Bachmann 31-853

Tooling

The Bachmann Branchline LNER Class J39 was introduced in 1994 as part of Bachmann’s early OO gauge range. The prototype, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, was a mixed-traffic 0-6-0 locomotive built between 1926 and 1941, with 289 examples serving across the LNER and later British Railways until withdrawal by 1962. The model represented Bachmann’s commitment to expanding its steam portfolio during the 1990s, targeting modellers of the Big Four and early BR eras.

Tooling Features

• Scale: OO gauge (1:76)
• Construction: Die-cast split chassis with plastic body and tender
• Detailing: Separate handrails, lamp brackets, vacuum pipes, and cab glazing; weathered variants offered later
• Couplings: Slim tension-lock couplers fitted to NEM pockets on later runs
• Tender Options: Flat-sided and stepped tenders produced to reflect prototype variations

Mechanical & Electrical

• Drive: Split-frame chassis powering the driving wheels via a centrally mounted motor
• Motor: Traditional Bachmann can motor for smooth running and good haulage
• Minimum Radius: Recommended second radius (approx. 438 mm)
• Lighting: No directional or cab lighting
• Weighting: Substantial due to split chassis design, aiding traction
• Pickups: Locomotive only; no tender pickups

DCC Capability

• Factory Status: Not DCC-ready; conversion requires isolating the motor from the chassis
• Challenges: Split chassis design makes installation complex, often requiring hardwiring and insulation

Liveries Produced

• LNER Black (1923–1947)
• BR Plain Black (1948–1980)
• BR Black with Early Emblem (1949–1957)
• BR Black with Late Crest (1957–1968)
• Pristine and weathered finishes across multiple catalogue numbers

Reviews & Commentary

The J39 tooling was praised for its accuracy and weight, delivering strong performance on layouts. Reviewers noted smooth running and good controllability, though lack of tender pickups and non-DCC compatibility were common criticisms. Weathering quality was highlighted as effective for realistic BR-era scenes. Overall ratings averaged around 8/10 in enthusiast reviews.

Media & Social Media

The model remains a topic of discussion in forums and YouTube reviews, often described as “a venerable classic” that still holds appeal despite dated chassis technology. Conversion guides and running tips are widely shared among modellers.

Interesting Notes

• The J39 was among Bachmann’s first OO steam models to adopt split chassis technology, a hallmark of its early tooling era
• Despite age, many examples remain in service on layouts, valued for reliability and prototype versatility

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

The London & North Eastern Railway emerged in 1923 as Britain's second-largest railway company, combining seven major railways including the Great Northern, North Eastern, and Great Eastern into a 6,590-mile network stretching from London's four terminals to the Scottish Highlands. Despite serving economically challenged industrial regions, the LNER achieved worldwide recognition for engineering excellence and speed records that remain unbroken today.

Under Chief Mechanical Engineers Sir Nigel Gresley, Edward Thompson, and Arthur Peppercorn, the LNER developed revolutionary locomotive designs characterised by three-cylinder layouts and streamlined aesthetics. Gresley's masterpieces included the A1 Pacifics featuring Flying Scotsman and the legendary A4 class, culminating in Mallard's world steam speed record of 126 mph in 1938.

The company pioneered luxury express services including the Silver Jubilee and Coronation streamliners, whilst investing in forward-thinking electrification schemes and massive marshalling yards. Notable achievements included operating the complete East Coast Main Line, introducing Britain's first regular 400-mile non-stop service, and commissioning Eric Gill's iconic typography that influenced railway design for decades.

Nationalised in 1948, LNER locomotives continued serving British Railways until the 1960s, with some A4 Pacifics working Scottish expresses until 1966. Today, the LNER's engineering legacy thrives through extensive preservation, new-build projects like Tornado, and comprehensive model ranges covering every major class in all popular scales, making LNER subjects essential for discerning railway modellers seeking authentic British steam-age atmosphere.

The LNER plain black livery emerged as a practical economy measure that ultimately became the most widely applied colour scheme in the company's history. Initially introduced for goods engines in 1928 to reduce painting costs and labour time, this austere unlined black finish dispensed with decorative red lining whilst retaining the basic yellow lettering and "L N E R" tender markings. The livery reflected the harsh economic realities facing the LNER, particularly as the company served Britain's struggling industrial regions during the depression years of the 1930s.

The plain black scheme reached its zenith during World War II when, from 1941 onwards, austerity measures mandated that all locomotive classes receive unlined black paint regardless of their previous prestigious liveries. The transformation was dramatic – even the magnificent streamlined A4 Pacifics like Mallard and Flying Scotsman were painted in stark black, their elegant engineering unchanged but their glamorous appearance replaced by wartime utility. The austerity deepened in October 1943 when tender lettering was reduced from "L N E R" to simply "N E", halving material usage and painting time whilst creating one of the most recognisable images of Britain's wartime railways. For modellers, this livery authentically represents the challenging economic and wartime periods, offering dramatic visual impact and historical accuracy when depicting late 1920s freight operations, 1930s depression-era scenes, or the austere years of 1941-1947 when Britain's railways prioritised function over form.