GWR Hall & Modified Hall for N Gauge from Graham Farish

N Gauge modellers of the Great Western Railway are in for a treat with the announcement from Bachmann Europe that the GWR 4900 Class Hall and Modified Hall are to be produced in N Gauge for the Graham Farish range.

These new models have been developed from the rails up with detailed surveys and extensive research undertaken on both classes to ensure that accurate models of each can be produced. That means a new Hawksworth Tender too, joining the Collett 4,000 gallon version from the popular Graham Farish Castle Class, and the two tenders are interchangeable between the two classes, as was the case with the real locomotives.

Common to both types is a diecast metal running plate on which is mounted a high precision, injection moulded bodyshell boasting intricate engraving and moulded details like the rivets and boiler bands. Added to this are separately fitted details including smokebox door, dome, lower front lamp irons, steam pipes, whistle and reverser.

Below the running plate and all the wheels are diecast with an authentic spoke pattern, whilst metal valve gear and rods are employed. The cylinders are injection moulded and again feature authentic detailing including the drain cocks, and separate sand boxes adorn the chassis. Fine metal wire is used for the sand pipes, and brakes and suspension detail is included to complete the running gear. Metal wire is also used for the handrails on both the locomotive and tender, and the buffers are turned metal components.

Within the cab, the firebox backhead is detailed with controls and gauges, and the hand brake and water scoop controls are each added individually on the tender. Each tender boasts a number of separate details parts too, including the water scoop, dome, filler cap and vacuum pipe, and a metal coal effect load completes the look and adds a balanced weight for smooth running.

A distinguishing feature of the ‘Modified Halls’ was the flat plate front of the leading bogie, enabling enthusiasts to know when a ‘Modified’ was approaching and with the Graham Farish model an optional front bogie plate is included to replicate this, which fits into the NEM pocket if the standard coupling is removed.

Turning to the technical side of these new models and a coreless motor is mounted within the locomotive, connected to the driving wheels through a diecast metal gearbox. Electrical collection comes from all driving wheels and all tender wheels and there are separate metal bearings fitted to each driving wheel axle. The tender wheels also run in metal bearings.

Traction tyres feature on the rear driving wheel set, and the gearing has been arranged so that these models can pull prototypical loads at prototypical speeds, with fine slow speed control too.

For DCC users a Next18 DCC decoder socket is located in the tender, and a pre-fitted speaker makes it easy to add sound. Alternatively, SOUND FITTED models come with a Zimo MS590N18 DCC Sound Decoder pre-installed for use on DCC and Analogue with authentic sound effects straight from the box.

49XX ‘Hall’ with 4,000 gallon Collett Tender and GWR Smokebox Door (no numberplate)

49XX ‘Hall’ with 4,000 gallon Collett Tender and BR Smokebox Door (with numberplate)

6959 ‘Modified Hall’ with 4,000 gallon Hawksworth Tender and BR Smokebox Door (with numberplate)

6959 ‘Modified Hall’ with 4,000 gallon Collett Tender and BR Smokebox Door (with numberplate)

6959 ‘Modified Hall’ with 4,000 gallon Hawksworth Tender and GWR Smokebox Door (no numberplate)

MECHANISM:

• Coreless motor

• Electrical pickup from all driving and tender wheels

• Separate metal bearings fitted to each driving wheel axle

• Metal bearings fitted to each tender wheel axle

• Diecast metal chassis block

• Diecast metal gearbox, with gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities

• 9mm (N gauge) wheels to NEM310 standards with authentic profile and detailing

• Traction tyres fitted to the rear driving wheels for assured haulage capabilities

• Valve gear of metal construction

• Discreet fixed locomotive to tender drawbar with integral electrical connections

• Coupling pocket to NEM355 standards fitted to the front bogie

• Removable coupling pocket to NEM355 standards fitted to the tender chassis

• Designed to operate on curves of second radius (263.5mm) or greater

DETAILING:

• High-precision, injection-moulded bodyshell and tender with separately fitted detail parts including smokebox door, dome, sand boxes, lower front lamp irons, steam pipes, whistle and reverser

• Diecast metal running plate

• Separately applied metal components including handrails, buffers and sand pipes

• Dome, filler cap, water scoop and vacuum pipe added to the tender as separate parts

• Tender fitted with metal coal-effect load

• Brake and spring detail on the chassis

• Detailed cab interior including boiler backhead controls and gauges, brake standard and water scoop standard

• Each model supplied with a set of accessory parts including dummy screwlink couplings and coupling hooks

DCC:

• Next18 DCC decoder interface located in the tender
  

SOUND:

Speaker installed in the tender of all models for optimum sound reproduction

Zimo MS590N18 DCC Sound Decoder pre-installed in SOUND FITTED versions

Sound files produced specifically for the Graham Farish GWR Hall Class using recordings from real locomotives

SOUND FITTED models operate on DCC and Analogue control as supplied

LIVERY APPLICATION:

• Authentic liveries applied to all models

• Multiple paint applications employed on each model using GWR and BR specification colours

• Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing process, employing authentic typefaces, logos and colours

• Named locomotives are supplied with pre-fitted, fully decorated nameplates

Bachmann have used authentic colours and livery diagrams to complete the look of these new models, including internal cab decoration and name and numberplates reproduced in the correct fonts and typefaces.

Four locomotives make up the initial range, with two ‘Halls’ comprising No. 4962 ‘Ragley Hall’ and preservation-favourite No. 4936 ‘Kinlet Hall’, both sporting BR liveries.

4962 ‘Ragley Hall’

4936 ‘Kinlet Hall’

The ‘Modified Hall’ is finished as another preserved example, No. 6959 ‘Raveningham Hall’ in the GWR livery in which it took part in the 1975 the cavalcade at Shildon to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and so this model forms part of Bachmann’s Railway Celebrations range. The second ‘Modified Hall’ is No. 7904 ‘Fountains Hall’ which is finished in BR Lined Black Early Emblem livery.

No. 6959 ‘Raveningham Hall’

7904 ‘Fountains Hall’

All four models are due for release in early-2026 and come with a RRP of £189.95. The four versions will also be available with SOUND FITTED and these carry a RRP of £299.95.

For more information, visit the Bachmann Europe Website