31-069SF Bachmann NER E (J71) Tank 68260 BR Black (Early Emblem)

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during Feb / Mar 2026. preauthkernow

The North Eastern Railway E Class 0-6-0T, later the LNER J71, was the forerunner to the E1 (LNER J72) and whilst models of the E1 have famously been made by Bachmann and its predecessor Mainline Railways for almost 50 years, the NER E Class has never been produced in OO Scale, until now!

Drawing inspiration from the all-new Branchline E1 model that was launched to great acclaim just a few years ago, the new E Class employs a wealth of new tooling to accurately depict the NER’s original standard 0-6-0 tank locomotive. Despite the similarities, the E Class is instantly recognisable thanks to its larger driving wheels, while the smaller bunker means that the tanks, cab and bunker on this Branchline model are all-new too. Then there is the original boiler with clack valves and Ramsbottom safety valves – another early feature that necessitates its own, dedicated tooling.

The model boasts a diecast metal running plate with integral tank weights, again produced new for the E Class to portray the differences seen between the E and E1, and to this the precision moulded components are added, from the tanks to the boiler and many smaller details alongside. Metal parts are then used to replicate features like the lamp irons, guard irons and sand pipes, and the handrails are made from metal wire which is fitted into turned metal knobs.

Inside, the Branchline E Class employs a coreless motor with diecast gearbox and the driving axles each have separate metal bearings, a combination that ensures smooth and reliable running. With electrical pickup from all wheels, a firebox lighting system and Next18 DCC interface, plus a pre-fitted speaker in every model, the E Class boasts the same impressive technical specification as its E1 relative. Whilst the drive train and electronics may not be visible, every part of the model that can be seen is treated to an exquisite paint finish to complete the look, with rich colours and precision printing of the numbering and lettering to produce a model as elegant as its Victorian prototype.

What’s more, this SOUND FITTED model with its pre-fitted ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder is ready to be used on both analogue and DCC straight from the box, providing authentic sound effects for an extra level of realism!

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 4
• Pristine BR Black Early Emblem Livery
• Running No. 68260
• SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder – See below for the function list
• Length 118mm (over couplings)

DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL

-        Boiler Clack Valves Removed

-        Ross Pop Safety Valves with Cover

-        Pipe Whistle

-        Steam Brakes Only

-        Smokebox Door with Numberplate

-        Twin Smokebox Door Handles

-        Group Standard Buffers with Square Mounts

-        Coal Bunker with Coal Rails fitted

-        Rear Cab Windows with Bars fitted

BACHMANN BRANCHLINE NER E CLASS (J71) SPECIFICATION

MECHANISM:

• Coreless motor
• Electrical pickup from all wheels
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driving axle
• Diecast metal chassis block
• Diecast metal gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
• 16.5mm (OO gauge) wheels to NEM310 & NEM311 standards with authentic profile and detailing
• Detachable coupling pockets to NEM362 standards fitted at each end
• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater

DETAILING:

• Diecast metal running plate with integral side tank weights
• Precision moulded plastic boiler, side tanks, cab and bunker
• Separately applied details including splashers, tank filler hatches, safety valves, dome and chimney, smokebox handles, clack valves* and vacuum pipes* (*where applicable)
• Individual metal detail components including handrails, handrail knobs, guard irons, lamp irons and turned metal whistle
• Highly detailed and decorated cab interior including controls, dials, gauges and tool cabinets with separately fitted regulator, reverser and handbrake
• Running gear detailing includes springs, brakes and separately fitted brake gear, sandboxes and sandpipes
• Glazed cab spectacles
• Sprung metal buffers
• Each model supplied with an accessory pack including cab doors, additional bufferbeam pipework, poseable lamps and three-link couplings

LIGHTING:

• Firebox Glow (on analogue) / Firebox Glow & Flicker (on DCC or when SOUND FITTED models are used on analogue)

DCC:

• Next18 DCC decoder interface

SOUND:

• Speaker installed in all models for optimum sound reproduction
• ESU Loksound Micro V5DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED versions
• Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline J71 using recordings from real locomotives
• SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied

LIVERY APPLICATION:

• Authentic liveries applied to all models
• Multiple paint applications employed on each model
• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing incorporating authentic typefaces, logos and colours

SOUNDS

F1 - Sound - On/Off

F2 - Brake (Non-Latching)

F3 - Cylinder Drain Cocks

F4 - Whistle (Playable)

F5 - Normal Load / Heavy Load

F6 - On - Firebox Door Opening / Off - Firebox Door Closing

F7 - Injectors

F8 - Whistle

F9 - Flange Squeal (Speed Related)

F10 - Shovelling Coal (F6 must be On)

F11 - Blower (Sound Only / Stationary and with F6 On - Sound and Lights)

F12 - Hand Brake (locomotive won’t move with Hand Brake applied)

F13 - Water Tank Filling

F14 - Coupling/Un-coupling Clank

F15 - Safety Valve

F16 - Guard's Whistle & Driver’s Response Toot

F17 - Coasting

F18 - On - Sounds Fade Out / Off - Sounds Fade In

F19 - Shunt Mode (Reduces Speed)

F20 - Acceleration/Deceleration Inertia Off

F21 - Volume Control (LATCH = Volume On/Off) or (TRIGGER = cycles 6 Volume Levels)

F22 - Rail Join Clatter

Analogue Users: Please note that normal load running sounds, acceleration steam chuff sounds and any other automatic and randomised sounds will also operate when this model is used on analogue control (DC) straight from the box!

NER E CLASS (J71) HISTORY

The NER E Class 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive, later classified as J71 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), was designed by Thomas W. Worsdell for the North Eastern Railway and was intended to become the company’s standard design for shunting engines. T. W. Worsdell became the NER’s Locomotive Superintendent in 1885 and a year later, the first E Class tank entered traffic. Eventually totalling 120 locomotives, 60 were built under T. W. Worsdell’s tenure, followed by 60 more when his brother Wilson Worsdell took over as Locomotive Superintendent following Thomas’s retirement in 1890. Construction ceased in 1895 and three years later, Wilson introduced his own take on the design, the E1 Class, the first of which entered traffic in 1898.

The E Class was set apart from the later E1s by having larger driving wheels and smaller cylinders. The splashers were larger as a result of the larger wheels, meanwhile the ‘Es’ sported smaller bunkers and were not fitted with coal rails at first, although these were later included. Early examples had clack valves feeding the boiler with Ramsbottom safety valves and a bell whistle. Later, Ross Pop safety valves and a tubular whistle were fitted and the clack valves were removed, bringing commonality between the E and E1 types. Metal bufferbeams were employed as built, but later many were fitted with wooden planks sandwiched between two metal sheets, as found on the later E1 engines.

The E Class tanks were found to be suitable workhorses for the NER’s sprawling network across the North East, particularly at coastal ports, freight depots and wharves where tracks could feature tight curves and weight restrictions were often in place. They were also suited to station pilot duties and local trip working, as well as allocations at the NER’s Darlington Works and Shildon workshops where they handled internal movements. All 120 locomotives passed into LNER ownership upon Grouping in 1923, becoming J71s, and remained in similar roles to those the NER had previously assigned them. By 1930 however, the E1s (now classified as J72s by the LNER) had started to replace the older J71s and by the time of Nationalisation in 1948, the class had been depleted by almost a third, leaving 81 examples in traffic.

The fleet that British Railways (BR) inherited in 1948 remained largely intact to start with, but by the 1950s they were being replaced by new 350hp Diesel Shunters (later BR Class 08) and by 1961 the final J71, No. 68233, had been withdrawn after a service life of 74 years. None survived into preservation.