Bachmann 35-226

London, Midland & Scottish Railway Stanier Class 8F 8233 London, Midland & Scottish Railway (Black)

Bachmann's Description & Specifications

The Stanier 8F is an all-time icon of British locomotive design, few other classes were as numerous as the 8Fs and they played a vital role in the allied victory during World War Two, yet surprisingly OO Scale models of this unsung hero have never been produced by Bachmann Branchline, until now. With an award winning model of the 8F already part of the Graham Farish N Scale portfolio, we’ve answered the countless requests to make a model just as good for OO too, and with even finer detail and new features that simply aren’t available in the smaller scale, the Branchline model is the ultimate rendition of Stanier’s ultimate freight machine.

Constructed from a diecast metal boiler, running plate and chassis, the Branchline 8F certainly packs a punch and its strong, powerful performance is coupled with the latest technological features like the firebox lighting system, Bach-Up Stay Alive System and Dual Fitted speakers. SOUND FITTED models take advantage of the Dual Fitted speakers to provide realistic sound effects while the SOUND FITTED DELUXE versions take things a step further with Bachmann’s revolutionary Auto-Release Couplings fitted to the tender providing hands-free, automated uncoupling at the press of a DCC function key. With a comprehensive tooling suite, the various detail differences seen across the 8F fleet can be replicated along with a choice of three tenders so that many of the 800+ locomotives can be accurately portrayed at any given time in their operation career.

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 7
• Locomotive is now Preserved
• Pristine LMS Black Livery
• Running No. 8233
• Equipped with a Plux22 DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-570B
• Length 260mm (over couplings)
• Part of our Railway Celebrations Range

DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL

• Riveted Stanier 4,000-gallon Tender
• Smokebox Door with Small Numberplate
• High Front Lamp Iron (Top)
• Curved Reverser Rod
• Steam Lance Valve Mounted High on the Smokebox
• Countersunk Bufferbeam Rivets
• Fabricated Wheel Balance Weights

MECHANISM:

• Coreless motor mounted in the locomotive, driving the third set of driving wheels
• Electrical pickup from all driving wheels along with tender pickups
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driving axle
• Diecast metal chassis block (locomotive)
• Diecast metal gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
• 16.5mm (OO gauge) wheels to NEM310 & NEM311 standards with authentic profile and detailing
• Valve gear of metal construction
• Adjustable tender drawbar with integral loco-tender wiring
• Sprung front pony truck with integral coupling pocket to NEM362 standards
• Detachable coupling pocket to NEM362 standards fitted to the tender
• Auto-Release Couplings fitted to the tender – DCC operated, hands-free uncoupling with the press of a function button (SOUND FITTED DELUXE models only)
• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater

DETAILING:

• Diecast metal running plate and boiler
• Precision moulded cab, tender tank and tender chassis
• Separately applied details including smokebox door, smokebox saddle, front frame extensions, steam pipes, lubricators, reverser and sandboxes
• Individual metal detail components including handrails, handrail knobs, boiler feeds, lamp irons, safety valves, sandpipes and tender vents
• Highly detailed and decorated cab interior including controls, dials, gauges and tool cabinets with separately fitted valve wheels, regulator, reverser and crew seats
• Hinged and posable metal fall plate between the locomotive and tender
• Tender fitted with coal-effect load
• Running gear detailing includes brakes and separately fitted brake gear on the locomotive and tender
• Glazed cab windows
• Sprung metal buffers
• Each model supplied with an accessory pack including cab doors, screwlink couplings, front steps and cylinder draincocks

LIGHTING:

• Firebox Glow (on analogue) / Firebox Glow & Flicker (on DCC or when SOUND FITTED & SOUND FITTED DELUXE models are used on analogue)

DCC:

• Plux22 DCC decoder interface located in the locomotive
• Bach-Up Stay Alive Systemproviding uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs (operates on DCC only)

SOUND:

• Dual Fitted speakers, one in the locomotive and one in the tender, installed in all models for optimum sound reproduction
• Zimo MS450P22 DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED & SOUND FITTED DELUXE versions
• Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline 8F using recordings from real locomotives
• SOUND FITTED & SOUND FITTED DELUXE models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied

LIVERY APPLICATION:

• Authentic liveries applied to all models
• Multiple paint applications employed on each model
• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing incorporating authentic typefaces, logos and colours

Class & Prototype

Class: London, Midland & Scottish Railway Stanier Class 8F

• Traction: Steam
• Built: 1935-1946
• Total Built: 852

The LMS Stanier Class 8F was Britain's most successful freight locomotive design, with 852 examples built between 1935-1946. Designed by Sir William Stanier to replace the LMS's inadequate freight fleet, these robust 2-8-0 locomotives featured 18½" x 28" cylinders, 225 psi boiler pressure, and 32,440 lbf tractive effort. Selected as Britain's standard WW2 freight locomotive, 8Fs served globally in Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Palestine, with many remaining overseas permanently. On home metals, they handled 1,000-ton coal trains until steam's end in 1968. Eight locomotives survive in preservation, while modern models from Hornby and upcoming Bachmann releases ensure continued appeal for railway modellers seeking authentic British freight operations.

Prototype: 8233

• Ordered By: War Department
• Built By: North British Locomotive Company
• Built At: North British Locomotive Company
• Built: 08/1940
• Withdrawn: 08/1968
• Length of Service: 28.0 years
• Running Numbers: WD 307, LMS 8233, BR 48773
• Names: -

LMS No. 8233 was built by North British Locomotive Company at Glasgow in 1940 (Works No. 24607) as part of a War Department order originally intended for service in France. After the Fall of France, the locomotive was loaned to the LMS and numbered 8233, serving from depots including Toton, Holbeck, and Westhouses.

In December 1941, the locomotive was requisitioned by the War Department as WD 307 and sent to Iran (then Persia) to work on the vital Trans-Iranian Railway supply route to the Soviet Union. Operating as Iranian State Railways No. 41.109, it hauled double-headed 700-ton supply trains through the Persian desert under extreme conditions. The locomotive gained fame on 9th August 1942 when it was derailed after colliding with a camel, and was later converted to oil burning in 1944.

In 1946, the locomotive was transferred to British Army Middle East Forces in Egypt as WD 70307, working in the Suez Canal zone before returning to the UK in 1952. After overhaul at Derby, it served on the Longmoor Military Railway as WD 500 until British Railways purchased it in 1957, initially numbered 90733 but quickly renumbered 48773.

Under BR ownership, 48773 was allocated to Polmadie (1957-1963) then Carlisle Kingmoor and finally Rose Grove, where it participated in the famous "End of Steam" specials in August 1968. The locomotive was withdrawn three times and reinstated twice before final withdrawal in July 1968.

Purchased directly from BR by The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society, 48773 moved to the Severn Valley Railway where it has been based since 1968. In 1986, it was dedicated as the Royal Engineers Memorial Locomotive to commemorate military railwaymen killed in World War II. The locomotive has completed over 150,000 miles in SVR service and made numerous main line excursions. Currently displayed at the SVR Engine House, 48773 awaits restoration to return to active service, representing one of the most historically significant and well-travelled locomotives in preservation.

Operator & Livery

Operator: London, Midland & Scottish Railway

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.

Livery: Black

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.