Bachmann 31-925

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline model of the GWR 2251 Class, commonly known as the Collett Goods, was first introduced in 1998. This tooling represented a significant upgrade over earlier Mainline and Replica Railways versions, offering improved accuracy and detail. The prototype locomotives, designed by Charles Collett and introduced in 1930, were versatile 0-6-0 tender engines used for light freight and secondary passenger duties across the GWR and later BR Western Region.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76 scale).
• Construction: Ready-to-run plastic bodyshell with separately fitted details, metal chassis, and die-cast components for strength.
• Detailing: Accurate cab and boiler fittings, rivet detail, separately applied handrails, and prototypical Churchward or Collett tenders depending on version.
• Couplings: Standard tension-lock couplers in NEM pockets.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor & Drive: Early versions (1998 tooling) featured a CAN motor with a smooth worm-and-gear drive to all driving wheels.
• Minimum Radius: Second radius curves (approx. 438 mm).
• Lighting: No factory-fitted lighting.
• Weighting: Die-cast chassis provided good traction for freight duties.

DCC Capability

• Initial 1998 releases were DCC compatible but not socketed, requiring hard-wiring for digital control.
• From 2007 onwards, the tooling was upgraded to include an 8-pin DCC socket, marketed as “DCC Ready.”

Liveries Produced

The tooling has appeared in a wide range of authentic liveries, including:

• GWR Green (pre-1947, including shirtbutton and post-war styles).
• BR Black with Early Emblem (circa 1949–1957).
• BR Lined Green with Late Crest (post-1957).

Reviews & Commentary

Upon release, the Bachmann 2251 was praised for its fine detailing and smooth running compared to earlier split-chassis models. Enthusiasts noted its accurate proportions and improved cab detail. Later DCC-ready versions were welcomed for easier digital conversion. Some early criticisms focused on limited cab interior detail and lack of factory weathering, which Bachmann addressed in later runs.

Media & Social Media

The model has featured in numerous YouTube reviews and running sessions, often highlighted for its reliability and suitability for branch line layouts. Preservation links, such as No. 3205 on the West Somerset Railway, have boosted its popularity among GWR modellers.

Interesting Notes

• The 2251 tooling bridged the gap between older split-chassis designs and modern DCC-ready standards in Bachmann’s range.
• Variants have included weathered finishes and different tender types to reflect prototype changes.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

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.