Graham Farish 8143

British Rail Class 101 DMBS W50304 British Railways Green

Contents

Tooling

The Graham Farish British  Rail  Class 101 "Met-Cam" N-gauge tooling was introduced in 1982. Based on the distinctive first-generation Metro-Cammell DMUs built between 1956–59, it was among the earliest N-gauge renditions capturing the Class  101's characteristic body profile and clean-lined aesthetics.

The original Graham Farish Class 101 tooling was well received in its era, praised in N-gauge magazines for capturing the Metro-Cammell DMU’s distinctive profile and providing one of the first opportunities to model these units in N scale. While enthusiasts appreciated its robustness and smooth running, limitations such as the single-motor design, lack of lighting, and absence of DCC readiness were noted. Forum discussions and collector feedback over the years highlight its reliability and weight, which made it ideal for tight curves, though some hobbyists have undertaken retrofits for lighting and improved electrical pickup. Today, it is regarded as a historically significant model that marked an important step in British N-gauge development.

No DCC socket was fitted in the original run, making factory conversion impractical without chassis replacements.

Detailing: Injection-moulded bodyshells with separate fitted glazing, handrails, vents, and exhaust stacks. Textured roof surfaces, printed linework for doors and panels.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: W50304

The British Rail Class 101 was Metro-Cammell's most successful first-generation DMU, with over 700 vehicles built 1956-1959 serving across Britain for 47 years until 2003. Powered by twin 150hp BUT AEC or Leyland diesel engines, these distinctive units operated from Tyneside to Scottish Highlands, dominating Birmingham's Cross-City Line for 35 years. Comprehensive 1970s-1980s refurbishment programmes extended their operational lives dramatically. The type carried every major BR livery including green, blue, blue/grey, white/blue, Strathclyde orange, and Network SouthEast schemes. With 41 vehicles preserved and comprehensive model availability from Bachmann (OO), Graham Farish (N gauge), and Hornby, the Class 101 remains essential for depicting authentic British branch line and suburban operations from the late 1950s through early 2000s.

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.