The LMS ‘Twins’ – Nos. 10000 and 10001 – were the very first mainline diesel locomotives built in the UK and this Bachmann Branchline model tells the story of No. 10000 during its time working on the Southern Region.
Built by the LMS and so becoming part of the Midland Region’s fleet under BR, after five years in traffic the ‘Twins’ were sent to the Southern Region (SR) between 1953 and 1955 for trails alongside the SR’s own prototype diesels. To work on the SR, additional headcode lights and brackets were fitted to suit the Southern 6 position headcode system as displayed on this model of No. 10000, which is depicted in its striking black and silver livery with early emblems.
The Bachmann Branchline model is a highly detailed replica of the pioneering prototype, adorned with numerous separately fitted components to accurately capture the appearance of this iconic machine. The livery application captures the splendour of this elegant locomotive, whilst engine room detailing has been replicated through the bodyside windows for the first time. Inside, the proven combination of a five pole motor and twin flywheels, driving both bogies and with all-wheel drive will provide enough power for any prototypical train. Smooth running is assured thanks to the use of separate metal bearings on each axle. The 21 Pin DCC decoder socket makes it easy to equip this model for DCC use, and there’s space for a speaker to be fitted if you wish to add sound, or why not opt for our SOUND FITTED model and enjoy realistic sound effects straight out of the box – whether you’re running on analogue or DCC!
MODEL FEATURES:
- Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
- Era 4
- Pristine BR Black & Silver Early Emblem livery
- Running No. 10000
- Six Headcode Lights & Brackets at each end
- Bodysides Steps
- Water Scoops Fitted
- Powerful 5 Pole Motor
- NEM Coupling Pockets
- Directional Lighting
- Chassis mounted switches allow tail lights to be turned off and provide a choice between Passenger or Freight headcode light configurations
- Cab Lighting
- Detailed Cab Interior with pre-fitted crew in one cab
- Accessory Pack
- Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
- Equipped with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-557A
- Length 254mm (over couplings)
LMS 10000 & 10001 CLASS HISTORY
The LMS ‘Twins’ Nos. 10000 and 10001 were the first mainline diesel locomotives built in Great Britain. A joint venture between the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) and English Electric, the pair were first conceived in 1946. The body and chassis design was undertaken by the LMS’s Chief Mechanical Engineer H. G. Ivatt, and English Electric provided the engine, electric systems and machinery. Construction of No. 10000 began at Derby Works in 1947 and the locomotive was outshopped in December of that year, days before Nationalisation of Britain’s railways.
Both locomotives entered traffic in an eye-catching black and silver livery, with large chrome numbers fitted at each end of the bodysides, below the cab windows. The letters LMS were also applied in chrome to No. 10000, however No. 10001 did not enter service until mid-1948, with British Railways completing its construction, and so it entered traffic with neither LMS nor BR markings.
The locomotives worked both singularly and as a pair on the Midland Main Line and West Coast Main Line, hauling named expresses and lower key services, and venturing north of the border into Scotland. Interconnecting doors were fitted within the noses of each engine, allowing crew and personnel to move between the two in motion, but this feature was seldom used.
In 1953 the Twins were sent to the Southern Region, being fitted with an additional pair of marker lights and lamp brackets beforehand which made them compatible with the SR’s practice of using headcodes to denote both train types and routes. During a two year period on the Southern Region the Twins worked alongside the Southern’s own diesel prototypes before returning to the Midland Region in 1955.
As prototypes, changes and modifications were made to the locomotives during the years and this included the fitting of water scoops to allow water for the steam heat boiler to be collected from troughs located between the rails ‘on the move’. Ironically, in common with many early diesels, the performance of the steam heat boilers was woeful, and in colder months the pair were often relegated to freight workings where steam heat provision was not required.
By the late-1950s new, production series diesel locomotives were arriving en-masse and whilst their time in service had been highly educational and helped to shape the BR diesel fleet, the writing was on the wall for this pair on non-standard prototypes. No. 10000 was officially withdrawn in December 1963, whilst No. 10001 lasted to March 1966, kept going with components salvaged from its Twin. Sadly, neither was saved and both were subsequently scrapped, but their legacy carried on in the Class 40s, 50s and 56s which all used versions of the English Electric 16SVT engine and today, works is ongoing to build a replica of No. 10000.
