This week saw the arrival of Bachmann 32-451, otherwise known as D369.

The ‘Bible’ in 1960

The introduction of the English Electric Type 4 took place back in 1958. This was some 56 years ago towards the end of my ‘train spotting’ career. More like class of sixty than class of forty.

Despite being a diesel locomotive as opposed to steam, the Type 4s made a lasting impression and I bought my first Bachmann model, D325 (32-477) in May 2007. This was the ‘custard dip’ version and it was soon followed in the June by D210 (32-478) new from Hattons, a BR (LMR) engine. After some searching it was followed by D368 (32-475) with small yellow pane new from Scalerail, which seemed to fit better with my north east memories. The Bachmann Type 4s were super smooth and powerful runners compared to the split chassis steam outline models of the period and I was fortunate to find a fine example of D396 to make a set of four. I was never happy with the all yellow front of D325 and it was sold. When Bachmann announced 32-451 there was, shall we say, a space for the new D369 (32-451).

From left to right D210, D368, D396, D369

Straight out of the box I would post a picture to Flickr comparing the new model with the old:

D368 (Rt) D369 (L) – D368 lowered

Both models would seem to have their good points and I am not sufficiently expert to say what is right and what is wrong. However a number of people have asked me to detail how I lowered the older model – D368.

From left to right D210, D368, D396, D369 – as bought except for D368

Perhaps I had bought a ‘reject’ model. For whatever reason there was a lot of daylight between the body and the bogies. I would compare the model with D210 which was a later version.

D210 - inside

D210 - the driving console just pops out

In contrast the driving console for D368 is a nasty chunky piece of plastic.

D368 – the driving console

I am not sure in what order I tackled the job but I think I swapped the bodies and chassis of D210 and D368 and concluded that I needed to shave off some of the plastic driving console from D368.

D368 – inside modifications

I also decided that I needed to shorten the middle four body shell support pillars so that the body would sit down better on the metal chassis. However as can be seen in the view above I must have cut too much plastic away as I had to put some plastic spacers back at one end!

D368 (32-475) was the only Class 40 that I had to modify – it has the lowest reference number so might be the oldest. I shall add a few comparison views:

D368 (Rt) D210 (L)

D368 (Rt) D369 (L)

D368 (L) D369 (Rt)

D368 (Rt) D369 (L) – layout location

Finally there is a short video clip of D368 on a BR (ER) express passing D369 still running in!