Editors have a nose for sounding out information that will form an article for their publication. This happened to me on Bank Holiday Saturday when our illustrious editor got wind of the fact that I had just received the latest Heljan product, namely the Class 25 and cornered me in front of others to commission a review of the model at my open day.

It is very accurate model, complete with very detailed cabs, to which crew could be added. Power is by twin motors and directional head and tail lights will be illuminated when power is applied. An added feature is the ability to switch off the tail lights. My locomotive came with a headcode, builder’s plates but no fleet numbers, which will allow users to make their own choice. In addition snowploughs are included but not fitted.

This a powerful locomotive and on my garden layout there are two fearsome banks. Burnbrae Bank is 45ft long with a gradient of 1 in 45 while for Balado Bank is 60ft long with a gradient of 1 in 64. A passenger train of 14 vehicles weighing 12.35 kilos, 27.23lbs, was assembled and the train descended Burnbrae Bank without any problem and while trying to ascend Balado Bank the load was too much for the controller. Reducing the train to 12 vehicles enable the locomotive to bring 10.12 kilos, 22.5lbs successfully up the bank. Then a 50 wagon freight was marshalled and again the locomotive handled its task on both banks with aplomb. It was decided not to weigh the wagons, but to go purely on vehicle numbers. This train was made up from a variety of wagons, some of which were constructed of white metal, and included one bogie vehicle. The weight of this train actually forced open a 3-link coupling and pulled the other couplings well out of their sockets! The loco weighs in at 2.1kilos which greatly adds to its tractive effort.

This is a lovely well detailed good mixed traffic locomotive for any layout.