Heljan approves Class 27 artwork for 'O'

Heljan has revealed that following a review of its first Class 27 samples, several modifications are being made to the tooling to improve what it says "was already an impressive model." In addition, its artwork has been approved in anticipation of production.

Headcode boxes, bufferbeams, cab front details and snowploughs are said to be receiving attention to make them more accurate or (in the case of the 'ploughs), easier to fit. Heljan has thanked Brian Daniels, Martyn Sanders and Class 27 expert Andrew Donnelly for their assistance with these models.

No fewer than eight versions are in preparation, covering BR green and BR blue variants from the 1960s to late-1980s. Variations within the production include two types of bogie footsteps (with original extended top step or parallel sided), locomotives with or without steam heat boilers and their associated roof grilles and water tanks, two designs of windscreen wipers and vacuum or dual braked variants.

As part of the evolution of its O gauge models, the manufacturer has said it is stepping up the quality of decoration across these new models, with much additional fine printed and painted details on the ends, bogies and underframe. A wealth of fine detail includes superb cab interiors, carefully designed bogies and underframe parts, etched grilles, wire handrails and a removable engine room window on each side as per the prototype.

Standard features include plug-and-play DCC capability using the ESU LokSound XL pin decoder, provision for a smoke unit, separately switchable cab, tail and engine room lights in DC and DCC modes, illuminated headcode panels and a heavy duty all-wheel drive chassis with twin five-pole motors and flywheels.

In response to expected demand, Heljan is to produce a mix of unnumbered and fully decorated locomotives, plus two factory weathered editions.

#2770 BR green with small yellow panels unnumbered

#2771 BR green 5370 with full yellow ends WEATHERED

#2772 BR green with cream waistband & full yellow ends unnumbered

#2773 BR Rail Blue with full yellow ends unnumbered (1970s)*

#2774 BR Rail Blue with full yellow ends unnumbered (1980s)

#2775 BR two-tone green D5382 with small yellow panels

#2776 BR Blue D5389 with small yellow panels

#2777 BR Rail Blue 27032 with Inverness Stag logos WEATHERED

For further details on these models, visit the Heljan UK website.