Heljan 1203

Tooling

Announced in 2022, Heljan’s OO gauge model of the North Eastern Railway (NER) Class ES1 represents one of Britain’s earliest electric locomotives. The prototype, introduced in 1903, was designed for the steeply graded Quayside branch in Newcastle, where steam traction was impractical. Two steeple-cab locomotives were built by Brush, fitted with British Thomson-Houston traction motors, and served under NER, LNER, and British Railways until the early 1960s.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Plastic bodyshell with die-cast chassis for strength and weight.
• Detailing: Separately fitted handrails, lamp irons, footsteps, pipework, lifeguards, and bufferbeam detail packs. Sprung buffers and a poseable diamond pantograph are included.
• Couplings: NEM pockets with tension-lock couplers; cosmetic screw-link couplings supplied.

Mechanical & Electrical

• Motor: 5-pole motor with flywheel for smooth running.
• Drive: All axles powered; pickups on all wheels.
• Lighting: Directional LED headlamps and cab lighting.
• Weighting: Integrated die-cast chassis for improved adhesion.

DCC Capability

The model is DCC Ready with an 18-pin socket and provision for a speaker, making it sound-ready. Some versions feature NEXT-18 sockets for digital and sound upgrades.

Reviews & Commentary

Reviews from BRM and online platforms praise the model’s accuracy, fine detailing, and smooth performance. The die-cast bonnet sections add weight, aiding traction. Directional lighting and cab illumination were highlighted as standout features. Minor criticisms include slightly heavy paint application on some black liveries, but overall reception has been very positive.

Media & Social Media

Video reviews from Hornby Magazine and Sam’s Trains showcase the model’s build quality, running performance, and historical significance. Enthusiasts on RMweb describe it as “an appealing portrayal of one of our earliest and charismatic electric locomotives,” noting its suitability for collectors even beyond Quayside branch layouts.

Interesting Facts

The ES1 was unique in combining third-rail and overhead collection systems, reflecting the operational constraints of the Quayside branch. Both prototypes lasted over 60 years in service, a testament to their robust design.

Class & Prototype

The North Eastern Railway Class ES1 comprised just two pioneering electric locomotives built in 1902 for Newcastle's challenging Quayside Branch. These Bo-Bo electrics served for 59 years hauling freight through steep tunnels using an innovative dual power collection system combining third-rail and overhead catenary. Britain's first mainline electric freight locomotives demonstrated electric traction's superiority over steam on severe gradients, with one locomotive preserved at Locomotion Shildon. Heljan's 2022 ready-to-run OO gauge models feature DCC-ready capability, working lights, poseable pantographs, and five authentic liveries spanning NER, LNER, and BR eras.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Railways transformed Britain's fragmented rail network into a unified national system following nationalisation on 1st January 1948. Created from the "Big Four" companies under the Transport Act 1947, BR operated most of Great Britain's railways until rebranding as British Rail in 1965, managing over 20,000 route miles and inheriting nearly 20,000 locomotives of diverse designs.

The organisation pioneered standardisation through its revolutionary BR Standard locomotive programme (1951-1960), producing 999 advanced steam engines under Robert Riddles' direction. These included the versatile Britannia Pacifics, mighty 9F freight engines, and mixed-traffic classes that incorporated the best features from all predecessor companies. The 1955 Modernisation Plan accelerated diesel and electric traction development, creating fascinating mixed-traction operations.

Notable achievements included establishing unified locomotive classification systems, introducing distinctive corporate liveries, and managing the complex transition from steam to modern traction. BR's six regional structure preserved operational diversity whilst enabling standardisation of practices, signalling, and rolling stock that had eluded private enterprise for over a century.

The BR era represents steam traction's final flowering alongside emerging diesel technology, creating unparalleled locomotive variety. Today, this heritage remains highly popular with railway enthusiasts through extensive preserved fleets, heritage railway operations, and comprehensive model ranges from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Dapol, making BR subjects essential for authentic post-war British railway modelling across all scales.

British Railways' plain black livery was designated specifically for freight and shunting locomotives from 1948, representing the most economical and practical finish for inherently dirty industrial machines. During the early nationalisation period, many locomotives were simply patch-painted over old company markings with black paint, which quickly weathered to match the existing finish as these engines were rarely cleaned. The "Lion and Wheel" emblem (nicknamed the "Cycling Lion") was introduced from December 1948 and applied to plain black locomotives from early 1949, featuring a lion standing over a large railway wheel with "British Railways" lettering across the centre.

The emblem was produced in three sizes and always faced forward, positioned centrally on tender sides or tank sides, with regional preferences evident—the Western Region favoured larger emblems whilst other regions used smaller versions. Plain black locomotives retained red buffer beams and received white "BRITISH RAILWAYS" lettering in Gill Sans style before the emblem's introduction. Some former company locomotives, particularly ex-GWR shunting engines, retained their original lettering well into the early 1960s as they didn't require renumbering and received minimal attention. This utilitarian livery remained standard for freight operations until the mid-1950s emblem change, making it essential for authentic early BR period modelling of goods yards, collieries, and industrial operations.