◆GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆MODEL Bachmann Branchline 35-821ASFX Class 31/1 31149 Railfreight ‘red stripe’ ◆PRICE £199.95 (DCC-ready), £309.95 (DCC sound), £359.95 (DCC Sound Deluxe) ◆AVAILABILITY Bachmann stockists Web www.bachmann.co.uk

The arrival of Hornby’s super-detailed Class 31 in 2005 brought plenty of excitement but there was always a nagging feeling that the 1980s-era Lima version captured the essence of these characterful diesels more accurately. If only we could combine the best elements of the two versions to create a perfect ‘31’!

It was no wonder, therefore, that Accurascale’s forthcoming Brush Type 2 gathered plenty of attention, as it promised to surpass all previous attempts. And yet, Bachmann’s Class 31 – announced earlier this year – looks to have pipped it to the post, with models due to reach stockists imminently. The first batch includes a pair of Mirrleespowered Class 30s in original green, plus Rail Blue, Railfreight ‘red stripe’ and Railfreight sub-sector Class 31/1s. The ETH-equipped ‘31/4’ sub-class is included too, with Rail blue and Mainline Freight versions to choose from.

As with many of Bachmann’s most recent diesel releases, all of the ‘31s’ are available in three formats: DCC-ready, DCC sound ‐fitted and DCC sound ‐fitted deluxe. Our sample, kindly supplied by Bachmann, is a deluxe version of Railfreight ‘red stripe’ 31149, coincidentally a favourite prototype of mine from days gone by, ‘copped’ on the odd Trans-Pennine service in place of the usual blue ‘31/4’.

The deluxe package includes extra features, including a tinted coating to the cab windscreens and a radiator fan powered by a separate variable speed motor. However, the most exciting addition is the DCC-controlled automatic couplers – but more about these shortly.

YOU GOT THE LOOK

It’s immediately apparent that Bachmann’s design team has got the Class 31 down to a tee, no doubt building on the experience gleaned from the excellent Farish ‘N’ gauge Type 2. Dimensionally, the model is virtually spot on, but it’s the shape and proportions of the bodyshell and bogies that cement the deal, especially around the windscreen area, which has vexed other manufacturers in the past.