Bachmann 32-254

Tooling

Bachmann Branchline introduced its OO gauge model of the War Department Austerity 2-8-0 in 1996. This model represented one of the most prolific wartime freight locomotives, originally designed by R.A. Riddles for the Ministry of Supply during World War II. The tooling was developed to capture the rugged and utilitarian nature of the prototype, which was based on the LMS 8F but simplified for wartime production.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76)
• Construction: Plastic body with separately fitted details; die-cast chassis
• Detailing: Includes handrails, valve gear, piping, and removable coal load; some versions featured additional region-specific details such as Westinghouse brake gear and window shutters
• Couplings: NEM pockets with Bachmann tension-lock or EZ-mate knuckle couplers depending on release

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Five-pole skew-wound motor (CAN motor)
• Drive: All-wheel drive via central motor and gear tower
• Minimum Radius: Suitable for second radius curves (approx. 438mm)
• Lighting: Some versions included directional lighting; tender lighting on select models
• Weighting: Moderate weight for good traction; tender free-floating with drawbar connection

DCC Capability

The original tooling was DCC compatible but not DCC ready. No decoder socket was provided, requiring hard-wiring for digital conversion. Space inside the body was limited, and installation required removal of the factory PCB and careful placement of the decoder above the motor.

Liveries Produced

Numerous liveries were released using this tooling, including:

• War Department Khaki and Green
• Longmoor Military Railway Blue
• LNER Black
• BR Black (early and late crests)
• Nederlandse Spoorwegen Green
• Kowloon Canton Railway Green (Limited Edition)

Reviews

Contemporary reviews praised the model's pulling power, smooth running, and overall detailing, though some noted fragility in separately fitted parts and challenges with DCC conversion. The model was considered a strong performer for freight operations and well-suited to layouts depicting post-war or military themes.

Media & Commentary

The model has featured in various YouTube running sessions and enthusiast blogs. The KCR version, released around 2000, received particular attention for its unique packaging and commemorative nature. Social media commentary often highlights the model's historical significance and its role in representing wartime logistics on model railways.

Additional Notes

• Packaging for limited editions included wooden presentation boxes and certificates
• Some models included user-fit accessories such as brake rigging
• Despite its age, the tooling remained popular until its retooling in 2012

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The London & North Eastern Railway emerged in 1923 as Britain's second-largest railway company, combining seven major railways including the Great Northern, North Eastern, and Great Eastern into a 6,590-mile network stretching from London's four terminals to the Scottish Highlands. Despite serving economically challenged industrial regions, the LNER achieved worldwide recognition for engineering excellence and speed records that remain unbroken today.

Under Chief Mechanical Engineers Sir Nigel Gresley, Edward Thompson, and Arthur Peppercorn, the LNER developed revolutionary locomotive designs characterised by three-cylinder layouts and streamlined aesthetics. Gresley's masterpieces included the A1 Pacifics featuring Flying Scotsman and the legendary A4 class, culminating in Mallard's world steam speed record of 126 mph in 1938.

The company pioneered luxury express services including the Silver Jubilee and Coronation streamliners, whilst investing in forward-thinking electrification schemes and massive marshalling yards. Notable achievements included operating the complete East Coast Main Line, introducing Britain's first regular 400-mile non-stop service, and commissioning Eric Gill's iconic typography that influenced railway design for decades.

Nationalised in 1948, LNER locomotives continued serving British Railways until the 1960s, with some A4 Pacifics working Scottish expresses until 1966. Today, the LNER's engineering legacy thrives through extensive preservation, new-build projects like Tornado, and comprehensive model ranges covering every major class in all popular scales, making LNER subjects essential for discerning railway modellers seeking authentic British steam-age atmosphere.

The LNER plain black livery emerged as a practical economy measure that ultimately became the most widely applied colour scheme in the company's history. Initially introduced for goods engines in 1928 to reduce painting costs and labour time, this austere unlined black finish dispensed with decorative red lining whilst retaining the basic yellow lettering and "L N E R" tender markings. The livery reflected the harsh economic realities facing the LNER, particularly as the company served Britain's struggling industrial regions during the depression years of the 1930s.

The plain black scheme reached its zenith during World War II when, from 1941 onwards, austerity measures mandated that all locomotive classes receive unlined black paint regardless of their previous prestigious liveries. The transformation was dramatic – even the magnificent streamlined A4 Pacifics like Mallard and Flying Scotsman were painted in stark black, their elegant engineering unchanged but their glamorous appearance replaced by wartime utility. The austerity deepened in October 1943 when tender lettering was reduced from "L N E R" to simply "N E", halving material usage and painting time whilst creating one of the most recognisable images of Britain's wartime railways. For modellers, this livery authentically represents the challenging economic and wartime periods, offering dramatic visual impact and historical accuracy when depicting late 1920s freight operations, 1930s depression-era scenes, or the austere years of 1941-1947 when Britain's railways prioritised function over form.