TENDER-FITTED ‘MAINLINE’ HUNSLET JOINS BACHMANN RANGE

As mentioned briefly in a ‘Stop Press’ addition to last month’s news pages, Bachmann Narrow Gauge has added another version of the Penrhyn ‘Mainline’ Hunslet 0‑4‑0ST to its range, depicting Linda in early preservation condition.

Saved for posterity by the Ffestiniog Railway in the early 1960s, after a 70-year industrial career on the Penrhyn Quarry Railway, Linda gained a number of modifications before entering service on the preserved line. Most notable was the addition of a twin-axle tender, creating a 0‑4‑0STT (saddle tank with tender). Bachmann’s model comes in fully lined FR green livery and features the same impressive specification as the earlier ‘Mainline’ Hunslet model (MR308). Again, a coreless motor is provided, with a flywheel to aid smooth running and with power collection from all wheels, the tender-fitted version is likely to offer even better running qualities, especially over insulated point frogs.

A Next18 DCC decoder socket and pre-fitted speaker come as standard, although digital sound-equipped versions are also available off the shelf and models arrived in stock just before Christmas.

Further modifications followed, including the addition of a front pony axle, and it seems likely that Bachmann will also release a version to cater for the post-1960s preservation era in the near future.

What’s available:

◆ 391-130/391-130SF Bachmann ‘Mainline’ Hunslet with tender, Linda, FR lined green Price: £214.95 (£314.95 sound-fitted) Availability: Bachmann stockists

Web: www.bachmann.co.uk