Bachmann Class 03
In 1991, Bachmann re-released the Mainline model of the Class 03 and, after producing four versions of it, decided to convert the tooling to produce Class 04s. These started to appear in 1997. Last year it was announced that a new 03 would be tooled and this arrived this year. The model seen here is from the new tooling and is 31-360 in BR plain green with late decals and numbered D2011. Due to the limited amount of space inside this model, it was fitted a with 6-pin decoder socket to make it 'DCC ready'
230 were built at Doncaster and Swindon between 1957 and 1962. They were used on all regions initially, but later activity was concentrated on the Eastern and London Midland Regions. They were used for general shunting and pilot duties and, with a weight of just 30 tons, the locomotives could be used on lines with severe weight limitations The first locomotive was withdrawn from BR in 1968, although one example (03079) remained in use on the Isle of Wight until 1993. The locomotives became popular with heritage lines and 51 of them have been preserved. A number remain in industrial use in Belgium, Italy and the UK.