Bachmann 31-129

Great Western Railway 3000 3031 Great Western Railway Green

Contents

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline GWR 3000 Class 'ROD' 2-8-0 was first announced in 2011 as part of a broader programme of new tooling and upgrades. This model represents the ex-Railway Operating Division (ROD) heavy freight locomotives that were absorbed into Great Western Railway service post-WWI. The tooling was developed to reflect the robust and utilitarian nature of these wartime engines, which were based on the Great Central Railway Robinson 8K design.

Tooling Features

  • Scale: OO Gauge (1:76)
  • Construction: Die-cast chassis with plastic body shell
  • Detailing: Finely moulded pipework, separately fitted handrails, brake rigging, and tender detailing
  • Couplings: NEM pockets with tension lock couplers
  • Finish: Offered in both pristine and weathered finishes

Mechanical & Electrical

  • Motor: Centrally mounted motor driving the locomotive’s driving wheels
  • Drive: All-wheel drive with pickups on both locomotive and tender
  • Minimum Radius: Suitable for second radius curves (438mm)
  • Lighting: No directional or interior lighting fitted
  • Weighting: Adequately weighted for reliable traction and haulage

DCC Capability

  • DCC Ready: 21-pin MTC socket located in the tender
  • Sound: Space and speaker connections provided for aftermarket sound decoder installation

Liveries Produced

  • GWR Green with "Great Western" lettering (e.g., No. 3031, No. 3028)
  • BR Black with Early Emblem (e.g., No. 3023, No. 3036)

Reviews & Commentary

  • Sam'sTrains Review: Praised the model for its smooth running and value for money, especially in DCC operation. Watch the review.
  • User Feedback: eBay reviews consistently rated the model highly for quality and performance, especially among GWR modellers.

Additional Notes

  • Some early models experienced DCC wiring issues, which were later corrected in subsequent production runs.
  • The tooling was part of Bachmann’s effort to expand its heavy freight locomotive offerings and fill a gap in WWI-era British motive power.

The Bachmann GWR 3000 'ROD' tooling remains a popular choice for modellers interested in wartime and early BR freight operations, offering a blend of historical significance and solid performance.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 3031

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.