Bachmann 31-325A

British Rail Class 105 DTCL E56429 British Rail Blue

Contents

Bachmann's Description & Specifications

The Bachmann Branchline tooling for the British Rail Class 105 "Cravens" two-car DMUs was introduced in 2010, marking a significant addition to OO gauge model offerings. Replicating the Cravens-built 1950s units with high fidelity, it arrived during Bachmann's expansion of British outline models powered by its Branchline brand.

Model reviewers consistently praised the tooling for its exceptional detailing, including accurate bogie and roof features, and crisp livery application. The motor was noted for smooth, quiet running and reliable performance across layouts. Lighting features, particularly directional headlights and illuminated destination blinds, were highlighted as strong points, adding realism without excessive flicker. Interior detailing and cab features also received positive attention. Community discussions often focused on decoder installation, which was described as straightforward but requiring care when accessing the chassis. Hobbyists also shared tips for improving lighting contact by ensuring the body is fully seated, and many reported successful sound installations using Loksound micro decoders and stay-alive modules.

Video reviews from channels such as Oorail.com and Everard Junction showcased the model's performance, detailing, and lighting features, with demonstrations on various layouts. These reviews emphasized the model's suitability for 1950s–1980s era scenes and praised its weight and running qualities. Social media and forums featured numerous upgrade guides, including Roads & Rails tutorials for fitting sound decoders and stay-alive capacitors, reflecting strong community engagement and enthusiasm for customization. Overall, the tooling has maintained a positive reputation among collectors and operators alike.

Detailing: Two-piece plastic body with separately fitted details including coach-end railings, exhausts, handrails, lamp irons, roof piping and vestibules. Underframe contains authentically moulded air tanks, battery box, piping, horn, driveshafts, engine pipework, footsteps, fuel tank and speedometer cables. Windows include wipers, glazing is clear, and interior cab detail and seating are present. Roof-mounted lamp irons and bufferbeam detailing are included. Separate cosmetic screw-link coupling for display-only purposes; sprung buffers.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: E56429

The British Rail Class 105 & 106 were Cravens-built diesel multiple units serving four BR regions from 1957-1988. These 302 vehicles featured distinctive Mark 1 coaching stock bodywork and operated rural branches, suburban services, and cross-country routes across Eastern, London Midland, North Eastern, and Scottish regions. The sole distinction between classes was engine type: Class 105 used AEC 220 engines, Class 106 had Leyland 680 powerplants. Only three vehicles survive in preservation at the East Lancashire and Llangollen Railways.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.

BR Blue, also known as Rail Blue or Monastral Blue, was introduced in 1965 as part of British Rail's comprehensive corporate identity overhaul that accompanied the rebranding from British Railways to British Rail. The colour was officially defined by British Standards BR28/6001 (airless spray finish) and BR28/5321 (brush finish), representing a dark, greyish blue tone specifically chosen to hide dirt and weathering effects well.

The livery was prototyped on the experimental XP64 train in 1964 before becoming the standard scheme from 1 January 1965. Rail Blue was applied to all diesel and electric locomotives with yellow warning panels (initially small, then extending to full yellow ends from 1966). The standardised application included the iconic double arrow logo and Rail Alphabet typeface, creating one of the most successful transport corporate identities of the 20th century.

The livery dominated British Rail operations for over two decades until sectorisation in the 1980s began fragmenting the unified appearance. Despite initial colour fading problems in early applications, these were resolved by the late 1970s when the Large Logo variant was introduced featuring extended yellow areas and full-height double arrow symbols. Rail Blue's enduring appeal among railway enthusiasts reflects its role as the definitive British Rail image during the organisation's most unified period.