REVIEW: HELJAN AEC RAILCAR

Hot on the heels of its O gauge sibling, which Howard Smith praised highly for its accuracy, a sample of the newly-released OO scale models of the prototypes has arrived for review.

Having had the pleasure of reviewing Heljan's larger O gauge variant of the Great Western Railway’s series of railcars, I’m now presented with a review sample from its newly-released OO scale models of the prototypes. Regardless of scale, it’s an exciting time for GWR modellers. The origins of the prototypes on which this model is based can be read in the previous review.

Its O gauge version of the GWR’s ‘razor edge’ railcars was a very respectable model, which I praised highly for its accuracy. Following on from this and through diligent research, it should come as little surprise that its OO gauge model is equally impressive.

Kindly received for review from the manufacturer is a sample of No. 22, wearing GWR chocolate and cream livery with GWR roundels. Constructed in 1940, luckily, the prototype has survived to see preservation and today can be found at Didcot Railway Centre.

Upon removal from the box, the clamshell packaging was a very tight fit inside its sleeve. When carefully removed, out popped a piece of cab glazing! Strangely, I could find no trace of glue on this part – perhaps overlooked upon assembly?

This small initial niggle aside – the part is easily returned to its correct position by removing the four screws to the underside to remove the bodyshell – the model’s proportions and appearance look excellent, the front-end particularly. Matt black buffer heads are a welcome sight when viewed head-on, the shiny black plastic of some of the previous models being a point I’d raised.

A personal highlight is the mechanism of the model – it’s all-wheel drive, while being discreet, offering through-window views of the moulded plastic interior seating. From some angles, the two front-facing windows have a small prismatic line down the outer sides, but it’s a small price to pay for the flush glazing of the complex shape, which Heljan has carried out very well.

Handling the model to better inspect the mechanism requires a little care from

new, the undersides of the bogies having leached the generous quantity of lubricant applied to the gear assembly from the factory. I’d recommend wiping off excess with a paper towel as it’s easily spread to the bodyshell when handling, leaving a shiny greasy residue, while attracting dust to the underside of the model. Each of the bogies is driven via a cardan shaft from the centrally-located motor to the gears on each bogie. It’s a clever design that works well – performance is effortless and smooth, even down to second-radius curves

An impressive nine switches to the underside of the model control the lower cab lights, top lights, red lights, cab lights and interior light, leaving every possible combination achievable under DC control. DCC modellers have access to all of these functions via the 21-pin DCC decoder.

Lighting is configured by the factory to work with an ESU LokPilot/LokSound V5 DCC decoder – other decoders might require functions to be re-assigned to work as intended.

Given that, for the most part, the majority of these models will operate solo on layouts, it’s a welcome sight that they are fitted with a very realistic rendition of the screwlink coupling, the NEM couplings being provided as the accessory option, instead. It makes perfect sense! The screw of the coupling doesn’t screw, being moulded as a single piece of plastic, but its articulations do, making it functional as well as looking very realistic. Either side of this sit sprung buffers – a very nice touch – plus vacuum, steam heat and air pipes, all fitted from the factory.

Livery application is to a very high standard, not a trace of contamination underneath the paint to be found, with lining exemplary. The way the lining follows the angles to the front of the railcar – to which it owes its nickname – is flawless, and very impressive. The white of the roof importantly is opaque – one of the most difficult colours to get right – but Heljan has succeeded; not that it would remain white in service for long though! No. 22 carries the same livery, but with a grey roof today.

For GWR modellers, bar adding passengers, access to which is simple, there are no improvements that I can recommend for this model, testimony to its high-quality. It's an ideal starter locomotive for a new generation of GWR branch line termini layouts, and highly-recommended.

datafile BASICS

Manufacturer: Heljan A/S

Catalogue Ref: (19400) GWR Chocolate and Cream Railcar No. 22, with monogram

RRP: £189 (each)

Gauge/scale: 16.5mm gauge / 1:76 scale / OO

Chassis: Die-cast metal

Body: Injection-moulded plastic

Weight: 332g

Wheel Profile: RP25

Accessories: Tension-lock couplings, bogiemounted drive shafts