Heljan ES1 exclusive for Locomotion and Rails of Sheffield

[AY Mod]

 

NER Electric Shunting Loco ‘ES1’ No.1

 

The partnership of Locomotion Models and Rails of Sheffield have today announced the release of NER Electric Shunting Loco ‘ES1’ No.1 as the next loco in the National Collection in Miniature Series. The model has been designed and made by Heljan for the partners and they are currently being shipped from Heljan’s factory in China.

 

Prototype Information

 

In the early 20th century, the North Eastern Railway (NER) played a pioneering role in the development of electric traction for railway vehicles. In 1903/04 it converted its busy North Tyneside commuter lines to third-rail electric operation, accelerating services and providing a clean, quiet and fast alternative to competing tram routes.

 

As part of the work, the short freight branch from Trafalgar Yard in Manors, just north of Newcastle Central, to Quayside Yard was also electrified. This steeply-graded (1-in-27) line dropped 130ft to the quayside in less than one mile and featured deep cuttings and a claustrophobic tunnel situated on a sharp curve. Conditions for steam locomotive crews were extremely unpleasant with little or no ventilation in the tunnels to clear the acrid smoke from locomotives working flat out on the uphill trips.

 

To work the line, the NER ordered two steeple-cab electric locomotives, built by Brush and fitted with four British Thomson-Houston (BTH) 160hp traction motors. Designated ‘Electric Shunting Type 1’ or ‘ES1’, the two machines were given the NER numbers 1 and 2.

 

Much of the line was electrified with a conductor rail due to limited clearances, but for safe operation in the yards at each end simple overhead catenary was installed with short changeover sections at each end of the branch. As a result, the ‘ES1s’ were initially fitted with elaborate bow collectors mounted on the bonnet at one end, but in 1908 these were replaced by more conventional diamond pattern pantographs on the cab roof. Third-rail collector shoes were placed at the outer ends of the shoebeams on each bogie, although these were later moved to the middle of the shoebeams.

 

Trains were generally propelled down the branch and hauled back up the hill with the ‘ES1s’ being limited to just 160 tons on the gradient. For 60 years, No.1 and No.2 – renumbered 6480/81 by the LNER in 1946 and 26500/501 by British Railways in May 1948 – plied their unglamorous trade out of the public eye.

 

However in the early-1960s they had a brief moment in the spotlight when both were repainted into NER style lined green with NER and BR crests on the cabsides.

 

By 1964, the widespread availability of diesel shunting locomotives had rendered electric operation and the ‘ES1s’ obsolete and they were withdrawn in September of that year. Fortunately, 26500 was claimed for the National Collection and preserved as an example of early British non-steam traction. After many years at the National Railway Museum in York it currently resides closer to home at Locomotion in Shildon.

 

 

Model Spec

- Low profile central motor under the cab driving both bogies,
as per Heljan's OO loco arrangement
- NEM couplers
- LED headlight function (separate function on DCC)
- Cab light function (separate function on DCC)
- Sprung diamond pattern pantograph
- Sprung buffers
- Screw link couplings
- DCC Ready chassis with Next18 interface
- Fine etched metal details
- Detailed cab interior
- Separate bufferbeam pipework, collector shoes, hoses and
handrails.

 

 

 

Five exclusive edition locomotives are being produced as follows:

 

For Locomotion Models

 

 

1200 NER ‘ES1’ No.1 in North Eastern Railway Green as preserved as part of the National Collection. Currently on display at Locomotion, Shildon 

 

1201 NER ‘ES1’ No.1 in North Eastern Railway Green as running 1908 - 1923 (Era 2)

 

 

For Rails of Sheffield

 

 

1202 NER ‘ES1’ No.1 in LNER Unlined Black (Era 3)

1203 NER ‘ES1’ No.26500 in BR Unlined Black Early Emblem (Era 4)

 

1203 NER ‘ES1’ No.26500 in BR Lined Green Late Crest (Era 5)

 

The models are available to order for £220 plus postage. Available to pre-order today with a £30 deposit.

 

All five versions are expected to be ready for delivery to customers in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

 

[Fireline]

Unless it comes with a Toad brake, and a coach body on a Loriot, I'm not interested. 😁

[PeterStiles]

At the end when he whispered the price, my next door neighbours came knocking because they thought I'd done myself a mischief...

 

Beautiful but... I'm sure I heard him say 220 quid?

[meatloaf]

I was actually pretty interested in getting one - until he very quickly said £220 at the end!

[PaulRhB]

Only a shame they’d didn’t do no2 as the 1908 condition one.  Still an easy renumber job. 

[Player of trains]

Absolutely stunning model and one I'm surprised that didn't come sooner, but I will comment on the price too, that does seem a little steep for a model that has considerable appeal and a wide range of liveries, it's as much as the Bachmann Fairlies have been and those have a more limited scope even with the growth of 009. I will probably still obtain one though. But come on Heljan, be a little brave and do it in BR Blue with small yellow panels!

[nightstar.train]

What a surprise. Such an unusual engine. That price though, ouch! I guess it’s quite a small production run with two variants and complex parts (pantograph), with no certainty of a second run. Hence the £220. I really really want one, but I’m definitely going to have to sleep on it. 

[Fredo]

Hi, thinking about pre ordering the ES1, but can you tell me which year the loco 26500 was repainted from BR Black to its final livery.

Thanks Fred

[Ian Hargrave]

And an NER first in OO for Locomotion NRM.I believe. The price is what it is and not out of synch with current trends.

[PaulRhB]

1 minute ago, Player of trains said:

but I will comment on the price too, that does seem a little steep for a model that has considerable appeal and a wide range of liveries, it's as much as the Bachmann Fairlies

Is it the same size market though? It’s still a pretty niche loco as only two were built. The Fairlies have a similar number of liveries and more options  if you ignore the size discrepancy of DLG compared to the rest there are far more options for their base tooling than these. 

[HonestTom]

Really interesting choice and a very nice model. I reckon it'll sell well, even if I suspect a lot of people won't bother installing catenary to justify its presence. The price is high, but considering the detail and the fact that it's another National Collection model, I don't think it's out of line - I'd say it represents better value than some other recent releases, in fact.

[Porcy Mane]

3 minutes ago, Fredo said:

can you tell me which year the loco 26500 was repainted from BR Black to its final livery.

 

Probably June 1961. This date is disputed. I'm chuffed Heljan is doing this but I'd imagine the production is completed if it's delivery afore Christmas. I hope the livery has been corrected from what I assume is a pre-prod model in the phots above?

 

P

[scottrains29]

Nice. I wonder if I can get a discount for guessing correctly? 😀

[Porcy Mane]

1 minute ago, HonestTom said:

Really interesting choice and a very nice model. I reckon it'll sell well, even if I suspect a lot of people won't bother installing catenary to justify its presence.

 

Probably easier to install the third rail or just have a J72 or Class 03/04 shunter moving it around.

[No Decorum]

“It’s electric. Jim. but not as we know it.” An 84 would have been nice because it might lead to other ALs. Nevertheless, an excellent choice and nice to see something which isn’t yet another duplicate. It had a very limited sphere of operation but, like Ben, I’m interested in stuff of historical significance. That’s a furlong of my money on the way out!

[Wickham Green too]

I wonder if one would look totally out of place shunting the coal wagons at Durnsford Road Power Station ? 🙄

[RANGERS]

It looks very pretty and whilst there seems to be a view that the price is high, against current product prices, it doesn't seem out of order but I do wonder if there's enough of a market out there? Its in the same boat as the Met' electrics in my book, an attractive prototype but a prototype that had a very restricted operating area and will only have wider appeal as a "showcase" model.

 

I'll wish Heljan every success with this one, but its not top of my shopping list I'm afraid.

[The Stationmaster]

Well it's one I long ago suggested to Locomotion as a good candidate for a model so I have obviously ordered one - I wonder if it might arrive in time for Christmas?  

 

The only problem I have is that having ordered the Locomotion NER liveried version I don't having anything suitable to run with it (or indeed anywhere suitable to run it but Trafalgar Yard could be condensed down although wagons will be the bigger problem.   As I saw 26500 at work in its natural habitat that might have been a bit more sensible but there we are - I can't really afford two of something which is well outside my mainstream interest and I prefer to support Locomotion with my purchase.

[Ian Hargrave]

3 minutes ago, scottrains29 said:

Nice. I wonder if I can get a discount for guessing correctly? 😀

But not difficult if you take a look online at the Shildon stock.This one was always going to be in the catalogue.But quite a number of us turn aside from the fact that Locomotion sponsor only those that belong in their collection. 

[rovex]

It's a very pretty little thing.

The price I expect reflects the increase in the cost of almost everything over the last year

[The Stationmaster]

4 minutes ago, RANGERS said:

It looks very pretty and whilst there seems to be a view that the price is high, against current product prices, it doesn't seem out of order but I do wonder if there's enough of a market out there? Its in the same boat as the Met' electrics in my book, an attractive prototype but a prototype that had a very restricted operating area and will only have wider appeal as a "showcase" model.

 

I'll wish Heljan every success with this one, but its not top of my shopping list I'm afraid.

I realise its sphere of operation was rather more limited but when you consider the latter day area of operation of Beattie Well Tanks they seem to have sold very well for a loco few people knew but - like ES1 - were unusual and pretty.    I suspect that  its prettiness and novelty will help sell it and it looks to have 'captured' the prototype very well indeed.

 

BTW I've an idea that the overhead was not catenary but tramway type although obviously it's an awful long time since I saw it.

[The Black Hat]

36 minutes ago, Ian Hargrave said:

And an NER first in OO for Locomotion NRM.I believe. The price is what it is and not out of synch with current trends.

About time! I am agreeing about the price, given the likes of new class 47's etc.. and that given price rises to come this will not seem so out of place. 

Hopefully someone at Rails or Locomotion notices that nice little tank engine at York, or the late NER monster in Head of Steam at Darlington... 

[Corbs]

I've ordered mine in BR black (easier to repaint).

 

All locos will be this kind of price soon, prices are going up across the board as costs rise.

[JSpencer]

There is a similar shunter on the EKR when I recently visited.

[Ian Hargrave]

5 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

Well it's one I long ago suggested to Locomotion as a good candidate for a model so I have obviously ordered one - I wonder if it might arrive in time for Christmas?  

 

The only problem I have is that having ordered the Locomotion NER liveried version I don't having anything suitable to run with it (or indeed anywhere suitable to run it but Trafalgar Yard could be condensed down although wagons will be the bigger problem.   As I saw 26500 at work in its natural habitat that might have been a bit more sensible but there we are - I can't really afford two of something which is well outside my mainstream interest and I prefer to support Locomotion with my purchase.

Er…me too.