Bachmann’s South Western Railway Class 450 Model

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Bachmann’s new model of a SWR Class 450 Desiro unit became available in mid-October. As it is a new version of an existing model these are just brief comments specifically about the new version. A full review of Bachmann’s earlier SWT version can be viewed on the group’s website at https://www.southernelectric.org.uk/model-reviews-bachmann-class-450/ .

This model, product code 31-042, is of unit 450036. Its four cars are correctly numbered and if the model is coupled in the recommended sequence (the cars are lettered A to D underneath) the consist is correct. Its consist is correctly DMCO – TSO – TSO – DMCO instead of the SWT’s version DMSO – TCO – TSO – DMSO. Its destination on both cab ends and in side displays is London W’loo. Of particular note is the plethora of smaller markings, and those on the bogies and underfloor electrical equipment cases are a work of art. The earlier SWT version did not have so many small markings. The pick-up shoes are positioned outside of conductor rail on OO/16.5mm gauge track. Presumably they are positioned to true scale.

The DMCOs carry the “A FirstGroup and MTR Company” branding that has since disappeared off the real units. On a quick look against photos the markings and paint colour boundaries appear to be correctly placed, but I need to spend much longer on this with a more comprehensive set of photos. The colours appear credible to my eyes, though maybe the light grey is a small fraction too dark and the blue-grey a small fraction too blue. I suspect fractionally not enough scale compression of colour has been applied, but we are well into the territory of individuals’ differing colour perception. The passenger saloon windows appear to be lightly smoked, but opinions differ between whether they are smoked or clear on the real trains. In my experience the windows’ appearance depends upon the prevailing lighting conditions. Can any member authoritively settle this matter?

My model ran very well indeed at differing speeds straight out of the box, and on DC the directional and other lights worked correctly. I mention this because purchases in recent years of MU models from another well-known model manufacturer have not. This model comes with a pack of inter-car electrically conducting couplers of the “spear” type (which unlike on some recent other Bachmann MU models fit together and take apart easily), a loudspeaker enclosure and its fixings, cab front air dams and Delner couplings to fix in place of the tension lock couplings (which are bogie mounted), cab front air pipes and three part dummy inter-car power and control cable looms (for use when the model is on static display).

Going now into “Martin Lewis mode”, the DC version has a RRP of £469.95 but is commonly discounted to around £399.95. In August 2017 the commonly discounted price for the DC SWT version was around £271.95. According to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator this price increase over eight years is about 10% above general inflation. There is also a DCC Sound version – 31-042SF – available, commonly discounted to around £484.95.

In 2017 my review of the SWT version I wrote it is an extremely good model. I am pleased to report that my opinion of the SWR version is the same. Thank you again Bachmann.

Colin Duff. Modelling Officer. 5th November 2025.