MIOG Live - Heljan Class 26 Announcement!

Return of the McRat!

All-new O gauge Class 26 will feature plug-and-play DCC interface, new lighting features and a wide range of authentic detail variations covering 1960s, 1970s and 1980s/90s locomotives. 

The first engineering samples of HELJAN’s latest new O gauge diesel locomotive – the much-requested BRCW Type 2/Class 26 – have arrived in the UK for review. Under development since last year, these new models are now at an advanced stage. 

Due for release in late-2021, this previously unannounced all-new model features a large number of improvements over the original HELJAN O gauge Class 26 released a decade ago. Unlike that model, our new BRCW Type 2 has been designed to offer a wide range of detail variations including three different bodyshells depicting locomotives with or without a tablet catcher recess and, for the first time in ‘O’, refurbished ends without headcode discs. 

However, perhaps the most exciting development is the first ever ready-to-run model (in any scale) of the legendary Inverness Class 26s with twin headlights, as used in the Far North of Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Dependent on era and livery, models will be delivered with original boiler water tanks in place or with the later style air tanks and distinctive cradle between the bogies. Other detail options will include original or plated-over cab doors, three-piece miniature snowploughs, boiler vent grilles or plates, Inverness-style round radio pods and later NRN radio pods with square cowls. As required, models will also be supplied with a set of open or folded headcode discs, separately fitted etched metal horn cowl covers and a set of optional Class 26/0 style tapered bogie footsteps allowing customers to tailor their models to individually modified locomotives. As per the full size ‘26s’, one engine room window per side has been designed to be removable for extra ventilation. 

Standard features will include sprung buffers, wire handrails, fine etched metal grilles, separately fitted windscreen wipers, sandpipes, bogie and bufferbeam details. 

The new HELJAN O gauge Class 26 will feature our proven high-performance twin motor/flywheel chassis with all-wheel drive and pick-up, separately switchable cab, tail and engine room lights, an ESU XL pin decoder interface and provision for DCC sound. This will be the first British outline ‘O’ gauge model to have ‘plug-and-play’ DCC and sound capability using ESU’s LokSound 5 XL high-power pin decoder (Ref. No. 58515, not included).

NINE versions have been selected, covering a broad cross-section of BR green, blue and Sectorisation era liveries from the early-1960s through to the 1990s – see below for more information. Suggested Retail Price will be £599.00 for DCC Ready models. We are currently examining options for models with factory-fitted DCC sound, details of which will be confirmed separately. 

Look out for updates on the HELJAN Facebook page and in the model railway press as this exciting project develops.

​2675: BR Green unnumbered (tablet catcher recess)
2676: BR Green unnumbered with small yellow panel (tablet catcher recess)
2677: BR Blue 5338 (early version)
2678: BR Blue unnumbered (Inverness headlights) 
2679: BR Blue 26027 WEATHERED
2680: BR Blue unnumbered (dual braked)
2681: Railfreight Red Stripe unnumbered (white cantrail stripe)
2682: BR Civil Engineers ‘Dutch’ grey/yellow unnumbered
2683: Railfreight Red Stripe 26025 (orange cantrail stripe) with Eastfield dog logo WEATHERED

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