31-520 Bachmann Class 159 3-Car DMU BR Network SouthEast

The Class 159 is a three-car derivative of the Class 158 – one of British Rail’s most successful second generation Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs). The first two-car Class 158 was introduced in 1989, followed by the three-car Class 159s entering service in 1993. The Class 159s were delivered to Network SouthEast and this model carries NSE colours, depicting No. 159013.

The pinnacle of OO scale second generation DMUs, the Branchline model combines high fidelity bodyshells with an underframe that’s adorned with separate components depicting the engines, electrical equipment, and auxiliary gear. It’s the livery application which really brings these models to life and every element has been replicated in miniature. Whilst the main colours are spray painted, the myriad smaller logos, symbols and lettering are applied using a specialist printing process, using BR and corporate specification fonts, logos and colours.

Driven by the low-level drive mechanism, which is fitted to each of the two driving vehicles, the conductive couplings ensure that the three vehicles work together in harmony and enable the use of a single decoder for DCC operation. Fitting that decoder couldn’t be easier thanks to the clip-off underframe panel behind which the decoder socket is fitted and combined with the pre-fitted speaker in each car, it’s easy to fit sound to your model.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 8
• Pristine Network SouthEast (Revised) livery
• Running No. 159013
• Three-Car Unit comprising car Nos. 52885, 58730 & 57885
• Destination blinds for London Waterloo
• Equipped with a Plux22 DCC Decoder Socket
• Length 915mm

MECHANISM:

• EACH OF THE TWO DRIVING VEHICLES ARE POWERED WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:

• Three pole motor with flywheel providing drive to the inner bogie
• Twin axle drive
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driven axle
• Trailing axles run in metal pinpoint bearings
• Electrical pickup from all wheels
• Diecast metal, multi-stage 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
• Working miniature BSI Couplings at the cab end
• Conductive couplings with integral close coupling mechanism at the inner end
• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater

DETAILING:

• Separately applied metal detail parts, including exhaust guards and interior luggage racks
• Bogies constructed from multiple components featuring brake and suspension detail
• Separately fitted underframe components
• Each model is supplied with an accessory pack comprising exhaust pipes, frame extensions and coupling tool

LIGHTING:

• Directional lighting, including illuminated destination panels, with Day/Night mode – selectable via the chassis-mounted switches or via a dedicated DCC function
• Directional lights can be turned on/off at each end independently via the chassis-mounted switches or via separate DCC functions 
• Passenger saloon lighting – switchable on/off via the chassis-mounted switches or via a dedicated DCC function
• Cab lighting at the trailing end*
• Door interlock lights* (*when used on DCC)
• Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each lighting application

DCC:

• Plux22 DCC decoder interface – one decoder required per unit
• Easy-access DCC decoder socket located behind removable panel on underside of Car A

SOUND:

• Two speakers fitted, one in each driving vehicle, for optimum sound reproduction – fitted to every model as standard
• Zimo MX645P22 DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED versions
• Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline Class 159 DMU using recordings from real units
• SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied

LIVERY APPLICATION:

• Authentic liveries applied to both vehicles including interior decoration
• Multiple paint applications employed using BR and corporate specification colours
• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing using authentic typefaces, logos and colours

 CLASS 159 DMU HISTORY

The British Rail Class 159 Express Sprinter is a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), built specifically for British Rail's Network SouthEast sector and entering traffic in 1993. The units were initially ordered by Regional Railways and built as Class 158s by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, however when it was discovered that Regional Railways had over ordered, Network SouthEast agreed to take on surplus units. Network SouthEast had its own requirements for the units and, unable to reach an agreement with BREL to deviate from the original order, Babcock Rail rebuilt the 158s into 159s with the addition of First Class accommodation and retention toilets to operate over the third rail network. Initially, 22 three-car units were rebuilt as Class 159s, but in 2006/2007 an additional eight units were created by converting redundant TransPennie three-car Class 158s.

Operating from a dedicated depot at Salisbury and principally on the West of England Main Line, the 159s passed to South West Trains upon Privatisation and are now used by South Western Railway. The units often work in multiple, with other Class 159s and also 158s, forming 6-, 8-, or 9-car sets as required. All of the original units remain in service, along with 7 of the 8 additional units, the 8th having been damaged in the Salisbury rail crash in 2021, following which two of its vehicles were scrapped.