Bachmann WD Austerity Class 90441 BR Black Early Emblem Ref: 32-261

A brand new 00 gauge example especially developed by “Bachmann Branchline” as part of their LATEST 21 DCC READY series. This WD Austerity Class is in BR Black Early Emblem with running number 90441 model reference 32-261. This locomotive is boxed brand new and complete without exception! Includes original service sheets inner card and sealed accessories.

The War Department (WD) “Austerity” 2-8-0 is a type of heavy freight steam locomotive that was introduced in 1943 for war service. A total of 935 were built, making this one of the most-produced classes of British steam locomotive.

The Austerity 2-8-0 was based on the LMS Class 8F, which until that point had been the government’s standard design. Various modifications were made to the 8F design by R.A. Riddles in order to prioritise low cost over design life.These included a boiler of simpler construction which was parallel rather than tapered and a round-topped firebox rather than a Belpaire firebox. The firebox was made of steel rather than the rarer and more expensive copper.

The North British Locomotive Company (NBL) of Glasgow built 545 (split between their two works at Hyde Park and Queen’s Park) and the Vulcan Foundry (VF) of Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, built 390. North British also built a larger 2-10-0 version.