Silver Sidelines

Continuing with my north east themed running sessions I have unboxed Bachmann’s 15th Anniversary Set. Bachmann D396 and 60143 Bachmann marketed the set in 2004 to celebrate the first 15 years of Bachmann Branchline (1989 to 2004). The set comprises two Gateshead shedded locomotives, A1 Pacific 60143 Sir Walter Scott and D396 Type 4 English Electric Diesel (later Class 40). Both locomotives are of types that would have hauled the Tees-Tyne Pullman around 1960. Bachmann 15th Anniversary Edition Set Interestingly the Limited Edition Certificate contained in the set and shown below details the Type 4 locomotive as being D369 in contrast to D396 which was actually provided in the set. Bachmann 15th Anniversary Edition Set – close up of certificate Coming from the north east of England I am well pleased with Bachmann’s choice of models. However I have not found any obvious link between the Tees-Tyne Pullman and Bachmann Branchline’s...

I have spent some time these last few days searching unsuccessfully through boxes for an old calendar. I have in mind a Dalesman Publishing Company calendar from the late 1990s. It had a picture of the then recently proposed 60163 ‘Tornado’ in BR green livery with Late Crest heading a rake of maroon Mk1s on the Skipton Carlisle line. Sadly I think I can remember parting with the calendar during a recent decluttering exercise. Never mind, it is the memory that counts. Whilst the picture was not particularly outstanding it acted as a catalyst and encouraged me to seek out and purchase one of Bachmann’s original models of Tornado (32-550), produced in support of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust 2001. Bachmann 60158 ‘Aberdonian’, the first member of the Class to arrive on the layout Coming from the north east of England I think Thompson’s A1 Pacifics are one of the best locomotives to run on British Railways. I am also of the opinion that the Bachmann model captures their image to near ...

Following my last post with ideas for improving the haulage capacity of the Bachmann A4s (old and new) I am suggesting ways here which I think improve the performance of the Bachmann A1s. A1 Silurian Darlington Bank Top early 1960s Coming from the North East I have to say that I think Thompson’s A1 Pacifics were one of the most handsome and certainly most powerful engines to grace the East Coast Mainline.   The photograph above dating from around 1961 shows Silurian, 60121, at the south end of Darlington Station (light engine), waiting for the right of way back to its Home Shed 50A, York. I am very impressed with my Bachmann A1 models which seem to both capture the character and the power of the prototype engines.   Having said all that I still found it necessary to make a few alterations to improve their tractive effort The first and most obvious alteration to make is to remove the two springs, one from the front bogie, and the other from the ...