Bachmann 32-827

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline LMS Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 was first introduced in 2007 as part of Bachmann’s OO gauge range. Designed to represent the post-war mixed-traffic moguls developed by H.G. Ivatt for the LMS, the model filled a gap in the market for a reliable and well-detailed representation of this versatile locomotive class. The tooling has since been used across multiple liveries and configurations, including special editions for the Bachmann Collectors Club.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76)
• Construction: Injection-moulded plastic body with separately fitted metal and plastic details
• Detailing: Flush glazing, separately fitted handrails, lamp irons, rivet detail, sprung metal buffers, and fine cab detailing
• Couplings: NEM pockets with tension lock couplings

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Three-pole motor
• Drive: Loco-drive mechanism with drive to centre driving wheels
• Minimum Radius: Second radius curves (approx. 10.5 inches / 260 mm)
• Weighting: Moderate weight for reliable traction; some models include traction tyres
• Lighting: No factory-fitted lighting

DCC Capability

• OO Gauge: DCC Ready with 8-pin socket located in the tender
• Issues: Early OO models lacked tender pickups, affecting electrical reliability

Liveries Produced

• LMS Black
• BR Plain Black
• BR Lined Black (Early & Late Crest)
• BR Lined Green (Early & Late Crest)
• BR Maroon (Preservation-era special)

Reviews & Commentary

• Praised for high-quality detailing and accurate liveries
• Criticised for noisy motor and lack of tender pickups in early releases
• Collectors Club and SOUND FITTED editions received positively for enhanced features
• Social media and YouTube reviews (e.g., Sam’s Trains) highlight visual appeal and running performance

Interesting Notes

• Preserved locomotive No. 46521 featured in the BBC sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching!
• Brassmasters and other aftermarket suppliers offer chassis kits for finescale conversions

The Bachmann Ivatt Class 2MT tooling remains a popular choice for modellers seeking a reliable and well-detailed representation of this iconic mixed-traffic locomotive. Its continued presence in OO gauge ranges reflects its enduring appeal and versatility.

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.