Heljan 2593

Tooling

Announced in 2017, Heljan’s O Gauge model of the British Rail Class 05 diesel-mechanical shunter brought a distinctive prototype to 7mm scale. The real Class 05 locomotives were built by Hunslet between 1955 and 1961 for British Railways and were primarily used for shunting duties. Their compact size and character made them an attractive choice for modellers seeking small industrial or yard locomotives.

Tooling Features

• Construction: Combination of plastic and metal components for durability and weight.
• Detailing: Factory-fitted separate details including handrails, lamp irons, bufferbeam fittings, pipework, and window wipers. Fully detailed cab interior with painted finish and glazing.
• Couplings: Screw-link couplings with sprung buffers for realistic operation.

Mechanical & Electrical Specification

• Motor & Drive: Powerful 5-pole motor mounted in the chassis, driving all axles for smooth performance.
• Pickups: All wheels for reliable current collection.
• Minimum Radius: Suitable for typical O gauge curves (manufacturer guidance recommends approx. 6ft radius).
• Lighting: Directional headlights and tail lights, plus cab lighting.
• Weighting: Integrated chassis weight for improved adhesion.

DCC Capability

• DCC Ready with a 21-pin socket.
• Provision for a speaker for sound installation.
• Compatible with popular sound decoders; enthusiasts have fitted Zimo and ESU LokSound units.

Liveries Produced

• BR Green (early and late crest, with and without wasp stripes)
• BR Blue (with wasp stripes)
• Industrial and private owner schemes (including NCB green and CEGB yellow)

Reviews & Commentary

The model has been praised for its fine detailing, smooth running, and robust construction. Reviewers noted its suitability for small layouts and shunting operations. The inclusion of a 21-pin DCC interface and lighting features was highlighted as a strong point for digital modellers. Social media and forums such as RMweb reported positive experiences, particularly regarding slow-speed control and ease of sound installation. Video reviews on platforms like YouTube (e.g., Sam’s Trains and Hornby Magazine) showcased its performance and internal mechanism.

Interesting Notes

• The prototype shared its Gardner 8L3 engine with the Class 03, making sound projects easier using existing recordings.
• Heljan’s choice of Class 05 filled a niche for compact shunters in O gauge, complementing other small locomotives from competing brands.

Class & Prototype

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.

BR Blue, also known as Rail Blue or Monastral Blue, was introduced in 1965 as part of British Rail's comprehensive corporate identity overhaul that accompanied the rebranding from British Railways to British Rail. The colour was officially defined by British Standards BR28/6001 (airless spray finish) and BR28/5321 (brush finish), representing a dark, greyish blue tone specifically chosen to hide dirt and weathering effects well.

The livery was prototyped on the experimental XP64 train in 1964 before becoming the standard scheme from 1 January 1965. Rail Blue was applied to all diesel and electric locomotives with yellow warning panels (initially small, then extending to full yellow ends from 1966). The standardised application included the iconic double arrow logo and Rail Alphabet typeface, creating one of the most successful transport corporate identities of the 20th century.

The livery dominated British Rail operations for over two decades until sectorisation in the 1980s began fragmenting the unified appearance. Despite initial colour fading problems in early applications, these were resolved by the late 1970s when the Large Logo variant was introduced featuring extended yellow areas and full-height double arrow symbols. Rail Blue's enduring appeal among railway enthusiasts reflects its role as the definitive British Rail image during the organisation's most unified period.