32-653SF Bachmann Class 44 Disc Headcode D2 Helvellyn BR Green

The popular Class 44 ‘Peak’ Diesel Locomotive returns to the Bachmann Branchline range with this OO scale model depicting No. D2 ‘Helvellyn’. Known as the ‘Peaks’ because they were named after mountains in England and Wales, No. D2 was named after the mountain found to the north of Ambleside in the Lake District.

The Bachmann Branchline model combines a finely-proportioned bodyshell with extensive detailing throughout, including separately fitted cab handrails, windscreen wipers, lamp brackets and sandpipes. With a powerful 5-pole motor fitted with twin flywheels which drives both bogies, these models have plenty of pulling power to haul even the longest trains. This model is supplied with SOUND FITTED, allowing realistic sound effects to be enjoyed on both DCC or Analogue Control straight out of the box!

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 5
• Pristine BR Green (Small Yellow Panels) livery
• Running No. D2
• Named ‘Helvellyn’
• Etched Nameplates included
• Disc Headcodes
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful 5 Pole Motor with Twin Flywheels

• Detailed Cab Interior with pre-fitted Driver in one cab
• Directional Lighting
• Accessory Pack
• SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a ESU V5DCC Sound Decoder – See below for the function list
• Length 275mm

SOUNDS

• F0 - Directional Lights - On/Off (plus Light Switch Sound)
• F1 - On - Fuel Pump On - Warm Engine Start
• F1 - On/Off - Fuel Pump On - Failed Engine Start Latch Single
• F1 - On/Off/On - Fuel Pump On - Cold Engine Start
• F2* - Brake
• F3** - Horn
• F4** - Horn
• F5 - Heavy Load
• F6 - Coasting
• F7 - Max. Revs.
• F8*** - On - Coupling Up / Off - Uncoupling
• F9 - Flange Squeal
• F10 - Fan Noise
• F11 - On - Guard’s Whistle / Off - Driver’s Response
• F12 - Uncoupling Cycle
• F13 - AWS Horn
• F14 - AWS Bell
• F15 - On - Driver’s Door Open / Off - Driver’s Door Shut
• F16 - On - Sounds Fade Out / Off - Sounds Fade In
• F17 - Windscreen Wipers
• F18 - Automatic Drain Traps
• F19 - Latch - Mute / Trigger - Cycle through 6 Volume Levels
• F20 - Manual Notching Logic (with F20 On, use F6/F7 to notch down/up to control engine rpm sounds)
• F21 - Station Announcement

* Alternative Brake Squeal Sounds selectable by CV changes

** Alternative Horns and Horn Behaviour selectable by CV changes

*** Alternative Coupling/Uncoupling Sounds selectable by CV changes

Analogue Users: Directional lights and basic Prime Mover (engine) sounds, which vary with speed, plus any other automated sounds, can be enjoyed when using this model on analogue control (DC) straight from the box!

CLASS 44 HISTORY

The British Rail Class 44 or Sulzer Type 4 diesel locomotives were built by British Railways' Derby Works between 1959 and 1960. They were named after British mountains, and consequently nicknamed ‘Peaks’. Their 16-wheel 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement became idiosyncratic in later years.

Inspired by LMS prototypes Nos. 10000 and 10001, and by Southern Railway Nos. 10201-10203, the Class 44 diesels were some of the first large diesel locomotives commissioned for the British Rail modernisation project and were the precursors to the Class 45 and Class 46 locomotives of similar design. Ten locomotives were built to the Class 44 design, with a number of differences across the fleet.

When introduced, the locomotives were fitted with multi-unit working and steam heating boilers for passenger service. They worked regularly over the West Coast Main Line for a couple of years, and also between London St Pancras and Manchester Exchange over the Peak main line. Once the Class 45 units were available, their steam heating boilers were removed and the Class 44 locomotives were assigned to freight duties. They mostly operated in the East Midlands, with services centred on or radiating from Toton – to which all ten locomotives were allocated in March 1974. Withdrawals began in 1976 and the last taken out of service in 1980 but two have been preserved