Bachmann 32-476

Tooling

Bachmann introduced its OO gauge model of the British Rail Class 40 in 2003 as part of its Branchline range. This release marked a significant step forward from earlier models by other manufacturers, offering improved accuracy and detailing for one of British Railways’ most iconic diesel locomotives. The Class 40, known as the “Whistler,” was a mainstay of express passenger and heavy freight duties from the late 1950s through the 1980s, making it a popular choice for modellers of the transition and BR blue eras.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76).
• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with separately fitted details; diecast chassis for weight and stability.
• Detailing: Etched fan grille, separately applied handrails, lamp irons, jumper cables, and bufferbeam pipework (some supplied in accessory pack). Sprung buffers and detailed cab interiors with seats and glazing.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with tension-lock couplers.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Five-pole motor with twin flywheels, centrally mounted, driving all six axles via a robust gear train.
• Pickups: Electrical pickup on six of the eight axles.
• Minimum Radius: Second radius curves (approx. 438mm).
• Lighting: Directional headlights and tail lights, plus illuminated headcode panels.
• Weighting: Integrated within the diecast chassis for improved adhesion.

DCC Capability

DCC Ready with an 8-pin socket. Space was provided for a 20x40mm speaker for those wishing to add sound. Models were supplied with a blanking plate for DC operation.

Liveries Produced

• BR Green with early emblem (circa 1948–1957).
• BR Green with late crest (circa 1957–1972).
• BR Blue (circa 1965–1990).

Variants included disc headcode and centre headcode versions, with limited editions for enthusiast groups and magazines.

Reviews & Commentary

The 2003 tooling was widely praised for its accurate body shape, fine detailing, and smooth running qualities. Reviewers highlighted the etched fan grille and separately fitted parts as standout features. Some minor criticisms included slightly shallow bogie detail and occasional running-in issues, but overall reception was positive. Enthusiasts appreciated the model’s weight and haulage capability, making it suitable for prototypical long trains.

Media & Social Media

Contemporary reviews in magazines such as Hornby Magazine and online platforms noted the model as a major improvement over previous Class 40 offerings. Video reviews and user commentary on forums and YouTube often praised its robustness and ease of DCC conversion, though some users reported initial stalling before running-in.

Interesting Notes

The 2003 tooling remained in production for over a decade before being superseded by a major retooling in 2014. It established Bachmann as a leader in British diesel modelling during the early 2000s and remains a respected choice among collectors today.

Class & Prototype

British Rail Class 40 "Whistlers" were iconic diesel-electric locomotives that pioneered Britain's transition from steam to diesel traction between 1958-1985. Built by English Electric with distinctive turbocharger whistles and 2000hp engines, these 200 locomotives initially worked prestigious services like the Flying Scotsman before settling into secondary passenger and freight duties. Their conservative engineering prioritized reliability over power, leading to eventual displacement by more capable designs. Seven locomotives survive in preservation, while excellent model representations from Bachmann, Graham Farish, and Heljan serve railway modellers across all scales. The class remains beloved for its pioneering role, distinctive sound, and elegant styling that defined the early diesel era.

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.