HELJAN CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CLASS 45 WITH NEW ‘OO’ GAUGE MODEL FOR 2020
All-new Derby/Sulzer Type 4 in ‘OO’ now being tooled and featuring a large number of authentic detail variations – including the first-ever specific models of ETH-fitted Class 45/1s.
No fewer than four versions are being prepared initially, depicting vacuum-braked and steam-heated locomotives in split-centre headcode condition, dual-braked, steam heat Class 45/0s with rebuilt ‘sealed beam’ nose ends and, for the first time, dedicated models of Class 45/1s with or without the high-intensity headlight fitted in their final years.
Variations will include open or plated boiler steps and roof hatches, bodyside grilles or plated panels (or a combination of both), original or modernised underframe tanks with air cylinders, optional inner sandboxes and boiler hatch covers and more.
Features include a 21-pin DCC interface, NEM coupler pockets neatly designed as part of the bufferbeams, ample provision for DCC sound installation, LED lighting appropriate to each version and separately switched cab and tail lights.
Detailed design work was completed earlier this year and tooling is in progress with first releases planned in the third quarter of 2020.
D57 was delivered to Derby in June 1963 and promptly allocated to Toton (Nottingham) shed. A year later the locomotive was allocated under the Leicester Division pool in the autumn of 1964, shifting to the Nottingham Division pool in 1968 before being equipped with air train brakes in 1972, at which point it is likely the blue livery would have been applied if the locomotive was still green at that date.