MGR Hooper! Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 (edited) Heljan announced their intentions to produce an O gauge Class 117, today they showed off their O gauge Class 117 CAD. Edited October 2, 2018 by MGR Hooper! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold uk_pm Posted October 4, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 4, 2018 Very nice indeed; I'm delighted that Heljan are pressing on with this model in the face of the Dapol 121/122. What, I wonder, is that "button" covering the coupling hook? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ressaldar Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Very nice indeed; I'm delighted that Heljan are pressing on with this model in the face of the Dapol 121/122. What, I wonder, is that "button" covering the coupling hook? Hi uk_pm, As there is a similar button on the inner end, perhaps it is a magnet for easier coupling, but with the screw coupling if you want it. regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGR Hooper! Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Very nice indeed; I'm delighted that Heljan are pressing on with this model in the face of the Dapol 121/122. What, I wonder, is that "button" covering the coupling hook? Why will Dapol's Class 121/122 be of any issue to Heljan's Class 117? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibber25 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Why will Dapol's Class 121/122 be of any issue to Heljan's Class 117? Because once you've got the chassis for one, the other is just a new body tool? If one company does both, there are economies to be had. And wasn't Heljan intending doing a single unit? I'm guessing that's why the chassis design for the 128 has a full underfloor mechanism - as a design basis for vehicles that need an interior. (CJL) 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted October 4, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 4, 2018 (edited) Why will Dapol's Class 121/122 be of any issue to Heljan's Class 117? Splits the market. A lot will buy the cheaper and smaller option and that adds the risk that Heljan won’t sell enough 117s to cover costs. If they didn’t already have the chassis, I don’t think this would have gone ahead, personally. Edited October 4, 2018 by Hal Nail Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold uk_pm Posted October 4, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 4, 2018 Why will Dapol's Class 121/122 be of any issue to Heljan's Class 117? The comment was in response to speculation (on this site and elsewhere), that Dapol's class 121/122 might affect the economics of Heljan's 117 (which was announced as part of a batch of DMUs which included the 121). In fact, anyone who has the Heljan 128 will know that much of the donkey work for the 117/121 was done in preparation for the 128. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delticfan Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Can’t we have some proper DMUs like ones used in Yorkshire...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb4141 Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 I read today in Rail Express that Heljan have done CADs not only the 117, but also the 121,122 and the class 149/150 trailer cars. That was a surprise! I thought the 121 had been dropped after Dapol’s imminent model (interestingly, the 121 page has been taken off Tower Models Heljan section- so I thought it being dropped was the likely explanation). These CADs look great by the way and do capture the character of the real thing, in my humble opinion. I wonder if developing the 117 into the similar 116 might be a better commercial venture for Heljan, rather than releasing 121’s and 122’s head to head with Dapol? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Having done CAD's doesn't mean much, and Heljan may have shelved the 121/122 based on what Dapol have done. I would be surprised if they went ahead as O is still a small market and unless Heljan pull out a surprise then Dapol will have taken most of the available money for a bubble car. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb4141 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 This project seems to have quietly dropped off the radar? Does anyone have any news about it? Or are Heljan waiting to see if Dapol make an announcement as a follow-on to their impending Class 121/122 bubble cars? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ryde-on-time Posted May 25, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2019 This video at 10min 22 ish seems to show some samples at the new Kernow shop Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb4141 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 13 hours ago, Ryde-on-time said: This video at 10min 22 ish seems to show some samples at the new Kernow shop Thanks so much for this update - great news to see Heljan moving ahead with the class 117 and 121 DMU’s! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compbck Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) I don't think Heljan has anything to worry about the Dapol rendition, at least certainly the Class 122 DMU. Sadly along with many other buyers I have had to return three units to suppliers for a refund after experiencing what appears to be on the face of it, a manufacturing defect, that is causing the two bogie motors to fight each other when power is applied to the unit resulting in a grinding and shuddering and sudden stopping during running sessions. In saying that the lighting albiet a complex setup is very good. I am now eagerly awaiting the release of the Heljan versions, albeit slightly more expensive, but I am informed by those in the know that the quality of the motors being used are of a very high quality, so I do not mind spending a little more on reliability. I look forward to hearing from others who have purchased the Dapol Class 122 and whether they have experienced similar problems. Apparently Dapol are frantically making changes to the Class 121 motors, although that information has come from a third-party supplier source. Edited January 19, 2022 by Compbck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted March 2, 2022 Share Posted March 2, 2022 According to the Tower Models web site the 117 goes into production end of May with a possible release date of October 2022. Great news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted March 3, 2022 Share Posted March 3, 2022 I had a numerous e mail exchange with Heljan this morning and it looks like the 117 could be very decoder hungry. From what Kim has said there are no ‘power couplers’ between cars so each car will need a decoder in it to operate things under DCC. Two motors, only talked about the three car version, with a motor in two of the three cars. 21pin DCC decoders required. So for me it’s 2x ESU 21pin V5 Loksound plus ESU 21pin V5 FX decoders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtybella Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 So we’re looking at circa £140 for two suitable decoders plus the £800 (3 car) unit. Why couldn’t they develop a power transfer coupling and use one decoder, it’s been under development as a model long enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 I intend asking Heljan questions about the 117 DCC set up at the Britain's Biggest Model Railway show at the Bath & the West Country Showground, Shepton Mallet on 8th April. Although the answers I received came directly from Heljan I am not convinced they are right. Two or even three sound decoders needed, that’s a lot of extra dish on top of the cost of the model. Will report back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted March 19, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 19, 2022 Even if Heljan don't come up with a solution surely we can wire them together to use one decoder? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Hal Nail said: Even if Heljan don't come up with a solution surely we can wire them together to use one decoder? Yes, I have some power couplers but not enough ‘channels’ in them to allow everything that is needed to meet my requirements. Two for track power, two for motor control, minimum two for speakers in each car, then there are lights…………………… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trainsandtravel Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Has anyone heard any updates regarding the progress on the 117? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishoutofwater Posted September 13, 2023 Share Posted September 13, 2023 Tower Models had an update on their news page11th August. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted September 13, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 13, 2023 20 minutes ago, Fishoutofwater said: Tower Models had an update on their news page11th August. Which said “Decorated samples expected November, then a case of getting a production slot, hopefully available Spring 2024” Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted September 14, 2023 Share Posted September 14, 2023 (edited) I spoke to the Heljan guys at the Guild show at Stafford and they want to release the 117, 121 & 122 almost at the same time and hope to have the 117 decorated samples in November. I mentioned that the 117 deco samples seems to be the default reason for delay to the point where you think it’s cancelled. The replay was a 100% no. Far to expensive to cancel once tooling has been done. So it seems it’s still on. Edited September 14, 2023 by two tone green 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrainsRule88 Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 Has anyone seen any decorated samples of these class 117 units yet? Sadly I haven’t mangled to get to any show recently. I am very interested in these but the cost of decoders if 2 are needed will be prohibitive cost wise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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