IAN GARNHAM looks over some of the OO Scale items due in from Heljan this year.
There are a lot of items scheduled to be released from this Danish manufacturer over the next few months, in both OO Scale and O Scale. Many were announced a while back, some more recently - a few have already between released with a lot more due during the next few months or so.
More and more these days, with manufacturers cutting back on production runs, the days of waiting until you see items in the shops before deciding if you want to purchase one or not are disappearing. We always recommend you pre-order an item or you could either miss out or end up paying a premium on that well-known auction site.
Last year we saw what was in the pipeline for the next twelve months or so, and it is a very ambitious programme with multiple tooling and livery versions. We start with the ever-popular Class 25/3 diesel electric locomotive, which is a new tooling covering most variations in two-tone green with small and full yellow ends, BR blue right through to 'ETHEL', Electric Train Heat Ex-Locomotive, so something there for most Class 25 fans.
Click Here to view all the available Class 25 and Class 25/3 locomotives by Heljan
A second batch of Class 25s have been announced - Click Here to read the news article.
Another new tooling, due sometime during the course of the year, is the Class 45 in both original BR Green and BR Blue. Most associated with the Midlands, they could be seen anywhere from Cornwall to Scotland hauling anything from unfitted mineral trains though to named expresses. These will be available to begin with in the following liveries;
Click Here to view all the available Class 45 locomotives by Heljan
The ever-popular Class 33 is also down for production this year. As well as covering some of the more typical liveries, there are also a couple that were seen later in their working live. These locomotives started off on the Southern Region, until they started to be withdrawn. They then had a new lease of life with various train operating companies and in preservation.
Click Here to view all the available Class 33 locomotives by Heljan
The next locomotive has been designed to set new standards in detail; the Class 47. This is an all-new version of this popular long-lived class, which at one time was the most numerous main-line diesel locomotive as a powerful Type 4. Being a mixed traffic designated locomotive, it was seen on anything from heavy freight to named expresses and a few are still in active service today.
Click Here to view all the available Class 47 locomotives by Heljan
For those of you that run layouts ‘under the wire’, the next locomotive on the list is a retooled version of the class 86 overhead AC electric. These will be available in several liveries covering British Rail and Private Operators.
Click Here to view all the available Class 86 and Class 86/0 locomotives by Heljan
The Ruston Diesel Shunter. These 0-6-0 locomotives were a popular choice at many industrial sites around the country, including the NCB due to their short wheelbase. As a result, five managed to survive in preservation.
Click Here to view all the available Ruston & Hornsby 165DE locomotives by Heljan
Next up; the BR/Yorkshire Class 02 0-4-0 DH. Initially designed to replace the much-loved Lancashire and Yorkshire 0-4-0 ‘Pugs’, these diesel hydraulic short wheelbase locomotives made them ideal for dock work and goods depots, and made their way into various industries lasting around 40 plus years before seven of the class made it into preservation.
Click Here to view all the available Class 02 locomotives by Heljan
We have also commisioned a few Class 02 Locomotives for use in our Gaugemaster Collection.
Finally, we now turn to Heljan’s forthcoming wagons; the 'Cargowaggon IGA Bogie'. The Cargowaggon IGA is now the most commonly used trans-European railway wagon, particularly popular since the opening of the Channel Tunnel and now this wagon can be replicated in model form as follows. These wagons will feature authentic detail variations, highly detailed exterior and underframe with NEM Couplings, and be decorated in an up-to-date livery which will make them an ideal wagon for any modern or diesel era model railway.
Previous release shown, HN5052 IWB Cargowagon 2797 670 SILVER/BLUE
Click Here to view all the available IGA wagons by Heljan
Click Here to view all the available IWB wagons by Heljan