Bachmann 32-276A

Bachmann's Description & Specifications

The K3 was one of the LNER’s most successful designs, quickly becoming a Group Standard design following Grouping in 1923, and we are delighted to present this Bachmann Branchline model of the LNER stalwart which returns to the range as No. 61985 in BR Lined Black livery.

The Branchline model of Gresley’s 2-6-0 mogul employs a diecast running plate and locomotive chassis to provide an impressive weight, ensuring that the model’s strength and versatility is true to prototype. Meanwhile, those components produced in plastic are precision moulded, with details such as rivets and boiler bands crisply reproduced. Separate parts are then added to enhance the authenticity of the model further, from the metal handrails and lamp irons to the safety valves and sprung buffers, each of which are turned brass. Within the cab, controls, dials and pipework are all moulded authentically and decorated accordingly. Multiple parts are added to the locomotive’s chassis, with brake blocks and brake rigging, footsteps and metal wire sandpipes all fitted separately.

Moving to the tender and the locomotive to tender drawbar is adjustable to suit different layout conditions whilst the tender itself is finely moulded, with several separately applied details including the lamp irons, handrails, handwheels and sprung metal buffers. A realistic coal load is included, with the empty coal space modelled below, whilst the tender chassis includes brake rigging and the water scoop.

The livery application is what really brings this new K3 to life, with a rich application of black paintwork augmented by the lining which is applied with pinpoint precision. Numbering, lettering and the BR Early Emblem is reproduced in high definition, resulting in a model fit for any collection.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 4
• Pristine BR Lined Black (Early Emblem) livery
• Running No. 61985
• Group Standard Tender
• Adjustable Tender Drawbar
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Accessory Pack
• Equipped with a 8 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-566A
• Length 250mm (over couplings)

Class & Prototype

The GNR Class H4, later LNER Class K3, was Nigel Gresley's ground-breaking 1920 design that revolutionized British mixed-traffic locomotive operation. These distinctive 2-6-0 "Jazzers" featured unprecedented 6-foot diameter boilers, innovative three-cylinder layout with conjugated valve gear, and exceptional versatility handling both express passenger and heavy freight services. Built between 1920-1937 with 193 examples constructed, they proved capable of hauling 20-bogie passenger trains during the 1921 coal strike while maintaining economical operation. The syncopated exhaust beat from their three-cylinder arrangement earned the affectionate "Jazzers" nickname, reflecting the jazz music era of their introduction. Tragically, the entire fleet was scrapped 1959-1962 with no survivors, though a new-build project announced in 2018 promises their return to steam. These historically significant locomotives influenced all subsequent Gresley designs and remain popular subjects for OO gauge modelling through excellent Bachmann reproductions.

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 black livery was designated for mixed-traffic and secondary passenger locomotives from 1949, following pure LNWR style with black base colour and elaborate red, cream (off-white), and grey lining patterns. The lining specification comprised 5/8" grey, 1/8" cream, 1½" black, and ¼" red bands, with the layout consistent with LNWR practice including deep and shallow valances lined along bottom edges only, unlike green engines. The first lined black engines appeared in August 1948 when Hall 5954 appeared so painted, becoming one of the first to carry the "Lion and Wheel" emblem around the same time.

A wide range of engines was eligible for this livery, from powerful V2s and Counties down to tiny Southern Terriers, encompassing County, Hall, Grange, Manor, Saint, Prairie tanks, and numerous pre-grouping designs of varied shapes and sizes. This created many variations and interpretation problems due to the diverse locomotive types involved, with regional differences in splasher lining treatment—the Eastern Region used red-only splasher lining, whilst the Southern Region evolved from inset to edge lining styles. The emblem was positioned centrally on tender sides above the middle axle box, with the Western Region favouring larger sizes on tenders and bigger tank engines. An interesting period detail saw number plates routinely painted red from late 1949 to early 1952, adding colour contrast to the otherwise black scheme. This livery represented BR's commitment to standardising mixed-traffic operations whilst maintaining the decorative traditions that distinguished passenger-rated locomotives from plain freight engines.