Bachmann's BLUE PULLMAN!

It's been said before, sometimes models are like buses - nothing for years and then suddenly 3 come along at once!!

In recent months we've had a retailer announce it's intention to commission a '00' model of the famous Blue Pullman diesel unit in conjunction with Heljan. In recent days, rumours have rattled around the internet that Hornby is blowing the cobwebs from the old Tri-ang moulds...(see separate story below)... however, today (Sun 25th) Bachmann Europe announced at it's Trade Open Day that it is to produce an all-new 6 car Midland Pullman diesel unit as part of it's Branchline '00' scale range!

Metropolitan Cammell built two of these iconic luxury trains in 1959 fo use on the Midland Main line between London St Pancras and Manchester Central during peak business travel times.

Following completion of the West Coast Main line electrification scheme the two Midland units moved to the Western Region to complement the similar three Western Region sets which were 8 car units. There were differences between the two types. After carrying the Pullman grey/blue (the reversed corporate blue/grey colour scheme) for a period they were withdrawn from service in May 1973.

The Blue Pullman has been a much-requested model and Bachmann was due to announce this project in March 2011. Graham Hubbard, Bachmann's Managing Director said "we are aware of others announcing the possibility of producing this unit. We have been working on it for several months and in order to bring clarity to the situation we have made our plans public".

Graham continued "we first looked at this famous train some years ago and at the time we did not consider it viable. However, the market has changed considerably over the past two years and we felt the time was right to dust off our plans. We had decided to do so long before the recent announcement from a retailer".

Each six car unit will comprise 2 x Power cars, 2 x Kitchen cars (Type 4) and 2 x Parlour cars (Type 6) and will be sold as a 6-car set.

The new model will incorporate today's leading edge technologies and will include the following features:

• Drive System in Power car
• New-style close coupling concept
• Central coach ceiling and table lamp lighting
• Directional lighting
• Cab lights
• Sound-prepared
• Etched fan grilles
• DCC socket

The full six-car unit (Catalogue No 31-255) is expected to retail at around £300. It is also the intention to look at DCC SOUND options in the future.

(25/07/2010)

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GWR ROD announced

Bachmann Europe today (25th July) announced that it is to produce a GWR ROD 2-8-0 locomotive in order to meet many requests from customers following on from the LNER Class 04 version released recently.

521 locomotives were built from 1917 for use during World War 1 by the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers for use in mainland Europe. Cessation of hostilities rendered them surplus (only 325 were delivered before the end of the war in 1918) and some were loaned to British railway companies before being offered for sale. The Great Western Railway bought 20 initially in 1919, which were followed by a further 80 in 1925. They were numbered 3000 - 3099.

The GWR subsequently modified the basic locomotives fitting new chimneys, top feed, dome etc. The last GWR version was withdrawn from Carmarthen in 1958.

Three versions of the GWR version have been announced. These are:

• 31-127 in BR black with early emblem
• 31-128 in BR black with late crest
• 31-129 in GWR green

These locomotives are expected to retail at a similar price to the recently released LNER 04 2-8-0 locomotives.

(25/07/2010)

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Hornby & The Blue Pullman...

Hornby has confirmed rumours circulating recently regarding it's Blue Pullman tooling. Correspondence from Simon Kohler confirms that the manufacturer is indeed inspecting it's tooling and has recently shipped it out to China.

Simon says, " There has been much rumour just recently concerning Hornby and the Blue Pullman tooling.  So as to prevent further conjecture and even more rumours I am happy to confirm that we have shipped the Blue Pullman tooling to China for examination with a view to seeing what is required should we wish to commence production. 

I have obviously been watchful of the demand for the Blue Pullman and the interest generated whenever the train is mentioned and even though I am on record  of being sceptical I believe that there is significant interest for Hornby to once again consider manufacture.  Obviously times and expectations have changed over the years and I can confirm that Hornby do have a complete set of works drawings for the Blue Pullman train including those coaches that were never produced. 

As time progresses I will keep you and your readers aware of our plans concerning the Blue Pullman but for the time being it is a question of watch with keen anticipation this space."

(24/07/2010)

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