You remember that time Hattons said they’re closing, and Warley pulled the shutters on the NEC, and that bloke on the internet said this toy train needs to be heavier, well we got a biggie for you today! Yes get ready for ill informed and inaccurate speculation across the interweb, but here’s the story…

Accurascale Acquires Heljan – A New Era for a Legendary Name in Model Railways

25 March, Dublin and Søndersø – Accurascale Limited is proud to announce the acquisition of renowned model railway manufacturer Heljan, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the hobby’s most respected and innovative brands.

Under Accurascale ownership, Heljan UK will move to a direct-to-consumer sales model, with all UK sales taking place exclusively via the Heljan UK website. This new approach will allow Heljan to offer exceptional value and closer engagement with customers and lower prices for robust, reliable and durable models in a market demanding more affordability and value for money. This bold new strategy encourages new entrants into the hobby, both young and old, while offering seasoned modellers exceptional value as they add to their collections or change scales and safeguarding the future of the brand, which has seen retail outlets close with increasing frequency over the past couple of years and has been the victim of almost relentless price slashing sales via larger retail outlets.

Heljan’s Danish range will continue to be available through retail networks in mainland Europe. That range will see expansion in the coming years as will all new models incorporating new levels of detail, features and fidelity in line with Accurascale’s approach.

As part of this launch:

• OO gauge locomotives will be priced from just £99.95, with selected lines at £49.95
• O gauge locomotives will be priced from just £299.95, with selected lines below this figure
• TT Powered Models Will be Priced from £124.94 and the range will receive further investment through new models
• New customer sign-ups will receive 10% off their first order

The Heljan website will offer the same customer benefits as Accurascale, including:

• 3% cashback in loyalty points when customers register an account
• Free UK shipping on orders over £100
• Bundle discounts on wagons and coaches where applicable

Modellers who have previously pre-ordered forthcoming Heljan models that are in development, such as the Class 42 Warship, Class 44, Class 86, in OO, Class 24 in O gauge and Class 55 and Class 122 ‘Bubble Cars’ in TT will now have to pre-order direct on the Heljan UK website, but with a much reduced, more attractive price point. This will be the case for all new Heljan British outline releases going forwards, and it will see a growth of excellently priced models in stock grow over the coming weeks and months.

Customers looking to pre-order the forthcoming Class 153 and 155 DMUs in OO gauge can now pre-order those on the Accurascale website, as they will now join the Accurascale range!

A Return to Innovation

Accurascale’s ambition for Heljan is to recapture the innovative spirit that made the brand famous in the British market, from the step-change impact of the first-generation Class 47 in OO gauge, the brave building of the Ready-To-Run O gauge market, to iconic products such as the functioning Container Crane, working traverser and 009 ranges. The robust nature and smooth-running characteristics of Heljan locomotives will be maintained and serve as the foundation for future models.

Looking forward, the plan includes:

• Exciting new and innovative products across multiple scales
• Enhanced value in established Heljan OO models, including upgrades in sound, digital and lighting functionality
• Upgrading selected Heljan OO models to full Accurascale specification over time
• Significantly improved value in Heljan O gauge, with reduced prices and additional features such as factory-fitted digital sound in future releases
• Continued exploration of the British TT:120 market with further models in development
• Establishing Heljan as the market leader in Danish-outline HO, with exciting new models and enhanced specifications already planned

Preserving and Building on a 70-Year Legacy

The Heljan name will continue, building on its 70-year heritage of serving the hobby market with innovative, robust, and reliable models.

Accurascale is also pleased to confirm that Kim Nannestad and Ben Jones will remain part of the Heljan family, ensuring continuity, experience, and passion remain at the heart of the brand as it moves forward.

Together, Accurascale and Heljan will focus on delivering:

• Robust, reliable, smooth-running models at highly attractive price points in OO, O, and TT gauge for the UK market
• Market-leading quality in the HO market, in line with Accurascale’s well-known standards

A Powerful Future Ahead

“This acquisition is about respecting Heljan’s incredible legacy while giving the brand the tools, technology, and direction to thrive in the modern market,” said Stephen McCarron, Managing Director, Accurascale. “We believe Heljan can once again be a byword for innovation, value, and excitement across multiple scales and markets.”

Kim Nannestad expressed his delight at joining forces with Accurascale: “The Heljan brand has been part of the Nannestad family for 70 years, and we are incredibly proud of it and what my Grandfather established, my father built and what we have achieved. We are now excited to build on that legacy with Accurascale and bring new energy and ideas to Heljan, preserve its future and become a market leader.”

Check out www.heljan.com for the latest Heljan news updates and shop for your favourite models at unbeatable prices for the UK outline range, and www.heljan.dk for the Danish range.