Bachmann LNER Class A2

The A2s were a rather muddled class, made up of rebuilt locomotives and 'new builds'. It incorporated Edward Thompson's rebuilds of Gresley's six Class P2s (A2/2s) and four were a development of the A2/2 but with V2 boilers (A2/1s).

It also included 15 new locomotives built by Thompson (A2/3s) and 15 more built from 1947 onwards (A2s) by AH Peppercorn, who succeeded Thompson as CME.

Designed as express passenger locomotives, Peppercorn's 15 engines were based on Thompson's A2/2 but were almost 2 feet shorter. They started to arrive in 1947 and only two carried LNER livery. One was the last Pacific built by the LNER and the first of the new A2 Class (the rest were built by British Railways). Appropriately, it carried the name A.H.Peppercorn. A further 20 engines were ordered but subsequently cancelled. In LNER tradition, the locomotives were given the names of famous racehorses.

Besides being express passenger engines, they were sometimes used for mixed traffic duties. The last of the class was withdrawn in 1966 and one, Blue Peter, survived into preservation.

While the first two were released in LNER livery, the rest appeared in Apple Green with 'British Railways' on their tenders. From 1949 they were repainted in BR Brunswick Green.

The models made by Bachmann are based on the 15 Peppercorn A2s. These models are fitted with 21-pin sockets making them 'DCC ready' They have etched smoke deflectors and nameplates, removable coal load, highly detailed cab interiors and optional chimneys. 31-530 is one of eight members of the class that have now been released by Bachmann. It is in LNER Apple Green livery as No.526 Sugar Palm.