Heljan's 'O' Class 31 is no 'Ped'

REFURBISHED (life extension, overhauled) Class 31s have followed on from the original condition Class 31/1 model released by Heljan a few years ago. They utilise the same powerful twin motor drive as the first batch of Class 31s and much of the rest of Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge model range. The bodyshell is tooled with four character headcode boxes with marker lights which represents the majority of the class in late-life condition.

Life extension overhauls on the class started in the 1980s and was carried through to the early 1990s resulting in outward changes in the appearance of the Class 31s. It was applied to locomotives that were to remain as standard Class 31/1s alongside the 24 locomotives converted to Class 31/4s with electric train supply (ETS) equipment in the 1970s. Further Class 31s were fitted with ETS in the 1980s to work with coaching stock to cover for life-expired DMUs on east-west