Kernow Model Rail Centre at Camborne in Cornwall has announced a new release of an OO gauge Class 31 diesel locomotive and five-plank open wagons, also in OO gauge.

The Class 31 diesel locomotive is a Class 31/1 variant numbered 31 309, bearing the name Cricklewood, in BR Blue livery with a white stripe, and produced by Bachmann exclusively for the Kernow Model Rail Centre.

It features a diecast chassis block housing a five-pole, twin-shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to all axles.

The SOUND FITTED DELUXE version has rotating radiator fans driven by an independent motor and gearbox operated via a DCC function.

Many separately applied metal detail parts are fitted to the body, including grab handles, windscreen wipers, etched fan grilles and sprung metal buffers.

A Dual Fitted speaker system pre-fitted to every model provides authentic sound reproduction. When used on DCC, cab lighting and engine room lights can be controlled, whilst analogue operation has marker lights, tail lights, and headlights.

The Kernow Model Centre’s exclusive model is in BR Blue livery with an original style body plated gangway doors, and glazed headcode panels displaying ‘Dominos’.

It is fitted with windscreen washer jets with covers, a modified buffer beam cowling, and original windscreen and main fan grilles with horizontal fins. It also features English Electric engine block details and engine exhaust ports, plated boiler port, plated water filler hatch, plated bodyside steps, and battery boxes with additional safety clips.

Three versions of 31309 will be available, with ‘early bird’ pre-order prices for 60 days at £183.99 for DCC Ready with a Plux22 DCC decoder socket, £276.99 for SOUND FITTED models, which will be pre-fitted with a Zimo MS450P22 DCC Decoder, and £319.99 for the SOUND FITTED DELUXE version incorporating the new motorised fan system and the DCC-uncoupling through the Bachmann Auto-release Coupling System.

The wagons are ‘Open A’ wagons built to Southern Railway diagram 1369 and finished in London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) livery. Three wagons that quickly sold out last May are being re-released, along with three new versions with different running numbers.

The model to diagram 1369 will enable the use of post-1912 diagonal strapping with rounded ends to enable the sheet rail to be positioned anywhere between vertical or side positions.

Diagram 1364 square-ended wagons that are conversions from D1369 wagons, and new wagons built between 1924 and 1926, were all on a wooden chassis with either eight open spoke or four-hole disc wheels, and with axle box covers lettered LBSC, SR, or plain.

Brake options are provided for single inside or outside and double and middle Vee Hangers, as well as plain tapered or ribbed taper shank buffers.

The new Diagram 1369 versions will be in LB&SCR grey livery, cost £32.99, and will be available during the summer. Versions in other liveries and the square-ended Diagram 1364 wagons are available now.

Kernow Model Rail Centre recently launched a model of heritage 4-Vep electric multiple unit No. 3417 Gordon Pettitt to help raise funds towards its preservation.

“While 31 309 was the favourite of Cricklewood Depot it was very well travelled, often working well away from the MML (Midland Main Line) base, including Bristol to Cardiff, Scarborough to York, Blackpool to Nottingham, Liverpool to Nottingham, and that is just the passenger workings! Freight workings include locations such as Preston and Healey Mills – most layouts will surely find a home for 31 309.”

Chris Trerise, Managing Director, Kernow Model Centre