Description
The Class 158 is one of British Rail’s most successful second generation Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs); first introduced in 1989, all but one of the original units remain in traffic to this day. This all-new Graham Farish model follows in the footsteps of the brand’s award winning Class 319 Electric Multiple Unit and captures this iconic prototype to a tee.
The pinnacle of N scale second generation DMUs, the Graham Farish Class 158 combines high fidelity bodyshells with an underframe that’s adorned with separate components depicting the engines, electrical equipment, and auxiliary gear. It’s the livery application which really brings these models to life and every element has been replicated in miniature. Whilst the main colours are spray painted, the myriad smaller logos, symbols and lettering are applied using a specialist printing process, using BR and corporate specification fonts, logos and colours.
Driven by the low-level drive mechanism, each vehicle sports uninterrupted views of the interior which is fitted out with tables, chairs and even metal luggage racks – made visible thanks to the saloon lighting. The inter-vehicle coupling system ensure that the two vehicles work together in harmony and enables the use of a single decoder for DCC operation. Fitting that decoder couldn’t be easier thanks to the clip-off underframe panel behind which the decoder socket is fitted and combined with the pre-fitted speaker, it’s easy to fit sound to your model, or why not let us do the work for you by choosing a SOUND FITTED model for a fully immersive operating experience straight out of the box.
Graham Farish N Scale
Era 9
Pristine GWR (FirstGroup) livery
Running No. 158766
Two-Car Unit comprising car Nos. 52766 & 57766
Destination blinds for Bristol Temple Meads
Equipped with a Next18 DCC Decoder Socket – Recommend Decoder item No. 36-567B
Length 315mm
DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL
Radio Pod on Roof
Revised Air Conditioning (Type A)
Toilet Discharge via CET Tank
Cummins Engine
Revised Heather
Scottish Air Dam
Sanding Gear Fitted
Revised LED Light Cluster
Plated Gangway Doors
GRAHAM FARISH CLASS 158 SPECIFICATION
MECHANISM:
Coreless, twin shaft motor with two flywheels providing drive to both bogies of the DMS (A) vehicle
Four axle drive (all axles on the DMS (A) vehicle)
Electrical pickup from all wheels
Trailing axles run in metal pinpoint bearings (all axles on the DMS (B) vehicle)
Gearing arranged for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities
9mm (N gauge) wheels to NEM310 standards with authentic profile and detailing
Working miniature BSI Couplings at the cab ends (alternative air dams are included to allow this feature to work on second radius curves or less)
Close coupling mechanism with integral conductive couplings fitted between vehicles
Designed to operate on curves of second radius (263.5mm) or greater
DETAILING:
Highly detailed bodyshell with flush, tinted glazing
Unobstructed interior including seat and table detail
Bogies constructed from multiple components featuring full relief detail
Separately applied underframe equipment and detail components
Separately applied metal detail parts, including exhaust guards and interior luggage racks
Each model is supplied with an accessory pack comprising exhaust pipes and cab end connector door covers (where appropriate)
LIGHTING:
Directional lighting, including illuminated destination panels, switchable on/off at either end on DCC or Analogue control
Cab and saloon interior lighting, switchable on/off via the under-chassis switches
Authentic light colours and temperatures selected for each model based on era and application
DCC:
Next18 DCC decoder interface – one decoder required per unit
Easy-access DCC decoder socket located behind removable panel on underside of DMS (B)
SOUND:
Speaker installed in all models for optimum sound reproduction
Zimo MS590N18 DCC Sound Decoder fitted to SOUND FITTED versions
Sound files produced specifically for the Graham Farish Class 158 using recordings from real units
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 BR/TOC specification colours
Logos, numerals and text added as appropriate using multi-stage tampo printing using authentic typefaces, logos and colours
CLASS 158 DMU HISTORY
The British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter is a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), built specifically for British Rail's Provincial Services sector between 1989 and 1992 by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works and outshopped in Regional Railways Provincial livery. They were built to replace many locomotive-hauled passenger trains, thereby reducing cost of operation, and to allow cascading of existing Sprinter units to replace elderly 'heritage' DMUs. The majority of the 182-strong fleet of Class 158 units were built as two-car sets, with 17 three-car units constructed specifically for use on Trans-Pennine services. Similar three-car units were built for use by Network SouthEast but these were converted to Class 159 specification before introduced into service, with toilet retention tanks and other modifications to operate over the third-rail network.
All but one of the Class 158s remain in service today (2023), with operators including ScotRail, Northern, Great Western (GWR), East Midlands Trains (now EMR), and Transport for Wales (formerly Arriva). Former operators include Central Trains. The Class has worked extensively across the UK network, even into East Anglia as far as Stansted Airport and Norwich. Some 158s have been converted to additional Class 159s and now operate for South Western alongside their original classmates.
