TMC unveils exclusive Class 31 in OO

These all-new exclusives for ‘OO’ benefit from Bachmann Europe’s forthcoming, further revised, Class 31 tooling for ‘OO’, which now features a ‘Bach-up’ stay-alive system, all-wheel electrical pick-up and reinforced driver’s cab windscreen. Meanwhile, the precision-tooled Mk. 2F coaches are offered in a choice of standard or upgraded ‘DCC onboard’ with lights.

The Model Centre is offering discounts of 15% off RRP if 31601 The Mayor of Casterbridge and 31452 Minotaur are purchased together in DCC-ready, DCC sound-fitted, or DCC sound-fitted ‘Deluxe’ guises.

Both locomotives are offered at the below prices and are expected to arrive early next year.

• 31452 (35-825Y) + 31601 (35-825Z) DCC-ready duo: £340.00* (£199.95 RRP ea.) Save £59.90!
• 31452 (35-825YSF) + 31601 (35-825ZSF) DCC sound-fitted duo: £526.00* (£309.95 RRP ea.) Save £93.90!
• 31452 (35-825YSFX) + 31601 (35-825ZSFX) DCC sound-fitted ‘Deluxe’ duo: £611.00* (£359.95 RRP ea.) Save £108.90!

TMC is offering all three Mk. 2F Tourist Second Opens (TSOs) and Mk. 2F Brake Second Open (BSO) individually with (or without) interior lights.   

• Four-coach bundle (standard): £305.00* (save 15% off RRP)
• Four-coach bundle (DCC onboard with lights): £372.00* (save 15% off RRP)
• Single coaches (standard): £80.95* (save 10% off RRP)
• Single coaches (DCC onboard with lights): £98.95* (save 10% off RRP)

About the prototype

Owing to a shortage of multiple units, from May 2004, Wessex Trains hired Fragonset Railways to provide ‘top-and-tail’ motive power to a set of Mk. 2 coaches for services under the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership, between Bristol and Weymouth.

To coincide with the launch, Fragonset’s re-wired Class 31/6, 31601 and five Mk. 2 coaches were repainted into this striking pink livery, whipping rail enthusiasts and the railway media into a photographic frenzy, while the covers of printed railway media and lineside photography instantly became more colourful.

In its new livery, 31601 also saw use on evening specials running to Glastonbury Festival, numerous spot-hire services, Network Rail Overhead Line Electrification (OLE) trains from Finsbury Park - even running light-engine as far north as Inverness to Carlisle on route learning for Serco!

Subsequently, the locomotive lost its ‘The heart of Wessex Line’ branding and from 2006 would carry the name Gauge O Guild 1956-2006 in honour of the 50th anniversary of its show, ‘Guildex’. As experts in customisation, TMC will customise models of 31601 to reflect these changes at additional cost, if customers so choose upon checkout.