Bachmann Class G2A BR Black BRb 49395 31-475

The Bachmann Class G2a 0-8-0 loco, based on the LNWR design, has been released. The first three versions released to retailers are No.9449 in LMS black (31-476), 49395 in BR black with tender cab and early BR insignia (NRM National Collection loco) (31-475) and 49361 in BR black with late insignia and tender back cab (31-477DC). These have 21 pin sockets for DCC and 49361 is ready chipped.

This is an attractive model with fine rivet detail and the best cab interior detail we have yet seen on a Bachmann Branchline model. The loco and tender come ready coupled and the smokebox door opens. The latter is much better designed than the previous attempt by Bachmann and the Hornby M7 opening door of the late 1960s. This one has a metal bar hinge and the door closes neatly. It is refreshing to find that there is very little additional detail for the customer to fit and this consists of only vacuum pipes and guard irons.

The building of the first London & North Western 0-8-0 locomotive commenced in 1892 to Webb’s design and a total of 509 locomotives went on to be built with modifications under the leadership of Whale, Bowen-Cooke and Beames. Further modifications were carried out under Hughes and Stanier. Initially conceived as a three cylinder compound they were followed by four cylinder versions after which Whale set about converting them to two cylinder simple engines. Whilst some locomotives retained the original boiler, others were fitted with the G Class boiler. Beginning in 1912, a superheated boiler was introduced.

The last development of the 0-8-0s was the introduction of the G2 Class in 1921 to the design of Charles J. Bowen-Cooke, although the order was placed under the tenure of Captain H.P.M. Beames, who succeeded Bowen-Cooke as Chief Mechanical Engineer. The G2s were introduced between November 1921 and October 1922 and were a development of the earlier G1 Class. During their careers the locomotives received a Belpaire firebox to replace the round top design they received initially.

They worked all over the former London & North Western sections of the LMS and later British Railways. They were particularly useful pulling heavy freight trains on steeply graded routes including Shap and routes in Central and South Wales. Indeed, the class could be found from Abergavenny to Carlisle and just about everywhere else in between.

The first withdrawals took place in 1947, bur 478 of them passing into British Railways ownership the following year. With the introduction of diesels after 1955, major withdrawals commenced. The last of the class was withdrawn in 1964. One locomotive, number 49395, was preserved and forms part of the National Collection. It has recently undergone a major overhaul at Pete Waterman’s Crewe works.