First Farish Class 108 DMU now in stock

Bachmann Europe PLC today announced that the first of its British Railways Class 108 diesel multiple units has been despatched to dealers. It is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding Graham Farish N gauge range.

Built by British Railways at its Derby Works, 147 two car, 5 three car and 6 four car units were built between 1958 and 1961. Totalling 333 vehicles (210 powered and 123 trailer cars) and were generically known as Derby Lightweights, although they differed considerably from the earlier batch built from 1954. They were allocated to the Eastern, North Eastern and London Midland Regions and saw service on a large number of routes around Bletchley, Carlisle, Chester, Crewe, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Preston and Sheffield. Each two-car set could accommodate 117 passengers and they were ideal for use on local services and branch lines.

They later became more widespread in their travels, some seeing service on the Southern and Western Regions.

Vehicle No. 51562 was the 1,000th diesel multiple unit to be built at Derby Works. This vehicle has been preserved by the National Railway Museum at York.

The first vehicle was withdrawn in 1964 as a result of accident damage. Most survived until the early 1990s when major withdrawal took place with the arrival of second generation units for Regional Railways. A number carried Network SouthEast colours and were used latterly on the Chiltern Lines (prior to the arrival of the Network Turbo units) and the Bletchley Bedford line. The last unit was withdrawn in October 1993. Over 50 vehicles have passed into preservation for use on heritage railways.

Only the British Railways green liveried version with speed whiskers (371-875) has been released so far. Two other versions in British Rail blue / grey (371-877) and BR blue livery (371-876) will follow soon. The units have a 6 pin NEM 651 DCC socket fitted and it is the first ready to run British N gauge model released to be able to accommodate a LokSound sound decoder and 13mm speaker (speaker frame included). The models also have a detailed interior, all wheel pick-up, a fly-wheel driven motor, NEM coupling pockets and working lights. Each unit has a Recommended Retail Price of 89.20.

BF 2008-66

31 October 2008

-ends-

 

For further information please contact :

Dennis Lovett, Public Relations Manager,

Bachmann Europe PLC, Moat Way, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8EY

Telephone:+44 (0) 1455 847097