The North Eastern Railway E Class 0-6-0T, later the LNER J71, was the forerunner to the E1 (LNER J72) and whilst models of the E1 have famously been made by Bachmann and its predecessor Mainline Railways for almost 50 years, the NER E Class has never been produced in OO Scale, until now!
Drawing inspiration from the all-new Branchline E1 model that was launched to great acclaim just a few years ago, the new E Class employs a wealth of new tooling to accurately depict the NER’s original standard 0-6-0 tank locomotive. Despite the similarities, the E Class is instantly recognisable thanks to its larger driving wheels, while the smaller bunker means that the tanks, cab and bunker on this Branchline model are all-new too. Then there is the original boiler with clack valves and Ramsbottom safety valves – another early feature that necessitates its own, dedicated tooling.
The model boasts a diecast metal running plate with integral tank weights, again produced new for the E Class to portray the differences seen between the E and E1, and to this the precision moulded components are added, from the tanks to the boiler and many smaller details alongside. Metal parts are then used to replicate features like the lamp irons, guard irons and sand pipes, and the handrails are made from metal wire which is fitted into turned metal knobs.
Inside, the Branchline E Class employs a coreless motor with diecast gearbox and the driving axles each have separate metal bearings, a combination that ensures smooth and reliable running. With electrical pickup from all wheels, a firebox lighting system and Next18 DCC interface, plus a pre-fitted speaker in every model, the E Class boasts the same impressive technical specification as its E1 relative. Whilst the drive train and electronics may not be visible, every part of the model that can be seen is treated to an exquisite paint finish to complete the look, with rich colours and precision printing of the numbering and lettering to produce a model as elegant as its Victorian prototype.
What’s more, this SOUND FITTED model with its pre-fitted ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder is ready to be used on both analogue and DCC straight from the box, providing authentic sound effects for an extra level of realism!
 
Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
Era 2
Pristine NER Lined Green & Maroon Livery
Running No. 495
Fitted with a ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder – – See below for the function list
Length 118mm (over couplings)
DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL
Boiler Clack Valves
Ramsbottom Safety Valves
Bell Whistle
Steam Brakes Only
Plain Smokebox Door
Twin Smokebox Door Handles
Parallel Shank Buffers with Round Mounts
Original Bunker without Coal Rails
Rear Cab Windows without Bars
 
BACHMANN BRANCHLINE NER E CLASS (J71) SPECIFICATION
MECHANISM:
Coreless motor
Electrical pickup from all wheels
Separate metal bearings fitted to each driving axle
Diecast metal chassis block
Diecast metal gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
16.5mm (OO gauge) wheels to NEM310 & NEM311 standards with authentic profile and detailing
Detachable coupling pockets to NEM362 standards fitted at each end
Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater
DETAILING:
Diecast metal running plate with integral side tank weights
Precision moulded plastic boiler, side tanks, cab and bunker
Separately applied details including splashers, tank filler hatches, safety valves, dome and chimney, smokebox handles, clack valves* and vacuum pipes* (*where applicable)
Individual metal detail components including handrails, handrail knobs, guard irons, lamp irons and turned metal whistle
Highly detailed and decorated cab interior including controls, dials, gauges and tool cabinets with separately fitted regulator, reverser and handbrake
Running gear detailing includes springs, brakes and separately fitted brake gear, sandboxes and sandpipes
Glazed cab spectacles
Sprung metal buffers
Each model supplied with an accessory pack including cab doors, additional bufferbeam pipework, poseable lamps and three-link couplings
LIGHTING:
Firebox Glow (on analogue) / Firebox Glow & Flicker (on DCC or when SOUND FITTED models are used on analogue)
DCC:
Next18 DCC decoder interface
SOUND:
Speaker installed in all models for optimum sound reproduction
ESU Loksound Micro V5DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED versions
Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline J71 using recordings from real locomotives
SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied
LIVERY APPLICATION:
Authentic liveries applied to all models
Multiple paint applications employed on each model
Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing incorporating authentic typefaces, logos and colours
 
SOUNDS
F1 - Sound - On/Off
F2 - Brake (Non-Latching)
F3 - Cylinder Drain Cocks
F4 - Whistle (Playable)
F5 - Normal Load / Heavy Load
F6 - On - Firebox Door Opening / Off - Firebox Door Closing
F7 - Injectors
F8 - Whistle
F9 - Flange Squeal (Speed Related)
F10 - Shovelling Coal (F6 must be On)
F11 - Blower (Sound Only / Stationary and with F6 On - Sound and Lights)
F12 - Hand Brake (locomotive won’t move with Hand Brake applied)
F13 - Water Tank Filling
F14 - Coupling/Un-coupling Clank
F15 - Safety Valve
F16 - Guard's Whistle & Driver’s Response Toot
F17 - Coasting
F18 - On - Sounds Fade Out / Off - Sounds Fade In
F19 - Shunt Mode (Reduces Speed)
F20 - Acceleration/Deceleration Inertia Off
F21 - Volume Control (LATCH = Volume On/Off) or (TRIGGER = cycles 6 Volume Levels)
F22 - Rail Join Clatter
Analogue Users: Please note that normal load running sounds, acceleration steam chuff sounds and any other automatic and randomised sounds will also operate when this model is used on analogue control (DC) straight from the box!
 
NER E CLASS (J71) HISTORY
The NER E Class 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive, later classified as J71 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), was designed by Thomas W. Worsdell for the North Eastern Railway and was intended to become the company’s standard design for shunting engines. T. W. Worsdell became the NER’s Locomotive Superintendent in 1885 and a year later, the first E Class tank entered traffic. Eventually totalling 120 locomotives, 60 were built under T. W. Worsdell’s tenure, followed by 60 more when his brother Wilson Worsdell took over as Locomotive Superintendent following Thomas’s retirement in 1890. Construction ceased in 1895 and three years later, Wilson introduced his own take on the design, the E1 Class, the first of which entered traffic in 1898.
The E Class was set apart from the later E1s by having larger driving wheels and smaller cylinders. The splashers were larger as a result of the larger wheels, meanwhile the ‘Es’ sported smaller bunkers and were not fitted with coal rails at first, although these were later included.