NEWS ROUND-UP
HELJAN ENTERS ‘TT’ MARKET WITH NEW LOCOMOTIVE…
Ready-to-run Class 31 locomotive revealed in 1:120 scale by the manufacturer, delivery of which is expected in 2023.
CAD images have been released of a new RTR locomotive for 1:120 scale / 12mm gauge. Following Peco’s announcement of 1:120 scale / 12mm gauge track (see separate story), Heljan UK is the first manufacturer to declare a British-outline RTR product, with the announcement of a Brush Type 2 for the scale. First model releases are expected late-2023.
Revealed as part of its first Trade Newsletter, Heljan UK has worked with its partners at Gaugemaster and Peco to introduce five variants of the A1A-A1A locomotives, in original condition.
Heljan said, “Retailers will no doubt be aware of the recent unveiling by Peco of the first items in a new range of British 1:120 scale TT products. Working with our partners at Peco and Gaugemaster, we are delighted to announce the first ready-to-run British 1:120 scale locomotive – a Brush Type 2/Class 31 diesel locomotive.”
Heljan continued, “CAD work is well advanced and we expect to move to the tooling stage shortly. The initial production batch will feature five models in BR green (with/without small yellow warning panels), BR green with full yellow ends and BR Rail Blue. Further models in refurbished condition for the 1980s and beyond will follow if there is enough demand.” Models proposed are as follows:
• (3160) BR Green Brush Type 2 D5637
• (31603) BR Green Brush Type 2 D5637 DCC sound
• (3161) BR Green Brush Type 2 D5847 (small yellow panels)
• (31613) BR Green Brush Type 2 D5847 (small yellow panels) DCC sound
• (3162) BR Green Brush Type 5820 (full yellow ends)
• ( 31623) BR Green Brush Type 5820 (full yellow ends) DCC sound
• (3163) BR Blue Class 31/1 (early/headcodes) 31136
• (31633) BR Blue Class 31/1 (early/headcodes) 31136 DCC sound
• (3164) BR Blue Class 31/1 (late/dominoes) 31198
• (31643) BR Blue Class 31/1 (late/dominoes) 31198 DCC sound
• (3165) RTC red/grey/black/white 31970
• (31653) RTC red/grey/black/white 31970 DCC sound Heljan has said that more information on other planned models will be confirmed later, but that it has already identified the Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST and Class 08 0-6-0 shunter as ‘possible future projects’ in TT.
The manufacturer added, “We hope that this will be the start of something very exciting for British railway modellers, with TT filling the gap between OO and N. However, unlike those long-established scales (and unlike ‘old TT’, which featured 1:100 scale bodies on 12mm gauge track), everything will be to the same scale.”
Watch our interview with Heljan’s Ben Jones on World of Railways as the specification of models is discussed. For further details on the new models, see your local Heljan stockist, or visit the Heljan UK website.
Arriving this summer from Heljan…
Despite the unpredictable situation in China and disruption to global shipping, Heljan continues to receive deliveries of new products on a regular basis. However, in its latest media release, news broke of an unexpected and permanent closure of one of its factories, resulting in delays to some Heljan products.
As a result, production of the LNER ‘O2’ 2-8-0, Class 25 rerun in OO gauge, and O gauge Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 coaches has transferred to Heljan’s other factories, and will take longer than planned.
Class 07 for ‘OO’
The next models to arrive from the manufacturer will be its
