Heljan class 05 in O gauge.

It seems that 2400 - 07 were also 41E allocations at the same time.

 

Afraid I succumbed to temptation also. Yes, I know these were not used on the Southern as far as I know, BUT my 0 gauge layout will be a Southern biased "Heritage" railway, which gives me 'Carte Blanche' to run whatever I like. I did have intentions of a Class 08 shunter, but the price of the 05 was what swung it! Which decoder type do these loco's use, 8 or 21 pin?
Keith.

 

Think I have a 21 pin in my decoder stash too so that'll go in after running in. I intend sound fitting each 0 gauge loco, but not immediately as other things have priority. (Like actually building a layout!)
Keith.

 

My Heljan Class 05 shunter arrived from "Rails" yesterday, so after unpacking and removing it from the wood plinth it comes fixed to, I put it on the rolling road and gave it 30 minutes in each direction to run it in. From the outset it ran very smoothly and quietly on DC with directional lights and cab light on, DCC conversion was easy, 6 screws to remove, 2 around 20mm long to the rear of the front buffer beam and 4 very small screws about 4mm long securing the cab. Running current is only 0.2 amps, even on stall current only rises to 0.4 amps so any standard 00 gauge decoder will suit this loco. Easing the cab back slightly allows removal of the 'bonnet' under which lives the DC plug, so a quick swap with a Bachmann 21 pin decoder (don't know where that came from, must have had it a while as I've used LaisDCC ones for ages!), refitted the screws, programmed and back on the rolling road. I've not had time to look closer, but it seems the cab light comes on together with appropriate directional lights on F1, though the cab light is switchable via a switch on the loco underside. I'd prefer to make the cab light switch via another function button rather than with the directional lights, but I'll look into that another time. As can be seen, it's quite a detailed model, and for "Rails" price of £159 for an 0 gauge loco, it's in the price realms of 00 gauge, future fitting of DCC sound will be simple as there is space for a 28mm speaker behind the radiator grille, loco seems well made and quite weighty for a relatively small loco and good value for money from "Rails".
Keith..