Moderators Popular Post AY Mod Posted June 23, 2021 Moderators Popular Post Share Posted June 23, 2021 PRESS RELEASE – JUNE 23 2021 HELJAN PROGRESS REPORT – JUNE 2021 It's hard to believe we're now into the second half of 2021 and already planning our production schedule for 2022 and 2023! While we might have been relatively quiet over the last few weeks, there's a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to deliver exciting new HELJAN British outline models in OO9, OO and O gauge. Next to arrive will be our eagerly anticipated centre headcode Class 40s and refurbished Class 31s in O gauge. These superb models are currently en route to Europe and are expected to reach our UK retailers in August. With five liveries on the Class 40 and no fewer than nine across the '31/1' and '31/4' sub-classes for the Brush Type 2, there's something for everyone, whether you model the BR green, BR blue, Sectorisation or Privatised era. The '31s' and '40s' are due to be followed a couple of months later (shipping issues permitting) by a new batch of O gauge Class 60s in a wide range of colourful liveries, from original Railfreight grey to contemporary DB Cargo, GB Railfreight and DCRail liveries. Contact your local HELJAN stockist to reserve your favourite versions now. As ever, all of these models have been produced in limited quantities and some are close to being sold out already. Also now in production is the second batch of O gauge Class 50s. These hugely popular EE Type 4s sold very quickly first time out, especially those in the classic BR large logo blue. Despite producing extra versions and increasing quantities to cater for demand, pre-orders for Batch 2 have been so strong that all large logo versions are already sold out at the warehouse. Any customers wishing to obtain these models are strongly recommended to contact their local HELJAN stockist now to secure them before they disappear. Six versions are being produced, covering BR blue, large logo with grey or black roof, Large Logo 50036 Victorious, Revised Network SouthEast light blue and 'Laira blue' 50019 Ramillies in typically weathered DCWA sub-sector condition (pictured). Speaking of sell-out successes, the second batch of our ever-popular O gauge Class 37/4 was snapped up in record time and a third batch is now in preparation. Featuring a mix of existing liveries and new versions, Batch 3 includes several fully decorated numbered and named favourites joining the range. All are being produced in limited quantities, so pre-order yours now! NEW! Class 37/4 O gauge - Batch 3 #3741 BR Large Logo Blue unnumbered (rerun) #3745 Trainload Freight 3T grey unbranded/unnumbered (rerun) #3753 Railfreight Petroleum 3T grey 37418 Pectinidae #3754 BR Large Logo 37426 Y Lein Fach/Vale of Rheidol #3755 BR Large Logo 37404 Ben Cruachan* #3756 Railfreight Construction 3T grey 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine/Concrete Bob* #3757 Railfreight Distribution 3T grey 37413 Loch Eil Outward Bound *Loco with factory weathered finish Also now in transit from our factory (at last!) is our latest OO9 steam locomotive, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Baldwin 2-4-2T 'LYN'. These beautiful little machines complement our existing L&B fleet and will be available in six versions from July. Covering L&BR, transition and Southern Railway liveries, as well as a plain black version for freelance layouts, 'LYN' featuring a 6-pin DCC interface, working LED headlamp and a range of authentic detail variations. Reserve yours now! Above: Production 'LYN' models being tested prior to shipment. In other news, the first sample of the ubiquitous BR Mk1 CCT van in O gauge has arrived for review. As always with a first sample, a number of issues have been identified and will be resolved before the models go into production. However, overall, the model looks very promising and we look forward to making rapid progress towards a release in the first half of 2022. Standard features include compensated axles, sprung buffers and couplings, fine wire handrails and extensive underframe detail. All versions of the CCT are now available to pre-order via your local HELJAN stockist. Also on a coaching stock theme, our family of O gauge Mk2 coaches is progressing well. Tooling is now approved and deco artwork is in progress. Further updates on these superb models will follow soon, but for the moment here's a sample of the TSO version, hand-painted by Brian Daniels. Collett Goods halted. On a less positive note, we have taken the decision to halt our O gauge GWR '2251'/Collett Goods 0-6-0 project in order to focus on other products that are currently in greater demand. It's not a decision we take lightly but with demand for O gauge diesel & electric era subjects increasing and only a small team working across many new products, we have prioritised the completion and delivery of projects such as the new Class 47, 56, 26/27 and 73, plus other exciting O gauge D&E projects to be revealed soon. However, this doesn't mean that HELJAN is not interested in steam era subjects - we are constantly reviewing ideas for new products and we're always open to ideas from our retailers and customers. As you'll see from the summary below, we have more than 20 projects in progress, plus exclusive models for the National Railway Museum, Rails of Sheffield, Model Rail Magazine, Kernow Model Rail Centre and others yet to be announced. Unfortunately, the global pandemic continues to disrupt production, causing delays. Certain projects have been more affected than others, with the OO gauge Class 45 and O gauge Class 117/121/122 particularly suffering, despite being frustratingly close to completion. Look out for more updates soon, including some exciting announcements on all-new products, new versions of existing products and reruns of popular models that are not currently available. Other Projects OO Gauge LNER 'O2' 2-8-0 (new versions) - awaiting improved samples. Due 2022 Class 02 diesel shunter - in tooling. 2022 release Ruston 165DE - deco samples in preparation. Late-2021/early-2022 release Class 25 - Batch 2 deco samples in preparation. Late-2021/early-2022 release Class 33/0 - new batch deco samples approved. Q4 2021 release Class 45 - awaiting improved deco samples. Q4 2021 release Class 47 - tooling approved. Deco samples in preparation. Full update soon. Class 86/4 - Tooling approved. Deco samples in preparation. Q2 2022 release GWR Diesel Railcar - In production. Due July/August Class 104 DMU - Design in progress. 2022 release O Gauge GWR '2251' 0-6-0 - project halted. Class 02 diesel shunter - in tooling. 2022 release Class 26/1 - tooling approved. Awaiting deco samples. 2022 release Class 27 - tooling approved. Awaiting deco samples. 2022 release Refurbished Class 31/1 & 31/4 - due August 2021 Centre headcode Class 40 - due August 2021 Class 47 - awaiting final deco samples. Late-2021 release Class 50 - Batch 2 in production. Due late-2021 Class 56 - awaiting deco samples. Late-2021/early-2022 release Class 60 - Batch 2 deco samples under review. Due Sept/Oct 2021 Class 73/1 - First EP sample due shortly. 2022 release Class 117/121/122 DMUs - awaiting final deco samples. 2022 release Mk1 CCT - First EP received (see photo). 2022 release Mk2 Coaches - Tooling approved/deco artwork in progress. 2022 release LMS Inspection Saloon - Design work in progress. 9 7 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philou Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Good news for those modelling in the 'Senior' scale. Nice to see some 'new' old faces coming back for us in the smaller scale . Could be an expensive 12 - 24 months ahead. Cheers, Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
70E Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Disappointing news regarding the Collett Goods maybe an opportunity for another manufactuRe to step in. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Downer Posted June 23, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 23, 2021 Nice to get a progress report. Oxford, take note. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Train Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 I like the CCT. Might "need" one of those at some point. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtybella Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Fantastic to see a flow of information coming from manufacturers to consumers, almost as good as Accurascale in that department, hopefully another manufacturer based in the best country in the Union could follow that lead….. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 The 'Class 11' seems to conspicuous by its absence !!?! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkersson Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Wickham Green too said: The 'Class 11' seems to conspicuous by its absence !!?! Its a Model Rail magazine commission, rather than a direct Heljan product, any updates will be on the relevant thread Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rembrow Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 20 hours ago, Courtybella said: Fantastic to see a flow of information coming from manufacturers to consumers, almost as good as Accurascale in that department, hopefully another manufacturer based in the best country in the Union could follow that lead….. To a certain degree, however one noticeable absence from the update was the next 'oo' gauge model expected to be released, the AEC railcar. There was described detail about the next 009 and 0 gauge models progress and where they were re delivery, however the railcar was left to be a line in the table, where we learnt it was still 'in production' and with a revised expected date of July/August (had been advertised by Heljan in mag adverts as May availability), which was not particularly helpful, as if still 'in production" in late June then July is a non starter for a delivery by shipping. I'd have hoped for more detail about the progress of this model. Otherwise it was a useful update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Monkersson said: Its a Model Rail magazine commission, rather than a direct Heljan product, any updates will be on the relevant thread Perhaps it's time Model Rail had a thread in the Trade & Products Zone - like the traders who've gone in for commissioning have !!?! ............. as it is, the only 'relevant thread' I can find is within the Heljan section - and that's not been updated since it was last updated ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtybella Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 50 minutes ago, rembrow said: To a certain degree, however one noticeable absence from the update was the next 'oo' gauge model expected to be released, the AEC railcar. There was described detail about the next 009 and 0 gauge models progress and where they were re delivery, however the railcar was left to be a line in the table, where we learnt it was still 'in production' and with a revised expected date of July/August (had been advertised by Heljan in mag adverts as May availability), which was not particularly helpful, as if still 'in production" in late June then July is a non starter for a delivery by shipping. I'd have hoped for more detail about the progress of this model. Otherwise it was a useful update. Any news even if one or two projects are missing is a huge leap forward, we all some manufacturers treat product updates like state secrets then probably take umbridge when they get slated. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 On 26/06/2021 at 20:52, Night Train said: I like the CCT. Might "need" one of those at some point. Yes it does look nice, I can't put my finger on it but it looks more refined than the similar GUV so great to see Heljan making the effort on this; enough to convince me to order one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Electric Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Any chances of a few 86/4 pictures? I have the new AL6 in early rail blue livery and I love it, though I did notice there were a couple of little details incorrect for the period on the later BR blue versions. I thought also the pantograph could have been better. The 86/4s carried at least 3 different types of pantograph I beleive. Will each example be represented, or will all locos produced be ones that carried the Stone & Faively AMBR (bicycle frame) type, as per the AL6 version? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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