This Bachmann Collectors Club Limited Edition model is launched to coincide with the 60th Anniversary of XP64, portraying the Class 47 locomotive that hauled the prototype train in 1964.
The XP64 train comprised a series of eight experimental coaches which showcased BR’s new corporate Blue & Grey colour scheme, hauled by a specially-liveried Class 47 No. D1733, which was built at Brush Falcon Works in Loughborough and was out-shopped in primer in April 1964, being despatched to Deby Works for painting into the new XP64 Experimental Blue Livery.
The official launch of XP64 took place in May 1964 with No. D1733 hauling a train of matching blue & grey coaches around the country to gauge public opinion of the new coaches and corporate livery. Whilst a Blue & Grey colour scheme was adopted for coaches, BR chose a darker shade of blue for locomotives and although the double arrow logo remained, the red background was dropped.
This new model takes advantage of recent developments to the Graham Farish Class 47 which include several technical advancements, with an upgraded specification which now boasts a Next18 DCC decoder interface, pre-fitted speaker, cab lighting (when used on DCC) and independent control of the directional lights at each end. With the Next18 interface and pre-fitted speaker, SOUND FITTED models can now be offered for the first time.
- Graham Farish N Scale
- Era 5
- Pristine XP64 Experimental Blue livery
- Running No. D1733
- Equipped with a Next18 DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-567A
- Length 130mm
- Bachmann Collectors Club Limited Edition – 300 Certificated Pieces
DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL
- Glazed Headcode Panels displaying Blinds 1X95 and 3T41
- Double Arm Windscreen Wipers
- Round Buffers
- Full Cab Roof Vents
- Original Three-Piece Radiator Grilles
- Ribbed Exhaust Panels
- Spanner Mk3 Boiler Port
- 1,200 Gallon Water Tanks
- Open Bogie-mounted Cab Steps
GRAHAM FARISH CLASS 47 SPECIFICATION
MECHANISM:
- Coreless, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to both bogies
- All axle drive
- Electrical pickup from eight wheels
- Diecast metal chassis block
- Gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
- 9mm (N gauge) wheels to NEM310 standards with authentic profile and detailing
- Bogie-mounted coupling pockets to NEM355 standards at each end
- Designed to operate on curves of second radius (263.5mm) or greater
DETAILING:
- Bogies constructed from multiple components featuring full relief detail
- Separately applied detail parts, including lamp irons, cab handrails and roof aerial (where applicable)
- Separately fitted battery box/water/fuel tank assembly
- Cab Interior Detailing
- Each model supplied with a full set of model-specific bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts
LIGHTING:
- Directional lighting, switchable on/off at either end on DCC or Analogue control
- Cab lighting, switchable on/off (when used on DCC only)
- Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each model based on era and application
DCC:
- Next18 DCC decoder interface
SOUND:
- Speaker installed in all models for optimum sound reproduction
- ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED versions
- Sound files produced specifically for the Graham Farish Class 47 using recordings from real locomotives
- SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied
LIVERY APPLICATION:
- Authentic liveries applied to all models
- Multiple paint applications employed on each model using BR/TOC specification colours
- Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing using authentic typefaces, logos and colours
CLASS 47 HISTORY
Towards the end of the 1950s, British Railways began planning a new fleet of diesel locomotives and after investigating several prototypes, BR decided to place an order with Brush Engineering for 20 locomotives during February 1961. The resulting design became the iconic Brush Type 4 Diesel locomotive, a practical, versatile design with a very distinctive cab. Powered with a Sulzer engine and initially rated at 2,750hp, the locomotive could achieve a top speed of 75mph with a tractive effort of 55,000lb. Building commenced in January 1962 and the first locomotive No. D1500 appeared in late September of the same year with test runs on the London Midland Region and Western Region. The design was a success and BR went on to order a total of 512 with continuous production through to early 1967, forming the largest single class of main-line diesel locomotives in the UK.
During this time and subsequent years, several variations appeared with an increase in speed and tractive effort to 95mph and 62,000lb respectively. Originally fitted with four character train reporting head-codes, these changed to marker lights, with the addition of high intensity lights and roof aerials in the late 1980s. Other variations involved the fitting of different types of steam heating boiler for early BR coaching stock, later replaced with electric train heating for use with modern rolling stock. The numbering system started with four figures but changed to five with the introduction of the TOPS coding system which saw the locomotives classified as Class 47 Diesels with variations such as 47/0, 47/2, 47/3, 47/4 and 47/7. By the end of the 1990s, half of the Class 47 fleet had been withdrawn or scrapped, 33 have been converted into Class 57 locomotives and several have been preserved, including the original No. D1500, now numbered 47401.
