Bachmann 32-480DS Class 40 Diesel D211 Mauretania BR Green Indicator Discs (DCC Sound)

Brief History Class 40

The Class 40 (or `Forties') may be regarded as the first successful British main line diesel locomotive. Originally designated Type 4 the original order consisted of a fleet of ten 2000bhp express locomotives by the BTC under the Modernisation Plan. Two hundred locomotives were subsequently constructed between 1958 and 1962 numbered in the range D200 - D399.

The Class was divided in allocation between the Eastern, London Midland and Scottish Regions, the distinctive 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement giving high route availability. Their genesis, in terms of mechanical function (but not external appearance), can be traced to the 10000 - 10001 early diesels of BR (LMS) and 10201-10203 of BR (SR), the latter in particular. All, with the exception of twenty, saw construction at English Electric Vulcan foundry in Newton-le-Willows.

Twenty-five of the Class received names. Numbers D200 - D323 had train identification discs fitted; corner route-indicator boxes superseded this, which displayed a 4-character reporting system. In early 1961, when nose doors became obsolete D346 - D399 had single, centre-mounted route indicator boxes at the time of construction.

The Forties were especially well-liked machines with their crews and enthusiasts alike, remaining in service until obsolescence in 1985. Several examples of the Class have escaped scrapping by private enthusiast groups.

Digital DCC Sound - locomotive has a factory fitted Digital decoder with Sound. We do not recommend that this locomotive is used on a traditional DC operated layout.

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