Thursday 19 July 2007

Bachmann Class 47 - the highlights

Bachmann's new Class 47 has arrived and follows the impressive lead set by the same company's Class 57 last year. Mechanically, the locomotive is identical to the Class 57, sharing the same all-wheel drive chassis. The body shape is equally good and features period details for the early years of the class's career. Our sample is first-built D1500 in original BR two-tone green.

Features worthy of mention include:

  1. All-wheel pick-up and drive
  2. Illuminated LED headcode panels and switchable tail lights
  3. 21-pin DCC decoder socket
  4. Detailed fuel tank/battery box area
  5. Original pattern roofline radiator grilles (later Serck shutters on other models)
  6. Authentic roof detail with etched metal mesh fan grilles and boiler exhaust port
  7. Sprung buffers with turned metal heads
  8. Smooth, powerful and quiet performance
  9. Extra detailing parts supplied
  10. Accurate dimensions

There's much more to say about this important new model and we'll cover it in detail in a special three-page review in September issue of Model Rail magazine, on sale August 16.

1 comment:

Andy Sollis said...

The new 47 does look good, but the first issue (as ever ?) does seem to have had a few gremlins creep in to the production model. Sadly, one of these is on the two tone green BR version with the small warning panels - The yellow verticle edge having been taken too far across the front and finishing alongside the curve of the cab front instead of being inline with the inside of the front window pillars giving a slightly distorted look. The Door windows also look to be a tad too wide, but i'm yet to measure the real items to compare. Other than that, I'm very impressed! Bring on the Sound version and some more modern image versions and I am sure this will be a hit for Bachmann.

By for now
Andy Sollis
ST4
www.st4.org