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.
Delivered as D39 the TOPS number 45033 was applied in January 1975 while the locomotive was allocated to Cricklewood shed for Midland mainline services and in the following year air train brake equipment was added. Reallocated to Toton in 1975 the 45s were generally withdrawn from regular passenger service when HST trains took over the NE/SW route in the 1980s. The 45s were shifted to working from a number of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire sheds providing locomotives for freight and parcels services and Tinsley shed painted unofficial names on many of the class in the style of the regular cast aluminium nameplates, 45033 being named Sirius until withdrawn in February 1988.