The K3 was one of the LNER’s most successful designs, quickly becoming a Group Standard design following Grouping in 1923, and we are delighted to present this Bachmann Branchline model of the LNER stalwart which returns to the range as No. 61985 in BR Lined Black livery.

The Branchline model of Gresley’s 2-6-0 mogul employs a diecast running plate and locomotive chassis to provide an impressive weight, ensuring that the model’s strength and versatility is true to prototype. Meanwhile, those components produced in plastic are precision moulded, with details such as rivets and boiler bands crisply reproduced. Separate parts are then added to enhance the authenticity of the model further, from the metal handrails and lamp irons to the safety valves and sprung buffers, each of which are turned brass. Within the cab, controls, dials and pipework are all moulded authentically and decorated accordingly. Multiple parts are added to the locomotive’s chassis, with brake blocks and brake rigging, footsteps and metal wire sandpipes all fitted separately.

Moving to the tender and the locomotive to tender drawbar is adjustable to suit different layout conditions whilst the tender itself is finely moulded, with several separately applied details including the lamp irons, handrails, handwheels and sprung metal buffers. A realistic coal load is included, with the empty coal space modelled below, whilst the tender chassis includes brake rigging and the water scoop.

The livery application is what really brings this new K3 to life, with a rich application of black paintwork augmented by the lining which is applied with pinpoint precision. Numbering, lettering and the BR Early Emblem is reproduced in high definition, resulting in a model fit for any collection.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 4
• Pristine BR Lined Black (Early Emblem) livery
• Running No. 61985
• Group Standard Tender
• Adjustable Tender Drawbar
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Accessory Pack
• Equipped with a 8 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-566A
• Length 250mm (over couplings)

CLASS K3 HISTORY

The Class K3 ‘mogul' was primarily a development from earlier achievements by (later Sir) Nigel Gresley on the Great Northern Railway. His predecessor, Henry Ivatt, had already implemented the GNR's letter 'H' classification system for the 20 engines described as Class H1 purchased from the Baldwin Company, USA. The letter 'H' indicated a 2-6-0 locomotive. Gresley's pioneer class of 1912 was in essence an Ivatt 0-6-0 with pony truck and outside cylinders; this received the designation Class H2. A few years later, a development of this class with a larger boiler became Class H3. All were two cylinder locomotives.

Subsequently, 1920 saw the introduction of a version with an even larger boiler and three cylinders described as Class H4. After the Grouping they became reclassified K1, K2 and K3 by the LNER in order of their introduction. Altogether, 183 Class K3 locomotives were constructed between 1924 and 1937 at a variety of workshops in compliance with LNER standards, in addition to the ten GNR versions outshopped in 1920.

The emergence of Gresley's Class V2 2-6-2 locomotives in 1936 saw the end of K3 construction. The 193-strong fleet was used all over the former LNER system and the first K3 was withdrawn in February 1958. By December 1962 all were gone and sadly none survived into preservation.