LITTLE LOCO COMPANY CLASS 15
The 44-strong fleet of British-thompson-houston (BTH) Type 1 Bo-bo diesel electrics (later Class 15) was designed primarily for general freight and empty coaching stock duties. Put to work on Eastern Region lines in the London area, they also stretched their legs into rural East Anglia. Built between 1957-61, and featuring a punchy 800hp Paxman V16 engine, D8200-8243 enjoyed brief working lives. The decline in freight traffic rendered the locomotives surplus to requirements, with withdrawals beginning in 1969. Four were retained for use as stationary power plants for carriage heating, employed at various depots all over the UK, until final withdrawal in the early 1980s. The sole survivor, D8233, was saved from scrap in 1984 and is currently under restoration at the East Lancashire Railway. Geographically limited and with a short lifespan, the Class 15 may not appear to be an obvious subject for a RTR model but, following Heljan’s excellent ‘OO’ version, we now have an even more impressive offering in 7mm scale, courtesy of Little Loco Company.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Constituting Little Loco Company’s first foray into RTR models, the Class 15 features a remarkable specification and a very reasonable price. Packed securely in a rugged, foam-lined card box, the model has significant presence. The substantial die-cast chassis provides a serious amount of ballast (nearly 1.5kg), which makes for excellent running and hauling characteristics. While the model’s aesthetics are instantly attractive, so too was the performance, running flawlessly straight from the box. Indeed, the motor and transmission provide a smooth, quiet ride with ample pulling power. The bogie frames boast an impressive array of moulded relief, with suspension fittings, sanding and brake gear all present and correct. The roller bearing axleboxes even have the SKF markings picked out in red paint. Fuel filler/drain cocks are installed and the bufferbeams carry the full gamut of brake and control hoses, along with a screw coupling, sprung drawhook and a set of sprung buffers. The footsteps for the buffer shanks are offered as separate items for the customer to install, and the ends of the bogies are furnished with crossshafts linking the brake pivots, which is a nice touch. A sturdy, centrally mounted motor drives all four axles via a pair of cardan shafts and nylon gears. A pair of brass flywheels iron out any fluctuations in the motor’s revolutions, and a Plux22 socket allows for new-generation DCC decoders to be installed without fuss. Two 34mm speakers come pre-fitted behind the radiator panels on each side of the bonnet and a Dcc-fitted option is available (£475), complete with authentic sound files.
ABOVE THE FOOTPLATE
The plastic bodyshell has been moulded to a high standard, free from unsightly seams and boasting crisp detail relief. Embellishments include separate handrails, door handles, lamp
brackets and an exquisitely etched roof grille, with the radiator fan visible beneath. Of special note are the radiator side louvres that feature individual slats, heightening the level of realism significantly. The characteristic flat section handrails sit along the bonnets and the cab sides and a further highlight is the fully equipped cab interior, with all necessary controls and cabinets included. Console dials have all been picked out with needles and markings, as have the AWS ‘sunflower’ displays. Uniquely, the headcode discs can be folded, just like the real thing, to show the desired code and, when a suitable DCC chip is installed, each of the small
marker lights can be switched on or off to suit the headcodes displayed. Supplied in a partly decorated state, a set of waterslide transfers is included with numbers, BR logos and all smaller embellishments provided, along with a set of etched builder’s plates. The prototype didn’t hang around long enough to receive many liveries, so only three variations of BR green are offered: plain green, or green with either small or full yellow ends. Additionally, a limited batch of fully decorated models is available, portraying D8233 in plain green for an extra £20.
VERDICT
For a first attempt at a RTR ‘O’ gauge locomotive, Little Loco Company has set the bar high in terms of looks, build quality and performance. Hopefully subsequent releases can live up to the impressive standards that have been set (next up is a Ruston ‘4WDM’ 0‑4‑0). Purchasers also have the satisfaction of knowing that this model has gone some way to helping towards the restoration of the surviving BTH Type 1, D8233, thanks to a £10,000 donation from Little Loco Company. Models are available direct, or from selected stockists: see www.littleloco.co.uk for full details. (GD)