History

The prototype MK2 coach (W13252) was outshopped from Swindon works in late 1962 on a test run between Swindon and Bristol, entering traffic in early 1963. This was a significant change for BR with many new features. The main leap forward with the MK2s was the adoption of a monocoque body and B4 bogies which would later be found under some MK1 stock.
 
In 1963 BR placed an order of eight vehicles which would form the XP64 set of coaches. The SK’s were numbered 25508 & 25509, FK’s 13407, 13408 & 13409 and SO’s, 4727, 4728 & 4729. With the addition of two MK1 BSO’s and two MK1 catering vehicles, this set entered service on Talisman Kings Cross and Edinburgh in 1964 lasting in service until 1981.

The first production MK2’s would appear in 1965 mostly carrying the new corporate Blue & Grey livery, a total of 274 vehicles would be produced with Vacuum Brakes and Steam Heating covering TSO, BSO, BFK & FK variants. In the main, these would initially find their way onto the London Midland Region. A handful were released in BR Maroon or Green. 289 vehicles would subsequently start to appear in 1966 for the Eastern, London Midland and Western Regions. These would feature upgrades including Air Brakes, Folding Gangway Doors and Plastic Panelled interiors. Between 1966 & 1975 hundreds of MK2 coaches would be delivered evolving through B, C, D, E & F with D, E & F being Air-Conditioned version.

33205 at Exeter on 23rd May 1987 with 09.36 Exeter - Waterloo. The leading coach being a MK2A.

MK2 & MK2A’s were initially released in BR Green, Maroon and corporate Blue & Grey. During the 80’s and the advent of sectorisation many colourful liveries would appear including Intercity, Scotrail, Network South East, TransPennine,  Regional Railways (and the Scotrail version) and Highland Rail Green & Cream, all available from Heljan. Post privatisation various operators have at various times operated MK2 & MK2A’s with their own liveries. West Coast Railway Company, Riviera Trains and Vintage Trains being three of them. Then last regular workings appear to have been in the early 2000’s on the Rhymney – Cardiff commuter trains and North Wales Coast services between Birmingham and Holyhead.

37678 at Rhymney on 26th June 1999 after arriving with the 14.50 Cardiff - Rhymney formed of Riviera MK2A's.

What’s in the Box?

Straight out of the box the Heljan MK2 is an impressive vehicle there is a bag of additional parts which enable both Air and Vacuum fitted MK2’s and MK2A’s to be modelled. Note that all MK2’s were Vacuum braked from new, with MK2A’s Air Braked. Some MK2’s were later converted to Air and some MK2a’s became Vacuum braked, but no MK2 has ever been dual braked. This is where prototype photographs and research are essential. There is an extract lower down in this article listing what was extant in passenger service in 1993, brake type and where they were based. 

The Model..

Back in 2019 Heljan announce production of BR MK2/MK2A in 7mm at the Warley Model Railways show at the NEC. These versatile coaches in RTR form were a popular announcement with a timespan from the mid 60’s to the present day in one form or another. Unfortunately, various unforeseen issues caused multiple delays. Jump forward to November 2024 and they have appeared on shelves just before the annual exhibition at the NEC, now run by Warners Group Publications (Warley MRC still do an exhibition but no longer at the NEC).

First impressions are that it is a substantial model and appears to well represent the prototype. It looks like a MK2. As mentioned there is a bag of bits to represent your prototype coach be it Air or Vac Braked and ML2 or MK2A, in addition to this there are many separately fitted parts like hand rails, eth equipment and underframe details. The glazing appears to fit well appearing to be very flush to the bodysides. 

Headstocks are fitted with draw hooks with a nicely detailed representation of the Drop Head Buckeye’s common on BR coaching stock. These can be positioned in the lower or raised position. Generally sets would be formed with the Buckeyes in the raised position, with them dropped on each end to allow loco’s to attach, very few BR mainline loco’s being fitted with Buckeye couplings (33/1’s and 73’s). This is where my only real gripe comes. With the Buckeyes in the raised position, there is quite a gap between the vestibule ends, has been done to enable the coaches to negotiate tighter curves, but would have been a great opportunity for some form of close coupling mechanism the like we see in OO products. Having said that I am sure some ingenious people will come up with something to disguise the gap, maybe some folded paper gangways are in order?

The B4 bogies are represented well, we have already seen these on the re-releases of the BG. Spring detail is fine and the axle box covers even have B.R. SKF marked on them which is a nice touch. Dynamo’s are also well represented for charging batteries and lighting.

​Rooves are removeable, attached by magnets. To remove the roof, carefully leaver it away at the ends using your fingernails, it should release relatively easily. When replacing the roof, be careful that it is on the current way round, and sits down on the magnets and mounting lugs properly. I have found a couple of magnets had come loose on my models but are easily tacked back in place.

With the roofs removed. The interior is revealed. Maybe not as detailed as some RTR stock, but still a good representation of the partitions, doors, seats & tables are there. There is even a 1:43.5 toilet in the loos! Not that you will be able to see from the outside with the opaque bathroom 

windows! These interiors are a perfect star for anyone wishing to detail with passengers, bags and other detritus. I am looking forward to fitting one of mine with piles of rucksacks I recall seeing travelling in the Highlands over summer. Both Standard open seating arrangements are provided in the BSO & TSO coaches with First Class compartments in the FK & BFK stock, perfect to bed down for an overnight!

Painting and finishing is in my mind very good, all lettering is clear and even the windows have no smoking signs on them where applicable. I have cast my eyes over the Regional Railways, Highland Green and Cream, NSE, Scotrail and Blue & Grey stock and all are very pleasing to the eye.

Fitting the Additional Parts.

Two sets of end doors are provided, either plain wooden (Mk2) or GRP style (MK2A). These are a simple push fit into the gangways, but need to be the correct way up. They shouldn’t need any glue as are a good tight fit. The rest of the details are all around Air or Vacuum braking and steam heating. Prototype pictures are essential here, for example the Scotrail coaches should be fitted with the plain wooded doors but air brakes (and may even want converting to disc brakes!). Lastly there is an alternative piece of brake rigging, two versions for air or Vac brakes, which only need fitting to brake vehicles. Missing from the first release is the exploded parts diagram, but this Is available from Heljan's website and replicated here. 

​Additional Details.
With such lovely interiors it would be a shame not to detail them. There are various manufacturers of figures in 7mm scale, but our friends at Northumbrian Painting Services have release a number of packs of resin figures designed to fit the Heljan MK2. There is a separate review here where I have painted a few up to fit to my rakes alongside some new standing figures. 

I will also be looking to add coffee cups, Travellers Fare Sandwiches, shopping bags and other detritus as I find them. Maybe even a couple playing cards on the table, or Domino's! Maybe a passenger or two reading books? A train Spotter with timetable (the old Bible) and camera. The opportunities are endless.

1993 MK2 & MK2A allocations. ​

Below are a few tables comprised of information from a 1993 Platform 5 combined volume. At this point the active passenger fleet were split between NSE based at Old Oak Common for the West of England route out of Waterloo & Oxfordshire out of Paddington, Scotrail based at Inverness working to Kyle, Aberdeen & Edinburgh & Regional Railways out of Edge Hill & Derby Etches Park working the North West Club Trains, North Wales and Skegness. 

33114 at Bournemouth on the 25th March 1992 with the 10.12 Waterloo - Weymouth.

A MK2A leads 50037 rake of coaches at Exeter Central on the 19th February 1987 (12.20 Exeter - Waterloo).

47350 Exeter St David's on the 22nd August 1992 waiting departure with the Exeter - Basingstoke.

20165 + 20188 at Skegness on 25th July 1991 with the 18.03 Skegness - Derby featuring MK2A 5279.

MK2A's feature in this shot of 37428 at Bangor the 10th June 2000 with the 12.25 Bangor - Crewe.

26001 & 26007 wait to leave Inverness on the 4th August 1993 with the 12.35 Inverness - Kyle and a rake of Highland Rail Green & Cream MK2's.

​37427at Stirling on the 2nd September 1992 with the 15.35 Edinburgh - Inverness.

Conclusion. 

These coaches fill a big gap in the RTR market,  from the BR corporate era right through to the present day with examples still in use on the mainline with charter operators and specialist use. With an RRP of £299, but available discounted from various dealers, a set of four can be put together for just over £1000. In the grand scheme of things this represents good value for what is an impressive model and Heljan should be commended for taking on a prototype other than the ubiquitous MK1’s. I am sure we will see many of these coaches appear on private and exhibition layouts in the near future. There are also plenty of oddities and conversion options for these coaches.

Available Range

​Heljan have gone to town with this model releasing no less than 28 different versions across four different body moulds covering 12 different livery variations. From early Southern Region Green through to current WCRC and DRS liveries there is sure to be something for everyone. As expected, Blue and Grey appear to be the most popular.