Heljan 7304

British Rail Class 73 73102 Airtour Suisse British Rail InterCity Executive

Contents

Tooling

Announced in 2021 and delivered from late 2023, Heljan’s British Rail Class 73 electro-diesel locomotive for O gauge represents a major milestone in ready-to-run 7mm scale modelling. The Class 73 was a unique Southern Region design capable of operating on 750V DC third-rail electric power and via a 600hp diesel engine, making it highly versatile for passenger, freight, and engineering duties. Heljan’s model covers the production ‘JB’ batch built between 1965–67, which remains iconic on the UK network and heritage lines.

Industry reviews have praised the model as Heljan’s most detailed O gauge locomotive to date, highlighting its exceptional finish, authentic variations, and innovative features such as animated arc flashes and powered roof fan. BRM and Hornby Magazine noted its benchmark-setting quality for British outline O gauge. Social media discussions on platforms like Modern Image O Gauge have been positive, with enthusiasts impressed by the fidelity and operational performance, though some noted the need for suitable coaching stock for authentic Southern Region scenes.

Detailing: Highly detailed body with over 550 separate parts, etched metal grilles, wire handrails, and separately fitted bufferbeam details. Interchangeable headcode panels, optional arc shields, retractable collector shoes, sprung buffers, and fully functional drophead buckeye couplers. DCC-controlled third-rail arc flash effect.

Class & Prototype

  • Running Number: 73102
  • Name: Airtour Suisse

The British Rail Class 73 electro-diesel represents one of Britain's most versatile and longest-serving locomotive classes, designed in the early 1960s to solve the Southern Region's third-rail gap problem in goods yards. With dual 1,600hp electric and 600hp diesel modes (1,600hp diesel in Class 73/9 rebuilds), these Bo-Bo locomotives served prestigious duties from Gatwick Express to Venice Simplon Orient Express, and now operate Caledonian Sleeper services in Scotland. Of 49 built (6 Class 73/0, 43 Class 73/1), 39 survive with approximately 22 still operational, making them among British Rail's most enduring designs spanning over 60 years of continuous service.

Operator & Livery

British Rail InterCity was the premium express passenger brand that operated from 1966 to 1997, transforming long-distance rail travel across Britain. Initially launched as a marketing brand for high-speed services, InterCity became an autonomous business sector in 1982 under the sectorisation programme, operating profitable express services from London to Scotland, Wales, the West Country, and extensive cross-country routes.

The brand pioneered revolutionary rolling stock including the iconic InterCity 125 HST (High Speed Train) from 1976, which achieved 125mph operations on existing infrastructure, and the electric InterCity 225 sets from 1989, capable of 140mph but limited to 125mph in service. InterCity also developed the ground-breaking Advanced Passenger Train (APT) with tilting technology that influenced modern high-speed trains worldwide.

Distinguished by its evolving livery schemes - from Rail Blue and Grey through the sophisticated Executive livery with dark grey upper bodies and red stripes - InterCity became synonymous with quality, speed, and reliability. All day services featured buffet cars and the majority operated at 100mph or above, making British Rail one of the world's most intensive high-speed operators.

The brand was divided among multiple operators during railway privatisation in the 1990s, but its technical innovations, operational excellence, and commercial principles continue influencing modern rail services. InterCity remains hugely popular with railway modellers, with extensive ranges of locomotives and coaching stock available in all major scales from manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann, and Heljan.