Bachmann 31-920 SR 2421 South Foreland H2 Class 4-4-2 Atlantic Olive Green OO

£169.95
MRP £199.95

Must be ordered - delivery as soon as possible.
(Product Ref 58300)
Have a question about this product? Let us know
Bachmann have announced the production of a OO Scale model of the class H2 4-4-2 Atlantic express passenger locomotives. Designed by D.E. Marsh and L. Billinton for the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) this is a classic of Edwardian express passenger locomotive design.

Known as the Brighton Atlantics the 6 locomotives of the H2 class built 1911/12, a development of the H1 class and fitted with a Schmidt superheater giving improved power and efficiency. These engines were built to haul the express trains on the London to Brighton route including the prestigious Pullman trains, the Brighton Limited and Southern Belle. Superseded by the more powerful King Arthur class engines introduced from 1920 plenty of work was found for them, including boat trains serving the Newhaven to Dieppe cross-channel ferrys, leading to the Atlantics being named after prominent South coast geographical features.

None of the Brighton Atlantics survived long enough to be preserved, however in 2000 the Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group was formed to build a replica of Beachy Head. Bachmann is working closely with the Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group to produce this model.

Era 3.

A number of steam locomotive wheel arrangements were given names, allowing enginemen to quickly describe different locomotive types.
The term Atlantic describes a 4-4-2 locomotive, having a 4-wheel leading bogie which helped guide the engine into curves at speed, 4 coupled wheels (two axles) driven by the pistons and delivering the power to the rails and 2 carrying wheels at the rear, allowing a longer, higher capacity boiler to be fitted.

Atlantic type engines were built from the late 19th century until around 1920, the period when Britains railway network was well established, traffic was steadily increasing and larger, more powerful engines were needed. After 1920 power increases needed could not be delivered through just four driving wheels and a third axle was added, creating the 4-6-0 and 4-6-2 Pacific type engines which ran until the end of BR steam.
These Brighton Atlantics were built to haul the express trains on the London and Brighton route, including the prestigious Pullman trains, the Brighton Limited and Southern Belle. The class was superseded on the heavy Brighton trains by the more powerful King Arthur class 4-6-0 engines introuduced from 1920, but other work was found for them, including boat trains serving the Newhaven to Dieppe cross-channel ferrys, leading to the Atlantics being named after prominent South coast geographical features.
The H2s were stored for much of WW2 but returned to service as channel ferry service resumed. Despite one withdrawal in 1949 the class was in regular use until 1956, the last locomotive being withdrawn in April 1958.

None of the Brighton Atlantics survived long enough to be preserved, however in 2000 the Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group has located and acquired many suitable original parts including a set of tender frames and wheelsets from the same time period. A very similar GNR Atlantic boiler has been purchased, D E Marsh having been deputy to H A Ivatt on the GNR for 10 years before being appointed as CME on the Brighton line. Other items are being manufactured and the project has now reached an advanced stage in the recreation of this Edwardian express locomotive.


Have a question about this product? Let us know