TO THE FUTURE

An all-new ‘OO’ gauge ‘J72’ 0‑6‑0T cements Bachmann Europe’s commitment to give modellers the very best quality and the most exciting technical innovation. The original plan was for Bachmann to produce a new Dcccompatible chassis for the old Mainline body; it has since been decided that this was too much of a compromise, and the firm will now produce a 100% new model with tooling options to cover all detail variations from North Eastern Railway days to the British Railways era. It will also sport a flickering firebox glow. The announcement was made as part of an update to the model press on July 5 to explain where existing projects are in the development process. Bachmann’s resolve to give modellers the best possible product manifests itself in the following ways. Its breakdown crane now has a working jib, working cylinders, and will just about negotiate second radius curves. Rather than fit its long-awaited revamped Class 158 with a chassis and motor block that impinges on the passenger compartment, Bachmann has developed an all-new low-floor mechanism. It will be powerful enough to move a prototypical load and the technology can be transferred to other DMUS, including the forthcoming Class 117. Bachmann also aims to have a sound unit that correctly mimics a DMU with multiple engines, but which will only require one DCC decoder. Both Mk 2f coaches and the forthcoming Class 90 also feature some innovative firsts. The Class 90’s pantograph will be remotely raised and lowered, a feature that has appeared on mo d e lsf rom the Continent but is a first for British outline models.

The Mk 2fs will have a choice of tail lamps: essentially, there will be light-emitting aperture in each coach. Modellers will receive oil lamps or battery tail lamps (painted clear plastic) that plug into the aperture, depending on the era being modelled. Blanking plates will be supplied for vehicles where tail lights are not needed. Bachmann has made a concerted effort to clear the backlog of new announcements made since 2012, including commissions from third parties. There are still 33 items outstanding, including the new models announced in January (see MR232) but some 20 new items are expected to have landed on model shop shelves by the end of 2017.