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Class 30 Brush Type 2

Class 31 Brush Type 2

Class 33 BRCW Type 3

Class 35 'Hymek'

Class 37 EE Type 3

Class 40 EE Type 4

Class 41 'Warship'

Class 42 'Warship'

Class 43 'Warship'

Class 44 'Peak'

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Class 47 Brush Type 4

Class 48 Brush Type 4

Class 50 EE Type 5

Class 52 'Western'

Class 53 'Falcon'

Class 55 'Deltic'

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Class 70

Bachmann Class 24

The Class 24 was British Railways answer for a Type 2 locomotive. Built between 1958-1961 at Derby, Crewe and Darlington. In total, 151 were built. During the build, minor modifications appeared. From D5114 onwards, the head code discs were abandoned in favour of a four digit head code box, which in the case of the Class 24, was mounted on the roof above the cab windows. This made them look similar to the early Class 25's, but without the horn grilles either side of the head code box. Tablet catchers for working the Far North Line from Inverness were fitted to D5114-D5132. D5102-D5111 did not have a train heating boiler fitted as the space was used by compressors for working the Consett iron ore trains. The class was fairly reliable with the first withdrawals happening in 1967. The fleet was gradually run down in the early 1970's with the last example going on 1980. Four are preserved.

My first model of a Class 24 was a conversion of Hornby's Class 25 using a combination of Craftsman and A1 Models parts. The head code box was removed and replaced with the Craftsman white metal roof dome. I also replaced all the moulded bodyside grilles and roof fan grille and replaced them with A1 Models etched brass grilles. I also changed the Hornby Ringfield motor for a Branchlines MB35 motor bogie to improve slow speed running. I was very pleased with the way it turned out and still have it.

Bachmann introduced their model of a Class 24 in 2001. I bought one of these and have a Howes sound decoder fitted. It is a reasonable model, but nothing special in my opinion.

Bachmann released a model in 2001. An upgraded version was released in 2002 with yet another upgraded version in 2008. Sutton Locomotive Works released their version of a Class 24 in 2017 and is probably the definitive Class 24 model. It is extremely well observed and well made bristling with minute detail, extending even into the cabs. It also runs exceptionally well. It is a lot more expensive than the Bachmann version, but you can certainly see why. Bachmann released a new tooling version of the head code fitted Class 24/1 in 2020. This is a distinct improvement over their original Class 24/0. MTK also made a white metal kit.