Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge ‘Peak’, Roco’s ‘S160’ and Bachmann’s Dynamis Railcontroller are scrutinised by our experts.

GEORGE DENT gives his verdict on this awe-inspiring 7mm ‘Peak’ that’s caused much excitement in the Model Rail office!

They may not have the romance of the ‘Deltics’ or ‘Westerns’, but the British Railways Type 4 ‘Peaks’ proved to be versatile and reliable workhorses, equally at home on express passenger or freight work. Emanating from the earliest days of BR’S 1950s Modernisation Plan, the 2,500hp locomotives followed an initial Pilot Scheme batch (D1-10) that entered traffic in 1959. With each of the ten locomotives - latterly branded Class 44 - named after prominent hills and mountains of the UK, the ‘Peak’ sobriquet was extended to the production batches that eventually numbered 183 machines, encompassing Classes 45 and 46 under the TOPS system. Built at BR’S Derby and Crewe works, the use of a 1Co-co1 wheel arrangement was necessitated by the huge mass of the Sulzer engine, Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment (Class 46 used Brush electrical gear) and a train-heating boiler. The Class 45/46 soon became synonymous with passenger work on the former Midland routes from St Pancras to Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Carlisle and Glasgow. By the 1970s, they had begun to appear on long-distance North East-south West cross-country workings, penetrating into Devon and Cornwall on passenger and freight duties. Eventually supplanted by HSTS, the ‘Peaks’ were relegated to secondary passenger duties and freight work, although some of the ‘45s’ enjoyed a swansong in the 1980s, replacing Class 40s on Trans-pennine services from North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool to York, Newcastle, Scarborough and other east coast destinations. Withdrawals began in the 1970s, with the original ten ‘Peaks’ of Class 44 first to go, followed by the smaller batch of Class 46. Although the Class 45 fleet was gradually reduced, the remaining members soldiered on until 1989.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

Heljan’s latest foray into 7mm scale represents the most numerous and long-lasting of the ‘Peaks’, the Class 45. While earlier batches (D11-30 and D68-107) sported split headcode boxes, this subsequently changed to central, flush-mounted headcodes, initially in twin panel format. Heljan has opted for this latter style, with an initial offering of six livery options, taking in BR green with small yellow panels (in either plain green or with off-white bodyside stripes and grilles), experimental BR blue with small warning panels and standard BR corporate blue. Unusually for Heljan, the BR blue version is available in either pristine or weathered finishes. Finally, Tower Models of Blackpool has commissioned an exclusive run of BR green livery, without yellow warning panels (www.tower-models.com). Our review sample is the exciting factory-weathered ‘banger blue’ version and initial reactions to opening the box were highly positive. Indeed, the massive size and eye-catching finish caused quite a stir in the Model Rail office - even among the more steamoriented staff! Mind you, getting the thing out of its box was no easy matter. In contrast to Heljan’s usual employment of a stout card box fully lined with foam, the ‘Peak’ comes firmly mounted on a length of MDF. Foam is provided along part of the sides and within the lid and it takes great care (and strong arms) to lift the model and base out of the narrow box. This arrangement will doubtless help to ensure that models reach customers in one piece (although our sample still bore damage to one bogie). However, once the locomotive and MDF base have been separated (by removing two large screws), the box then lacks sufficient foam lining for re-packing, with none at all at each end. I doubt whether modellers

will welcome the rigmarole of fitting and removing the wooden base every time their ‘Peak’ comes out to play, so we’re left to improvise our own safe packaging after purchase.

IT’S A BIG ’UN!

Once the model is free from its shackles, any gripes about the packaging are quickly forgotten and replaced with a sense of awe. Talk of ‘wow’ factors can be a bit of a cliché, but I can’t help it in this instance; this is a seriously impressive hunk of plastic and metal. So far, Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge diesel releases have been a tale of the great and the should-be-better, with highlights including the Class 40 (MR203) and Brush ‘Falcon’ (MR221), while the Class 25 (MR228) and ‘37’ (MR235) have suffered from a variety of detail and shape issues. With the Class 45, however, the Danes may well have reached a ‘Peak’ of prototype fidelity and finish. One is immediately struck by the size and weight of this beast, but it’s not just a question of ‘big is better’. The handsome, purposeful character of the real thing has been captured almost perfectly, instantly rekindling youthful memories of these stylish locomotives. Aesthetically, it’s hard to fault, with all scale measurements appearing to be accurate and the right details sitting in the right place. Certain details limit the model’s specific era. The combination of BR blue livery, plated-over boiler access steps and filler hatches, twin central headcode panels (later replaced with a single unit or plated over in favour of a pair of headlamps) and dominostyle indicators place this particular ‘45’ firmly in the late 1970s. Incidentally, models offered in earlier liveries feature the boiler access details still in situ and alphanumerical headcodes.

DETAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Looking head-on, the model really does look like a ‘Peak’. The horizontal nose seam is restrained and the twin headcode panels are attractively flush-glazed, with the surrounding ‘rubber’ beading picked out neatly in black. The twin white marker dots are illuminated from behind, while the recessed tail lights also function. Lamp irons and handrails complete the nose end detail, each being delicately rendered. Indeed, the outer lamp brackets are prone to damage, so a set of spares is provided. Consisting of folded etched brass strip, they would benefit from soldering or gluing into a more robust structure. The flush-fitting windscreens are impressive, lending an extra air of realism to the front ends and helping to capture the distinctive character of the snub-nosed prototype. The wiper arms have been picked out in aluminium, with black blades, which is a pleasing, subtle touch. The cab interiors are fully detailed, as with previous Heljan releases, including an array of control handles,

TALK OF ‘WOW’ FACTORS CAN BE A BIT OF A CLICHÉ, BUT I CAN’T HELP IT IN THIS INSTANCE; IT’S A SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE HUNK OF PLASTIC AND METAL

dials and handbrake wheels. Furthermore, the bulkheads are adorned with fire control and electrical equipment, picked out in appropriate colours. Bodyside and roof detail is equally satisfying, with crisply moulded grilles, recesses and panels. The radiator roof fan rotates while the locomotive is in

motion and is clearly visible through

the finely rendered grille. The chunky Derby Works plates are moulded with panache, with the printed lettering clearly legible. Helpfully, a set of blanking plates is supplied, for the small wedge-shaped bodyside grilles that were often plated over in real life. It’s a simple task to push out the existing grilles and clip in the new parts, should your prototype warrant them. Livery application is virtually flawless with a lovely, dead-matt finish and slightly washed-out look beneath the factory-applied weathering. The ‘dirt’ is fairly minimal, being concentrated largely on the chassis and roof, along with the bonnet tops, as per the real thing.

Heavy weathering around the radiator grille - in stark contrast to the pristine engine room access doors - is curious. Dark washes have been precisely applied into the grilles and recesses, helping to bring out the depth in the moulded detail. Supplied un-numbered, all other livery details are in place, such as data panels, double arrows and ‘Overhead wires’ warning stickers. Decals are not supplied, so an order from the likes of Fox or Railtec will be necessary.

FIRM FOUNDATIONS

The massive bogies for the 1Co-co1 wheel arrangement are similar to those fitted to Heljan’s Class 40, in that they are excellently moulded with plenty of detail relief. The suspension, axleboxes (complete with Timken lettering) and footsteps are superb. Four sandboxes are installed per bogie, although the inboard pairs are not suited to late 1970s-era ‘Peaks’ and can be easily removed if desired. Speedometer cables and junction boxes, air pipes and fire control points are all present and correct. The half-dozen air tanks, slung under the battery boxes, come fitted with an impressive array of plumbing. The buffers are sturdy and the springs offer a welcome amount of resistance, permitting realistic shunting manoeuvres. Screw couplings and a full range of brake and control hoses, plus steam heat pipes, are already installed.

ON THE RAILS

Despite the wheels needing a good clean before test running could begin, the model ran beautifully NEM straightaway. The huge bulk of the model gives a realistic sense of inertia, helped by the powerful motors and heavy twin flywheels. Power is transmitted to just two axles per bogie, yet performance proved to be smooth and sure-footed, with ample pulling power to suit the largest 7mm scale layouts. The leading pony axles of each bogie appear to have sufficient lateral movement, with a firmly sprung bolster guiding the wheels along complex pointwork and curves. No problems were encountered while traversing the Peco curves and turnouts on the Model Rail test track. As is usually the case with Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge models, no DCC socket is provided. However, digital conversion is eased by the use of screw terminals on the circuit board, leaving no need for soldering. There’s certainly plenty of space for a speaker within the bodyshell.

‘PEAKY BLINDER’

While the Class 40 had been my favourite of Heljan’s 7mm output thus far, it did have a few minor profile errors. The Class 45, on the other hand, really nails the look of the real thing, to my eyes at least. The restrictions in terms of period are not ideal for modellers interested in the 1980s, but those with leanings towards the ’60s and ’70s are well catered for. The weathering isn’t perfect but it’s impressive as far as factory-applied schemes go. What’s more, it’s suitably low-key, allowing modellers to fine-tune the scheme to their own preferences. In terms of looks, detail, level of finish and performance, Heljan has - to use a sporting analogy - played a ‘blinder’. With many retailers currently offering ‘Peaks’ well below the RRP, it also presents excellent value. Great stuff - grab one while you can!

LIVERY APPLICATION IS VIRTUALLY FLAWLESS WITH A LOVELY DEAD-MATT FINISH AND SLIGHTLY WASHED-OUT LOOK UNDER THE FACTORY-APPLIED WEATHERING