Bachmann 31-562

Tooling

Bachmann launched its OO gauge model of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class V2 in the early 1990s, around 1992, as part of its expanding Branchline range. This tooling represented one of Bachmann’s first attempts at producing a large British steam locomotive in OO scale, aimed at enthusiasts seeking a reliable and affordable model of Gresley’s famous mixed-traffic design.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76).
• Construction: Plastic bodyshell mounted on a die-cast split chassis frame.
• Detailing: Moulded handrails, basic cab detail, and simplified valve gear typical of early 1990s standards. Tender detail was largely integral to the moulding.
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers permanently mounted; no NEM pockets.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Split chassis design with a centrally mounted motor driving the driving wheels via coupling rods. Known for adequate pulling power but prone to wear and electrical issues over time.
• Minimum Radius: Recommended for 2nd radius curves (approx. 438 mm).
• Lighting: None provided.
• Weighting: Heavy die-cast chassis provided good traction for its era.

DCC Capability

• The original 1992 tooling was not DCC-ready. Conversion required hardwiring a decoder and insulating the split chassis, which was considered challenging for beginners.

Liveries Produced

The initial tooling was offered in several authentic schemes, including:

• LNER Apple Green (with and without lining)
• BR Lined Black (early and late crest)
• BR Green (late crest)
• Special editions such as preserved No. 4771 “Green Arrow”

Reviews & Commentary

At launch, the model was praised for its overall shape and affordability but criticized for simplified detailing and the limitations of the split chassis system. Over time, reliability issues with electrical pickup and chassis wear became common discussion points among collectors. Despite these drawbacks, the model remained popular for many years as the only readily available V2 in OO gauge.

Interesting Notes

• The split chassis design was typical of Bachmann’s early steam locomotive tooling but later became obsolete due to maintenance difficulties.
• This tooling laid the groundwork for Bachmann’s later, more advanced retooling of the V2 in the 21st century.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Railways transformed Britain's fragmented rail network into a unified national system following nationalisation on 1st January 1948. Created from the "Big Four" companies under the Transport Act 1947, BR operated most of Great Britain's railways until rebranding as British Rail in 1965, managing over 20,000 route miles and inheriting nearly 20,000 locomotives of diverse designs.

The organisation pioneered standardisation through its revolutionary BR Standard locomotive programme (1951-1960), producing 999 advanced steam engines under Robert Riddles' direction. These included the versatile Britannia Pacifics, mighty 9F freight engines, and mixed-traffic classes that incorporated the best features from all predecessor companies. The 1955 Modernisation Plan accelerated diesel and electric traction development, creating fascinating mixed-traction operations.

Notable achievements included establishing unified locomotive classification systems, introducing distinctive corporate liveries, and managing the complex transition from steam to modern traction. BR's six regional structure preserved operational diversity whilst enabling standardisation of practices, signalling, and rolling stock that had eluded private enterprise for over a century.

The BR era represents steam traction's final flowering alongside emerging diesel technology, creating unparalleled locomotive variety. Today, this heritage remains highly popular with railway enthusiasts through extensive preserved fleets, heritage railway operations, and comprehensive model ranges from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Dapol, making BR subjects essential for authentic post-war British railway modelling across all scales.

British Railways' plain black livery was designated specifically for freight and shunting locomotives from 1948, representing the most economical and practical finish for inherently dirty industrial machines. During the early nationalisation period, many locomotives were simply patch-painted over old company markings with black paint, which quickly weathered to match the existing finish as these engines were rarely cleaned. The "Lion and Wheel" emblem (nicknamed the "Cycling Lion") was introduced from December 1948 and applied to plain black locomotives from early 1949, featuring a lion standing over a large railway wheel with "British Railways" lettering across the centre.

The emblem was produced in three sizes and always faced forward, positioned centrally on tender sides or tank sides, with regional preferences evident—the Western Region favoured larger emblems whilst other regions used smaller versions. Plain black locomotives retained red buffer beams and received white "BRITISH RAILWAYS" lettering in Gill Sans style before the emblem's introduction. Some former company locomotives, particularly ex-GWR shunting engines, retained their original lettering well into the early 1960s as they didn't require renumbering and received minimal attention. This utilitarian livery remained standard for freight operations until the mid-1950s emblem change, making it essential for authentic early BR period modelling of goods yards, collieries, and industrial operations.