The Class 66 Diesel Locomotive revolutionised the British rail freight landscape when the first examples arrived in 1998, and more than a quarter of a century later, the type remains at the forefront of freight operations the length and breadth of the country. Now, we are delighted to present the all-new Bachmann Branchline OO Scale Class 66 which has been designed from the rails up, capturing this modern icon like never before.
The new Class 66 combines a high-fidelity, injection-moulded bodyshell with a heavy, diecast chassis to which separate main frames are fitted. A multitude of individual parts are then added, manufactured in both metal and plastic, to capture every element of the prototype. The HTCR radial bogies are reproduced in miniature using multiple components, with many separately added details, resulting in these true to life replicas which interface neatly with the locomotive’s frames for an authentic appearance and accurate ride height. The separate axle heads that each rotate smoothly and reliably when the model is moving, mimicking this characteristic feature of the prototype, is the finishing touch.
The colourful liveries of modern operators present some challenges when it comes to decorating our models, but with extensive research, close collaboration with the operators themselves and decades of experience producing beautifully finished models, we are able to replicate every detail. Paintwork is applied with a rich, uniform finish using original specification colours, which is then adorned with logos, typefaces and graphics, all reproduced authentically using multi-stage printing techniques to produce a model with the finest of looks.
Meanwhile, ‘under the bonnet’ the new Class 66 boasts a high specification that utilises the latest advancements in model railway technology. A full lighting suite includes directional lights, with day and night mode and stabling mode, along with cab lights and machine room lights, all of which can be controlled to full effect when the model is used on DCC. To fit a DCC decoder, it’s simply a case of removing the magnetic roof panel and swapping out the blanking plate for a Plux22 decoder. DCC users also benefit from the integrated Bach-Up Stay Alive System which provides uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and, for those fitting sound to their model, sound cut-outs. Already using DCC? Then why not opt for one of our SOUND FITTED models instead and start enjoying authentic sounds, a full complement of lights and the Bach-Up Stay Alive System straight out of the box!
• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 9
• Pristine EWS livery
• Running No. 66015
• Equipped with a Plux22 DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-570B
• Length 282mm
DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL
- Original 4-Door Locomotive
- 3-Piece Cab Side Windows with Separate Quarterlights
- Original WIPAC Light Clusters (3-Lamps)
- Small Top Light Box
- Standard UK Pattern Buffers
- Combination Drawgear with Buckeye Couplings
- Standard Horn Box
- NRN Radio Pod on Roof
- 4 Cab Vents
- 2 Securing Lugs at each End
- Cab Front Handrails with 5 Mounting Points
- Cab Interiors with Pedestal Control Panels
- Original Sandboxes
- Angled Sandpipe Brackets
- Smooth Bogie Lifeguards
- Cab Front Steps
BACHMANN BRANCHLINE CLASS 66 SPECIFICATION
MECHANISM:
• Five pole, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to both bogies
• All axle drive
• Electrical pickup from all wheels
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each axle
• Diecast metal chassis block and bogie towers
• Diecast metal gearboxes, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
• 16.5mm (OO gauge) wheels to NEM310 & NEM311 standards with authentic profile and detailing
• Close coupling mechanism fitted at each end, each of which is fitted with coupling pockets to NEM362 standards
• Auto-Release Couplings fitted at both ends – DCC operated, hands-free uncoupling with the press of a function button (SOUND FITTED DELUXE models only)
• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater
DETAILING:
• Precision moulded bodyshell and locomotive main frames, with numerous separately fitted parts including horn boxes, fuel tanks, battery boxes and sand boxes
• Separately applied metal detail parts, including cab-front steps, securing lugs, lifting points, lamp brackets, and cab door handrails
• Individual pipe and cable runs added to the main frames, underframe and bogies
• Bogies constructed from multiple components featuring full relief detail
• Separately fitted axle heads on each wheel which rotate smoothly and authentically when the model is moving
• Close-fitting bogie to main frame interface providing an authentic appearance and accurate ride height
• Etched roof, bodyside and horn grilles, with multi-part bodyside cooler group grilles and multi-layered internal partitions providing visibility through the full width of the locomotive
• Sprung metal buffers
• Cab interior detailing which includes the control desk, cab seats, hotplate and rear partitioning and doors, complete with extensive interior decoration
• Alternative front valances with/without coupling cut-outs – interchangeable by removing two screws and without the need for body removal
• Each model supplied with a full set of decorated, model-specific bufferbeam pipework and accessory parts
LIGHTING:
• Directional lighting, switchable on/off at either end on DCC or Analogue control
• Day/Night mode, selectable on DCC or Analogue control
• Directional lights and Day/Night Mode selection is controlled via easy-access switches on the roof when operated on Analogue control
• Stabling lights mode* (red tail lights only, displayed at both ends)
• Cab lighting*, assigned to two DCC functions for separate switching of each
• Separately switched Machine Room lighting* (*when used on DCC)
• Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each model based on era and application
DCC:
• Plux22 DCC decoder interface 
• Easy-access DCC decoder socket via a removable roof panel – magnetically secured
• Bach-Up Stay Alive System providing uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs (operates on DCC only)
SOUND:
• Speaker Fitted – a pre-fitted speaker is included with every model as standard
• Dual Fitted XL Speaker System – SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models feature two speakers, including our new speaker with enhanced bass reproduction – a patented component which incorporates a passive radiator design for optimum sound performance 
• ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE versions
• Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline Class 66 using recordings from real locomotives
• SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied. On Analogue, an authentic engine start up sequence and running sounds are produced when power is applied
LIVERY APPLICATION:
• Authentic liveries applied to all models
• Multiple paint applications employed on each model using original specification colours
• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing using authentic typefaces, logos and colours