Bachmann 31-362BSF

Bachmann's Description & Specifications

We are delighted to welcome the Class 03 Diesel Shunter back to the Bachmann Branchline OO scale range. Taking advantage of the technical upgrades undertaken to the popular Branchline model a few years ago, this Class 03 features a coreless motor, Next18 DCC decoder socket and has space for a speaker for those wishing to add sound – or why not opt for our SOUND FITTED model which has a Speaker and DCC Sound Decoder pre-fitted.

The Bachmann Branchline model combines a detailed chassis, depicting the jackshaft drive arrangement of the prototype and complete with sandboxes, sandpipes and underframe equipment, with a high fidelity bodyshell adorned with numerous separately-fitted detail parts. The distinctive bonnet doors are fitted with separate handrails, with further separate handrails to be found around the cab, at the front of the locomotive and on the running plate. Lamps irons and windscreen wipers are each fitted individually, as is the flowerpot chimney and the turned metal air horn. With NEM coupling pockets, the standard tension lock couplings can be removed and replaced with the supplied filling piece to complete the look of the deep bufferbeams that are a feature of the prototype. Finished with an exquisite livery application using authentic colours, logos and fonts, this is an attractive addition to any OO scale collection.

We are delighted to welcome No. 03056 in BR Blue livery with the distinct wasp stripes at either end.

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Pristine BR Blue (Wasp Stripes) livery
• Running No. 03056
• Flowerpot Chimney
• Single Air Horn
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful Coreless Motor
• Detailed Cab Interior with pre-fitted Driver in one cab
• Cab Lighting (when used on DCC only)
• Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
• Accessory Pack
• SOUND FITTED - Fitted with a Zimo MS590N18 DCC Sound Decoder
• Length 105mm

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.

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.