Bachmann Class 24

◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Bachmann Branchline 32-415 Class 24/0 diesel locomotive ◆ PRICE £179.95 ◆ AVAILABILITY Bachmann stockists Web www.bachmann.co.uk

The early Sulzer Type 2s had a relatively short career, but they were undoubtedly an important element of BR’S Modernisation Plan. Their demise also served to illustrate the changing nature of Britain’s rail network, as the demand for a modest Bo-bo locomotive dwindled during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Indeed, the death of local freight traffic and closure of countless branch lines was the undoing for many of the new diesel locomotive types ordered only a decade earlier.

Bachmann’s ‘OO’ Class 24, of early 2000s vintage was, in many ways, a lovely model. Aficionados of the prototype did find areas that were less than perfect, ultimately leading Sutton’s Locomotive Works to create its own high-specification RTR model. I must admit to being less obsessive with my own fleet of Type 2s, being happy enough with my dozen or so Bachmann ‘24s’ and ‘25s’. However, with the appearance of Bachmann’s all-new ‘24/1’ last year (MR272), the uplift in realism, specification and performance has been tangible.

Bachmann’s disc headcode-fitted version of the Sulzer Type 2 (Class 24/0) has now arrived. Like the ‘24/1’, it has been created completely from scratch rather than adapting aspects of the original tooling. Available initially in four guises: plain green (D5094), green with yellow ends (D5036 as reviewed here), BR blue (24035) and RTC red/blue as 97201 Experiment.

IS IT BETTER?

The new model looks splendid straight from the box, with a refined air and impressive level of finish. There’s no faulting the complex profile of the roof and characterful ‘face’ and, by placing the new model alongside a ‘24’ from nearly 20 years ago, there are a number of discernible improvements.

In fact, the new model is superior in many ways. In terms of looks, the front ends have been upgraded with gangway doors of the correct width and hinge detail has been added. However, the door panel seams are much less defined on the new version, which is a minor disappointment. The quality of the glazing and the fine, twin-arm windscreen wipers are far superior, however. The cab side and door windows are now the correct size (they were originally too small) and the various handrails, grilles and louvres adorning the bodysides are superb. Atop the roof, the fan grille is infinitely better, while the various panels and exhaust ports are much more authentic. Furthermore, this portrayal of D5036 correctly boasts an original-style circular engine exhaust port.

The raised panels above the engine room are well executed, with just a fraction of daylight visible around the edges. This is a tricky aspect to get right on a

scale model – such things are prone to looking untidy, but that’s not the case here. Boiler tank filler recesses are the correct size and there are even fine wire grab handles on the hatches. I was also impressed by the recessed panel for the train heating boiler’s safety valves.

A full set of valancing is fitted around the lower edges of the bodywork, creating a very pleasing appearance of an early condition ‘24’. These valances were invariably removed during servicing, so Bachmann has omitted the

side sections on the BR blue and RTC versions for greater authenticity.

Also of note is that

BR blue 24035 will feature an isolated boiler, with attendant plating-over of vents and access steps, along with removal of the underslung water tank.

Talking of the underframe, the same comments apply as per my review of the ‘24/1’ from April 2020. In short, there is an impressive level of detail relief in the bogie frames and tank/ battery box area. The perforated disc wheels also add extra character to the chassis.

The paint finish is superb, with a super-smooth sheen and no discernible imperfections. I’ve noted that the paintwork on various new models, from other manufacturers, has been beset with debris trapped under the finish, but no such issues here – it’s virtually flawless. Interestingly, the off-white beading at cant rail level stops before the cabs. A little research revealed that this is correct for the real D5036, particularly around the mid-1960s when it had the dubious honour of hauling one of the last trains from Peterborough along the EX-LNWR line through Seaton to Market Harborough. Indeed, D5036 was an East Anglian-based Type 2 from new, being based at March and Ipswich until heading to Stoke-on-trent in the late 1960s. The 32B (Ipswich) shedcode, printed on the nose ends testifies to its time based in

Suffolk. However, the shedcode is only just discernible amidst the yellow warning panel. Another small detail is the pair of cabside builders’ plates, correctly stating that this ‘24’ was built at Crewe Works. One last note on the finish: I have a feeling that the cabside numbers are a fraction too big.

On the rails, the model was happily purring along straight from the box. The considerable mass gives the locomotive ample haulage capability. The working head and tail lamps emit a pleasing level of light and two switches below the fuel tank allow the tail lights to be isolated

There’s no faulting the complex profile of the roof and characterful ‘face’