Bachmann have announced a newly tooled range of Class 168. 170 & 171 'Turbostar' Diesel Multiple Units in OO Gauge for release in Q4 2026.
OO scale models of the ‘Turbostars’ were first produced by Bachmann Branchline when the real units were still being built, and in 2018 a brand new model was first muted, but this was later taken out of the public eye. Fast forward to 2026 and the state of the art models revealed today have now reached an advanced stage of development. Designed from the rails up, the new ‘Turbostars’ share the same high level of detail and technology as the Branchline Class 158s that went before them, and more.
The Branchline tooling suite encompasses three major classes, the Class 168s (/1 and /2 sub-classes), the Class 170s and the 171s, and models can be produced in 2-, 3- or 4- car formations to accurately portray the variety seen amongst the real fleet.
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Product Features
MECHANISM:
EACH UNIT COMPRISES TWO POWERED DRIVING VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, 3-CAR AND 4-CAR UNITS INCLUDE ONE (3-CAR) OR TWO (4-CAR) UNPOWERED TRAILER VEHICLE WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
• Three pole motor with flywheel providing drive to the inner bogie (Driving Vehicles Only)
• Twin axle drive (Driving Vehicles Only)
• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driven axle (Driving Vehicles Only)
• Trailing axles run in metal pinpoint bearings
• Electrical pickup from all wheels
• Diecast metal, multi-stage gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities (Driving Vehicles Only)
• 16.5mm (OO gauge) wheels to NEM310 & NEM311 standards with authentic profile and detailing
• Working miniature BSI or Dellner Couplings (depending on variant) at the cab end (Driving Vehicles Only)
• Conductive couplings with integral close coupling mechanism at gangway ends
• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (438mm) or greater
DETAILING:
• Precision moulded bodyshells with accurately engraved details such as panel lines, doors and vents
• Prototypical ‘Ribbon’ glazing on each side with separate flush glazing for the doors and windscreens
• Separately applied etched metal roof grilles and windscreen wipers
• Authentic Bogie mouldings complete with brake and suspension detail
• Fully detailed underframes comprising numerous separately fitted, high fidelity components
• Passenger saloon interior complete with tables, chairs and partition walling
• Driver’s cab includes the control desk, seat and cab rear bulkhead with authentic detailing
• Each model is supplied with an accessory pack and coupling tool
LIGHTING:
• Directional lighting with Day/Night mode – selectable via the chassis-mounted switches or via a dedicated DCC function
• Directional lights can be turned on/off at each end independently via the chassis-mounted switches or via separate DCC functions
• Illuminated destination panels, including central bodyside panels where applicable
• Passenger saloon lighting – switchable on/off via the chassis-mounted switches or via a dedicated DCC function
• Cab lighting at the trailing end*
• Door interlock lights* (*when used on DCC)
• Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each lighting application
DCC:
• Plux22 DCC decoder interface – one decoder required per unit
• Easy-access DCC decoder socket located behind removable panel on underside of the master driving car
• Bach-Up Stay Alive System providing uninterrupted power to prevent stalling, light flicker and sound cut-outs (operates on DCC only)
SOUND:
• Two speakers fitted, one in each driving vehicle, for optimum sound reproduction – fitted to every model as standard
• ESU Loksound V5DCC Sound Decoder pre-installed in SOUND FITTED versions
• Sound files produced specifically for the Bachmann Branchline Class 170/171 DMU using. recordings from real units
• SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied
LIVERY APPLICATION:
• Authentic liveries applied to each vehicle including interior decoration
• Multiple paint applications employed using corporate specification colours
• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing process, incorporating authentic typefaces, logos and colours
Prototype Information
Images: Steve Jones, Dan Adkins, Rob Hodgkins & Peter Moore
The first Class 170 units were ordered by Midland Mainline and these began entering traffic in May 1999. Like the 168s, the Class 170s were fitted with BSI couplings but with standard electrical connections, allowing them to work in multiple with a wider range of existing units like the Class 150s and 158s. Construction took place over a seven year period, at the end of which more than 120 units had been delivered in either 2-car or 3-car formations and to multiple operators around the UK.
During the Class 170 build programme, Southern placed an order for Class 171s that were delivered as 4-car Class 171/8s in 2004. These differed from the 170s by having Dellner couplings instead of the BSI type at the outer ends, along with electronic destination panels on the bodysides. Southern also had a fleet of 2-car Class 171/7s, some were built as such from new but most were built as Class 170s before being converted to 171s soon after.
After more than two decades of continual use, the ‘Turbostars’ look set to be part of the British rail scene for the foreseeable future and these popular units remain in daily frontline service across the UK, working on both regional and long-distance services for which they are well suited thanks to their 100mph top speed. Class 168s and 171s are still operated by Chiltern and Southern respectively, whilst current operators of the Class 170 fleet include Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Northern and ScotRail.