Bachmann 30-047

Tooling

In 2008, Bachmann introduced an upgraded Branchline Class 20, improving upon the original 2004 tooling. This version brought a number of refinements across detailing, mechanicals, and coachability to align with evolving model standards.

Tooling Features

Scale & Construction: OO gauge (1:76); plastic bodyshell with diecast chassis and bogies.
Detailing: Factory-fitted etched fan grills, piped handrails, lamp irons, tablet catcher apparatus, separate snowplough, and bufferbeam pipework.
Fully-detailed cab interior, window wipers, painted battery boxes, sandgear, footsteps, and chemically-blackened wheels.
Couplings: Tension-lock couplings in NEM pockets; sprung buffers added.

Mechanical & Electrical

Motor & Drive: Five-pole motor with twin shafts, all-axle drive via diecast gearbox and flywheels; all-wheel pickup.
Minimum Radius: Suitable for Radius 2 curved track (approx. 438 mm).
Weighting: Chassis-integrated ballast provides solid traction.
Lighting: Directional headlights (including high-intensity variants) at both ends, cabin lighting with selectable day/night mode.
Assembly: Body secured with screws; additional detailing parts included in a detailing pack.

DCC Capability

The 2008 tooling upgraded DCC readiness with a 21-pin socket and provision for a speaker. Lighting functions and pluggable wiring were designed around future decoder and sound installations.

Liveries Produced

This tooling supported an extensive range of genuine liveries, including:

• BR green (early & late crest)
• BR blue (disc and headcode box)
• Railfreight grey (including red stripe & triple-grey sectors)
• GB Railfreight, London Underground, Hunslet-Barclay, Waterman, DRS
• Limited editions such as London Transport and special scheme releases

Reviews & Commentary

Model reviews applauded the enhanced fine detailing, realistic underframe pipework, and fully glazed and lit cab interior. The improved running characteristics—especially low-speed performance—were highlighted, though minor cogging was occasionally noted during the slowest operation.

Media and Social Media

Unboxing videos and forum discussions underlined the step-up in quality versus the earlier tooling. Enthusiasts expressed particular appreciation for the DCC-ready socket, directional lighting, and the diversity of liveries offered. Some debates focused on the optionality of snowplough fittings and detailing pack usage for customisation.

Other Interesting Notes

• This upgrade marked Bachmann’s move to a 21-pin DCC interface, anticipating sound decoder adoption.
• Sprung buffers and improved bogie detailing were firsts for the Class 20 tooling.
• This tooling remained current—prior to the 2021 retooling—setting the benchmark for branchline diesel modelling.

Class & Prototype

The BR Class 20 (English Electric Type 1) served British railways from 1957-2025 as one of the most successful diesel designs ever built. With 228 locomotives constructed 1957-1968, these distinctive single-cab "hood units" became famous for their reliable English Electric 8SVT 1,000 hp engines, characteristic nose-to-nose paired operation, and beloved "Chopper" exhaust sound. They worked cross-London freights, Yorkshire coal trains, MGR operations, and modern nuclear flask services. Outstanding models available from Bachmann (OO), Graham Farish (N), and Heljan (O) in liveries from BR Green through DRS Blue.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Railways transformed Britain's fragmented rail network into a unified national system following nationalisation on 1st January 1948. Created from the "Big Four" companies under the Transport Act 1947, BR operated most of Great Britain's railways until rebranding as British Rail in 1965, managing over 20,000 route miles and inheriting nearly 20,000 locomotives of diverse designs.

The organisation pioneered standardisation through its revolutionary BR Standard locomotive programme (1951-1960), producing 999 advanced steam engines under Robert Riddles' direction. These included the versatile Britannia Pacifics, mighty 9F freight engines, and mixed-traffic classes that incorporated the best features from all predecessor companies. The 1955 Modernisation Plan accelerated diesel and electric traction development, creating fascinating mixed-traction operations.

Notable achievements included establishing unified locomotive classification systems, introducing distinctive corporate liveries, and managing the complex transition from steam to modern traction. BR's six regional structure preserved operational diversity whilst enabling standardisation of practices, signalling, and rolling stock that had eluded private enterprise for over a century.

The BR era represents steam traction's final flowering alongside emerging diesel technology, creating unparalleled locomotive variety. Today, this heritage remains highly popular with railway enthusiasts through extensive preserved fleets, heritage railway operations, and comprehensive model ranges from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Dapol, making BR subjects essential for authentic post-war British railway modelling across all scales.