Bachmann announces OO scale Class 74 model

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Bachmann Europe has revealed that it is commissioning a OO scale model of the Class 74 electro-diesel locomotive for its EFE rail range.

The announcement comes ahead of its Spring 2025 British Railway announcements and marks a significant addition for railway model enthusiasts.

The Class 74 electro-diesel locomotives, initially designated as 'HB' before the total operations processing system (TOPS) renumbering, were originally built as Class 71 electric locomotives. Manufactured by British Railways’ Doncaster Works between 1958 and 1960, a total of 24 Class 71s were produced for mixed traffic use on the electrified lines of the Southern Region. These locomotives powered prestigious services such as the 'Night Ferry' and 'Golden Arrow' and featured both third-rail collector shoes and roof-mounted pantographs for overhead yard operation.

The transformation of Class 71s into Class 74s began in the mid-1960s after ten locomotives were placed in storage due to the increasing use of Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) and the emergence of Class 73 electro-diesels, which could operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines. Inspired by the success of the Class 73s, British Rail converted the stored Class 71s at Crewe Works, removing the pantographs and fitting them with diesel engines. The rebuilt Class 74s were introduced between November 1967 and May 1968 in BR Blue livery and numbered E6101–E6110, later renumbered as 74001–74010 under TOPS.

The Class 74s were primarily intended for boat train services to Southampton and Weymouth, eliminating the need for locomotive changes at Eastleigh and Bournemouth. However, reliability issues with the diesel engines often led to substitutions by Class 33 locomotives. Besides passenger services, Class 74s also handled mixed-traffic duties, including night mail and newspaper trains, until the mid-1970s, when the introduction of more 4-REP EMUs reduced their passenger work. By December 1977, the entire Class 74 fleet was withdrawn, with all units scrapped by January 1981.

Bachmann’s new EFE Rail Class 74 model has been meticulously researched using original plans, drawings, and photographs to ensure historical accuracy. The model features an injection-moulded bodyshell with separately fitted etched metal grilles, metal handrails, lamp irons, windscreen wipers, and cab-end jumper cables. Additional detailing includes sprung buffers and full bufferbeam pipework. The cab interior is fully detailed, with seats, control desks, and authentic decorations.

Powered by a high-quality coreless motor, the model provides drive to both bogies and every axle, with electrical pickup from all wheels. It includes a 21-pin DCC decoder socket and space for a speaker. Cab lighting is available for both analogue and DCC users, with illuminated route blinds that can be controlled via DCC or chassis-mounted switches for analogue operation.

With production set to begin soon, livery samples for the EFE Rail Class 74 models will be unveiled during the Spring 2025 British railway announcements. The premiere will take place on the Bachmann Europe YouTube channel at 09:30 on Wednesday, 5th February, ahead of the model’s expected mid-2025 release.