Graham Farish 371-062A

Tooling

In 2022, Bachmann reintroduced the Graham Farish N Gauge Class 03 diesel-mechanical shunter with a major chassis upgrade. Building on the original 2011 tooling, this revision addressed digital control limitations and improved mechanical performance while retaining the highly detailed bodywork. The Class 03 prototype, built between 1957 and 1962, was BR’s standard small shunter, widely used for light duties where larger locomotives were unsuitable.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Die-cast running plate and bonnet for added weight; plastic bodyshell with fine moulded and separately fitted details.
• Detailing: Separately fitted handrails, lamp brackets, etched step guards, brake pipes, vacuum tanks, guard irons, and bufferbeam detailing. Exhaust variations (flowerpot and conical) supplied to match prototypes. Fully glazed cab with interior detail.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with standard Rapido couplers.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Powerful coreless motor for smooth, quiet operation.
• Drive: All-wheel drive via jackshaft and coupling rods; all-wheel electrical pickup.
• Weighting: Enhanced by die-cast components for improved traction.
• Lighting: No factory-fitted lighting.

DCC Capability

The 2022 upgrade introduced DCC readiness via a 6-pin micro decoder socket, making conversion straightforward. Bachmann recommends decoder item 36-571 due to space constraints.

Liveries Produced

• BR Green with Late Crest and Wasp Stripes (Era 5)
• BR Blue with Wasp Stripes (Era 7)
• British Industrial Sand White (Era 8)
• Network SouthEast (Isle of Wight) – Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive

Reviews & Commentary

The updated Class 03 received positive feedback for its improved running qualities and ease of DCC conversion. Reviewers highlighted the smooth slow-speed performance, ideal for shunting, and praised the retention of fine detailing from the original tooling. The die-cast chassis added welcome weight, enhancing traction. Criticism was minimal, though some noted the absence of factory lighting as a missed opportunity.

Media & Social Media

Video reviews and forum discussions showcased the model’s performance and finish, with particular enthusiasm for weathered examples and the Kernow exclusive NSE livery. Enthusiasts appreciated the upgrade as a practical and aesthetic improvement over the 2011 version.

Interesting Notes

The 2022 tooling maintained the compact 54 mm length, making it one of the smallest powered N gauge locomotives available. The inclusion of etched step guards and optional bufferbeam detailing continued to set a high standard for small shunters in N scale.

Class & Prototype

The BR Class 03 was British Railways' standard light diesel-mechanical shunter, with 230 built at Doncaster and Swindon Works between 1957-1962. Powered by the legendary Gardner 8L3 engine and featuring distinctive jackshaft drive with coupling rods, these 30-ton locomotives excelled on weight-restricted lines, docks, and industrial sidings where heavier Class 08s couldn't operate. Notable variants included nine cut-down cab examples for the Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley Railway and two for Isle of Wight tunnel clearance. With 56 preserved (24% survival rate) and the last example working until 2008, the Class 03 remains popular with heritage railways and modellers alike.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.

BR Blue, also known as Rail Blue or Monastral Blue, was introduced in 1965 as part of British Rail's comprehensive corporate identity overhaul that accompanied the rebranding from British Railways to British Rail. The colour was officially defined by British Standards BR28/6001 (airless spray finish) and BR28/5321 (brush finish), representing a dark, greyish blue tone specifically chosen to hide dirt and weathering effects well.

The livery was prototyped on the experimental XP64 train in 1964 before becoming the standard scheme from 1 January 1965. Rail Blue was applied to all diesel and electric locomotives with yellow warning panels (initially small, then extending to full yellow ends from 1966). The standardised application included the iconic double arrow logo and Rail Alphabet typeface, creating one of the most successful transport corporate identities of the 20th century.

The livery dominated British Rail operations for over two decades until sectorisation in the 1980s began fragmenting the unified appearance. Despite initial colour fading problems in early applications, these were resolved by the late 1970s when the Large Logo variant was introduced featuring extended yellow areas and full-height double arrow symbols. Rail Blue's enduring appeal among railway enthusiasts reflects its role as the definitive British Rail image during the organisation's most unified period.