Bachmann Europe Plc has announced the forthcoming release of new models of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) V2 Class 2-6-2 steam locomotive for its Graham Farish N scale range.

V2s were one of the London and North Eastern Railway’s most successful designs, and were often known as ‘the engines that won the war’ because of their contribution to the war effort during World War II.

They were designed for the ‘Green Arrow’ express goods services, and when the first of the class entered service in 1936, it was named Green Arrow.

In total, 184 V2s were built, and were to be seen across most parts of the London and North Eastern Railway network hauling both passenger and freight services.

Graham Farish N scale V2 models were first produced in 2004, and were the first new steam locomotives to be developed and released under the Graham Farish brand after it was taken over by Bachmann in 2000.

Since then, there have been many developments in British N scale models, and the 2004 version no longer meets the requirements of discerning N scale enthusiasts.

The latest model is a completely new design and uses the same research that was used for the OO scale V2 models in the Bachmann Branchline range three years ago.

It has a high-fidelity, injection-moulded bodyshell with a separate smokebox and running plate. Additional detail parts are fitted separately, including metal handrails, metal buffers, and front lower lamp irons.

Three versions of the tender will be available, with the tender bodyshell being injection-moulded, and fitted with a separate water scoop, tank filler, metal handrails and buffers, and a cast metal coal load.

The cab interior is fully detailed and features boiler backhead controls and gauges, driver’s and fireman’s seats, brake and water scoop standards, and a metal hinged tender-fallplate.

Options will be available for the original monobloc cylinder castings or the later arrangement of three separate cylinders, LNER or BR smokebox doors, and two types or rocker arm guides fitted to the cylinders.

Named locomotives can have their nameplates mounted on the running board, or as with Green Arrow, fitted to the smokebox sides.

Mechanically, the model has a coreless motor with a flywheel mounted into a diecast metal chassis block. Each driving wheel axle has separate metal bearings, and each driving wheel and tender wheel has electrical pickup.

Each model has the option of being SOUND FITTED, using a Zimo MS590N18 DCC sound decoder. The tender contains a Next18 DCC decoder socket and pre-fitted speaker connected to the locomotive through a discreet fixed drawbar with integral electrical connections.

Production of the first models is nearing completion, and livery samples will be revealed in the Autumn 2024 British Railway Announcements on Wednesday 7th August 2024, when pricing and availability will also be confirmed.

The models will be available from autumn/winter 2024, but before then they will be on display at the N Gauge Show in September.

Earlier this year, Bachmann announced new models in its Graham Farish range of a version of the Class 450 Electric Multiple Unit in South Western Railway anchor-mounted tank wagons, and Quarry Hunslet narrow-gauge locomotives.