A new arrival... The Bachmann Class 90!

Colcester acquired a brand new AC Electric Locomotive from Great Eastern Models in Norwich - the Bachmann Class 90...

Although this model has been out a little while now, it has not been until now that funds were available to not only buy the loco but also the special decoder chip which needs to be fitted into it, so we have waited a long time for this wonderful loco to make it to Colcester.

Much has already been written about the Class 90 and its features, chief of which is the servo assisted pantograph which can be raised and lowered via the function controls on your DCC controller. To some it maybe a gimmick, to others it will be seen as a serious attempt by Bachmann to incorporate realism into their model, but whatever way you look at it, this function alone will set this model apart from many others. This is not to say it lacks elsewhere, ohno - far from it...!

The Class 90 comes with directional cab lighting, directional day and night running lights, superb detailing and sprung mounted buffers.

When running, the motor is especially quiet and responsive, under DCC control the acceleration and deceleration are perfect and on my test run it handled 6 mk3 coaches including a DVT with complete ease - i reckon it could even pull more than that.

I have several trains on my layout that I like for different reasons - the Class 66 for its all round usefulness, the Class 395 for its sleekness and speed - but this new Class 90 is without doubt a star purchase and one i would happily repeat when funds permit..

Many thanks to Anne, Helen, Mark and of course Rob, who painstakingly fitted the decoder for me, a first for him and GEM.