Bachmann 35-230

London, Midland & Scottish Railway Stanier Class 8F 48305 British Railways (Black with Early Emblem)

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 4
• Locomotive is now Preserved
• Pristine BR Black (Early Emblem) Livery
• Running No. 48305
• Equipped with a Plux22 DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-570B
• Length 260mm (over couplings)

DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL

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

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: 48305

• Ordered By: London, Midland & Scottish Railway
• Built By: London, Midland & Scottish Railway
• Built At: Crewe
• Built: 11/1943
• Withdrawn: 01/1968
• Length of Service: 24.2 years
• Running Numbers: LMS 8305, BR 48305
• Names: -

LMS No. 8305 was built at Crewe Works in November 1943 as one of the later production Stanier Class 8F locomotives. Initially allocated to Wellingborough depot, it spent its early career hauling coal trains to Brent Sidings, Cricklewood, and Toton. Following nationalisation, it became BR 48305 and served at various depots including Northampton (1957), Crewe South (1962), and finally Speke Junction, where it was withdrawn from service in January 1968.

The locomotive was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry in September 1968, where it gained fame for having "Please don't let me die!" painted on its smokebox door - a poignant plea that helped save it from scrapping. After 17 years at Barry, it was purchased by Roger Hibbert in November 1985 and moved to the Great Central Railway for restoration.

Following a comprehensive restoration that included acquiring a new tender, 48305 returned to steam in February 1995 and became known for its excellent steaming qualities. It worked extensively on GCR passenger and freight services, particularly the "Windcutter" train with its authentic 16-ton mineral wagons. The locomotive became well-travelled in preservation, visiting the Midland Railway Centre, North Norfolk Railway, Churnet Valley Railway, and other heritage lines.

After a major overhaul completed in 2019, 48305 returned to service carrying BR unlined black livery with early crest, and its current boiler certificate runs until 2029. In 2024, the Great Central Railway sold a 50% stake to the David Clarke Railway Trust. The locomotive represents one of the success stories of the Barry scrapyard preservation movement and continues to operate on the GCR today.

Operator & Livery

Operator: British Railways

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.

Livery: Black with Early Emblem

British Railways' plain black livery was designated specifically for freight and shunting locomotives from 1948, representing the most economical and practical finish for inherently dirty industrial machines. During the early nationalisation period, many locomotives were simply patch-painted over old company markings with black paint, which quickly weathered to match the existing finish as these engines were rarely cleaned. The "Lion and Wheel" emblem (nicknamed the "Cycling Lion") was introduced from December 1948 and applied to plain black locomotives from early 1949, featuring a lion standing over a large railway wheel with "British Railways" lettering across the centre.

The emblem was produced in three sizes and always faced forward, positioned centrally on tender sides or tank sides, with regional preferences evident—the Western Region favoured larger emblems whilst other regions used smaller versions. Plain black locomotives retained red buffer beams and received white "BRITISH RAILWAYS" lettering in Gill Sans style before the emblem's introduction. Some former company locomotives, particularly ex-GWR shunting engines, retained their original lettering well into the early 1960s as they didn't require renumbering and received minimal attention. This utilitarian livery remained standard for freight operations until the mid-1950s emblem change, making it essential for authentic early BR period modelling of goods yards, collieries, and industrial operations.