Dapol has announced plans for an all-new ‘N’ gauge BR Class 87 Bo-Bo electric locomotive.
Built at British Rail’s Crewe Works in the early 1970s, 36 Class 87 AC electric locomotives were introduced from 1973 in connection with the extension of electrification on the northern section of the West Coast Main Line to Glasgow. They remained in front-line service on passenger (and freight in early years) until 2005, when Virgin Trains’ new tilting Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ electric units took over passenger workings. Several were taken on by freight operators, although much of the class was subsequently exported for further use in Bulgaria. Three have been preserved, one in main line condition.
Dapol’s all-new ‘N’ gauge model will reflect the prototype through the years, with the all-new tooling suite enabling the manufacturer to produce models from 1973 through to the present day, with accurate detail differences incorporated to the front ends and roof, while high speed and cross-arm pantographs will also be tooled. Dapol’s tooling will also include an accurate roof to model unique Class 87101.
The specification includes a five-pole super-creep motor, all-wheel drive and pick-up, Next18 Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder socket, posable (non-functional) pantographs, separately fitted detailing, directional lighting, NEM couplings and an accessory pack containing optional detailing for customer fitment.
Eight models are planned initially finished as 87031 Hal o’ the Wynd in BR blue (Cat No. 2D-087-001), 87017 Iron Duke in InterCity ‘Swallow’ livery (2D-087-002), 87035 Robert Burns in Virgin Trains colours (2D-087-003), 87022 in DRS livery (2D-087-004), 87101 Stephenson in BR blue (2D-087-005), 87002 Royal Sovereign in Caledonian Sleeper livery (2D-087-006) and a twin-pack containing 87006 City of Glasgow in BR large logo grey and 87012 Coeur de Lyon in BR Intercity ‘Executive’ schemes (2D-087-007).
Prices for individual locomotives are set at £155 DCC ready and £190 DCC fitted, while the twin-pack is priced at £300 DCC ready and £370 DCC fitted. Release is currently slated for the third quarter of 2024.
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