What is the Bachmann era system for model railway?

The era system is a way in which model manufacturers describe specific periods in railway history. This is to help modellers identify from which period a particular model belongs. The era system is updated from time to time to allow for new eras to be introduced and to make it as user friendly as possible for the end-user. 

Both Hornby and Bachmann have their own era system, but they both follow roughly the same pattern concentrating on the significant periods in railway history.

Below is Bachmann's era system as it stands today:

1. Pioneering 1804 -1875
2. Pre-grouping 1875 - 1922
3. The Big Four 1923 - 1947
4. British Railways early emblem 1948 - 1956
5. British Railways late crest 1957 - 1966
6. British Rail Blue Pre-TOPS 1967 - 1971
7. British Rail Blue TOPS 1971 - 1982
8. British Rail Sectorisation 1982 - 1994
9. Post Privatisation 1995 - Present day