2025 marks the 60th anniversary of British Rail launching Freightliner as its operating company for intermodal haulage, meaning there’s no better time to welcome the highly acclaimed ‘Freightliner Flats’ back to the Bachmann Branchline range. The wagons that formed the original Freightliner services were later coded FFA and FGA under the Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) that was introduced in the 1970s, and models of both the FFA inner wagons and FGA outers will be available.

The introduction of Freightliner services marked the start of a new era for BR’s freight operations; with continuous air brakes employed throughout the train a brake van was no longer required and instead, the guard was allowed to travel in the rear cab of the locomotive – possible only with applicable diesel and electric locomotives of course. The fixed formations of 5-wagon sets, comprising three FFAs flanked by a pair of FGAs, featured traditional drawgear and buffers at the outer end of each FGA only, so that the set could be coupled to the locomotive or for when two or more 5-wagon sets operated together.

This five-wagon pack comprises a pair of FGA outer wagons which are equipped with sprung metal couplings at the outer end and a NEM coupling pocket mounted to the wagon floor on a close coupling mechanism. At the inner ends a bespoke coupling pocket is employed, allowing the wagons to couple to the three FFA inner wagons (or two FGAs can be joined together) using the bar coupling supplied with each model.

The wagon itself has everything on show, being much like a skeleton and comprising two solebars, underframe trussing and various cross members to add strength and rigidity, and all of these aspects are replicated to stunning effect in diecast metal. Added to this are separate components depicting the brake gear and auxiliary equipment, with metal wire used to represent pipe runs which stretch the length of the vehicle. The attention to detail extends to the bogies which are modelled faithfully, including the brake blocks and brake discs that are fitted to each axle. Naturally, the wheels and axles are all made from metal.

Turning our attention to the containers and these are just as detailed, being injection moulded and complete with full ribbing and rivet detail. The containers are then fitted with separate door locking mechanisms whilst they are secured to the wagon decks thanks to the replica twistlock fittings supplied in the accessory pack. The real wagons were fitted with splashers above each wheelset, although over time many were lost or fell off, so these are supplied as etched metal components for optional fitting.

To complete these outstanding models a full livery application has been executed to Branchline’s exacting standards, from the rich blue paintwork and multiple markings and logos found on the wagons themselves, to the containers with their eye-catching colour schemes and various markings and logos – all is replicated to full effect.

MODEL FEATURES - 38-627A:

Era 8
Pristine BR Blue (TOPS) livery
Running Nos. 601187 & 601235
3 x 20ft ISO Containers Nos. 0610278 & 0697920 in 'CAST' Blue livery and No. 7202752 in 'K Line' Red livery
40ft ISO Container No. 5244856 in 'OOCL' Grey livery and 20ft ISO Container No. 2331822 in 'Hapag-Lloyd' Orange livery
Accessory Pack
Sprung Buffers (outer ends only)
NEM Coupling Pockets (outer ends only)
Length 2 x 270mm (over couplings)

MODEL FEATURES - 38-628A:

Era 8
Pristine BR Blue (TOPS) livery
Running Nos. 602203
2 x 20ft ISO Containers No. 6441143 in 'Tiphook' Red livery and No. 2413499 in 'Genstar' Orange livery and 20ft Tank Container No. 2419470 in 'Hoyer' Grey livery
Accessory Pack
Length 262mm (over couplings)

MODEL FEATURES - 38-628B:

Era 8
Pristine BR Blue (TOPS) livery
Running Nos. 602269
40ft ISO Container No. 4306839 in 'MSC' Yellow livery and 20ft ISO Container No. 3881639 in 'Evergreen' Green livery
Accessory Pack
Length 262mm (over couplings)

MODEL FEATURES - 38-628C:

Era 8
Pristine BR Blue (TOPS) livery
Running Nos. 602332
40ft ISO Container No. 2147751 in 'ACL' Red livery and 20ft Tank Container No. 7021467 in 'Stolt' White livery
Accessory Pack
Length 262mm (over couplings)