Graham Farish Class 45 ‘Peak’ released
Date: 30 March 2006
Source: Graham Farish
Following close on the heals of the recently released Graham Farish earlier Class 44 locomotive is the Class 45 ‘Peak’ diesel. A development of the original ten locomotives (D1 – D10 later designated Class 44) the Class 45 locomotives were first introduced in 1960.
Built at Derby and Crewe over three years, 127 locomotives were built and were numbered in the series D11 – D137. After adoption of the TOPS (Total Operating Processing System) numbering in 1971, those with steam boilers for coach heating were designated Class 45/0 (numbers 45001 – 45077) and those with electric train heating Class 45/1 (numbers 45101 – 45150).
Although generically known as ‘Peaks’ after the earlier similar looking Class 44 locomotives, some of them were named after regiments once carried by the former London, Midland & Scottish Railway ‘Royal Scot’ Class. The introduction of the Class 45 locomotives gradually saw the elimination of steam locomotives on Midland Main Line services in and out of London St. Pancras. They were also used on St. Pancras – Edinburgh Waverley trains which ran over the Settle & Carlisle and Waverley route (Carlisle – Hawick – Galashiels – Edinburgh) until the closure of the latter route in January 1969.
The first of the Class was withdrawn in October 1980 and the introduction of HST (High Speed Train) sets in the early 1980s saw the Class removed from front line Midland Main Line express working and transferred to freight and parcels operations. No. 45106 was the last to remain in traffic. It was returned to BR green livery for working enthusiast specials before it expired with a major defect in August 1988 and was hastily withdrawn.
Twelve of the Class have been preserved. Graham Farish have released two versions of the locomotive. They are No. D67 ‘The Royal Artilleryman’ in BR green livery (Catalogue Number 371-575) and 45114 in the later BR blue livery (Catalogue Number 371-576). Both models have a Recommended Retail Price of £76.95.
The locomotives have a super-detailed body, 5 pole motor with twin flywheels, 6 wheel drive and are fitted with standard N gauge couplings.
The models will be available from Bachmann dealers during April.
GF 2006-12
