◆ GAUGE ‘OO’ ◆ MODEL Heljan 4721 Class 47/4 47450 BR ‘large logo’ blue ◆ PRICE £249.95 (DCC-ready), £389.95 (DCC sound)
◆ AVAILABILITY Heljan stockists Web www.heljan.co.uk
Representing its first UK‐outline model, Heljan’s ‘OO’ Class 47 was released to universal acclaim in 2002, providing a significant step up in performance and detail compared to the existing Type 4s from Hornby and Lima. Alas, Heljan’s model suffered from being too wide, but was otherwise faithful to the prototype.
Like other key BR diesel types, several manufacturers have attempted to get the Brush Type 4s just right. Bachmann’s model followed in 2007, which got closer, as did the Vi-Trains product from 2009, but it was Bachmann’s all-new version, released in 2021, that finally ‘nailed’ the distinctive character of the ‘47’.
With the Type 4 claiming an important part of Heljan’s history – and having been out of production for some years – it was no great surprise when an all-new model was announced in 2019. Designed from scratch, building on Heljan’s work with its excellent ‘O’ gauge ‘47’, the first models finally began arriving with retailers in early March.
The initial production batch consists of early BR two-tone green and Rail blue liveries, with Model Rail’s exclusive Class 48s being manufactured at the same time. The second batch was scheduled to land in the UK not long after this issue was due for publication, featuring a greater variety of later BR schemes, such as InterCity, Railfreight and Rail Express Systems.
Countless detail variations have been catered for in Heljan’s new tooling, including nine different cab types, various boiler port types, original and later Serck radiator grilles, glazed, plated and flush headcode panels, original and cutaway bufferbeam cowlings, windscreen wipers and underframe tanks.
Thanks to Heljan, we were treated to an advance sample of a model from the second batch, depicting ‘large logo’ blue 47450. In a first for Heljan, each version is being offered in DCC-ready and DCC sound‐fitted format, the latter equipped with an ESU LokSound V5 decoder, pre-loaded with sound files created by renowned expert Legomanbiffo (including different sound files tailored for Class 47/0, 47/3 and 47/7 sub-classes), plus a pair of speakers.
A WORTHY SUCCESSOR?
Unlike older Heljan 47s, where the bufferbeams were supplied for customer fitment, Heljan’s new model comes fully assembled, with all detailing parts pre-installed. A pair of slimline tension locks is provided, to slot into the NEM pockets (mounted to the bogie frames), but some of the brake hoses and cosmetic screw couplers will need to be removed first.
At first glance, it’s noticeable that the width issue of the original ‘47’ has been cured, with all key dimensions being spot-on.
Moreover,
