Bachmann 35-203ZSF

Tooling

In Summer 2021, Bachmann Branchline unveiled a completely new tooling for the LNER Class V2 in OO gauge, replacing the previous 2012 design. This retooling was developed to meet modern standards of accuracy, mechanical performance, and digital capability. The V2, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, was a mixed-traffic locomotive built between 1936 and 1944, and remains a favourite among enthusiasts for its versatility and wartime service.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76).
• Construction: High-fidelity injection-moulded bodyshell with a die-cast chassis block for strength and weight.
• Detailing: Separately fitted handrails, lamp irons, lubricators, and fine valve gear. Fully detailed cab interior with painted controls, seats, and glazing. Etched nameplates supplied for named locomotives.
• Couplings: NEM coupling pockets with tension-lock couplers; sprung buffers. Semi-permanent close-coupling drawbar between loco and tender with integrated electrical connections.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Powerful 5-pole motor with smooth gearing for reliable performance.
• Minimum Radius: Recommended for second radius curves (approx. 438 mm).
• Lighting: Firebox glow on analogue; firebox glow and flicker effects on DCC.
• Weighting: Die-cast chassis and tender components provide good traction.

DCC Capability

• DCC Ready with a 21-pin socket located in the tender.
• Factory-fitted sound versions available using ESU Loksound V5 decoders, offering a full suite of steam sounds and synchronized firebox lighting effects.

Liveries Produced

The 2021 tooling has been released in a range of authentic schemes, including:

• LNER Lined Green (original style)
• BR Lined Black (early emblem)
• BR Green (late crest)
• Special editions such as preserved No. 4771 “Green Arrow”

Reviews & Commentary

The new V2 was widely praised for its fine detailing, realistic cab interior, and improved mechanism. Features such as the firebox glow and sound options were highlighted as standout additions. However, some reviewers and forum discussions noted issues with overscale valve gear, visible boiler seam lines, and high pricing. Despite these criticisms, the model was considered a significant improvement over previous versions and a strong competitor in the premium OO steam market.

Interesting Notes

• The tooling includes options for different smokebox doors and tender types, allowing accurate representation of LNER and BR variants.
• Close-coupling mechanism between loco and tender improves realism and electrical reliability.

Class & Prototype

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.

British Railways' lined green livery continued for express passenger locomotives from 1956, painted in BS224 Deep Bronze Green (also known as Land Rover Deep Bronze Green) with orange and black lining, maintaining the prestigious finish for the railway's premier motive power. The livery was reserved for the most powerful express passenger classes, including Britannias, Castles, Kings, A4s, Merchant Navy Pacifics, and other premier locomotives rated for top-link express duties. From 1954 onwards, green became more widely adopted across the locomotive fleet, with some mixed-traffic engines also receiving the prestigious finish as regional freedom in livery matters increased following the 1953 Transport Act.

From mid-1956, these locomotives received the new "Lion and Crown" emblem (nicknamed the "Ferret and Dartboard"), a proper heraldic device registered with the College of Arms featuring a rampant lion emerging from a crown and holding a spoked wheel, all enclosed in a roundel with "British Railways" on bars either side. The emblem was positioned centrally on tender sides, with the heraldically correct lion facing left, though some locomotives initially received forward-facing applications during the transition period. Lettering and numbering remained in golden yellow Gill Sans Medium, maintaining the high-quality finish appropriate for express passenger duties. Regional variations in the shade of green occurred depending on which works applied the paint, the suppliers used, and the number of paint layers applied, creating subtle differences between locomotive classes and individual engines. This livery represented the final flowering of BR's steam-era corporate identity, combining technical excellence with heraldic dignity during the twilight years of express steam operations before the Rail Blue revolution of the mid-1960s.