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371-361Class 60 60040 'The Territorial Army Centenary' DB Schenker/Army Red
'N' Gauge
Released: 22/09/22
DCC Ready (Next18)
Era 9CLASS 60 HISTORY
The British Rail Class 60 is a Class of Diesel-Electric Locomotive built by Brush Traction in Loughborough, Leicestershire between 1989 and 1993. Affectionately known as ‘Tugs’ by enthusiasts due to their Mirrlees marine-derived powerplant, 100 locomotives were built and the first entered service in late-1990 – more than a year after the first example had been ceremoniously handed over to BR – after various technical issues were uncovered during testing of the first locos. Designed for heavy freight trains, the Class 60s entered service at a time when BR’s Railfreight operations had been split into various sub-sectors and locomotives were assigned to the Coal, Metals, Construction and Petroleum divisions of BR Railfreight, with each carrying the triple-grey base livery with the addition of the relevant graphics for the sub-sector and depot plaques.
In 1994 and in the runup to the Privatisation of British Rail, the Class 60 fleet was split between three of the shadow freight operators – Loadhaul, Mainline and Transrail – that had been created to handle BR’s freight business. All three operators were purchased by EWS in 1996, resulting in the entire class falling under EWS ownership. With the introduction of the Class 66s at the end of the century and coupled with a decline in EWS heavy freight traffic, several Class 60s were put into store and the future of the fleet was uncertain at times. However, a number of locomotives were retained as the heaviest trains could not be hauled by a single Class 66 and instead required the superior power of a Class 60. EWS was acquired by DB Schenker in 2007 (later renamed DB Cargo) and the new owners put several Class 60s up for sale, however they also announced overhauls for some 60s, giving the class glimmers of hopes for the future.
In 2014 Colas Rail purchased ten Class 60s and these remained with the company until 2018 when they were replaced by Class 70s. These ten Class 60s were subsequently sold to GB Railfreight who still operate the fleet which includes No. 60002 that was named ‘Graham Farish – 50th Anniversary 1970 – 2020’ to mark 50th anniversary of production of British N scale models by the brand which is now owned by Bachmann Europe.
Despite their ups and downs, the Class 60s continue to serve DB Cargo, GB Railfreight and other private operators including DC Rail and the class remains a popular sight across the UK where they can be found hauling the heavy freight trains for which they were originally designed.
Our Price:
£143.95
£143.95
R40154BR, Mk4 Open First, Coach H, 11212
'OO' GaugeReleased: 26/09/22Era 8Built at Metro-Cammell's Washwood Heath factory, 314 Mk4 coaches were produced between 1989 and 1992. They were built specifically for use on the newly electrified East Coast Main Line, along with hopes that a second order for the West Coast Main Line would be placed at a later date, although this second order never transpired. Mk4 coaches featured many improvements over the Mk3s such as push-button operated plug-type doors, fully sealed gangways and a designed top speed of 140mph. Much of the Mk4 design was based upon the Advanced Passenger Train. In particular, Mk4 coaches feature sides profiled to allow a tilt of up to 6° with newly fitted tilting bogies.
Our Price:
£40.49
£40.49
R40152BR, Mk4 Open First, Coach G, 11213
'OO' GaugeReleased: 26/09/22Era 8Built at Metro-Cammell's Washwood Heath factory, 314 Mk4 coaches were produced between 1989 and 1992. They were built specifically for use on the newly electrified East Coast Main Line, along with hopes that a second order for the West Coast Main Line would be placed at a later date, although this second order never transpired. Mk4 coaches featured many improvements over the Mk3s such as push-button operated plug-type doors, fully sealed gangways and a designed top speed of 140mph. Much of the Mk4 design was based upon the Advanced Passenger Train. In particular, Mk4 coaches feature sides profiled to allow a tilt of up to 6° with newly fitted tilting bogies.
Our Price:
£40.49
£40.49
R30073BR, Class 56, Co-Co, 56047
'OO' GaugeReleased: 26/09/22DCC Ready (21 Pin)Era 7The British Rail Class 56 Type 5 Co-Co diesel locomotive was first introduced in 1976 to cope with the increased requirement for heavy freight. British Rail awarded the contract to design and build these new engines to Brush Traction in Loughborough, who subsequently sub-contracted the construction to Electroputere in Romania, due to the lack of capacity in their own works. The initial 30 locomotives to be delivered from Romania suffered from transit damage and construction deficiencies and had to be extensively rebuilt before entering service.
With this in mind the decision was made to build the remaining 105 locomotives in England, British Rail Engineering Ltd manufacturing them at their Doncaster Works (nos. 56031 to 56115). The design specification was based upon the Class 47 bodyshell, with the omission of redundant features such as the headcode panel. Power came from a Ruston-Paxman unit that was similar to that fitted in the Class 50 locomotives, which provided the capability for heavy haul freight. Air brakes were fitted for the first time in a British Rail engine and the electrics were improved in a number of areas, resulting in a more robust power unit.
Nicknamed as Gridirons or 'Grids', the Class 56 displaced the Class 20 and Class 47 locomotives and commonly undertook the transportation of iron ore, coal, aggregate and steel across the Eastern and London Midland Regions and on the Western Region for aggregate duties. Strong and reliable performers, the locomotives were popular but needed heavy maintenance, particularly when compared against the Class 66 locomotives that came to displace them in service. The introduction of the Class 60 locomotives saw a gradual reduction in the use of the Class 56 locomotives and with the arrival of the Class 66 locomotives, with their greater availability and lower maintenance, the Class 56 fleet were placed into storage between 1998 and 2004.
Most of the locomotives remain in depots around the UK, despite being variously sold for scrap and then re-acquired and reinstated in service. Colas Railfreight operate a small fleet on a rotating basis and British American Railway Services and UK Rail Leasing have a number available for working.
Five locomotives, 56006, 56097, 56098, 56301 and 56302 have been preserved. No. 56060 was built in June 1979 by BREL in Doncaster. The locomotive received the name 'The Cardiff Rod Mill' in December 1992 and ran under this name until March 1997.
Our Price:
£196.19
£196.19
R30040TTSRailRoad Plus BR, Class 47, Co-Co, 47583 ‘County of Hertfordshire’
'OO' GaugeReleased: 28/09/22DCC FittedDCC SoundEra 7Built between 1962 and 1968, the British Rail (BR) Class 47 Co-Co Diesel-Electric locomotive was once the most numerous class of mainline diesel in Britain with 512 examples. 310 locomotives were constructed by Brush in Loughborough, and the remaining 202 at Crewe. The locomotives were used for passenger and freight operations.
In 2020, 24 of the class remain operational on the national network with more in storage and an additional 31 preserved. Built in October 1964 as D1767 the locomotive was initially assigned to the Tinsley depot. Under TOPS the locomotive was initially numbered 47172. The locomotive received the name 'County of Hertfordshire' in 1979 before being reclassified a class 47/4 and renumbered 47583 in November 1980.
In 1981 the livery of the locomotive was updated to mark the wedding of HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer featuring a large BR arrow uniquely lined in Red and Blue.
Our Price:
£108.89
£108.89
