03079 shunting Tanks at Berwick on Tweed 20th August 1980. Image courtesy of Alan Tait.
Historical Perspective
The 230 locomotives of the class were built across the BR workshops of Doncaster and Swindon following the design of the earlier developed Drewry Shunter which was to become the later Class 04. The 04 were products of the Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn rather than BR workshops.
Introduced from 1957 with a top speed of 28 mph they were found across most regions of the country operating local short freights, pickup freights, shunting duties, and occasionally passenger services. Regular use on the Weymouth Quay and also in East Anglia is noted. Built using a Gardner 8 cylinder power unit that was common to many types of mechanical shunters found across the various designs at the time on a wheel frame with jackshaft drive. these short wheel base locomotive's were well suited to the tight curves of the many dock and tramway railways around the country. However, these diminutive locomotives could provide issues with them failing to activate some track circuits. To help with this issue some could be seen attached to a match wagon (as can be seen in the picture above). I will always associate them in their later careers with the Eastern Region, often found coupled to a match wagon operating station Pilot duties at various locations across the patch such as York, Newcastle Hull and Norwich. They were in fact providing a national rail service until 2008. First Capital Connect using 03179 as the depot pilot at Hornsey after re-patriation from the Isle of White. Clive, as this loco was commonly know is currently undergoing overhaul at the Rushden Transport Museum.
A number had cut down cabs for use on coal trains on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway, where up to 3 locomotives could be seen at the head of lengthy coal trains down the valley. Two that went to the Isle of White also had this lowered cab modification.
Introduced from 1957 with a top speed of 28 mph they were found across most regions of the country operating local short freights, pickup freights, shunting duties, and occasionally passenger services. Regular use on the Weymouth Quay and also in East Anglia is noted. Built using a Gardner 8 cylinder power unit that was common to many types of mechanical shunters found across the various designs at the time on a wheel frame with jackshaft drive. these short wheel base locomotive's were well suited to the tight curves of the many dock and tramway railways around the country. However, these diminutive locomotives could provide issues with them failing to activate some track circuits. To help with this issue some could be seen attached to a match wagon (as can be seen in the picture above). I will always associate them in their later careers with the Eastern Region, often found coupled to a match wagon operating station Pilot duties at various locations across the patch such as York, Newcastle Hull and Norwich. They were in fact providing a national rail service until 2008. First Capital Connect using 03179 as the depot pilot at Hornsey after re-patriation from the Isle of White. Clive, as this loco was commonly know is currently undergoing overhaul at the Rushden Transport Museum.
A number had cut down cabs for use on coal trains on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway, where up to 3 locomotives could be seen at the head of lengthy coal trains down the valley. Two that went to the Isle of White also had this lowered cab modification.
03021 & 03022 wait their next turn of duty at Boston on 25th May 1980. Image courtesy of Alan Tait.
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As delivered the livery was all over green, later wasp stripes were added and some received BR Blue. As the traffic which they were designed for gradually was removed from the network many moved into private industry. The NCB taking a number including an overhauled air braked version in 1974, some were also exported to continental Europe for further use. At least one has been repatriated to the UK and is in the process of getting a Cummins diesel engine
Their design has proved rugged and reliable and with no less than 56 in preservation where they continue to provide a valuable service to many heritage railways across the country. |
The Model
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The model is well packaged in foam and attached to a wooden plinth. An instruction leaflet gives an exploded view of parts list and most importantly it identifies where the screws are to remove the body to fit a DCC chip. The model is now some months old and is well established in the Heljan line up. The moulding is extremely fine, is as expected from Heljan and represents all the nuances of the prototype well. Extra detailing parts, such as the fuel tank filler, electrical conduits, horns, wipers, water gauge, brake shoes, external vacuum pipes and sanders are fitted to add extra depth to the model. The radiator grill is extremely fine as is the grill behind the cab steps. Hand rails appear particularly fine and don’t appear too chunky or thick. The version I had for review is the early conical exhaust version in all over green and is suitable for models up to the late 60’s and into preservation. There is a more common flowerpot exhaust available. |
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The cab is interior well detailed with all the dual controls replicated on both sides of the cab. Various dials and gauges are represented on the middle panel between the windows and the 3 lever vacuum brake control rig is well captured. The ships wheel style handbrake is particularly good and represents the real item well. The cab also has a small LED lamp to illuminate the cab. This gives a pleasing effect, if a little bright.
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The main running plate captures the steel checker plate well. The body side panels are well represented. Moulded hinges and representative holes are present and the addition of the lifting handles certainly stand out. The wheels and running gear are good with the balance weights inscriptions replicated.
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The square LNER style lamp boxes with lamp irons are fitted at the recognised places with the lower outer corners illuminated with a red and white combination LEDS’s. Curiously these only work in the direction of travel when running on DCC and is the same for the Heljan Class 05 which I find most odd. The usual practice would see a red & white light lit at both ends all the time whilst shunting, to avoid the driver constantly switching the lights on and off as the direction changes. The version reviewed came pre-numbered and had a Swindon Builders plate from 1956. This would need to be changed if you picked a Doncaster built loco as your prototype.
The loco is powered by a single motor and is fitted with a 21 pin DCC socket, there is space in the heavy diecast chassis for an appropriate speaker should you wish to fit DCC sound. Running was smooth and steady it managed to negotiated a number of types of track and point work without hesitation.
The loco is powered by a single motor and is fitted with a 21 pin DCC socket, there is space in the heavy diecast chassis for an appropriate speaker should you wish to fit DCC sound. Running was smooth and steady it managed to negotiated a number of types of track and point work without hesitation.
In conclusion
This is yet another model from the Heljan stable that for me ticks all the boxes. It’s small has multi-regional appeal and both in service with BR and private owners carried a number of liveries to suit various eras. Given the wide range of situations the prototype could easily find its way any layout set after 1957. Most of the major sellers have limited stocks of the loco and has already proved popular with modelers.
Availability of Models
HJ2051 - D2011 in BR Green with conical chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2052 - Un-numbered in BR Green with flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2055 - D2033 in BR Green with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2057 - Un-numbered in BR Green with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2070 - 2096 in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2071 - 03107 in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2072 - Un-numbered in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2073 - Un-numbered in BR blue with chevrons, conical chimney and Black buffer beams.
HJ2074 - Un-numbered in Industrial Yellow, conical chimney & Red buffer beams.
HJ2075 - Un-numbered in Industrial blue, flowerpot chimney & Yellow buffer beams.
The RRP for these models is £395 available now from Heljan Stockists.
HJ2052 - Un-numbered in BR Green with flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2055 - D2033 in BR Green with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2057 - Un-numbered in BR Green with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Red buffer beams.
HJ2070 - 2096 in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2071 - 03107 in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2072 - Un-numbered in BR blue with chevrons, flowerpot chimney and Yellow buffer beams.
HJ2073 - Un-numbered in BR blue with chevrons, conical chimney and Black buffer beams.
HJ2074 - Un-numbered in Industrial Yellow, conical chimney & Red buffer beams.
HJ2075 - Un-numbered in Industrial blue, flowerpot chimney & Yellow buffer beams.
The RRP for these models is £395 available now from Heljan Stockists.