Bachmann 35-505 Class 117 3-Car DMU 117308 BR Regional Railways

he Class 117 3-Car Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) is Bachmann Branchline’s flagship First Generation multiple unit, equalled only by its single-car Class 121 stablemate. Employing cutting edge technology, these high fidelity models boast a wealth of detail and era-specific options to depict specific units at various points during their working careers which, for some, extended to almost 40 years in service. Returning to the Branchline range in a selection of new liveries, these iconic suburban DMUs will make a fine addition to any model railway set in the steam-diesel transition period onwards.

Comprising a Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS), Trailer Composite with Lavatory (TCL) and a Driving Motor Second (DMS), each of the three vehicles is modelled true to prototype, adorned with separate detail components whilst underneath the engine, drive gear and auxiliary equipment is all depicted faithfully. It may be hard to believe, but within these components and integrated into the underframe is hidden the drive mechanism, on the DMBS at least, which is totally invisible with no intrusion into the interior of the model. Talking of the interior and the fine detail extends inside the model too, complete with prototypical decoration. The livery application is executed to a high standard both inside and out, using accurate colours and authentic fonts, typefaces and logos to stunning effect.

Driven by the low profile mechanism, the model features electrical connectors between the three vehicles providing lighting throughout the model and, for DCC users, the convenience of fitting a single DCC decoder to control the full 3-car set. The lighting suite includes directional lights, interior cab and passenger saloon lights, and Illuminated headcode boxes and destination blinds, all of which can be enjoyed by analogue users – controlled with the under-chassis switches – or via dedicated functions on DCC. Adding a DCC sound decoder, or opting for a SOUND FITTED model with pre-fitted sound decoder, will put the pre-fitted speakers to good use – two of which are fitted, one in the DMS and one in the DMBS.