Graham Farish 371-051

Tooling

The Graham Farish British Rail Class 04 diesel shunter was introduced to the N gauge range in 2007 by Bachmann under the Graham Farish brand. This tooling represented a significant step forward in detail and accuracy compared to earlier Farish models, aimed at capturing the distinctive features of the Drewry-built shunters that served British Railways from the 1950s through the early 1970s.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with metal components; chassis combines plastic and metal for strength and weight.
• Detailing: Factory-fitted separate details including etched radiator grille, lamp irons, exhausts, handrails, horns, bufferbeam detail, pipework front and rear, cab interior, detailed glazing, brake rigging, sanding gear, and chemically blackened wheels.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with standard N gauge Rapido-style couplers.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Can motor mounted centrally in the chassis.
• Drive: All wheels powered via a reliable gear train; pickups on all wheels.
• Weighting: Incorporated within the chassis for improved adhesion.
• Lighting: No directional lighting on this tooling.

DCC Capability

The original 2007 tooling was DCC incompatible out of the box, with no decoder socket provided. Conversion required hard-wiring a decoder, and specialist fitting services were commonly offered by retailers. Later updates (covered separately) introduced DCC-ready chassis.

Liveries Produced

The 2007 tooling was released in multiple authentic liveries reflecting the prototype’s working life:

• BR Black with early emblem (Era 4).
• BR Green with late crest (Era 5).
• BR Blue with wasp stripes (Era 6).
• Industrial yellow for National Coal Board (Era 6/7).

Reviews & Commentary

Contemporary reviews praised the model’s fine detailing and accurate proportions, noting the etched grille and separately fitted parts as standout features for N gauge at the time. Running qualities were generally considered smooth for such a small locomotive, though some users reported limited haulage capacity due to its size. Enthusiasts on forums such as RMweb highlighted its ability to perform reliable slow-speed shunting, often outperforming similar small shunters in analogue operation.

Media & Social Media

Video reviews and discussions on platforms like YouTube and RMweb showcased the model’s appearance and performance. Collectors appreciated the authentic livery application and crisp printing. While the lack of factory DCC provision was a common criticism, many modellers undertook conversions successfully.

Interesting Notes

• The tooling marked a transition period for Graham Farish, reflecting Bachmann’s investment in improving N gauge fidelity.
• Despite being superseded by a 2022 retooling, the 2007 version remains popular among collectors for its charm and historical significance.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

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.