Bachmann 31-931

Tooling

In 2011, Bachmann Branchline introduced an all-new OO gauge tooling for the Midland Railway 1000 Class, commonly known as the ‘Midland Compound’. This 4-4-0 locomotive was a landmark design by Samuel W. Johnson and later modified by Richard Deeley, featuring a three-cylinder compound arrangement. The prototype served under Midland Railway, LMS, and British Railways, making it a popular subject for modellers seeking pre-grouping through BR steam era representations.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76).
• Construction: High-quality plastic bodyshell with separately fitted details; die-cast chassis for weight and stability.
• Detailing: Fine rivet detail, accurate cab interior, sprung buffers, and NEM coupling pockets.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with tension-lock couplers supplied.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Smooth-running motor housed in the locomotive, driving the coupled wheels via a gear train.
• Minimum Radius: Second radius curves (approx. 450 mm) recommended.
• Lighting: No factory-fitted lighting.
• Weighting: Die-cast chassis provides good adhesion for prototypical haulage.
• Running-in: Recommended one hour in each direction before regular use.

DCC Capability

• Socket: 21-pin MTC socket located in the tender.
• Sound: Space provided in the tender for a speaker; compatible with sound decoders.
• Operation: DCC Ready; some versions supplied DCC-fitted or sound-equipped.

Liveries Produced

• Midland Railway Crimson Lake (including NRM exclusive No. 1000).
• LMS Crimson Lake.
• LMS Black.
• BR Black (Early Emblem).
• BR Black (Late Crest).

Reviews & Commentary

Positive Feedback: Praised for accurate proportions, crisp detailing, and smooth running at moderate speeds.

Criticism: Some users report jerky performance at very low speeds on DC, often improved after running-in or decoder adjustment.

Media Coverage: Featured in YouTube reviews and enthusiast forums, where collectors highlight its fine finish and historical appeal.

Interesting Notes

• Includes accessory pack with optional detailing parts such as vacuum pipes and dummy couplings.
• Adjustable tender drawbar for different curve radii.
• Recommended for ages 14+, reflecting its fine detail and handling requirements.

Summary

Bachmann’s 2011 Midland Compound tooling remains a benchmark for pre-grouping and LMS-era modelling, combining historical accuracy with modern features like DCC readiness and provision for sound. Its broad livery range and strong detailing make it a favourite among collectors and layout builders.

Class & Prototype

The Midland Railway 1000 Class represents Britain's most successful compound locomotive design, with 45 locomotives built at Derby Works 1902-1909. Samuel Johnson's original five compounds pioneered the three-cylinder system that Richard Deeley refined with his ingenious automatic starting arrangement. These elegant 4-4-0 express passenger engines excelled on the challenging Settle-Carlisle route and demonstrated superior fuel economy in rigorous 1924-1925 comparative trials, inspiring 195 additional LMS compounds. Only No. 1000 survives in preservation at the National Railway Museum. Excellent OO gauge models available from Bachmann Branchline (£100-120, DCC Ready with 21-pin socket) and Hornby Railways (£75-100, budget Railroad range), offering authentic representation across Midland crimson lake, LMS maroon, and BR lined black liveries spanning five decades of British railway history.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) was Britain's largest railway company from 1923-1948, formed by merging over 120 independent railways under the Railways Act 1921. Operating 7,790 route miles across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the LMS became the world's largest transport organisation and the British Empire's biggest commercial enterprise. Famous for iconic locomotives like the streamlined Princess Coronation class, versatile Black Fives, and Royal Scots, the company evolved from inherited pre-grouping designs to revolutionary Stanier innovations. The LMS operated major routes including the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Scotland, serving as the UK's second-largest employer after the Post Office. Nationalised in 1948 to form British Railways' London Midland Region, the LMS legacy continues through extensive preservation efforts and remains a favourite subject for railway modellers seeking authentic British steam-age prototypes.

The LMS plain black livery served as the standard finish for freight locomotives and represented practical railway economics during the company's existence. Applied without lining or embellishment, this utilitarian scheme recognised that goods engines operated in inherently dirty conditions where elaborate paintwork proved both expensive and impractical.

Most LMS freight classes including the ubiquitous 0-6-0 goods engines, 0-8-0 heavy freight locomotives, and tank engines used for shunting duties wore plain black throughout their service lives. The scheme extended beyond locomotives to goods wagons, where black paint provided adequate weather protection at minimal cost.

During World War II, plain black became increasingly common as material shortages and wartime economies forced the abandonment of more elaborate liveries. Even some passenger locomotives temporarily adopted unlined black finishes when crimson lake supplies became unavailable. The practical benefits of black paint - its ability to hide dirt, soot, and industrial grime - made it ideal for locomotives working coal trains, mineral traffic, and heavy industrial duties.

For modellers, plain black represents the workhorse reality of LMS operations, particularly appropriate for freight yards, colliery branches, and industrial settings where authentic weathering and operational realism take precedence over passenger train glamour.