HELJAN CLASS 47

A new ‘duff’ in my favourite scale – I’m enthusiastic! Until 2005, the British O gauge RTR market was largely docile, but this was revolutionised when Heljan revealed plans to produce its first diesel/hydraulic, the Class 35 ‘Hymek’. Much water has since passed under the proverbial O gauge bridge, and modellers in the scale became accustomed – and thirsty – for new announcements, often at Warley NEC shows. The fact that new RTR announcements in the scale carry less of a ‘shock’ factor is testament to the great strides it has made in making quality models accessible to a wider audience.

The limelight on its ‘Hymek’ was shortlived however, Heljan’s Brush Type 4 rushing to the forefront. A more versatile model, of British Rail’s most numerous diesel/electric locomotive, examples