Bachmann’s 009 double Fairlies – a change of course for many modellers?

After completing two enormous layouts, the first in OO-scale, and the second in N, and at an eye-watering cost over the past 10 years, I was considering calling it a day when news came in of Bachmann Europe’s beautiful-looking 009-scale Ffestiniog Railway double Fairlie locomotives.

Like many others, I’m sure, my thoughts turned immediately to a rather more compact but no less delightful layout representing an enchanting corner of North Wales that I’ve known and loved for most of my life.

Apart from a little imaginative landscaping, a wide variety of realisticlooking slate structures, loaded slate wagons and other items are also available to quickly get such a layout up and running, including models of a slate-built engine shed (44-0101), coal store (44-0103), processing building (44-0105), boiler house and chimney (44-0106), footbridge (44-0107) and slate worker’s cottage (44-0108).

Packs of three grey slate wagons complete with loads (393-075) and the same in red (393-076) are already available, and I’m sure that thoughts will turn to representative coaches in the not-too-distant future – but it’s the locomotives themselves, now available in 009 for the first time, that really take the biscuit. Tooling designed to accommodate the detail variations on the real locomotives over the years has produced models of exquisite detail, along with the superb application of complex liveries, including authentic lining, crests and plates.

The precision-moulded bodies are enhanced by many separately-fitted components, including real brass handrails and metal tank filler-cap rings, along with fine mouldings for parts such as the steam fountain, cab controls and tallow cups.

A twin-shaft coreless motor fitted with twin flywheels provides the drive to both bogies, and the all-wheel electrical pick-up and separate metal bearings fitted to each axle should produce a smooth and unhesitant ride.

The models have die-cast metal running plates, die-cast metal chassis blocks and bogie towers, and die-cast metal gearboxes set up for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities, and the locomotives are designed to operate on first-radius (228.6mm) or greater curves.

Each model is supplied with a set of authentically decorated etched nameplates.

What a difference a bit of ballasted track makes as the Bachmann 009-scale model of Merddin Emrys, which appeared in 1879 as the FR’s first home-built double Fairlie, shows off its beautifully-proportioned lines. BACHMANN

Cab detail on the models is excellent, with the reversing lever clearly seen on this side of the Livingston Thompson model. BACHMANN