Just got my hands on one of these, as I've been looking out for a decent "Low mileage, one owner" model (Limited edition apparently) for a while. I don't think this one has ever run on a layout, since the couplings foul on the vac pipes etc, so it can't have negotiated curves, and fitting Kadee's hasn't changed this, so I'll have to either remove the obstructing bits or cut them short. It ran beautifully, as with every Heljan loco I've had, solid and heavy, front and rear lights are actually realistically dim, rather than the much brighter ones other manufacturers seem to insist on. Only slight snag was that there was no paperwork with it, so getting the body off left me wondering, as the only 2 screws underneath just detach the fuel tanks, but internet to the rescue, I found a detailed body removal instruction, just ease the sides out, but Boy, was it tight! I ended up using 4 strips of Plasticard between body and chassis to get the clips past their retaining pockets, once done, fitting an 8 pin decoder was a simple job, although while I was at it, I removed the glued-in cab ends to fit crew and cab lighting each end (green and purple decoder wires, F1/F2 on the throttle control) to round the job off. I'm aware that these loco's were unlikely to have ever seen "Southern" metals, but I'm one for the "Oddball loco's, and anyway, Rule 1 applies. Keith.
Ooh that's lovely Keith, I once saw 5705 passing through Uttoxeter with lab coach on its way back to the RCD. Only time I ever saw one.
looks mint Keith, unfortunately I don't have one myself or I could have copied the paperwork for you. The Heljans are bullet proof though. Just stick clear of the Class 55's in OO scale. I bought a couple at their stand at Glasgow ( when they used to go ) these were not so good. One had stripped gears ( I presume its been a throw back ) and the other ran like a bag of spanners. Any others have been fantastic ........ and they like going airbourne as well ........
