The Great Central Railway was a big mover of goods and amongst the locomotives it built for this purpose were the 9J 0-6-0s. Nicknamed ‘Pom Poms’ because their exhaust noise sounded very similar to the guns of the same name, these freight workhorses are replicated in OO scale by Bachmann Branchline.
The 9Js carried all the hallmarks of a locomotive designed by the GCR’s Chief Mechanical Engineer John G. Robinson and these features are replicated on the Branchline model using a precision moulded boiler, smokebox and firebox mounted on a diecast metal running plate. The distinctive Robinson cab is another high-fidelity moulding, within which boiler backhead is replicated using an array of separately fitted pipework, controls and dials, all of which are enhanced further with bespoke decoration.
The GCR tender has a distinctive look too with its high capacity and flared top edges, and again these trademark features are captured in miniature using high-fidelity mouldings. Coupling to the locomotive via a drawbar that is adjustable to suit individual layout conditions, electrical connections are integrated into it and a hinged fallplate is also fitted to the tender. Across the model separate components are added, from the metal handrails and sprung metal buffers, to the lamp irons at the front and rear, to complete the look of this freight machine.
The locomotive’s diecast chassis is enhanced with brake blocks, brake rigging and sandboxes with separate wire sandpipes, whilst between the frames a representation of the inside motion is present. The black colour scheme with its ornate three-colour lining is reproduced to exquisite effect, with a rich and consistent finish throughout. The Great Central lettering and company crest on the tender is the icing on the cake, comprising no fewer than six separate colours and replicated using precision printing techniques for full authenticity.
The Branchline 9J runs as well as it looks thanks to a power full three pole motor and diecast metal gearbox. The locomotive driving wheels run in separate metal bearings and all six driving wheels are equipped with electrical pickups, tender pickups are included too. The tender houses a 21 Pin decoder socket and pre-fitted speaker, making it easy to upgrade this model to DCC or DCC sound, or why not opt for our SOUND FITTED model and the work’s done for you.
MODEL FEATURES:
- Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
- Era 2
- Pristine Great Central Railway Lined Black livery
- Running No. 295
- Smooth Smokebox Door with original Handwheel
- Top Front Lamp Iron mounted above the Smokebox Door
- Robinson Tapered Chimney
- Draught Retarder
- Original Tall Dome
- Ramsbottom Safety Valves
- Parallel Buffer Shanks with End Collars
- Central Rib on Cab Roof
- Tender fitted with Water Pick-Up Gear
- Powerful 3 Pole Motor
- Tender Pick-ups
- Adjustable Tender Drawbar
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Sprung Buffers
- Accessory Pack
- Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
- Equipped with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder 36-557A
- Length 220mm (over couplings)





