Replica Railways 11013

Tooling

The LNER B1 Class was a mixed-traffic 4-6-0 locomotive designed by Edward Thompson and introduced in 1942. The OO gauge model was originally developed by Mainline but completed and released by Replica Railways in 1987. When Bachmann entered the UK market in the early 1990s, they adopted this tooling, incorporating it into the Bachmann Branchline range from 1994. This tooling remained in production for many years and represents Bachmann’s early approach to British steam models before later retooling.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76).
• Construction: Plastic bodyshell mounted on a die-cast split chassis frame. Tender also plastic with integral detailing.
• Detailing: Moulded handrails, separate safety valves and whistles, cab glazing, and basic cab interior. Valve gear simplified compared to later toolings.
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers; no NEM pockets on early releases.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Drive System: Split chassis design with a centrally mounted motor driving the coupled wheels via coupling rods.
• Motor: Bachmann can motor (Hong Kong manufacture).
• Minimum Radius: Recommended for second radius curves (approx. 438 mm).
• Lighting: None fitted.
• Weighting: Heavy die-cast chassis provided good traction for its era.
• Electrical Pickup: From driving wheels only; tender had no pickups.

DCC Capability

• Not DCC-ready. Conversion required hardwiring and insulating the split chassis, which was considered challenging for beginners.

Liveries Produced (1994 onwards)

Bachmann issued numerous authentic schemes using this tooling, including:

• LNER Apple Green and LNER Black (pre-nationalisation).
• BR Black (early and late crests).
• BR Green with early emblem.
• Special editions such as named locomotives “Springbok,” “Mayflower,” “Lord Burghley,” and weathered variants.

Reviews & Commentary

At launch, the model was praised for its accurate proportions and affordability. However, the split chassis system became a common criticism over time due to wear, electrical reliability issues, and difficulty of DCC conversion. Enthusiasts note that while the body detailing was acceptable for the late 1980s and early 1990s, it lacks the finesse of later Bachmann toolings. Despite these drawbacks, many examples remain in service on layouts thanks to their weight and reasonable haulage capability.

Interesting Notes

• The tooling originated from Mainline plans and was among the first British steam models produced by Kader for the UK market.
• Models were branded Bachmann but often carried Replica Railways packaging during the transition period.
• Wheelset and axle issues (swelling of nylon isolators) have been reported on older examples, requiring careful maintenance.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The London & North Eastern Railway emerged in 1923 as Britain's second-largest railway company, combining seven major railways including the Great Northern, North Eastern, and Great Eastern into a 6,590-mile network stretching from London's four terminals to the Scottish Highlands. Despite serving economically challenged industrial regions, the LNER achieved worldwide recognition for engineering excellence and speed records that remain unbroken today.

Under Chief Mechanical Engineers Sir Nigel Gresley, Edward Thompson, and Arthur Peppercorn, the LNER developed revolutionary locomotive designs characterised by three-cylinder layouts and streamlined aesthetics. Gresley's masterpieces included the A1 Pacifics featuring Flying Scotsman and the legendary A4 class, culminating in Mallard's world steam speed record of 126 mph in 1938.

The company pioneered luxury express services including the Silver Jubilee and Coronation streamliners, whilst investing in forward-thinking electrification schemes and massive marshalling yards. Notable achievements included operating the complete East Coast Main Line, introducing Britain's first regular 400-mile non-stop service, and commissioning Eric Gill's iconic typography that influenced railway design for decades.

Nationalised in 1948, LNER locomotives continued serving British Railways until the 1960s, with some A4 Pacifics working Scottish expresses until 1966. Today, the LNER's engineering legacy thrives through extensive preservation, new-build projects like Tornado, and comprehensive model ranges covering every major class in all popular scales, making LNER subjects essential for discerning railway modellers seeking authentic British steam-age atmosphere.

The LNER lined black livery represented the company's commitment to aesthetic excellence across all locomotive types during the early period of its existence. Introduced from 1923, this elegant scheme adorned freight engines and secondary passenger locomotives with distinctive red lining that transformed utilitarian workhorses into smart, professionally finished machines. The red lines were carefully applied to running plates, boiler bands, and cab panels, following the locomotive's mechanical contours and emphasising engineering features whilst maintaining the practical benefits of a dark base colour for heavy-duty operations.

Distinctive features of this livery included yellow lettering and numbering with red shading (contrasting with the gold used on prestigious green passenger locomotives), and "L N E R" applied in full to tenders. The lined black scheme demonstrated the LNER's philosophy that even freight locomotives deserved visual dignity and corporate identity. However, economic pressures forced changes to this refined approach: red lining was removed from goods engines as an economy measure in 1928, though secondary passenger locomotives retained their lined finish until 1941. For model railway enthusiasts, this livery perfectly captures the LNER's early optimism and attention to detail, making it ideal for depicting 1920s freight operations, mixed-traffic locomotives, and the period when the newly-formed company took pride in presenting a cohesive, quality image across its entire 6,300-locomotive fleet.