This won’t come as a surprise to some readers, as I’ve worked in N gauge previously. A good few years back I built Collier Street which featured in Railway Modeller
Collier Street N Gauge
This was built from a plan by my good friend and frequent partner in crime, Paul Lunn. The plan was from the N gauge Set track plan book to show what could be done to give a realistic look using off the shelf components, in addition to set track.
Collier Street N Gauge
Over the past few years I’ve been aware of the improvements in N gauge Uk outline equipment, the downside for me has always been the track. Having friends whom work in 2mm Finescale has also been an influence. Seeing how adapting RTR products or scratch building models that look and run really well and reliably has helped that slow burn of interest.
Finetrax Test
A few years back just after they were introduced I bought myself an N gauge Finetrax point kit, which sat on the shelf of doom for a long time. When I put it together it was refreshing as to how relatively easy it was.
This was one of the first designs of point kit, individually fixing rail chairs onto a point base, taking me back to the days of hand building EM track with C&L track. The test piece though, that lit a slow burner.
We can see in the earlier picture that there’s not a big difference between a Peco OO large radius point footprint and this N B7, and the opportunity to use a shelf layout volume I’m familiar with, and applying it to 2mm N gauge is beginning to scratch that itch.
That scratch however is feeling really good, going back as far as the early noughties, and then cling what was going to be a OO layout off the bucket list!
It was nice to see Oxford Rail back in the room with an update of their 15T Cowans Sheldon crane. It’s is again under development with the addition of a match truck of a design yet to be shown. The 5 plank here is just for show. The crane I think will do really well for them, its niche, but small enough for most modellers to adopt one as a nice to have. The J26 is also back on track and the EP’s certainly capture the overall look of the class.
Ellis Clark O gauge LMS Black FiveEllis Clark/Darstaed O Gauge K Type PullmanEllis Clark OO Gauge LNER Quad Art coachesEllis Clark OO Gauge LNER Quad Art coachesEllis Clark OO Gauge LNER Quad Art coaches
As with the Dapol 14T tank wagon these GWR B-Set coaches are of interest for my Forest of Dean project. Whilst not specific to the lines in question to passenger services finishing before my core interest period, they tick the right boxes for appropriate coaching stock if I choose to go down a passenger service route.
The Dapol stand was quite difficult to get non reflective images from, this 14T tank wagon in an appropriate Forest of Dean colour scheme grabs my interest immediately. The big Forest of Dean project is still kicking around in the ideas vault so this tank and the GWR Autocoach below are of key interest.
Dapol diagram N Autocoach OO gaugeDapol Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0T Saddle tankDapol O gauge TTA tankDapol O gauge Iron Ore wagonDapol OO Black Label GWR Inspection SaloonDapol O Gauge 0-6-0 Austerity Tank
Heljan OO scale class 48Heljan oo GWR Parcels RailcarHeljan/Realism Redefined PCA O gauge Tank wagonHeljan O Gauge 153
There are some models that have that X factor, I don’t have any significant interest in O gauge, I have no connection at all to the 153 DMU class, I’ve never even ridden in one that I recall, yet somehow this model is very, very, appealing.
Heljan O Gauge 153Heljan O Gauge 153Heljan OO Class 104Heljan OO Class 104
The OO class 104 DMU is really hitting the mark in my eyes. The internal seating components and compartments will be painted or printed which will really make these pop.
In recent years Heljan has received more requests for an ‘O’ gauge Class 24 than anything else. So they’ve gone ‘all out’ to bring you not just a Class 24/0, but also the later Class 24/1s AND Scottish Region ‘24/1s’ with twin headlights. The ‘skinhead’ Class 24/0s will arrive first, in six authentic BR era liveries, with five Class 24/1s to follow in 2025. Look out for the first engineering prototypes on display at the Warley NEC show on November 25/26 2023 and Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow on February 23-25 2024. These outstanding new models feature all-new body toolings with authentic variations between the different sub-types, bespoke bogie and underframe parts, detailed cab interiors and much more! Variations include bodies with original skirts or skirts removed, Scottish Region tablet catcher equipment, different roof panel and fuel/water tank arrangements, original or revised sandboxes and twin car style headlights fitted to Class 24/1s based at Inverness in the 1970’s
Heljan O Gauge Class 24
Other features include authentic drilled out wheels and bogie equalising beams, etched grilles, separately fitted handrails and pipe runs, separate headcode discs, etched metal step covers and boiler grille cover plates.
These new generation also feature a plug and play DCC decoder interface (ESU Loksound XL decoder required), powered roof fan, six separately switchable light functions and our renowned heavy duty twin motor/flywheel chassis.
The first engineering prototype sample has just arrived for review and will be on display at the Warley NEC show on November 25/26. First releases planned for early-2025. Look out for further updates soon.
Heljan O Gauge Class 24
Production of all versions will be strictly limited – contact your regular HELJAN stockist today to secure yours. Visit Heljan to find out more! Premium Features – Delivered As Standard
High Quality Design & Construction
Heavy Duty Twin Motor/Flywheel Drive
Powered Roof Fan
Plug-and-Play DCC Interface
Disc and Headcode Panel Variants
Plug-and-Play DCC Interface
Etched Grilles
Separately Switchable Lighting Features
Exquisite detail
Class 24/0 Models 2450: BR Green Unnumbered 2451: BR Green Unnumbered (Small Yellow Panels) 2452: BR Two-Tone Green Unnumbered (Small Yellow Panels)
Heljan O Gauge Class 24
2453: BR Blue Unnumbered (Full Yellow Ends) 2454: BR Green 24090 (Full Yellow Ends) WEATHERED
2455: BR Railway Technical Centre 97201 Experiment
Class 24/1 Models 2470: BR Green Unnumbered 2471: BR Green Unnumbered NER (Small Yellow Panels)
2472: BR Green Unnumbered ScR (Small Yellow Panels)
2473: BR Blue Unnumbered LMR (Full Yellow Ends)
2474: BR Blue Unnumbered ScR (Full Yellow Ends) TWIN HEADLIGHTS
Heljan today are bringing the UK’s largest and most powerful steam locomotive to the market. It’s one of those ‘X factor’ locomotives, in OO it’s been available as a DJH kit which I always thought an odd choice, but it seemed to sell well when we had it in stock. It promises a very interesting power train with the motors set into each chassis. So over to Heljan…
The LNER’s unique ‘U1’ 2-8-0+0-8-2T Beyer-Garratt was a true behemoth and our amazing articulated model will bring it to life in time for the centenary of the prototype in 2025.
LNER Beyer-Garratt
No. 2395 famously made its public debut at the LNER’s celebrations to mark the centenary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1925 and 100 years later we will celebrate this remarkable machine with a unique high-specification model that will appeal to collectors and fans of historic locomotives alike.
Beyer-Garratt BR 69999
For 30 years, the ‘U1’ was deployed on arduous banking duties on the infamous inclines at Worsbrough near Barnsley, and Lickey Incline near Birmingham. Although not always popular with those who worked on it, No. 2395 (BR No. 69999) was by some distance the largest and most powerful steam locomotive ever to work in Britain.
Our ‘OO’ model is the result of in-depth research supported by the National Railway Museum, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry’s Beyer Peacock Archive and the Gresley Society. We’re also delighted to be working with Rails of Sheffield and Locomotion Models to produce an exclusive edition for their ‘Railway Icons’ collection.
Celebrating the centenary of the ‘U1’ and 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening in 1825, the exclusive model will depict No. 2395 in works grey, as it appeared at the LNER’s S&DR centenary cavalcade shortly after completion in 1925 (see below). This very special collectors’ edition will feature bespoke packaging plus DCC Ready and factory-fitted DCC Sound options and production will be strictly limited. Early ordering is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Using original works drawings and photographs we have created a collection of museum qualitymodels covering the entire career of the locomotive and the various modifications it underwent over its 30-year life. These include changes to the smokebox, water tank breather pipes, coal bunker, handrails, cab and additional vacuum tanks. Also included is a model depicting the locomotive after conversion to oil firing, which saw modifications to the former coal bunker, the addition of a turbo generator for the electric headlight and associated pipework/cable runs.
Heljan LNER Beyer-Garratt
Packed with authentic details specific to period and livery, our ‘U1’ will be the ultimate expression of steam power for ‘OO’ layouts and a must for collectors of historic locomotives.
Heljan LNER Beyer-Garratt
The model is currently in tooling and we expect to receive the first working samples for review in January 2024 with first releases planned for early-2025. Look out for further updates soon. Production of all versions will be strictly limited – contact your regular HELJAN stockist today to secure yours!
Heljan OO Beyer-Garratt
Premium Features – Delivered As Standard
• High Quality Design & Construction
• Twin Motor/Flywheel Drive
• Working LED lamps
• 21-pin DCC Interface
• DCC Ready and DCC Sound Options
• Factory Fitted Speakers
• Coal or Oil Fired Options
• Sprung Buffers
• Extensive Detail Variations
• Removable Cab Roof
• Smoke Unit Compatible
• NEM Couplings
• Separate Pipework and cable runs
Heljan OO LNER Beyer-Garratt
HELJAN LNER ‘U1’ Models
#3000 LNER lined black No. 2395 (as built) DCC READY #30003 LNER lined black No. 2395 (as built) DCC SOUND
In the pub, The Ship good beer, good company, good toys, what’s not to like?
Heljan Class 11Heljan Model Rail Class11
The OO class 11 above, a Heljan and Model Rail collaboration is estimated to arrive very early 2024. I can see me falling for one, they look exceptional. Frustratingly the 48DS below also looks beguiling, I’ve always said ‘nah’ to 7mm, but….
Albion Yard 
You must be logged in to post a comment.