‘J72s’ AND ‘158s’

Two projects that were comparatively simple – giving the old Mainline ‘J72’ a new chassis with DCC provision and creating a new mechanism for the old Class 158 – have been scrapped in order to give modellers the best possible products. Instead, Bachmann is to produce all-new models of both. The Class 158 is to have different lighting options, twin speakers, conductive couplings and original and Scotrail nose variations. Three two-car versions will be produced in Regional Railways, East Midlands Trains and GWR green liveries. Four ‘J72s’ will be produced in both ‘OO’ and ’N’. Tooling changes mean that all key details, from the first North Eastern Railway ‘E1s’ of 1898 to the last of the 113 ‘J72s’ built by BR in 1951, are covered. The four liveries – NER No. 2173, LNER black No. 2313, BR early emblem No. 68733 and BR late emblem No. 68696 – will be offered in both Branchline and Farish ranges.