Entry posted by S.A.C Martin
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Two birds and a Boat.
It's a stunning lineup. Now that I have my Heljan Kestrel home for the holidays, the fun of comparing it to the two diesels before it come to pass...but a disclaimer first:
Disclaimer: I do not know anything more about these models, other than how they perform on my test track, and how they look to me. Since these models are each samples of batches of thousands, no test here will be indicative of the overall quality of the production run as a whole.
All opinions are my own and not to be confused with fact!
From right to left, we have Falcon (2007), Deltic (2008) and Kestrel (2009). The two birds are from the Heljan stable of model locomotives, while Bachmann is a National Railway Museum commissioned piece from Bachmann.
The Reviews
Falcon - Heljan
Based on Brush Tractions surprisingly long lived class 53 prototype, Heljan's model first appeared in late 2007, early 2008 and was met with mixed reviews due to the propensity for the bufferbeams to break off.
My father and I now have five of these models between us - and the bufferbeams have only broken off on one of them.
Looks wise, the separately fitted bufferbeam doesn't fit snugly on any of our samples (the very first one, the chestnut coloured model, shown here). This doesn't detract from the overall look of the model, for it is scale length to prototype as seen in the photograph below.
Overall the paint finish and look of this model is exquisite. At the time, criticisms in the model press pointed to the lack of relief on the grills, and the lack of etched components. I stand by my feelings on the matter - for what cost £90 at the time of purchase, this model of a unique prototype was the first of its kind, and really tested the water for what was to follow. Its detail was not quite up to the mark of the Hornby 60, but in all the important areas shape, colour and overall accuracy of presentation, it was spot on.
Further, due in no small part to the mechanism being based on the firm's Class 47 chassis, the Falcon model is a smooth operator, quiet and powerful, and suprisingly fast. On the test circuit (which is on the flat), Falcon pulled 25 Bachmann Mk1s in 2008. Today she's pulled the same number - Heljan's Falcon was a superb model and a must buy.
Deltic - Bachmann
Bachmann laser scanned the real thing at Shildon to make this model - and it shows. The best of the three models for overall finish. Accuracy is immense here - etched roof grills, sublime paintwork and some etched builders plates (unbelieveably small typing legible under a magnifying glass!) make Deltic the best looking of the three models. It really is a stunner from every angle.
I bought this for my father as a birthday present - it spends more time on Copley Hill than it does at its real home, Sidcup Green.
Deltic took the same train as Falcon (25 Bachmann Mk1s) with ease, showing little, if any signs of strain on the flat. We would have added more but the test track only just fits 25 plus an engine (making it a very real tail chaser!!!)
Of the three diesels, Deltic has the best looks, mechanism and finish. In fairness to the other two diesels (both made from drawings, with no available prototype to measure up), Deltic is more expensive and also harder to get hold of - you have to order direct from the NRM, and at the present time there is only another batch planned for this model.
Kestrel - Heljan
This was something of a surprise when Heljan announced it back in 2008. Now, receiving it from Trains4U of this parish, my sample has been something incredible! Beautifully replicating Kestrel, Heljan have, in a similar vein to Falcon, left off a few things like etched roof grills, but in all honesty this doesn't detract from the overall appearance of the model at all.
This model also handled with ease the same 25 coach train that both Deltic and Falcon did - however (and I am unsure of why here) this model seemed much more sure footed and quick to accelerate from a standstill than the other two while taking the same train. Moreover, it is the slowest of the three diesels, light engine, but seems to scream "POWER!" in a very Jeremy Clarkson kind of a way.
Conclusions
It has to be said, Deltic is the best looking of the three diesels, being the most accurate portrayal of its prototype, and finished supremely well. Falcon and Kestrel are both excellent models, but Kestrel edges out my personal favourite of the three - Falcon - on sheer power alone. If I can lengthen the track test to take more coaches, we'll see how many Kestrel can take more than Deltic or Falcon!
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