Graham Farish late-condition ‘Goyle'

Three late-condition (refurbished) Class 31s are part of the latest batch of six ‘N’ gauge Class 31 models to be released by Bachmann under the Graham Farish label. New toolings have been employed to create this version of the ‘Goyle’ which dates from the 1980s.

Refurbished locos

HEAVY general repairs undertaken to Class 31s during the 1980s and early 1990s not only extended the life of the Class 31 to see use on the business sector railway, but well into the privatisation era too.

It changed their appearance, prompting Bachmann to develop new toolings for the late condition (refurbished) version of the Graham Farish Class 31 model. The mid-height body side beading is not present, the headcode panels plated over and fitted with two marker lights alongside the fitting of cab to shore radio aerial pods. Roof fittings relating to train steam heating are modelled as plated over or removed.

Overhauls saw changes to the cooling area of the locomotive with vertical radiator grilles replacing the original format on many locomotives, a feature replicated on the model of No. 31319 which is offered in Trainload Freight Petroleum livery. The raised rim around the roof fan grille of the revised radiator arrangement is also represented alongside a headlight applied to each cab. The buffer beam fairing was removed during the overhauls too, to expose the sides of the bufferbeam framing, faithfully replicated on the new models. During the heavy general repair programme, more Class 31/1s were converted to Class 31/4, an option which is incorporated in the new toolings.