Bachmann 35-500Z

British Rail Class 117 DMBS W51368 British Railways WR Chocolate & Cream

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: W51368

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 Railways
  • Livery: WR Chocolate & Cream
  • Era: 5 - British Railways Late Crest

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.