Bachmann 31-827A

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline model of the Great Western Railway (GWR) 4300 Class 2-6-0 Mogul was introduced in 1996, based on tooling inherited from Mainline Railways. Originally developed by Palitoy/Mainline in the early 1980s, the tooling was later acquired and refined by Bachmann following their entry into the UK market. The model represents Churchward’s mixed-traffic locomotive design, which was built between 1911 and 1932 and became a staple of GWR and later BR operations.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76 scale)
• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with separately fitted details; metal chassis
• Detailing: Includes fine valve gear, cab detail, and prototypical tender
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplings; NEM pockets not present on early releases

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Ringfield motor mounted in the tender (Mainline/Bachmann split chassis design)
• Drive: Split chassis with drive to locomotive wheels via coupling rods
• Minimum Radius: Compatible with 2nd radius curves (438mm+)
• Lighting: No directional or interior lighting
• Weighting: Moderate weight; traction tyres used on some versions

DCC Capability

• DCC Compatibility: Not DCC-ready; split chassis design makes conversion difficult
• Sound: No sound decoder provision

Liveries Produced

Models have been released in a variety of liveries reflecting both GWR and BR eras:

• GWR Green (lined and unlined)
• BR Black (plain and lined)
• BR Green with early and late crests

Reviews & Commentary

Early reviews praised the model’s appearance and affordability, though criticism was directed at the split chassis mechanism, which was prone to gear splitting and electrical issues over time. The model has a nostalgic following among collectors and GWR enthusiasts, despite its mechanical limitations.

Forum discussions on platforms like New Railway Modellers and ModelRailroadForums highlight the model’s charm and historical significance, while also noting its dated drive system. Some users have undertaken conversions or repairs to extend its operational life.

Media & Social Media

The model has featured in YouTube restoration videos and enthusiast blogs, often showcasing repairs to the split chassis and upgrades to detailing. It remains a popular subject for weathering and customization projects.

Additional Notes

• The tooling has been used for both 4300 and 9300 series variants
• Later models from Dapol and Heljan offer more modern mechanisms and DCC readiness

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' lined green livery continued for express passenger locomotives from 1956, painted in BS224 Deep Bronze Green (also known as Land Rover Deep Bronze Green) with orange and black lining, maintaining the prestigious finish for the railway's premier motive power. The livery was reserved for the most powerful express passenger classes, including Britannias, Castles, Kings, A4s, Merchant Navy Pacifics, and other premier locomotives rated for top-link express duties. From 1954 onwards, green became more widely adopted across the locomotive fleet, with some mixed-traffic engines also receiving the prestigious finish as regional freedom in livery matters increased following the 1953 Transport Act.

From mid-1956, these locomotives received the new "Lion and Crown" emblem (nicknamed the "Ferret and Dartboard"), a proper heraldic device registered with the College of Arms featuring a rampant lion emerging from a crown and holding a spoked wheel, all enclosed in a roundel with "British Railways" on bars either side. The emblem was positioned centrally on tender sides, with the heraldically correct lion facing left, though some locomotives initially received forward-facing applications during the transition period. Lettering and numbering remained in golden yellow Gill Sans Medium, maintaining the high-quality finish appropriate for express passenger duties. Regional variations in the shade of green occurred depending on which works applied the paint, the suppliers used, and the number of paint layers applied, creating subtle differences between locomotive classes and individual engines. This livery represented the final flowering of BR's steam-era corporate identity, combining technical excellence with heraldic dignity during the twilight years of express steam operations before the Rail Blue revolution of the mid-1960s.