While I had seen several demonstrations of the Bachmann 'sound fitted' locomotives, this was the first opportunity to test one myself. It has to be said that it adds a whole new dimension to model railways and is a very exciting development. Of course it is not a new concept as locomotives fitted with sound units have been available in America for some time but it is new as a commercial development in the UK by one of the leading ready-to-run manufacturers.
Each class of locomotive has its own combination of sounds and so each model has to have the right one for its prototype. On the model of the Class 47 the tick-over, engine revving and brake squeal were all very realistic to this non-expert on the subject of diesel sounds.
The model is of 47404 'Hadrian' and is supplied with etched metal nameplates for attaching over the printed ones, if required. It is in BR Rail blue and comes with bags of extra detail for the purchaser to fit. This includes roof fans, a second coupling (the model has one ready fitted at the B end), a mass of bufferbeam pipes etc. (but the usual lack of close-up detail diagrams to show what goes where).
There will always be those who pride themselves in finding what they consider to be faults with new models but, for the rest of us, this is a superb model at a very satisfactory price.
Model Railway Express
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