Class 153 breaks cover for 'O'

With calls for a Second Generation ‘Sprinter’ DMU in ‘O’ gauge growing all the time, Heljan has responded with a model that will "set new standards for detail and high-end features in this scale."

First engineering samples of the O gauge Class 153 have arrived in the UK for review and will make their public debut at the Gauge O Guild’s Guildex event in Stafford on September 2/3. Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for DCC Ready models is £399 or £519 with factory-fitted DCC and authentic sound. Delivery is expected in Q2, 2024.

Based on original research and assistance from Porterbrook Leasing, the Heljan Class 153 is designed with modellers of the BR Sectorisation era and post-1994 privatisation period in mind.

• Eight separately switchable lighting functions in DCC mode
• Saloon interior and cab lights
• Tail lights and headlights with day/night settings
• Illuminated destination blinds
• Bodyside door locking indicator lights and illuminated door buttons
• Original/revised headlight units, according to period and livery
• Rivet and panel lines typical of the British Leyland derived body design, fine underframe and bogie details
• Factory-fitted speaker on all models
• Detachable BSI auto-couplers
• Optional magnetic coupling bars with detachable snowploughs
• Detailed interior with separately-fitted seats, tables and partitions
• Detailed standard and ‘micro cab’ interiors
• Optional NRN radio roof pods
• Authentic variations to underfloor radiator grille mesh

All models will be offered DCC ready with an "easy-to-access" 21-pin decoder interface or with factor- fitted DCC and sound.

The first batch of liveries planned are as follows:

• (53201) Regional Railways 153301 DCC READY
• (53203) Regional Railways 153301 DCC SOUND
• (53241) Stagecoach East Midlands Trains 153311 DCC READY
• (53243) Stagecoach East Midlands Trains 153311 DCC SOUND
• (53251) Northern ‘Swoosh’ 153351 DCC READY
• (53253) Northern ‘Swoosh’ 153351 DCC SOUND
• (53271) Transport for Wales Grey/Red 153906 DCC READY
• (53273) Transport for Wales Grey/Red 153906 DCC SOUND
• (53291) London Midland City 153356 DCC READY
• (53293) London Midland City 153356 DCC SOUND
• (GM7240701) GWR Green 153380 DCC READY – GAUGEMASTER COLLECTION

For further details, visit your local Heljan stockist, or see the Gaugemaster website.