Bachmann 31-453A

Tooling

The LMS Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-2T was a light mixed-traffic tank locomotive designed by H.G. Ivatt and introduced in 1946 to replace ageing tank engines. Bachmann Branchline launched its model of the 2MT 2-6-2T in 1995 as part of its early British-outline range, marking one of the first fully new toolings developed by Bachmann UK following its acquisition of Mainline and Replica Railways assets. The model aimed to capture the compact yet purposeful nature of the prototype, which served across LMS and later BR regions until its withdrawal in the 1960s.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO Gauge (1:76)
• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with die-cast chassis
• Detailing: Factory-fitted handrails, pipework, turned brass safety valves and whistle, glazed cab windows, and separately fitted bufferbeam details
• Couplings: Tension lock couplings with NEM pockets (on later revisions)

Mechanical & Electrical Specification

• Chassis: Split chassis design (typical of 1990s Bachmann models)
• Motor: Coreless motor located in the locomotive body
• Drive: Loco-driven wheels (2 powered axles)
• Minimum Radius: Compatible with Radius 2 curves
• Weighting: Internal chassis weights to aid traction
• Electrical Pickup: 2-rail DC, pickups on driving wheels only
• Lighting: No factory lighting fitted

DCC Capability

The original 1995 tooling is DCC incompatible due to its split chassis design. Retrofitting a decoder requires significant modification, including chassis milling and rewiring. Later versions of the model were updated with DCC-ready sockets and improved PCB layouts, but early models remain challenging for digital conversion.

Liveries Produced

• LMS Black (1923–1947)
• BR Black with British Railways Lettering (1948–1951)
• BR Plain Black (1948–1980)
• BR Black with Early Emblem (1949–1957)
• BR Black with Late Crest (1957–1968)
• Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Maroon (Preservation Era)

Reviews & Commentary

Early reviews praised the model’s detailing and accurate proportions, especially the fine handrails and cab fittings. However, the split chassis design drew criticism for its complexity and limitations in DCC conversion. The motor performance was considered adequate but not exceptional, with some users reporting noise and inconsistent running. Later revisions improved reliability and added DCC readiness, making the model more appealing to modern modellers.

Media & Social Media

The Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T remains a popular subject in online forums and YouTube reviews, often featured in layout running sessions and weathering tutorials. Social media commentary highlights its suitability for branch line operations and its nostalgic appeal for modellers recreating mid-century British Railways scenes. The KWVR maroon version is especially celebrated among preservation enthusiasts.

Additional Notes

Several limited editions and retailer exclusives have been produced over the years, including push-pull fitted variants and weathered finishes. Replacement parts such as motors, valve gear, and bodyshells are available through Bachmann’s spares service, supporting long-term maintenance and customisation.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) was Britain's largest railway company from 1923-1948, formed by merging over 120 independent railways under the Railways Act 1921. Operating 7,790 route miles across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the LMS became the world's largest transport organisation and the British Empire's biggest commercial enterprise. Famous for iconic locomotives like the streamlined Princess Coronation class, versatile Black Fives, and Royal Scots, the company evolved from inherited pre-grouping designs to revolutionary Stanier innovations. The LMS operated major routes including the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Scotland, serving as the UK's second-largest employer after the Post Office. Nationalised in 1948 to form British Railways' London Midland Region, the LMS legacy continues through extensive preservation efforts and remains a favourite subject for railway modellers seeking authentic British steam-age prototypes.

The LMS plain black livery served as the standard finish for freight locomotives and represented practical railway economics during the company's existence. Applied without lining or embellishment, this utilitarian scheme recognised that goods engines operated in inherently dirty conditions where elaborate paintwork proved both expensive and impractical.

Most LMS freight classes including the ubiquitous 0-6-0 goods engines, 0-8-0 heavy freight locomotives, and tank engines used for shunting duties wore plain black throughout their service lives. The scheme extended beyond locomotives to goods wagons, where black paint provided adequate weather protection at minimal cost.

During World War II, plain black became increasingly common as material shortages and wartime economies forced the abandonment of more elaborate liveries. Even some passenger locomotives temporarily adopted unlined black finishes when crimson lake supplies became unavailable. The practical benefits of black paint - its ability to hide dirt, soot, and industrial grime - made it ideal for locomotives working coal trains, mineral traffic, and heavy industrial duties.

For modellers, plain black represents the workhorse reality of LMS operations, particularly appropriate for freight yards, colliery branches, and industrial settings where authentic weathering and operational realism take precedence over passenger train glamour.