The Branchline ‘Turbostar’ is back with this brand-new model that has been designed from the rails up to create a new star for the OO scale multiple unit fleet. Building on the success of the Branchline Class 158 with its low level, invisible drive train and comprehensive lighting suite, our new ‘Turbostar’ take things a step further with the addition of a Bach-Up Stay Alive System. Like the 158, a Plux22 DCC Decoder socket is located beneath a removable underframe panel and this controls all vehicles via the inter-car couplings which incorporate close-coupling mechanisms and multiway electrical connections.
The lighting features include directional lights with day/night modes and independent control of either end, a necessity when you’re working your units in multiple, which you can do thanks to the working miniature Dellner couplings fitted to the outer ends allowing two or more units to be joined together. Passenger saloon lighting is fitted as are illuminated destination panels on both the cab fronts and vehicle sides, while DCC users can take advantage of the working door interlock lights, and cab lights too. On this SOUND FITTED model, all of these lighting functions are controlled on DCC via the pre-fitted decoder which also produces authentic sounds for next level realism.
The model’s impressive specification is complemented by its good looks which are brought to life with the exquisite livery application, using authentic colours, logos and markings to create a showpiece model worthy of any modern collection.
MODEL FEATURES:
- Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
- Era 9
- Pristine Southern (GTR) livery
- Running No. 171727
- Two-Car Unit comprising car Nos. 50727 & 79727
- Destination blinds for London Bridge
- SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder
- Length 614mm
BACHMANN BRANCHLINE ‘TURBOSTAR’ SPECIFCIATION
MECHANISM:
EACH TWO-CAR UNIT COMPRISES TWO POWERED DRIVING VEHICLES WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
- Invisible Drive thanks to the low-level drive train
- 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 or Dellner Couplings (depending on variant) at the cab end
- Conductive couplings with integral close coupling mechanism at gangway ends
- Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater
DETAILING:
- Precision moulded bodyshells with accurately engraved details such as panel lines, doors and vents
- Prototypical ‘Ribbon’ glazing on each side with separate flush glazing for the doors and windscreens
- Separately applied etched metal roof grilles and windscreen wipers
- Authentic Bogie mouldings complete with brake and suspension detail
- Fully detailed underframes comprising numerous separately fitted, high fidelity components
- Passenger saloon interior complete with tables, chairs and partition walling
- Driver’s cab includes the control desk, seat and cab rear bulkhead with authentic detailing
- Each model is supplied with an accessory pack and coupling tool
LIGHTING:
- Directional lighting 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
- Illuminated destination panels, including central bodyside panels where applicable
- 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 the master driving car
- Bach-Up Stay Alive System providing uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs (operates on DCC only)
SOUND:
- Two speakers fitted, one in each driving vehicle, for optimum sound reproduction – fitted to every model as standard
- ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder pre-installed in SOUND FITTED versions
- Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline Class 170/171 DMU using recordings from real units
- SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied
LIVERY APPLICATION:
- Authentic liveries applied to each vehicle including interior decoration
- Multiple paint applications employed using corporate specification colours
- Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing process, incorporating authentic typefaces, logos and colours
CLASS 168/170/171 ‘TURBOSTAR’ DMU HISTORY
The ‘Turbostar’ Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) were built by ADtranz (which later became Bombardier Transportation) at the historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works. The ‘Turbostars’ are a family of DMUs that share a modular design, much of which was derived from the earlier Class 165 and 166 DMUs which came from the ‘Networker’ family of units.
Construction of the first ‘Turbostars’ began in 1997, shortly after the Privatisation of British Rail, with Chiltern Railways placing the opening order for new units that would go on to be known as the Class 168s. The first vehicles to be outshopped used ‘Networker’ style cabs as the new cab design was still being finalised and these units were allocated Class 168/0, whereas later builds which used the new ‘Turbostar’ cabs were classed as168/1s and 168/2s. The Class 168s were fitted with BSI couplings at the outer ends, with electrical connections that were compatible with the Class 165 and 166s that Chiltern had inherited from Network SouthEast.
The first Class 170 units were ordered by Midland Mainline with deliveries commencing in November 1998, the first units entering service in May the following year. Like the 168s, the Class 170s were fitted with BSI couplings but with standard electrical connections, allowing them to work in multiple with existing units in the Class 15x series. Construction took place over a seven year period at the end of which more than 120 units had been delivered in either 2-car or 3-car formations for multiple operators around the UK. The fleet is split into various subclasses, usually linked to the original operator and the train’s formation or interior layout as specified when new.
Concurrent with production of the Class 170s, Southern placed an order for Class 171s that were delivered as 4-car Class 171/8s in 2004. These differed from the 170s by having Dellner couplings instead of the BSI type at the outer ends, along with electronic destination panels on the bodysides. Southern had taken delivery of some 2-car Class 170s a year earlier and these were subsequently fitted with Dellner couplings and reclassified as 171/7s joining a small number of 2-car units that were built as 171s from new.
Today, the ‘Turbostars’ are still in daily frontline service across the UK, working on both regional and long distance-services for which they remain well suited thanks to their 100mph top speed. Class 168s and 171s are still operated by Chiltern and Southern respectively, whilst current operators of the Class 170 fleet include Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Northern and ScotRail.
