The Class 13 Diesel Shunter is one of the few classes of diesel locomotive never to have been modelled in OO scale, until now! After mastering the Class 08, Bachmann Branchline has been slaving away on models of these enigmatic locomotives which were created from two Class 08s to shunt the Tinsley Marshalling Yard near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, between 1965 and 1985.
The new Branchline model shares a lot of its DNA with its Class 08 cousins, employing the same high mechanical and technical specification for smooth and powerful running, and with advanced electrical features like the Bach-Up Stay Alive system providing DCC users with uninterrupted power and the full suite of lighting which is user-configurable whether you’re running on analogue or DCC. What’s more, both the master and slave units are motorised and fully functional, meaning you’re effectively getting two locomotives in one!
Externally, new tooling has been produced to capture all the hallmarks of the master and slave units that made up the Class 13, from the heavy-duty bufferbeams that were thickened and enlarged to add weight and aid adhesion on the real locos to the drastic changes made to the slave unit with the removal of much of its cab and controls. This external beauty is brought to life by the exquisite livery application which uses true-to-prototype colours, fonts and logos to create the ultimate diesel shunter.
This SOUND FITTED DELUXE model takes operating realism to another level with the revolutionary Auto-Release Couplings which provide hands-free DCC uncoupling at the press of a function button. Controlled by the pre-fitted Zimo DCC decoders, a sound decoder in the master unit and a loco decoder in the slave, authentic sound effects can also be enjoyed with the sound synchronised and played through the speakers in both the master and slave thanks to a discreet wired connection between the two units.
 
Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
Era 7
Pristine BR Blue livery
Running No. 13003
OLEO Buffers (Master unit, cab end only) / LMS Pattern Buffers (Master unit radiator end, and Slave unit)
SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a Zimo MS450P22 DCC Sound Decoder (Master unit) and a Zimo MN330P22 Loco Decoder (Slave unit) – See below for the function list
Length 244mm
 
BACHMANN BRANCHLINE CLASS 13 SPECIFICATION
EACH CLASS 13 COMPRISES 1x MASTER UNIT AND 1x SLAVE UNIT, BOTH OF WHICH ARE MOTORISED AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL
MECHANISM (COMMON FEATURES FOUND ON BOTH THE MASTER AND SLAVE UNIT):
Five pole motor with flywheel providing drive to the rear axle
Sprung centre axle to aid running over uneven track
Electrical pickup from all wheels
Separate metal bearings fitted to each axle
Diecast metal chassis block incorporating the 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 the cab end of the Master unit and the radiator end of the Slave unit
Master and Slave units connect with a rigid coupling bar that fits into NEM362 coupling pockets mounted to integral close coupling mechanisms
Auto-Release Couplings fitted at the cab end of the master unit and the radiator end of the slave unit – DCC operated, hands-free uncoupling with the press of a function button (SOUND FITTED DELUXE models only)
Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater
DETAILING (COMMON FEATURES FOUND ON BOTH THE MASTER AND SLAVE UNIT, WHERE APPLICABLE):
Precision moulded bodyshell and frames/running board with numerous separately fitted parts including footsteps, bonnet grilles and lamp irons
Separately applied metal detail parts, including sand boxes and sand pipes, grab handles, windscreen wipers, light conduits and lifting points
Authentic outside-framed running gear
Frames constructed from multiple components, including separate springs and brake gear allowing full relief detailing
Sprung metal buffers
Cab interior detailing which includes the control desk, instruments & dials, equipment cabinets and handbrake, all with era-specific decoration
Each model supplied with a full set of decorated bufferbeam pipework, master-to-slave pipes and cables, bufferbeam infills and accessory parts including screw-link couplings (cosmetic)
LIGHTING – MASTER UNIT:
Four fully operational marker lights on the cab end, controlled by microswitches (easily accessed via the removable, clip-on roof panel) allowing user-configured light patterns and colours* (*selected lights only, choose between red or white)
Shunting lights (one red and one white light) operated via a dedicated function on DCC (one DCC function controls the shunting lights on both the Master and Slave unit), or using an easy access microswitch on Analogue control
Cab light operated via a dedicated function on DCC, or using an easy access microswitch on Analogue control
All marker lights on the Master unit can be turned on/off independent of the Slave unit via two dedicated functions on DCC, or using an easy access microswitch on Analogue control
Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each model based on era and application
Lights fitted to the radiator end are prototypically non-functional
LIGHTING – SLAVE UNIT:
Four fully operational marker lights on the radiator end, controlled by microswitches (easily accessed via the removable, clip-on roof panel) allowing user-configured light patterns and colours* (*selected lights only, choose between red or white)
Shunting lights (one red and one white light) operated via a dedicated function on DCC (one DCC function controls the shunting lights on both the Slave and Master unit), or using an easy access microswitch on Analogue control
All marker lights on the Slave unit can be turned on/off independent of the Master unit via two dedicated functions on DCC, or using an easy access microswitch on Analogue control
Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each model based on era and application
DCC (COMMON FEATURES FOUND ON BOTH THE MASTER AND SLAVE UNIT):
Plux22 DCC decoder interface
Easy-access DCC decoder socket via a removable roof panel – secured by clips for ensured fit and alignment
2-pin connector wire for use between the Master and Slave units to ensure full DCC-functionality
Bach-Up Stay Alive System providing uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs (operates on DCC only)
SOUND: