Bachmann 32-005

Tooling

Announced in 2005, Bachmann’s tooling for the Great Western Railway (GWR) 49XX ‘Hall’ Class represented a significant upgrade in OO gauge steam locomotive modelling. The Hall Class, designed by Charles Collett in the 1920s, was a mixed-traffic workhorse of the GWR and later British Railways, making it a popular choice for modellers. Bachmann’s release aimed to deliver high fidelity detailing and modern mechanical standards for enthusiasts seeking authenticity and reliability.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76)
• Construction: High-fidelity plastic bodyshell with separately fitted metal details; metal running plate; authentic copper chimney cap
• Detailing: Separate handrails, lamp irons, steam pipes, splashers; detailed cab interior with glazed windows and decorated backhead; brake rigging and sandpipes included
• Tender: Collett design with separately fitted handrails, brake handle, water scoop; brake rigging present
• Couplings: NEM pockets with tension-lock couplers; adjustable tender drawbar
• Buffers: Sprung buffers on locomotive and tender

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: Powerful 3-pole can motor located in the locomotive
• Drive: Loco-driven wheels with electrical pickup from all six driving wheels
• Minimum Radius: Second radius (approx. 438 mm)
• Weighting: Internal chassis weights for adhesion
• Lighting: No factory lighting provision

DCC Capability

• DCC Ready with 8-pin socket (recommended decoder: Bachmann 36-566A)
• No factory sound or speaker provision

Liveries Produced

The tooling has supported a wide range of authentic liveries across GWR and BR eras, including:

• GWR Lined Green with “Great Crest Western” branding
• BR Green (early and late crests)
• BR Black (early and late emblems)
• Special editions and weathered variants

Reviews & Commentary

The Bachmann Hall Class has been praised for its accurate proportions, fine detailing, and smooth running. Community feedback on forums such as RMweb generally favours Bachmann over competing models for its fidelity and reliability. YouTube showcases and retailer reviews highlight its strong haulage capability and excellent finish, though some note the absence of factory lighting and sound as a limitation for modern DCC layouts.

Interesting Notes

• Etched nameplates and numberplates supplied for optional fitment
• Accessory pack included with additional detailing parts
• Models based on preserved prototypes, enhancing appeal for heritage layouts

Bachmann's Description & Specifications

The GWR 49XX Hall Class was one of the Great Western Railway’s (GWR) most successful mixed traffic steam locomotives, making it a fitting subject for this Bachmann Branchline OO Scale model. A high level of detail is exhibited throughout the Branchline model, starting with the metal running plate onto which separate components like the steam pipes, splashers and metal lamp brackets are fitted. The boiler, firebox and cab are all high fidelity plastic mouldings, sporting separate metal handrails and handrail knobs, whilst an authentic copper cap is fitted to the chimney. Inside the cab, separate glazing is employed and the detailed boiler backhead is finished with appropriate decoration to the various controls, pipes and gauges.

Below the running plate and the 4-6-0 wheel formation is reproduced authentically, with metal valve gear and separate metal sandpipes along with sandboxes – brake rigging is included too. Powered by a 3 pole motor, electrical pickup comes from all six driving wheels and the locomotive to tender drawbar is adjustable to suit different running conditions. Talking of the tender the version modelled is a detailed rendition of the prototype, with handrails, brake handle, water scoop and operating handle all added separately, and again brake rigging is included. Sprung buffers can be found on both the locomotive and tender.

The livery is applied to the model in all its glory to an exceptional standard, utilising authentic colours, typefaces and logos to really bring this Hall Class locomotive to life. Nameplates and numberplates are printed on the model, with etched versions of each supplied with every model for optional fitment.

Class & Prototype

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.

British Railways' lined green livery was designated for express passenger locomotives from 1949, painted in BS224 Deep Bronze Green (also known as Land Rover Deep Bronze Green) with orange and black lining, contrary to popular misconceptions about it being GWR Brunswick Green. Official BR documentation described this as "Dark Green lined Black and Orange" for selected express passenger steam locomotives, with the lining following GWR-style patterns but with distinct BR specifications. The "Lion and Wheel" emblem (nicknamed the "Cycling Lion") adorned these prestigious locomotives from early 1949, showing a lion standing over a spoked wheel with "British Railways" lettering across the centre.

Only the most powerful passenger classes received this elaborate livery—on the Western Region, this included Kings, Castles, and Stars, whilst other regions applied it to their premier express types like Coronations, A4s, A3s, A1s, and Merchant Navy Pacifics. Initially, the most prestigious locomotives of each region were actually painted in Sky Blue with black and white lining, but this proved unpopular and was quickly superseded by the green scheme. The emblem was positioned centrally on tender sides above the middle axle box, with regional variations in size preference—the Western Region favoured larger emblems whilst other regions typically used smaller versions. Lettering and numbering appeared in golden yellow Gill Sans Medium, normally outlined in black where the background wasn't black. This prestigious livery represented BR's finest locomotives until the corporate identity changed in 1956, making it essential for authentic early BR express passenger operations in model form.