Bachmann 35-504

British Rail Class 117 DMS W51395 British Rail Blue

Contents

Tooling

Bachmann Branchline introduced a new OO-gauge tooling of the iconic British Rail Class 117 3-car DMU in mid-2020. The announcement followed laser-scan research and model planning from 2014–2015, culminating in production samples arriving in June–July 2020. The tooling brings this Western Region suburban unit back into current production after a long absence.

The Bachmann Class 117 tooling received strong praise from the model railway press. Railway Modeller (August 2020) highlighted the smooth and quiet operation of the concealed underfloor drive, noting the convenience of under-frame switches for analogue lighting control and the ease of sound installation. Similarly, Hornby Magazine (Issue HM158, July 2020) featured the first production samples in BR Green, NSE, and GW150 liveries, commending the high level of detail and performance on test tracks. Online reviewers, including popular YouTube channels such as Jubilee Road, described the model as "top-class" with exceptional detailing and running qualities, reinforcing its reputation among enthusiasts.

The launch generated significant excitement across forums and social media platforms. Enthusiasts praised the tooling for its accuracy, fine detailing, and advanced mechanical design, often comparing it favorably to previous Class 121 releases. The inclusion of conductive couplings and comprehensive lighting features was widely appreciated by DCC users. Limited-edition liveries, particularly the GW150 chocolate and cream variant, attracted strong interest and sold out quickly, further cementing the model's popularity within the community.

This tooling represents a significant step for Bachmann's Branchline range, delivering a richly detailed, mechanically advanced representation of the Class 117, enhanced by smart DCC/sound capability and a roster of eye-catching liveries.

Detailing: Finely detailed plastic bodyshell featuring separately fitted metal parts including lamp irons, cab handrails, roof filler pipes and bufferbeam pipework. Fully decorated underframes include engine details, exhausts, electrical gear, with bogies displaying brake and suspension detail and accurate gangway steps. Conductive close-coupling couplings between vehicles; sprung metal buffers fitted. Fully detailed interiors in each car, including seating, partitions, driver's chairs and cab instrumentation.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: W51395

The British Rail Class 117 diesel multiple units were built by Pressed Steel Company between 1959-1961 as three-car suburban sets comprising DMBS, TCL, and DMS vehicles. Powered by dual Leyland 680 horizontal diesel engines producing 600hp per unit, these elegant DMUs served Thames Valley, Birmingham Cross-City, Scottish, and Cornish routes for forty years until final withdrawal in 2000. The class achieved remarkable preservation success with 51 surviving vehicles across twenty heritage locations, including the Swanage Railway's mainline-certified set operating scheduled Network Rail services. Bachmann produces comprehensive OO gauge models (£459.95-569.95) featuring dual motors, authentic period liveries from BR green through Network SouthEast, and optional sound-fitted variants, whilst Heljan offers O gauge versions arriving December 2025.

Operator & Livery

  • Operator: British Rail
  • Livery: Blue
  • Era: 6 - British Rail Blue Pre-TOPS

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.