chris coates

I had the same problem with one of mine however, after putting the drive shaft bits together THREE times, I discovered a small piece of the coupling was missing. I took the loco back to the supplier for a swap. Shame these £500+ locos have such cheap bits in them, especially the drive units which are critical. Had a closer look at my old Bachmann class 25 and all gearing is metal and it's still giving good service well over a decade later....enough said!

I think my text got added to the original post not as a reply so here it is again............ Excellent news that Heljan are adding an O gauge class 17 to an already impressive range of models for us diesel guys however, previous (mistakes) makes me worry as to just how accurate it will be. Many of their models have incorrect proportions or similar as reported on RM web regularly. My gripe is their terrible headcodes which are the wrong font...far too fat and not tall enough. I presume when Heljan are planning a new model they gather plans to work from so why do they get the headcodes so wrong. Doesn’t someone check them against photos of the prototype and adjust accordingly. The headcodes for the 25/3 are awful but they are considerably different from their 25/1 which is also wrong. Sadly there’s no consistency which is worrying! I can be more specific regarding this if Heljan care to contact me. I highlighted that the headcodes were wrong when shown the initial sample of the 25/3 but no action was taken to correct them. Given this new class 17 model won’t appear for a year they have plenty time to get the headcode spot on this time...but will they? I will also briefly mention the LED lights on the diesels. Apart from the likes of the class 60, all the older locos used “light bulbs” behind the headcodes which need to be reproduced using “warm white” LED’s as other types usually look too white or even bluey in some cases. Sadly this is evident in many Heljan models (and other manufacturers as well). There should also be a LED behind each headcode digit not one LED for 2 digits as this doesn’t light the panel up correctly. Surely this isn’t too difficult to achieve? I know there are sometimes compromises to be made in creating these models but I don’t think any of the above errors would be difficult to correct and would certainly enhance the look of the model. Don't like to be critical as without Heljan my layout would be pretty empty but, with a little more attention to detail, they could be brilliant models.

Excellent news that Heljan are adding an O gauge class 17 to an already impressive range of models for us diesel guys however, previous (mistakes) makes me worry as to just how accurate it will be. Many of their models have incorrect proportions or similar as reported on RM web regularly. My gripe is their terrible headcodes which are the wrong font...far too fat and not tall enough. I presume when Heljan are planning a new model they gather plans to work from so why do they get the headcodes so wrong. Doesn’t someone check them against photos of the prototype and adjust accordingly. The headcodes for the 25/3 are awful but they are considerably different from their 25/1 which is also wrong. Sadly there’s no consistency which is worrying! I can be more specific regarding this if Heljan care to contact me. I highlighted that the headcodes were wrong when shown the initial sample of the 25/3 but no action was taken to correct them. Given this new class 17 model won’t appear for a year they have plenty time to get the headcode spot on this time...but will they? I will also briefly mention the LED lights on the diesels. Apart from the likes of the class 60, all the older locos used “light bulbs” behind the headcodes which need to be reproduced on models using “warm white” LED’s as other types usually look too white or even bluey in some cases. Sadly this is evident in many Heljan models (and other manufacturers as well). There should also be a LED behind each headcode digit not one LED for 2 digits as this doesn’t light the panel up correctly. Surely this isn’t too difficult to achieve? I know there are sometimes compromises to be made in creating these models but I don’t think any of the above errors would be difficult to correct and would certainly enhance the look of the model. Don't like being critical as without Heljan my layout would be pretty empty but, with a little more attention to detail, they could be brilliant models.

Forgot to add...originally my 25/3 wouldn't run and was immediately exchanged. The fault was the drive shaft had come away. I tried to replace it but it kept coming off and eventually I sussed that a piece of the drive coupling was broken. Makes you wonder just what these delivery people do with these parcels...football?

You are absolutely right there. As an ex trainspotter (there I've confessed it now) the numbers and headcodes are always a major focal point for me. I've seen some superb models with blatantly incorrect numbers. Wrong font, far too much space between numbers, not level, too high/low. A year or so ago I contacted Fox regarding their diesel numerals. I dont know if they have changed them but I had a warship diesel that the builder had used fox numerals and they were far too thick. I sent them a comparison photo showing my model and the real thing and, although they agreed with my point, they said it wasn't practical to change them as they wouldn't then be compatible with the existing range. I get their point but if they are wrong then when do you correct this? I now use Modelmaster (Jackson Evans) which are superb. For the headcodes I use precision and utilise the frame and the transparent numbers as I want the headcodes to show when backlit. Surely that's the point in having LED headcodes but please let's have the correct tint. Originally Heljan were quite bluey (on the western) but they do seem to have got a lot better with the class 45 and 25. As the original locos were fitted with light bulbs the correct shade should be off white or warm white but beware as some "warm white" have a pink tint. I have changed the lights on both my Hymek and class 37 and they look right and cost peanuts. Sometimes I add more resistance as you dont want them too bright.

Decided to check the earlier class 25/1 headcodes and they are actually much better and almost accurate Worrying that, even with the same class of loco, there is no consistency of standards within Heljan Such a shame when they produce good stuff at a decent price If someone at Heljan spent some time studying their proposed model and the real thing they would be able to see what was right and what was obviously wrong. It's not rocket science....just being thorough. Also a pity when they are told, prior to release, that it's wrong but choose not to correct it....NO EXCUSE

That's a good idea and your model looks good but then I would have to start again and still have to do the top coat. Might as well just mask it and spray with Railmatch BR green. Was just hoping there might be something worth trying without needing to respray. Thanks

Thanks for the feedback I've looked at the two images but it's extremely difficult to check them as such small images.....am I doing something wrong? I would probably go for the G46 B3 but I cant really tell from this. Certainly, when built, the shade of BR green was dark and would fade in service. I have actually mixed a tin of the real stuff and it started as yellow and after 15 minutes of stirring with a drill and a paddle the green started to come through. This confirms that BR green has a considerable "yellow" aspect and if you look at it with this in mind you can actually see this. The forum on colours is very interesting if a little too deep for me. I was involved in printing and PANTONE colours were always associated with inks NOT paints. Anyway, I hear all the comments on car sprays and have to accept that, for whatever reason, the shade is way out and I wont allow these to be used these again. I guess Railmatch is the best option but do a test spray first. Anyone got experience with Railmatch BR green on O gauge locos? Finally, would still appreciate comments on how to solve this disaster. Is the tinted varnish a possibility?

OK. Another Heljan cockup but I must admit I hadn't noticed and that's probably because it's not as obvious to me. Having now looked I see what you are saying but I can live with it....but not the horrible headcodes

I know its not a major job sorting the headcodes but, to quote my friend Lenny, you shouldnt have to do it !! Same cost for correct ones and they have no excuse as there are loads of photos, etc. they could have checked them with. By the way I use Precision labels for my headcodes. They are the best I have come across so far. Modellers may also like to know that Heljan have got a couple of the letters wrong...i.e.wrong font. Can't recall which ones now but If anyone is interested I will investigate it next week. I'm not one who spends much time on forums, etc. (too busy modelling) so have I missed something regarding the wheels? Thanks for your comments

]I've just received my O gauge D600 warship, a JLTRT kit, from my builder and sadly the green paint shade is so wrong. He tells me he has used Brooklands Green which he says is the agreed colour amongst modellers. As you can see it isnt correct by a long way. Interestingly the colour on the can top is much darker than that on the sprayed model. The recommended Hycott primer was used. So what to do now? Do I completely respray or would a mix of matt varnish with a little added black make it acceptable? Anyone had any experience with this please? On the topic of BR diesel Green, I wish he had used Railmatch as I gather that is pretty close. Laurel green is also mentioned but I'm not convinced its correct. I have also used Land Rover Deep Bronze Green in the past and its near but perhaps a little too yellowy. There is also the aspect of gauge as a model painted with a given colour will look different in N gauge to one in O gauge due to surface area. I will be weathering the model but I can't start it with this shade as a base. I would appreciate any comment on the above.

Hi Just received my Heljan class 25/3 and, once again, Heljan have cocked up. Such a shame as it's a lovely model, well moulded and painted, runs great and really looks the part except for that horrible thick dumpy headode lettering. I saw the test sample at Telford and explained that the headcode was wrong...obviously it wasn't important enough to correct. Heljan have completely changed the O gauge market, especially with diesels, and have produced some superb models,,,albeit many with incorrect bits. When they did the class 45 I thought they had, at last, got their act together as I couldn't really fault it but sadly they spoil the ship for "hapeth of tar" once again. Will they ever learn? What do you think?............... Photo attached if it works!!

meant to add photo to show the problem but forgot...here it is

I would be surprised if Dapol do much in improvements once they have produced the model if my experience is anything to go by. I'm sure anyone who has bought a green 08 will have noticed the numerals have the wrong font and are oversize. I have two of their 08's and have altered one to the correct 6" numbers. To help them I photographed the two 08's side by side and took it to Telford last year to show them but, guess what, the second edition is exactly the same. You can take a horse to water....etc.

Hello again Sorry about the delay...due to working too hard on volume 3!! I've looked at the flikr pictures and there's some superb shots there and I'm quite interested in about 6 of them for consideration for volume 3.. Various places, Rylands, Wigan Central Goods, Golborne Super D, St Helens railtour, etc. Will discuss when we hopefully meet up regarding your notebooks. Re Springs Branch and Whitley Crossing. You presumably know I was the lad with Carl (wheelchair). We also had a John Bretherton who came to Whitley crossing...could this be the same guy? I cant actually remember him now, just the name. It seems you started spotting trips around 1966 which is a couple of years later than me although I had been spotting since 1958 and, living close to Whitley, I had most of the local and main line stuff long before 1964. Just a few escaped me including two Patriots and 46113 which ironically worked to Southport when it was shedded at Low Moor, totally unknown to me at the time....sods law. I also missed about 20 Jubilees but they were mainly Scottish, Bristol or Midlands lines. At least in the diesel days I didnt let much slip. D1671 and D6983 went before I got them and perhaps a class 33 too but I think I managed to bag virtually all the rest. Incidentally, I presume you are Mr Hall but a first name would be nice to know? Look forward to hearing from you and looking at those notebooks. Appreciate your offer of help...many thanks.......................Chris

Oh the shame!!!!!! You are of course absolutely right. I did check loads of photos and couldn't see those suspended lights so decided it couldn't be. Must admit I don't recall them and I think that aspect led me to that decision. I also have excellent records of locos on shed, particularly around that time and 48665 didn't feature which suggested it might be elsewhere. I of all people should have known better...slaps ones own bottom!!! Anyway, it's always great to see photos of my old shed. Spent half my life there. When I read your post I wondered if you were Chris Winstanley but obviously not. I was one of the crossing mob from 1959 through to the end. My crowd were Carl Littler (your dad photographed him at Whitley for the paper with me on it too and he got a camera for him) also Harold Turner, Walter Cullen, Gordon Jennings, Clifford McKenna. Others around were Malcolm Capstick, John Loftman, Gerald Robson, Carl Peters, Cyril Pearce and later Dick Long...do you recall any of these. There was also someone called Greenlees and a Mr Bolton as well. I'm currently putting together the last book in the Wigan Engine Shed trilogy (Lower Ince) but we will include a last look back at Springs Branch and Wigan L&Y...got any pictures you fancy publishing? Finally, I am the project leader for the West Coast Sightings Sheets, a research study that lists all known locos (on the trains they actually worked) on the West Coast route through Wigan 1956 to 1968. The reports we have produced are far better than we thought we could ever do, and they are still being enhanced. Did you keep those spotting books??? No need for there to be any detail as just a list of numbers is extremely useful to us as we already have the notes of over 750 spotters but we still have gaps and the more notes the better the reports get. Can you help?? Chris

It looks like someones memory is fading perhaps. 48665 is unlikely to be at Springs Branch as, in the photo, there are lights suspended above the rails. The only place at SB that had this was the four tracks in open space and by this time the Diesel Depot had been built there anyway. Also the track didnt curve at all. I suspect it could be Edge Hill maybe? BTW, love those photos Apollo, we must have walked the same paths many times as I literally lived at Whitley Crossing 1959 to 1968. Where where you when I was doing the Springs Branch book? Did you know me and was your dad Mr Hall?

Hi there Is it me or have some of the newer Heljan O gauge diesel got a wobble? I first noticed it on my class 25 which I returned to the supplier but we are still at odds over whether this is an acceptable wobble or not Basically they think it is and I don't. Now I have just received my class 45 and this is even worse. Extremely disappointing. Again I contacted the supplier who informs me that the models come out of three different factories (presumably all in China) and any one model can come out of ANY of these factories (or all of them) and, also to quote my supplier, the factories all have different quality levels... very worrying when one is paying £500+ for a loco. None of my existing Heljan fleet, which encompasses virtually all the classes they have produced so far, have this wobbling problem. I'm also informed by the supplier, correctly or not, that Heljan don't want to address any problems, but I find this somewhat unbelievable and look forward to discussing this with them at Telford 2017 to see what there stance is. Anyone else experiencing this problem and what, if anything, was the supplier prepared to do about it for you? I might upload a video showing the problem but it's not always easy to capture this on camera, but it's certainly very noticeable to me on the layout.

Hi Paul No I didn't, I used modelmaster waterslide transfers. I actually didn't find the decals in the box until today as they were stuck up inside the lid so they never became detached. They do look odd with their coloured tint. I had about 6 locos that had been waiting numbering for ages so I did them all in one go. Always a challenge getting the spacing correct but, with a lot of patience, they go come out right. Now for some serious spray weathering Cheers............Chris

Wasnt too happy with that image so here is another Also needed to tidy up a bit too much grey weathering on the top corner...it's all fine now Cheers................Chris

Hi. If everything works then it should display a photo of my class 15 It's had stage one weathering (brush) but still needs to have some airbrushing on it which is due later this week. I think Steve has done a superb job with the class 15 and my only miff is the colour which, to me, is a bit light, but it's a superb model and runs a treat (and sounds a treat too!) Regarding future models, my vote is definitely for the class 22. You cant convert anything into it a class 22 and no-one has ever done one apart from the very poor MTK white metal kit. . Bachmann did a class 24/0 and, with a little work around the headcode, you could convert the Heljan 25 to a good representation of a 24/1. Would also love to see a Metrovick Steve? Cheers Chris