Bachmann Branchline 32-901 Class 108 2 car DMU in Network SouthEast livery

This model does come with directional lighting In 1955, British Railways published its Modernisation Plan. This provided a way forward for the elimination of steam traction and the adoption of diesel and electric traction across the network. Prior to 1955 a number of petrol and diesel units had been produced but the Modernisation Plan provided the much needed finance to produce them on a massive scale. Intended for branch, cross-country and suburban workings, a number of different classes were produced. The second batch of ?Derby Lightweight? built units was later designated Class 108. All 333 vehicles were built at British Railways Derby Works between 1958 - 1961 and were delivered as 147 two-car units, 5 three-car units and 6 four-car units. The final 29 sets produced in 1960/1 differed from the earlier units by having a 4-digit headcode box on the front of the roof above the cab windows. The earlier units had two digit headcode boxes below the cab windows. These units saw widespread use on the London Midland and North Eastern Regions and were in service well before the might of Dr Beeching?s axe fell on a considerable portion of the rail network in the 1960?s. They had a Blue Square coupling code that allowed them to operate with other unit classes that shared the same designation but not with other types Due to accident damage the first vehicle was withdrawn in 1964 but the Class continued in service until 1993 when the last units were taken out of service. Over 50 vehicles have been preserved for use on heritage railways.