Heljan announce Class 45 in OO

[Legend]

As we trawl through posts on 37s , 40s (why dont we have a new one )47s and even 86/87/90s I am looking forward to seeing a Heljan 45 on here soon so I can make an informed decision .

[wombatofludham]

7 hours ago, Allegheny1600 said:

That’s the point!

 I took years to see the “faults” with the Bachmann class 25, in fact I still struggle but even I can easily see the faults with the Heljan class 45.

No need for an “electron microscope” but hey, if you are satisfied with those windscreens and other problems - who am I to call you?

Having seen the models in the DEMU stand I can't see the dodgy windows.  The last time I caught a train hauled by a 45 was in 1987, 35 years ago and when I stood next to the loco I was viewing it at platform height looking up at the front.  Using an on-line photo taken from the equivalent of a footbridge looking down alongside a real life photo taken at platform height to pronounce the model is flawed is really not common sense.  My memory may not be what it was but when I looked at the models in the display case my first reaction wasn't "Oh my God what have they done to the cab windows" but "That's a nice model which looks like a Peak as I remember them".

[Downer]

The last time I actually looked at a Peak was probably towards the end of 1960, which was when I gave up trainspotting.  Having made no attempt at the time to memorise the shape of the cab windows and height of the cantrail etc etc, may I be the first to go on record as not giving a flying **** if Heljan have not got things 100% right. 

[rob D2]

I think as I got back into modelling I started to look closer at what I was getting .

 

The first  Bachmann 37 was a revelation mechanism wise , but once Rail express pointed out the dimensional errors, I saw them more and more.

 

I like Bachmann stuff, most of my rolling stock is from them , I couldn’t forgive them the entirely fictional class 25 solebar though . Again that was pointed out somewhere , I’m not a 25 expert and only ever had one , but once I’d seen it …..I felt somehow cheated…..,

 

 

[andyman7]

8 hours ago, Allegheny1600 said:

That’s the point!

 I took years to see the “faults” with the Bachmann class 25, in fact I still struggle but even I can easily see the faults with the Heljan class 45.

No need for an “electron microscope” but hey, if you are satisfied with those windscreens and other problems - who am I to call you?

 

18 minutes ago, wombatofludham said:

Having seen the models in the DEMU stand I can't see the dodgy windows.  The last time I caught a train hauled by a 45 was in 1987, 35 years ago and when I stood next to the loco I was viewing it at platform height looking up at the front.  Using an on-line photo taken from the equivalent of a footbridge looking down alongside a real life photo taken at platform height to pronounce the model is flawed is really not common sense.  My memory may not be what it was but when I looked at the models in the display case my first reaction wasn't "Oh my God what have they done to the cab windows" but "That's a nice model which looks like a Peak as I remember them".

It shows how subjective these things are - I don't see anything in the Heljan model that is a showstopper; yet the 'old' Bachmann 25 with that false underframe really jars with me. It's not so bad with boiler fitted versions, but the 'look' of a 25 without underslung water tanks was very distinctive and sparse and the solid additional shelf of metal that the Bachmann 25 sports down there really offends to my eyes!

[97406]

My early Bachmann 25 ended up with Hornby cabs due to the curve over the cab windscreens being too shallow. I have an eye for details like that and it is both a blessing and a curse! 😁 The worst thing is when I work on a project, finish it, then notice something not quite right. Wibble!

[Gary H]

20 hours ago, 97406 said:

 

I’d argue the Heljan 50 looks closer than the Hornby one. 

It is indeed but its still far from right! I have a cab from a real one to remind of it every day.😉

[97406]

1 hour ago, Gary H said:

It is indeed but its still far from right! I have a cab from a real one to remind of it every day.😉

 

There was a chap in Stockport that had a collection of cabs in his back garden, think it was Melvyn Thorley. I also seem to recall a club where the DJ booth was a Class 47 cab, but those memories are a little hazy!

[97406]

4 hours ago, wombatofludham said:

Having seen the models in the DEMU stand I can't see the dodgy windows.  The last time I caught a train hauled by a 45 was in 1987, 35 years ago and when I stood next to the loco I was viewing it at platform height looking up at the front.  Using an on-line photo taken from the equivalent of a footbridge looking down alongside a real life photo taken at platform height to pronounce the model is flawed is really not common sense.  My memory may not be what it was but when I looked at the models in the display case my first reaction wasn't "Oh my God what have they done to the cab windows" but "That's a nice model which looks like a Peak as I remember them".

 

Never forget Rule 1. Different aspects appeal to different people.

[jjb1970]

I am still somewhat ambivalent about this one. Overall I see no reason to replace my Bachmann models and given the Bachmann model can be found for quite a lot less than this Heljan model I would probably stick with Bachmann if I was to buy more peaks. This is ahead of Bachmann in some areas and with nicer detail work but I don't think it looks any better as a whole.

[Patriot87003]

On 29/09/2022 at 14:32, Ian Hargrave said:

I’d be interested in perhaps opinions on the more positive aspects of Heljan’s Peak if anyone is bold enough to express them.

Good question IMHO. While I don’t have a pressing need to have a 45 on my WCML themed layout, 45’s did sometimes visit and I have taken the plunge to pre-order 45133. Why? Well … I saw the pictures of the samples and then the samples close in person and just looks like an impressive and substantial model. I particularly like the chassis detail, the nose, the livery application and finish, also the lack of an overly large gap between the chassis and body.

I’m lucky enough to have a decent sized layout so overall, the number 1 priority I have is a good reliable heavyweight motor and chassis. I’m grateful that we now have two manufacturers producing Class 45’s with modern mechanisms. So for me, it was more of a say 52% v 48% decision whether to choose the Heljan model v it’s competitor.

A few pics of the real things that I’ve taken over time …

 

45108 at the recent East Lancs Railway diesel gala (16th September 2022)

 

45105 at the Barrow Hill event (27th August 2022)

 

 

D123 at Quorn on the Great Central Railway (26th June 2022)

 

45112 at Crewe open day (10th September 2005)

 

45041 at the Midland Railway Centre (3rd September 2005)

 

 

A couple of scanned pics of either 45115 or 45125 at Selhurst Depot! (The former stabling point near Tennison Road during 1985; apologies for the poor quality of the scans). Class 45’s were an unusual visitor … but for a few weeks, some were used on the Cross Country services to/from Brighton and the south coast and one weekend, a 45 ended up at Selhurst!

 

 

 

[Halvarras]

20 hours ago, 97406 said:

My early Bachmann 25 ended up with Hornby cabs due to the curve over the cab windscreens being too shallow.

 

That's my main issue with it, more so than the underframe which sort of hides in the shadows, because the too-shallow curve changes the shape of the cab windscreens - the "face" of the model. In my view the same problem afflicts the Heljan Peak.

Most extreme example must be the Hornby "Class 29" 🥴 .......

[Alan Oliver]

I had such high hopes for the Heljan 45 when first announced, I know in modelling you have to make a compromises  but if Bachmann can get the upper body curve right then why this slab sided brick from Heljan?

[Hal Nail]

Ever done one of these photo quizzes and on the picture round argued about whether a pics looks like someone or not? Or met twins and some can tell them apart and some cant? This should tell us that not everyone's recognition skills are equal and exactly the same applies to the shape of a something.

 

Similarly I dont find it hard to interpret things from different angles. Same as technical drawing at school where you got a shape and had to draw it from a certain angle which some found simple and others couldn't do at all.

 

A few people implying others are making up seeing difference or have spent hours analysing it looking for a problem completely miss the possibility they might just not be as observant, or perhaps as familiar with the prototype. 

 

I have no problem with people buying it regardless and totally see that its performance and appearance from further away is key for some. If i had a massive fleet operating a through station, I'd absolutely have a core of strong Heljan performers to do the donkey work but I'd also like to have a few favourites detailed up and this probably wouldn't be one of them.

 

Having said that lazer glaze would probably make a big difference to the face on this one - the prismatic effect isnt helping.

 

Edited October 4, 2022 by Hal Nail

[tinsley-toton]

6 hours ago, Patriot87003 said:

 

 

 

A couple of scanned pics of either 45115 or 45125 at Selhurst Depot! (The former stabling point near Tennison Road during 1985; apologies for the poor quality of the scans). Class 45’s were an unusual visitor … but for a few weeks, some were used on the Cross Country services to/from Brighton and the south coast and one weekend, a 45 ended up at Selhurst!

 

 

 

45115 06/06/1985 having worked in a football special.

 

T-T

[dj_crisp]

7 hours ago, Patriot87003 said:

Good question IMHO. While I don’t have a pressing need to have a 45 on my WCML themed layout, 45’s did sometimes visit and I have taken the plunge to pre-order 45133. Why? Well … I saw the pictures of the samples and then the samples close in person and just looks like an impressive and substantial model. I particularly like the chassis detail, the nose, the livery application and finish, also the lack of an overly large gap between the chassis and body.

I’m lucky enough to have a decent sized layout so overall, the number 1 priority I have is a good reliable heavyweight motor and chassis. I’m grateful that we now have two manufacturers producing Class 45’s with modern mechanisms. So for me, it was more of a say 52% v 48% decision whether to choose the Heljan model v it’s competitor.

A few pics of the real things that I’ve taken over time …

 

45108 at the recent East Lancs Railway diesel gala (16th September 2022)

 

45105 at the Barrow Hill event (27th August 2022)

 

 

D123 at Quorn on the Great Central Railway (26th June 2022)

 

45112 at Crewe open day (10th September 2005)

 

45041 at the Midland Railway Centre (3rd September 2005)

 

 

A couple of scanned pics of either 45115 or 45125 at Selhurst Depot! (The former stabling point near Tennison Road during 1985; apologies for the poor quality of the scans). Class 45’s were an unusual visitor … but for a few weeks, some were used on the Cross Country services to/from Brighton and the south coast and one weekend, a 45 ended up at Selhurst!

 

 

 

 

Some very nice photos.

The light in the first one shows the roof arc very nicely too.

[Patriot87003]

4 hours ago, tinsley-toton said:

45115 06/06/1985 having worked in a football special.

 

T-T

Many thanks for the gen, has solved a 37yr mystery to me!  I think the date is correct as I’ve just done a www search and found the same view (with a better camera!) linked below (2nd picture down the page)

 

https://www.derbysulzers.com/peakseverywhere.html

 

Although I’m not sure it was a football special … being June, the domestic season had ended; Palace’s last match was during 11th May, so more likely to have been one of the inter-regional services.

 

 

 

 

[stovepipe]

6 June 1985 was also a Thursday, not a common day for football to be played, and definitely not a good year for football generally.

 

45115 was at Bangor afternoon of the 5 June.

 

Edited October 4, 2022 by stovepipe

[Covkid]

13 hours ago, Patriot87003 said:

While I don’t have a pressing need to have a 45 on my WCML themed layout, 45’s did sometimes visit and I have taken the plunge to pre-order 45133. Why? Well … I saw the pictures of the samples and then the samples close in person and just looks like an impressive and substantial model. I particularly like the chassis detail, the nose, the livery application and finish, also the lack of an overly large gap between the chassis and body.

 

Many would actually be surprised at how much work the "peaks" did on portions of the WCML at various points. As an example I was travelling south in the seated coaches of the Glasgow-Bristol (Mk1) sleeper one weekend.  Half asleep I sensed that we spent a little while at Carlisle and also sensed / heard a rustle in the vac pipe. This suggested a loco change to me so I walked up the front to see what we had on the front.  Around this time we came to a stand in Penrith, another brake pipe tingle then shortly afterwards 45012 clattered past heading back to Carlisle after detaching and crossing over. Obviously 45s were quite rare on passenger work on the WCML proper, they actually did work in and out across the Tyne valley etc.    

Further south I remember having a steaming 45046 on a Birmingham - Crewe relief one night. May have been a motor show relief actually, but once again thought they were unusual on passenger work 

 

45s were very active on freight and one of the regular workings was the Homefire traffic from Toton to Three Spires which ran round at Nuneaton en route to or from the Coventry branch.  

13 hours ago, Patriot87003 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tinsley-toton]

22 minutes ago, stovepipe said:

6 June 1985 was also a Thursday, not a common day for football to be played, and definitely not a good year for football generally.

 

45115 was at Bangor afternoon of the 5 June.

 

I'm doubting that date myself, on July 4th 85 it worked as far as Croydon on a Manchester to Brighton service.

[Patriot87003]

1 hour ago, tinsley-toton said:

I'm doubting that date myself, on July 4th 85 it worked as far as Croydon on a Manchester to Brighton service.

Another internet search has found this pic … 45115 in the same road, but shunter on the other side! On the 7th July 1985. That ties in with the 4th July date better …

 

https://railphotoprints.uk/p683721011/hA49433D3#ha49433d3
 

 

[stovepipe]

Worked from Coventry to Croydon according to the Rail Gen Archive.

[tinsley-toton]

11 hours ago, stovepipe said:

6 June 1985 was also a Thursday, not a common day for football to be played, and definitely not a good year for football generally.

 

45115 was at Bangor afternoon of the 5 June.

 

Definitely not 06/06/85

I should have looked at my own moves first !!

[adb968008]

1s76 has detailed lists of 45’s to Brighton..

 

35 class 45’s were on the Brightons, but not neccessarily all the way, but it does have pictures of several that made it.

 

This site is definitely worth an hour of your time to browse, regardless.

 

http://1s76.com/1S76 Loco.htm
 

 

[Modelu Chris]

With thanks to Heljan for letting us borrow an EP of their class 45 we have been able to make a custom crew for it. 

 

These will be available on our website soon.