‘Moors Line’ Class 24 in Bachmann’s summer range
HERITAGE diesel traction features heavily in Bachmann's list of new 00 gauge releases for summer 2021.
An all-new model of the Class 24/0 and 24/1 has been produced from new tooling, including one of the now-preserved examples in the striking BR blue and red livery.
This represents No. 24061 during its period in service with BR's Railway Technical Centre at Derby, numbered 97201 with the name Experiment.
Following an earlier stint in Departmental use, the locomotive was transferred to the RTC fleet, receiving its new number on August 18, 1979, and the name in June 1980.
It was a celebrity guest at several BR depot open days before being withdrawn on December 4, 1987, but was saved for preservation, initially being based at the Midland Railway Centre from July 1991. Today, it is resident at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in BR green as No. D5061, although it is currently awaiting an overhaul, having last run in 2014. The model includes separately fitted roof panels and etched cab ventilator grilles, and BR green and blue liveries are also available with DCC sound-fitted options.
In addition to the specially commissioned Class 20s for the London Transport Museum (see story above), Bachmann is producing a further ‘Chopper' still active on the national network today – Harry Needle Railroad Company's No. 20314, allowing modellers to create a prototypical double-headed pairing with the Bachmann model of HNRC's No. 20311, which was released this spring.