The model is Bachmann’s first loco with a tablet catcher and recess, as well as being one of the first with sound. The sound on the loco appears to be a lot more authentic then the paint and numbering applied to D8113.
Several reliable sources have suggested that only Inverness and Aberdeen-based locos ever had tablet catchers fitted. The Class 20’s assigned for this service would have been D8028-8034. So barring any photo evidence to the contrary, you probably have to renumber your D8113, if you want to leave the tablet catcher in place.
If you decide to do D8028-34 you have a second problem. They were delivered in green. D8031 had a yellow panel in June of 1966, but it’s a non standard size, being higher than the factory applied panels typified on the Bachmann model (Boyes photo, p.96, BRP Scottish Region 1948-1967). D8032 (diesel-image-gallery.fotopic.net) was apparently still in green without a yellow warning panel in 1966. So unless you have a photo showing D8028-34 with a standard yellow panel, you are on dangerous ground renumbering…
A second issue with the Bachmann model as delivered is the bogie side frames. They have lightening holes in the lower side beam. These are only really appropriate for post D8128 locomotives. Since no Scottish Class 20’s with the deeper windows and tablet catchers came after D8127, you really have to fill those holes in the side beam…
To their credit, Bachmann do give you an extra pair of sandboxes to model an early, say pre 1965ish model, but then you get back to that nagging question about those yellow panels…
D8124 has had the bogies modified and the tablet catcher removed. I used spare Heljan head code disks where possible- the Bachmann ones aren’t that nice, plus they are made to represent disks locked in the upside down position. I also used some extra Heljan buffer beam detail parts too- Bachmann doesn’t give you enough to do the job right.
A well weathered D8124 is pictured in the David Cross book, The Heyday of Scottish Diesels, which is an excellent source of north of the border colour shots of mostly green locomotives.
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