Bachmann 32-035KDS

Tooling

In 2008, Bachmann introduced an upgraded Branchline Class 20, improving upon the original 2004 tooling. This version brought a number of refinements across detailing, mechanicals, and coachability to align with evolving model standards.

Tooling Features

Scale & Construction: OO gauge (1:76); plastic bodyshell with diecast chassis and bogies.
Detailing: Factory-fitted etched fan grills, piped handrails, lamp irons, tablet catcher apparatus, separate snowplough, and bufferbeam pipework.
Fully-detailed cab interior, window wipers, painted battery boxes, sandgear, footsteps, and chemically-blackened wheels.
Couplings: Tension-lock couplings in NEM pockets; sprung buffers added.

Mechanical & Electrical

Motor & Drive: Five-pole motor with twin shafts, all-axle drive via diecast gearbox and flywheels; all-wheel pickup.
Minimum Radius: Suitable for Radius 2 curved track (approx. 438 mm).
Weighting: Chassis-integrated ballast provides solid traction.
Lighting: Directional headlights (including high-intensity variants) at both ends, cabin lighting with selectable day/night mode.
Assembly: Body secured with screws; additional detailing parts included in a detailing pack.

DCC Capability

The 2008 tooling upgraded DCC readiness with a 21-pin socket and provision for a speaker. Lighting functions and pluggable wiring were designed around future decoder and sound installations.

Liveries Produced

This tooling supported an extensive range of genuine liveries, including:

• BR green (early & late crest)
• BR blue (disc and headcode box)
• Railfreight grey (including red stripe & triple-grey sectors)
• GB Railfreight, London Underground, Hunslet-Barclay, Waterman, DRS
• Limited editions such as London Transport and special scheme releases

Reviews & Commentary

Model reviews applauded the enhanced fine detailing, realistic underframe pipework, and fully glazed and lit cab interior. The improved running characteristics—especially low-speed performance—were highlighted, though minor cogging was occasionally noted during the slowest operation.

Media and Social Media

Unboxing videos and forum discussions underlined the step-up in quality versus the earlier tooling. Enthusiasts expressed particular appreciation for the DCC-ready socket, directional lighting, and the diversity of liveries offered. Some debates focused on the optionality of snowplough fittings and detailing pack usage for customisation.

Other Interesting Notes

• This upgrade marked Bachmann’s move to a 21-pin DCC interface, anticipating sound decoder adoption.
• Sprung buffers and improved bogie detailing were firsts for the Class 20 tooling.
• This tooling remained current—prior to the 2021 retooling—setting the benchmark for branchline diesel modelling.

Class & Prototype

The BR Class 20 (English Electric Type 1) served British railways from 1957-2025 as one of the most successful diesel designs ever built. With 228 locomotives constructed 1957-1968, these distinctive single-cab "hood units" became famous for their reliable English Electric 8SVT 1,000 hp engines, characteristic nose-to-nose paired operation, and beloved "Chopper" exhaust sound. They worked cross-London freights, Yorkshire coal trains, MGR operations, and modern nuclear flask services. Outstanding models available from Bachmann (OO), Graham Farish (N), and Heljan (O) in liveries from BR Green through DRS Blue.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.

BR Blue, also known as Rail Blue or Monastral Blue, was introduced in 1965 as part of British Rail's comprehensive corporate identity overhaul that accompanied the rebranding from British Railways to British Rail. The colour was officially defined by British Standards BR28/6001 (airless spray finish) and BR28/5321 (brush finish), representing a dark, greyish blue tone specifically chosen to hide dirt and weathering effects well.

The livery was prototyped on the experimental XP64 train in 1964 before becoming the standard scheme from 1 January 1965. Rail Blue was applied to all diesel and electric locomotives with yellow warning panels (initially small, then extending to full yellow ends from 1966). The standardised application included the iconic double arrow logo and Rail Alphabet typeface, creating one of the most successful transport corporate identities of the 20th century.

The livery dominated British Rail operations for over two decades until sectorisation in the 1980s began fragmenting the unified appearance. Despite initial colour fading problems in early applications, these were resolved by the late 1970s when the Large Logo variant was introduced featuring extended yellow areas and full-height double arrow symbols. Rail Blue's enduring appeal among railway enthusiasts reflects its role as the definitive British Rail image during the organisation's most unified period.