Bachmann Branchline has announced new versions of its award-winning Brush Type 4 Class 47 diesel locomotives.

The first version was released in 2021, when it was named “Model of the Year 2021”, with two features new to the British market, and it also received the “Innovation of the Year”.

The new features were motorised radiator fans driven by an independent motor and gearbox, and tinted windscreen glazing that replicated the tinted windscreens of real locomotives. Where appropriate, those features are now standard on Bachmann’s SOUND FITTED DELUXE diesel locomotives.

The Bachmann Branchline Class 47 has now been upgraded with more innovations and enhancements, including an Auto-Release Coupling system that provides hands-free, automated uncoupling using Digital Command Control (DCC), and making improvements to SOUND FITTED DELUXE models.

More details about the upgraded Branchline Class 47 will be announced when the Winter 2025 British Railway Announcements are released on Wednesday, 5th November, but some details have been released in advance.

As well as the Auto-Release Couplings, all Class 47s now have a Bach-Up Stay Alive System pre-installed that, when running on DCC, provides uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, flickering lights, and cutting out of sound.

SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models now come wth a Dual Fitted XL speaker system that combines two speakers, including a new enhanced bass reproduction speaker that incorporates a passive radiator design to reproduce sound with full depth and clarity.

Snowploughs, which were fitted to some Class 47s, have been totally redesigned to attach to the locomotive chassis for better realism running on curved track.

The current upgrade includes five new models that include liveries and variants not previously available, including a model of No. D1676 Vulcan in BR two-tone green with full yellow ends commissioned by The Model Centre.

The new models will be available in the first half of 2026, at the same price as the existing Branchline Class 47 of £239.95 for the standard version.

Last week, Bachmann announced the production of the first ready-to-run model of BR Class 13 diesel shunters, and last May, Bachmann’s Summer British Railway Announcements included four Class 47s added to its N Scale Graham Farish range.