◆ GAUGE ‘OO’

◆ MODEL Bachmann Branchline BR Class 47/0

◆ PRICE £239.95

◆ AVAILABILITY Bachmann stockists

Web www.bachmann.co.uk

Did we really need another Class 47 in ‘OO’? We’ve certainly been spoiled with options over the past 20-odd years, thanks to Lima, Hornby, Heljan, ViTrains and Bachmann. Each model has had its good and bad points, with Bachmann’s possibly being the pick of the bunch in terms of overall specification, although some may disagree!

With Heljan currently develop- ing an all-new ‘47’, it came as a surprise when Bachmann announced that it, too, had been working on a new Brush Type 4.

Therefore, I’ve been eagerly anticipating how the model would shape up. With bold promises of unrivalled authentic- ity and a decent ‘47’ already in the range, the new version certainly has a lot to live up to.

The Class 47 was, by some margin, British Rail’s most numerous main line diesel fleet.

Enjoying a long and distinguished career, there are endless livery options and a good many detail variations too, making the ‘47’ an ideal addition to a model manufacturer’s catalogue.

Bachmann’s new tooling will cater for each of the main sub-classes, including the original ‘47/0’ and the freight-only ‘47/3’, plus the electric heat ‘47/4’, as well as other important versions.

Received for review is D1565, a Class 47/0 in stylish original two-tone green with small yellow panels. Other ‘47/0s’ in this first batch include BR blue 47012 and Railfreight Construction Sector 47004.

BRUSHING UP

There’s a tangible sense of quality when this new Brush Type 4 is removed from its box, in terms of the exquisite level of finish and general profile. It really does look like a ‘47’ and there are none of the shape issues around the windscreens and bufferbeams that have let down previous attempts from various manufacturers. The other noticeable difference is in the greater amount of detail to be found below the body, but we’ll come to the nitty gritty of the underframe shortly.