Bachmann 32-517

British Rail Derby Lightweight DTCL M79645 British Rail Blue

Contents

Tooling

In 2011, Bachmann Branchline launched a new OO gauge tooling to represent the iconic Derby Lightweight DMU. These pioneering post-war vehicles built at Derby Works between 1954–59 were the first mass-produced DMUs on British Railways, featuring lightweight aluminium construction and hydraulic/mechanical transmissions. The Bachmann tooling brought this classic into OO scale with accuracy and finesse.

Model reviews and unboxings (e.g. on Sam’s Trains, BluecoatCheesyPoofs) applaud the tooling’s excellent detail—especially piped underframes, glazing, and lighting—and note smooth performance across radius-2 curves. DCC readiness is praised, though users occasionally report flickering lights which may need minor resistor or capacitor adjustments.

Online forums and social media buzzed about the tooling upon release in 2011, with hobbyists impressed by the level of separate piping, handrails, and realistic window surrounds. The “Test Unit Gemini” variant, released later in collaboration with specialist retailers, generated excitement as the first ready-to-run OO gauge representation of this unique BEMU prototype.

Detailing: Chemically blackened wheels; body with factory-fitted separately moulded details including handrails, piping, footsteps, vestibules and multiple bufferbeam options supplied via detailing pack. Precise glazing with separately fitted window wipers, painted body piping for front/rear, vestibule surrounds, roof railing in kit, footplate, interior and cab detailing. International hook & loop between units where applicable; detailing pack includes dummy coupling alternatives.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: M79645

The British Rail Derby Lightweight pioneered diesel multiple unit operation in Britain from 1954, employing revolutionary aluminium alloy construction and Lysholm-Smith hydraulic transmission. Sixteen Red Triangle power twin units (79000-79007, 79500-79507) served exclusively from Bradford depot on West Riding routes until 1964 withdrawal. The wider 217-vehicle fleet transformed branch line economics across England and Scotland through 1969. Bachmann's award-winning OO gauge models (catalogue numbers 32-515 through 32-518) faithfully capture these historically significant vehicles across multiple livery variations, earning third place in Model Rail's "Model of the Decade" awards.

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.