Bachmann 31-090DS

Tooling

Bachmann introduced its OO gauge model of the Great Western Railway 32xx ‘Earl’ Class (also known as the Dukedog) around 2013–2014 under the Branchline range. The prototype locomotives, rebuilt between 1936 and 1939 at Swindon Works, combined Duke Class boilers with Bulldog Class frames to create a light 4-4-0 suitable for Cambrian lines. The class was notable for its outside frames and distinctive proportions, making it a popular subject for modellers and enthusiasts.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76)
• Construction: Heavy diecast chassis; injection-moulded bodyshell with separately fitted details
• Detailing: Factory-fitted handrails, pipework, copper-capped chimney, hinged tender fall-plate, decorated cab interior; etched nameplates on some versions
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers in NEM pockets

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: 3-pole motor in locomotive driving coupled wheels
• Weighting: Diecast chassis for good adhesion
• Minimum Radius: 2nd radius (approx. 438 mm)
• Lighting: None fitted
• Pickups: On driving and tender wheels

DCC Capability

• Standard: DCC Ready with 21-pin socket
• Sound Options: Later releases offered factory-fitted ESU Loksound V5 decoders with authentic steam sounds; 28 mm speaker provision in tender

Liveries Produced

Authentic liveries include:

• GWR Green (with ‘Shirtbutton’ logo)
• BR Black (plain and early emblem)
• Weathered BR Black variants
• Special editions based on preserved examples

Reviews & Community Commentary

The model was praised for accuracy, fine detailing, and smooth running. Enthusiasts highlighted the authentic outside-frame representation and robust mechanism. Criticism was minimal, mainly regarding the absence of lighting and incompatibility with first-radius curves.

Interesting Notes

• The prototype’s design arose from GWR’s need for light locomotives on Cambrian routes
• Only one real example survives: No. 9017 at the Bluebell Railway
• The tooling reflects preserved details, suitable for historical and preservation-era layouts

Summary

Bachmann’s GWR 32xx ‘Earl’ Class model combines historical authenticity with modern standards, offering fine detail, reliable performance, and full digital capability. It remains a popular choice for Great Western enthusiasts and collectors seeking a distinctive 4-4-0 for branch line operations.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The Great Western Railway (1835-1947) was Britain's most innovative railway company, engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel with his revolutionary 7ft ¼in broad gauge system. Known affectionately as "God's Wonderful Railway" and the "Holiday Line," the GWR connected London Paddington with the West Country, Wales, and Birmingham through 3,800 miles of superbly engineered routes.

Renowned for its Brunswick green locomotives, chocolate and cream carriages, and engineering excellence centred at Swindon Works, the GWR pioneered advanced steam technology under chief mechanical engineers Daniel Gooch, George Jackson Churchward, and Charles Collett. The company's legendary locomotive classes—including Castle, King, Hall, and Manor—established performance standards that influenced British locomotive design for decades.

The only "Big Four" railway to retain its original identity through the 1921 grouping, the GWR maintained its distinctive corporate culture until nationalisation in 1947. Today, the company's engineering legacy lives on through extensive preservation efforts, heritage railways, and detailed model railway recreations that celebrate the finest traditions of British steam railway operation.