Stanier 8F joins Bachmann Branchline range
The LMS Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0, one of Britain’s most numerous and successful steam locomotives, is finally arriving in OO scale as part of Bachmann’s Branchline range—90 years after the first was built at Crewe.
Pre-orders are now being taken with us, including optional prototypical weathering to suit these heavy freight locomotives.
A new Branchline Star
Following the award-winning N scale 8F by Graham Farish, Bachmann now delivers a OO model packed with detail and realism. Featuring a diecast boiler and running plate, metal handrails, turned brass safety valves, and numerous fitted parts including AWS gear, reverser rod options, and separate smokebox doors with custom bracket configurations.
The cab features flush glazing, a roof vent, and highly detailed controls. The locomotive connects to the tender with an adjustable drawbar. Three tender types are offered: riveted/welded Stanier 4,000-gallon, and Fowler 3,500-gallon—all with full detailing, sprung buffers, and moulded coal loads.
Underneath, two driving wheel types are modelled, motion and cylinder details are accurate, and both loco and tender chassis feature separate brake gear and sandpipes. A sprung pony truck aids running, with NEM couplings front and rear.
Power comes from a coreless motor driving the third axle, with all drivers and tender pickups ensuring smooth operation. DCC users benefit from a Plux22 socket, pre-installed Stay Alive, and a dual-speaker system. A firebox flicker adds realism in both DCC and analogue.
Sound-fitted and sound-fitted deluxe versions include a Zimo MS450P22 decoder. Deluxe models also have a DCC-controlled auto-release coupling.
Though liveries are mostly black, Bachmann’s finishing includes precision-printed logos and cab interior detail down to dial needles. Optional extras include closed cab doors, snowploughs, and drain cocks.
Back story
Designed by William Stanier, the 8F modernised LMS freight power, replacing worn-out 0-6-0s and 0-8-0s. Based on proven GWR 2-8-0 designs, 852 8Fs were built between 1935 and 1945 by all of the ‘Big 4’ railways and outside contractors. Initially, only 331 were LMS orders, but wartime demand saw 208 commissioned by the Ministry of Supply, many sent abroad to serve in the Middle East. Others were lost in action or at sea, and some locomotives eventually returned to the UK or were sold to foreign railways.
The Railway Executive Committee later ordered 245 more, mostly constructed by GWR, LNER, and SR. The LNER even adopted the 8F (as Class O6), building 68 of their own. By Nationalisation in 1948, British Railways inherited 624, with the fleet peaking at 666 in the late 1950s.
Despite their freight focus—coal, ballast, oil, perishables—the 8Fs occasionally hauled passenger services. Withdrawals began in 1960, but 150 were still in service in early 1968. No. 48518 hauled BR’s last steam-hauled goods train, and preserved No. 48773 ran on steam’s final day—August 4, 1968.
Only 14 8Fs survive today: 8 in the UK (2 repatriated from Turkey), and others in Turkey, Israel, and Iraq.
Arriving Summer 2026
Tooling of this new range is now complete, with livery samples due soon. Prices start at £212.46 and pre-ordering to secure yours is essential owing to the limited size of the production run!
