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This latest release from Heljan is an upgrade of the previous split headcode class 37 model to create the 4-character centre headcode box variant.

Whilst the nose ends of the locomotive are the most obvious change, other alterations include the removal of the ribs on the roof, fitting the horns to the roof, narrowing the fuel/water tanks, adding bogie crossbeams and extra detail to the rear cab bulkheads. The original drive, which consists of a motor and gear train driving on the outer axles of the bogie has been retained so that if required (and you have enough power) you can double head with an earlier split headcode model as their capabilities will be similar, which would not have been the case if the drive/motors had been altered. The model has been tested on Peco Setrack curves which at 40.5in is tight enough for most people but beware, it will buffer lock when pushing vehicles at this tight radius. The model is to finescale back-to-back standards (well my back-to-back wheel gauge fitted perfectly). The lighting on this ‘V2’ (version 2) model has also been upgraded to use LEDs.

On taking the model out of the box there is a bag of small parts supplied as spares in the event of subsequent damage during use or handling. These include the standard lamp brackets and bufferbeam air pipes for the purchaser to fit. There’s also a set of the Western Region style side lamp brackets. The WR brackets will require small holes to be drilled either side of the headcode box to allow fitting. As only certain locos had these fitted, it was thought this was the best way to include these without having holes in the body if they were not required. As always, prototype photos should be referred to when deciding on the loco you wish to portray. Also included in the ‘add-on’ pack are etched frost grills and a set of snowploughs.

The model has been designed to represent the a loco in as-built condition and therefore suits the available green and blue era liveries perfectly in the number range of D6819-D6999 or TOPs era 37120-37299. The livery on the sample model is well applied including the nicely picked out cab details, and as with most Heljan offerings, the loco is supplied un-numbered allowing the customer their own choice. During the 1980s the bufferbeams of the class were cut away around the buffers to ease access to the buffer area. As a compromise, to represent this on the model, the cut-away area has been painted black. For those modellers that wish to depict this area correctly, Pete Harvey and DJH are offering conversion kits.

Straight out of the box the model runs smoothly and has the potential to pull anything you put behind it!

If you want to convert to DCC operation the PCB board for the lights on the ends will take 12 volts, there is no need to add resistors as these are in the PCB. It is worth ensuring that the decoder you intend to fit has a suitable rating as this Heljan model will draw a fairly high current.

All in all, this is a very welcome addition to the Heljan range of BR diesels and is sure to prove popular.

Our thanks go to Tower Models, who supplied the example photographed.