Just arrived for 'OO': all-new Class 13s from Bachmann!
The first variants of Bachmann's all-new exciting Class 13 models have arrived. Customers who've pre-ordered should look out for payment links to ensure priority despatch of these models. We recommend checking your 'junk' folder just in case!
One of BR's most-unusual locomotive Classes, they're eye-catching and a guaranteed talking point in a discerning model collection.
Brief history
The British Rail Class 13 was a purpose-built hump-shunting solution produced in 1965 to meet the heavy, short-frame requirements of Tinsley Marshalling Yard. Rather than build a new long-frame locomotive (which risked grounding on the hump), BR permanently paired six standard Class 08 0-6-0 diesel-electric shunters into three master-and-slave sets. The 'slave' units had their cabs removed and both halves were ballasted to increase adhesive weight. The rebuilds were carried out at Darlington Works.
Externally they appeared as a single 0-6-0+0-6-0 locomotive, with two English Electric 6KT engines giving roughly double the tractive effort of a lone Class 08 — ideal for propelling long cuts over the hump without the axle-loading problems of a single long frame design. D4500–D4502 were later coded 13 001–13 003 under TOPs.
The Class 13s spent their lives performing Tinsley yard’s gruelling shunting until changes in yard working and the end of hump operations rendered them redundant. Withdrawals began in 1981 and the class was extinct by the mid-1980s, leaving a curious footnote in BR’s pragmatic, low-cost engineering approach to an operational problem.
Hear them in action
Our friends at Key Model World spoke with Bachmann's Rail Brand Manager, Richard Proudman to explore the functionalities and intricacies of these all-new toolings from the manufacturer. Learn more in this video, below.
In stock now:
Class 13 13003 BR blue £339.96 - DCC ready Add to basket
Class 13 13003 BR blue £458.96 - DCC sound-fitted Add to basket
Class 13 13003 BR blue £484.46 - DCC sound-fitted Deluxe Add to basket
Arriving next week:
Class 13 D4502 BR green £339.96 - DCC ready Add to basket
Class 13 D4502 BR green £458.96 - DCC sound-fitted Add to basket
Class 13 D4502 BR green £484.46 - DCC sound-fitted Deluxe Add to basket
