the ND2 Co-Co diesel locomotives for the Chinese
Ministry of Railways with 284 being built between 1972 and 1987.
Most of the Class worked around Shanghai.
General Electric
of America built 422 ND5 locomotives, which were of known as
C37-7 locomotives on American railroads. The first 221
locomotives were delivered in 1984 with the remainder following
in 1986.
New coaches are represented by the 22RZ and 22RW
types. The existing range of wagons is supplemented by a new
QG70 bogie tank wagon.
Eastleigh
debut for Underground Ernie
(28th April 2008)
The Eastleigh Lakeside Railway is to pioneer
“Days out with Underground Ernie” on behalf of the railway
heritage movement. The 10¼” gauge miniature railway has
constructed scale models of Jubilee and Ernie 1, which star in
the popular, children’s computer animated television series
created by Joella Productions and regularly shown on the BBC
CBeebies channel.
Ernie himself has been seconded for a weeklong
shift on the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway from Saturday 24th
May until Sunday 1st June 2008. Ernie will be on duty
from 1030 to 1615 each day and will be making sure that Jubilee
and Ernie 1 are behaving themselves! Ernie is also enthusiastic
about meeting some different trains, which operate regularly on
the 1¼-mile circuit at Lakeside Countryside Park close to
Southampton Airport Parkway station and Southampton Airport.
In addition to train rides face painters and
magic entertainers will be on hand to entertain the many young
Underground Ernie fans. The site also has a comprehensive
“Station Café” and a shop selling a wide range of Underground
Ernie and associated railway merchandise.
John Deery of Joella Productions said today “we
are delighted that the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway has come on
board and will be hosting four Underground Ernie events this
year. Children love trains and we know that children relate to
the characters we have created for the first television series.
We recognise the importance of the heritage railway sector and
its need to attract the next generation of enthusiasts,
passengers and volunteers. This event is the first of its kind
and is a major step in our journey to making Underground Ernie a
truly international brand. We are sure many will be watching
with interest to see how Ernie keeps the trains operating at
Eastleigh”.
Clive Upton, Managing Director of the Eastleigh
Lakeside Railway said today “our children’s based ‘Days Out’
events have been hugely popular over the years and the loss of
them could have had a very serious effect on our future
operations here. We therefore approached the License holders of
Underground Ernie who could have not been more helpful in
enabling us to create an exciting new ‘Days Out’ opportunity. We
have already been contacted by a number of colleagues in the
heritage railway movement who are looking on with considerable
interest to see how successful we can make this event. We are
delighted that the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway has been chosen to
pioneer the very first Underground Ernie event”.
Children can enjoy a ride for £2.50 (Adults
£3.00) on the line or 3 rides for £5.00 (£6.00 Adults) with
children under two years old riding free.
Details on how to find the Eastleigh Lakeside
Railway can be found at
www.steamtrain.co.uk or by setting your sat.nav. to SO50
5PE.
Ernie and his friends look forward to meeting you
all at Eastleigh.
For more information about
Underground Ernie please see:
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/undergroundernie
www.undergroundernie.com
Bachmann E-Z Command
decoder-equipped points now available
(22nd April 2008)
Bachmann America
has introduced HO scale nickel silver HO scale E-Z Command®
DCC points (turnouts). With these decoder-equipped E-Z Track®
points, modellers can incorporate digital switching control into
their DCC layouts with quick installation and easy programming
and operation. These compliment the range of nickel silver track
sections with the grey in-built track bed.
Features include:
-
DCC or manual operation*
-
conforms to all applicable
NMRA standards
-
Compatible with all NMRA-compliant
DCC systems
-
Quick, easy installation and
programming
-
no special wiring or control
boxes needed
-
nickel silver rail and
connectors
-
electrically wired frogs
-
clear sleeper (tie) spacing
-
low-profile spike (rail
fastners) heads
-
modelled from AAR track
engineering dimensions
*not designed for
DC-powered layouts
The DCC points available are:
E-Z Command® DCC Turnout – Left
Item No. 44130
£25.25
E-Z Command® DCC Turnout – Right
Item No. 44131
£25.25
E-Z Command® DCC #5 Turnout – Left
Item No. 44132
£31.60 (not yet in stock)
E-Z Command® DCC #5 Turnout –
Right
Item No. 44133
£31.60 (not yet in stock)
E-Z Command® DCC #5 Wye Turnout
Item No. 44134
£31.60
E-Z Command® DCC #6 Turnout – Left
Item No. 44135
£33.20
E-Z Command® DCC #6 Turnout – Right
Item No. 44136
£33.20
E-Z Command® DCC #6 Single
Crossover Turnout - Left
Item No. 44137
£42.10
E-Z Command® DCC #6 Single
Crossover Turnout – Right
Item No. 44138
£42.10
These items can be ordered through any Bachmann
dealer
Farish
Limited Edition TTA wagons and 45ft container packs arrive
(16th April 2008)
Graham Farish is releasing a set of four
different tank wagons in weathered plain grey livery (Catalogue
Numbers 373-775W, X, Y and Z). Kernow Model Railway Centre
initially commissioned the four wagons as limited edition models.
These were subsequently cancelled production was already
underway. 504 of each of the four wagons have been produced and
these will be available through a limited number of retailers
(see list below) until stocks are exhausted. These items will be
released shortly with a recommended retail price of £10.45 each.

Also due for
release are three packs of 45ft containers. These comprise:
379-372 1 x
Powerbox and 1 x Consent Leasing 45ft containers
379-373 2 x DHL
45ft containers
379-374 2 x Asda
45ft containers
The recommended retail price of each container
pack is £3.95
Farish
Warship and Class 108 make Alexandra Palace debut
(4th April 2008)
The London Festival of Railway Modelling at
Alexandra Palace last weekend (29/30 March 2008) saw the first
test shots of the N gauge Warship Class 42 diesel and Class 108
diesel multiple units make their debut on the Bachmann Europe
PLC stand.

These form part
of the recently introduced Blue Riband range and are being
manufactured to a very high standard. All tooling has now been
completed and the samples are being checked against original
drawings. Graham Hubbard, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe
Plc said today “the samples shown were the first test shots and
will be subject to some minor modifications before going into
production. Both items will be with our dealers later this
year”.
First
Scenecraft OO buildings now available
(3rd April 2008)
Bachmann Europe
PLC has released the first models in the new Scenecraft range of
OO gauge buildings to its dealers.
Those released
are:
Cat No.
Description
RRP
44-001 GWR pagoda shed (waiting room
for halt)
£10.80
44-003 Cattle
dock
£13.45
44-005 Timber frame halt for use with
44-001
£16.80
44-006 Corrugated goods
shed
£24.65
44-007 Red brick single road engine
shed
£30.50
44-008 Red brick water tower for use
with 44-007 £18.80
44-009 Wooden single road engine
shed £23.30
44-012 Market Hampton Stone station
building £19.30
44-013 Market Hampton Stone station
waiting room
£16.15
44-014 Market Hampton Stone station
ladies toilets £9.00
44-015 Market Hampton Stone station
gents toilets £7.60
44-021 Northlight factory unit with
loading door £24.00
44-022
Northlight factory extension
£24.00
The buildings
have been produced in resin to a very high standard and include
a number of railway lineside buildings and those from urban and
industrial settings.
The buildings are
delivered ready painted and in some cases weathered and range
from £7-60 to £30.50.
David Haarhaus,
Sales & Marketing Manager for Bachmann Europe said “the new
building range has been developed to compliment existing
products. We have concentrated on town and industry rather than
rural, to enable modellers to add some sources of traffic for
their railway. Work continues on the N gauge range and on the
remaining OO buildings which will be rolled out over the next
few months”.
The Scenecraft
range can be obtained from your Bachmann stockist.
Note: Dimensions of
the released OO buildings are:
|
Cat. No |
Description |
Length
(cm) |
Width
(cm) |
Height
(cm) |
|
44-001 |
GWR pagoda |
9 cm |
4 cm |
6 cm |
|
44-003 |
Cattle dock |
11.5 |
7.5 |
4.2 |
|
44-005 |
Halt |
27 |
7 |
4 |
|
44-006 |
Corrugated goods shed |
18 |
9 |
10 |
|
44-007 |
Brick engine shed |
22.5 |
10 |
10.7 |
|
44-008 |
Brick water tower |
9.5 |
7.1 |
14 |
|
44-009 |
Wooden engine shed |
15 |
10 |
10.7 |
|
44-012 |
Market Hampton station building |
13 |
6.5 |
12.5 |
|
44-013 |
Market Hampton waiting room |
11.5 |
6.5 |
10.6 |
|
44-014 |
Market Hampton ladies toilet |
7.5 |
6 |
7.8 |
|
44-015 |
Market Hampton gents toilet |
6.8 |
4 |
3.8 |
|
44-021 |
Northlight factory with loading
door |
20.5 |
7 |
9.5 |
|
44-022 |
Northlight factory extension |
20.5 |
7 |
9.5 |
Bachmann America introduce Peter
Witt Streetcars
(6th March 2008)
Bachmann America
has introduced HO scale Spectrum® Peter Witt
Streetcars (trams), available in five operators liveries, plus
one undecorated version.

While serving as
Cleveland's Street Railway Commissioner, Peter Witt designed an
all-steel, single-operator streetcar that distinguished itself
from others of the era by its use of the centre door as an exit
only. Passengers paid as they boarded at the front and exited at
the centre of the car, an arrangement, which reduced stop times,
improved schedules, and increased efficiency. Though designed
originally for Cleveland, the Peter Witt Streetcar went
on to service in cities throughout the world from the 1930s up
until the early 1960s. The Bachmann models represent cars that
served urban areas in several East Coast, Midwestern, and West
Coast states.
Features include:
·
DCC-equipped for speed, direction, and lighting
·
Dual-mode decoder with NMRA 8-pin plug for DCC or DC operation
·
Two-position switch (underside of car) for choice of overhead
wire or track pickup
·
All-wheel drive
·
Precision can motor with two brass machined flywheels
·
Hidden drive train and electronics
·
Room for speaker
·
Die-cast frame and interior
·
Painted interior with seats
·
Photo-etched brass safety screen
·
Operation on 9˝ radius curves
These models are
available in the UK from Bachmann dealers.
Notes: HO SCALE SPECTRUM®
PETER WITT STREET CARS
UNDECORATED
Item No. 84601
CHICAGO SURFACE LINES
Item No. 84602
BROOKLYN & QUEENS TRANSIT
Item No. 84603
BALTIMORE TRANSIT CO.
Item No. 84604
LOS ANGELES RAILWAY
Item No. 84605
ST. LOUIS RAILWAYS
Item No. 84606
Farish
Stanier coaches now in production
(3rd March 2008)
Bachmann Europe PLC has announced that the
Stanier Coaches have now entered the production stage.

These form part
of the recently introduced Blue Riband range and are being
manufactured to a very high standard. The coach sides have fully
moulded detail with flush glazing, new slim line close coupling
system with NEM coupling pocket, detailed roof and coach
interiors for each type, fully detailed ends (corridor
connections) complete with support brackets for gangways and are
the first coaches for N gauge to be fitted with 7mm correct
diameter coach wheels. Each coach comes complete with a
detailing pack, which includes vacuum pipes, and gangway end
covers. Six types are being produced including a Brake Third,
Brake First, Corridor Third, Vestibule Third, Corridor First and
First/Third Composite. In British Railways days Third Class was
re-designated Second Class.
The coaches are
being introduced in two liveries, London Midland & Scottish
Railway Crimson Lake and British Railways Crimson/Cream. Each
coach retails at £15.25.
The coaches are
expected to be delivered to dealers in the Summer and compliment
the recently introduced Jubilee Class locomotives.
Raw materials cause price
increases
(26 February 2008)
Bachmann Europe
Plc have announced today that due to the rising costs of raw
materials it is necessary to increase the price of both Bachmann
Branchline and Graham Farish products from 1st March
2008.
The prices announced by Bachmann last month to coincide with the
publication of our 2008 catalogues took into account all
predicted price increases including those that that resulted
from recent changes to employment law that have recently come
into effect in China. It also took into account the
stabilisation of raw material costs following major fluctuations
and increases during 2007.
However, since the start of 2008, the price of raw materials has
started to rise sharply once again. The price of oil used to
create our plastic continues to remain extremely high and this
week our vendors and brokers for metal items have advised us
that our buying prices will be increasing by up to 80%. Other
ranges such as Aristocraft, Bachmann Chinese, Liliput and Mehano
are also likely to be affected and details will be revised once
they are known. For the time being the prices of Underground
Ernie, Woodland Scenics and Bachmann America prices remain the
same as those published in late January.
David Haarhaus,
Sales & Marketing Manager for Bachmann Europe Plc said today “we
aim to keep our products priced competitively but the cost of
raw materials is completely outside our control and affects
everyone in industry. We have attempted to keep increases to a
minimum and the additional costs are raw material based as we
had allowed for everything else including the changes of
employment legislation in China”.
Liliput 2008 programme
announced at Nuremburg
(13 February 2008)

Liliput
the Bachmann brand for continental models has announced several
new models at the World famous Nuremburg Toy Fair.
Liliput are
producing a new electric locomotive the E44 of German Railways
(DRG). These locomotives were introduced from 1933. The models
will be available in the DRG version in grey livery for Epoch II
and green livery for the DB Epoch III version. The prototype
locos had a long life and remained in service until the early
1980s. The locos are suitable for both passenger and freight
trains.

To go with the
E44 locos Liliput are introducing new express carriages in two
liveries – the light/dark blue livery carried by the Karwendel
Express to operate with the grey DRG E44 and the same carriages
in DB green livery will be produced to fit with the DB E44 loco
in green livery.
Liliput also
announced a DR Class 92 0-8-0T locomotive from Epoch lll and a
DB Class 05 4-6-4 locomotive at the event.


To mark the 175th
anniversary of the founding of Bachmann, Liliput are introducing
a track maintenance train pack comprising of an 0-4-0 diesel
locomotive V16.01 in Heitkamp livery plus an open wagon with
gravel load, a flat bed wagon with a crane and a closed van for
equipment.
The 175th
anniversary will also be celebrated in G scale by a beer wagon
in the livery of Munich brewer Augustiner Brau. A wagon of this
type is in use on the Harz narrow gauge railway.

There are a
number of reliveried wagons and carriages covering the Epochs II
through to V. In the latest era a red German Railways DB covered
wagon for carrying steel coils features a GPS antenna.
Changes to the
narrow gauge HOe range this year are limited to the renumbering
of various Austrian carriages for both the OBB and
Zillertalbahn.
Bachmann America
release new On30
(12
February 2008)
4-4-0 locomotive
Bachmann USA
has released a new Spectrum® On30 Inside Frame 4-4-0 American
locomotive. The 4-4-0 configuration was the best-selling and
longest-running wheel arrangement of all steam locomotives,
first appearing in the late 1830s and seen in service until the
end of the steam era. The multipurpose 4-4-0 was stable, quick
on rough track, and easy to maintain. As a result, more than
80,000 Americans were built for railroads of all gauges.
Bachmann is pleased to offer unlettered 1890s (wood cab) and
1910 – 20s (steel cab) versions "as delivered" from Baldwin,
with a variety of paint/livery schemes and multiple-style
accessory features that give modellers numerous customisation
options.


Features of the locomotive include:
-
DCC-equipped for speed,
direction, and lighting
-
dual-mode decoder with NMRA
8-pin plug for DCC or DC operation
-
die-cast cab, boiler, frame,
lead truck, drivers, and tender frame
-
completely hidden can motor
with flywheel and reduction gear box for scale speed
operation
-
room for speaker
-
wood cab and steel cab
versions
-
wood load, coal load, and oil
bunker, plus two stack styles (tapered and cap) included
with all versions
-
two easily interchangeable
pilot styles (footboard and road), plus two lead truck
styles (spoked and solid) included with all versions
-
photo-etched brass fuel bunker
extensions for larger loads
-
E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers
front and rear
These models are available in the UK from
Bachmann dealers. The recommended retail price of all versions
in £164.00 and all six versions are currently in stock at
Barwell.
New definitions for DCC locomotives
(4
February 2008)
With the publishing of the new 2008 Bachmann
Branchline and Graham Farish catalogues, Bachmann Europe have
taken the opportunity to redefine its descriptions regarding
DCC. The term DCC READY has now been dropped as it was causing
confusion amongst customers, many of whom assumed that the item
had a DCC decoder already fitted. Existing stock will retain any
box labelling for the former title until stocks are exhausted.
In the OO Branchline range, locomotives fitted
with sound decoders will use the existing DCC SOUND logo
whilst
those factory fitted with decoders will retain the DCC ON BOARD
definition.
Locomotives that are factory fitted with decoder sockets will be
represented in both the catalogue and the website by either the
8 PIN
or
21 PIN symbol
denoting
which type of decoder can be fitted by removing the blanking
plate. Remaining locomotives, which do not have DCC sockets
factory fitted, can have DCC decoders fitted by using a
soldering iron.
In N gauge two symbols appear. These are the 6
PIN symbol
denoting
that the chassis has a standard N gauge 6 PIN decoder socket
factory installed and can accommodate a 6 PIN socket by removal
of the blanking plate. Some locomotives have provision for
fitting decoders by soldering to a factory fitted PCB
(printed circuit board). These are identified by the PCB symbol
.
These symbols will also appear in the product
section of our Branchline and Graham Farish websites.
Bachmann ‘Manufacturer of the Year -
OO’ (4 February
2008)
Bachmann are delighted to be named ‘Manufacturer
of the Year - OO’ in the recent Model Rail ‘Model of the Year
2007’ awards run in conjunction with MRE MAG and RM WEB. The
company also received awards for the best OO diesel or electric
locomotive/unit with the Class 108 topping the poll and the
Sealion ballast hopper topping the OO gauge wagon section.
Graham Hubbard,
Managing Director Bachmann Europe said today “we are delighted
that the Bachmann team’s efforts have been recognised in this
way. It is even more rewarding in that the votes have been cast
by customers in a joint competition run by the model railway
media. We were naturally disappointed that as the leading
supplier of N gauge products in the UK that we did not take at
least one top spot this year but it is something we hope will be
rectified the next time. We have plenty of exciting N gauge
introductions due during 2008 and we expect to do much better
now that the next generation of N gauge items are coming on
stream such as the recently introduced N gauge Jubilee Class
locomotive”.
Class 37
Sound locomotives (25 January 2008)
Bachmann Europe
Plc has received a number of complaints regarding the recently
released sound Class 37 locomotives which some consider to be
too quiet. Bachmann reduced the factory setting volume because
previously we had received complaints that they were set too
loud!
The two recently
released examples are 32-380DS No. 37698 ‘Coedbach’ and 32-781DS
No. 37-057 ‘Viking’.
Contrary to some
rumours now circulating, the volume on these locomotives can be
increased by adjusting CV63. The factory setting for these two
locomotives was set at 50 but can be adjusted to suit between 0
and 64. The earlier releases of Class 20 and Class 66
locomotives were both factory set to the maximum level of 64.
Bachmann
Brassworks Gauge 1 - 03 Class locomotive now available
(16
January 2008)
Bachmann Europe
Plc has today released its fourth Gauge 1 (1/32nd
scale) electrically powered locomotive, a British Railways Class
03 diesel locomotive.

A total of 228
locomotives were built between 1957 and 1962. They saw service
on all regions of British Railways being used mainly for
shunting and short distance trip working. They weighed
just 30 tons and so were ideal for use on lines with light axle
loadings. The first was withdrawn in 1968 and the last in 1993.
A number remain in use on industrial railways in Belgium, Italy
and at the UK. A large number have been preserved for use on
heritage lines.
The Bachmann
Brassworks Gauge 1 locomotives are now available in unlined
painted green (BW1077) and blue livery (BW1076) at £635.00. The
model will be released later in unpainted brass (BW1075).
Bachmann Brassworks O Gauge - BR
Standard 4MT 2-6-4T enters service
(16
January 2008)
Bachmann Europe
Plc has today released it’s O gauge Brassworks BR Standard 4MT
2-6-4T locomotive.

A
total of 155 locomotives were built between 1951 and 1957. They
saw service on all regions of British Railways with the
exception of the Western Region and were used mainly for branch
line and suburban passenger duties. With the closure of
many branch lines and impending dieselisation, the first
locomotive was withdrawn in May 1964 and the last in July 1967.
Fifteen of the class have been preserved for use on heritage
railways.
The Bachmann
Brassworks O gauge locomotives are now available in brass finish
(BW065) at £817.50 and in unlined painted black (BW066) at
£850.00. |