Join Mike Wild and Mark Chivers for the launch of our latest limited edition model featuring the pre-production sample.
KEY PUBLISHING and Bachmann are offering a unique livery on the English Electric Class 40 modelling 40145 in its preservation era BR large logo blue livery.
The Class 40 is owned by the Class 40 Preservation Society and was the first of its design to return to the main line in preservation following withdrawal of the last of the class, 40122, by British Railways in 1988.
Above: The limited edition models 40145 as it was between 2007 and 2010 carrying BR large logo blue.
40145 was preserved in 1984 and by 1994 it had been completely overhauled by the Class 40 Preservation Society at the East Lancashire Railway. It subsequently gained main line certification in 2002 and has been a popular performer on main line railtours across the country as well as on heritage lines.
In 2007 40145 saw its BR blue livery give way to a unique application of large logo blue, as it might have been painted had it been retained in service by BR. The locomotive was also named East Lancashire Railway. It retained this colour scheme on main line and preserved railway visits until 2010 when a traction motor flashover while working the ‘East Lancs Explorer’ charter brought the locomotive in for repairs. During its time on the main line 40145 reached Devon, Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, the East Coast Main Line, Norfolk and South Wales.
Above: Livery decoration includes the orange cantrail stripe as well as white marks on the wheels.
Above: Printed East Lancashire Railway nameplates are applied as part of the decoration while etched replacements are included with each model.
Above: The nose end benefits from new tooling to model the high-intensity light fitted to 40145.
40145 now carries BR green with small yellow warning panels and its original number D345 and continues in main line operation. It is currently on loan to West Coast Railways.
Key Publishing’s latest ‘OO’ gauge limited edition models 40145 East Lancashire Railway as it was between 2007-2010 using Bachmann’s existing Class 40 but with a flurry of new upgrades. New features include revision of the nose to incorporate the high-intensity headlight carried by 40145 as well as factory-fitted twin speakers and a Plux22 DCC interface. The specification caters for a five-pole motor, twin flywheels, directional lighting, turned metal wheels, sprung buffers and NEM coupling pockets. Nameplates will be printed on the model with etched versions included in the accessory pack.
Above: The Class 40 tooling includes an etched metal roof grille while 40145 also has bonnet mounted radio aerials.
Above: Inside 40145 features the latest chassis upgrades for the Bachmann Class 40 including twin speakers, a Plux22 decoder socket and independent light switching for the headcode box, high-intensity, tail and cab lights.
The limited edition of 40145 will be available exclusively through Key Publishing with a choice of DCC ready and DCC sound fitted versions and is restricted to 500 pieces. Prices are set at £229.95 DCC ready (Cat No. 32-489Z) and £329.95 DCC sound fitted (32-489ZSF).
Release is expected this summer and pre-orders with a £10 non-refundable securing deposit are open now by visiting the Key Model World Shop.
• Did you know… 40145 was first painted in large logo blue and carried number 40445 in the early 1990s while based on the East Lancashire Railway.
