Factfile: Class 24
The first 20 Class 24s were ordered as part of BR’S Modernisation Plan, with the first examples entering traffic in 1958. Built at BR’S Derby Works and featuring a Sulzer six-cylinder power plant coupled to British Thomson Houston electrical equipment, the 1,160hp output placed the modest Bo-bo design in the Type 2 category.
Allocated to work on the London Midland, Eastern and Southern Regions, performance was generally good, although a need for separate brake tenders on heavier goods trains was soon discovered and double-heading was common on both passenger and freight workings. Further orders were placed, with a few design modifications, eventually leading to a fleet of over 100 examples, numbered D5000-5113 (24001-24113). The later TOPS classifications can be a little misleading, as D5000-5049 were placed in the Class 24/0 sub-class, while D5050-5113 were officially Class 24/1, despite appearing virtually identical save for a slightly smaller fuel tank. Equipped with disc headcodes, construction was spread across Derby,
Crewe and Darlington Works. Further alterations to mechanical, electrical and visual elements would follow, including the addition of four-character headcode
2 boxes to a new batch – D5114-5150 – which were also classed as ‘24/1’. Developments continued into the 1960s, creating what would become the Class 25.
The original ‘24s’ would work across much of the network, particularly around the Midlands, North West, North Wales and Scotland. Withdrawals began in earnest during the 1970s, following the rapid decline in demand for Type 2 traction as branch line freight services disappeared. All but 24081 had gone by 1979, with ‘081 lasting until October 1980. One Class 24, 24061, was retained by BR for test train work, being renumbered to 97201 and painted in the RTC’S red/ blue livery. Four examples have been preserved (D5032/54/61/81).
at each end for DC operations. The body is easily removed, revealing a 21-pin DCC interface and all ‘24s’ are equipped with a miniature speaker as standard, making sound installation simple. Sound-fitted versions of each model are also being offered by Bachmann.
The cab interiors are a real highlight, bursting with plenty of detail, including authentic consoles with sliding power controller and dials, plus fire extinguisher, parking brake handwheel and pedestal seats, all picked-out in appropriate colours.
Finally, a bag of detailing parts is supplied, including a set of open and closed headcode discs, plus a comprehensive range of bufferbeam details, screw couplings and a pair of boiler access bogie footsteps. There’s also a pair of miniature snowploughs, designed to slot into the NEM pockets. However, only the two outer blades are represented and, when slotted in place, they protrude far too much and certainly can’t be used with the various brake pipes in situ.
Once again, Bachmann has produced an excellent new diesel-outline model, with a superior level of finish and attention to detail. The improved mechanical and electrical specification are also welcome, especially for DCC operators. While the real ‘24s’ may not have enjoyed stellar careers, it’s heartening to know that so much effort has gone into creating a worthy miniature replica. (GD)