HELJAN is introducing an all-new version of its popular OO gauge Class 26 to fill a significant gap in the fleet. In response to overwhelming public demand since the announcement of our new O gauge Class 26/1s with twin car-style headlights for working the Far North Lines, a new OO gauge model will also be released with twin car-style headlights, as fitted by Inverness depot for Far North Line operation in the early-1970s and retained until the mid-1980s.

The new models are the first stage of a complete revamp of our OO gauge Class 26/1 which will also include mechanical, detail, DCC and electronics upgrades to meet the expectations of modellers in the 2020s. 

New features include separately switchable headlights, marker/tail lights, cab and engine room interior lights, a 21-pin DCC interface with easy access through a removable hatch in the roof, plug-and-play DCC sound capability and a wealth of new details to bring the model up to the latest standards. 

The Inverness locomotives will be joined in due course by a wide range of upgraded Class 26/1s covering the entire BR career of the hugely popular BRCW Type 2s from the late-1950s through to withdrawal in 1993. An upgraded Class 26/0 variant is also planned and will follow later. Details of the other new Class 26/1s will be confirmed later this year. 

The initial release will feature two models depicting locomotives in typical 1970s condition and a mid-1980s machine with Inverness depot ‘Highland Rail’ emblem. Both will also feature the early style circular radio pods fitted to Class 26s to improve communications when operating over the long and isolated Far North line routes from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick and Thurso. 

FEATURES

• Finer body detail and refined shape
• Much improved bogie detail and relief
• Redesigned and upgraded chassis, 21-pin DCC interface
• Designed for ‘plug and play’ conversion to DCC sound
• Detachable access panel in roof
• Enhanced lighting features - independently switchable marker, tail, cab and engine room lights
• Very fine etched radiator grilles
• All-new Far North Line version with twin headlights (also switchable)
• Several body options: As built Class 26/1 with tablet catcher & recess, unrefurbished locos with tablet catcher recess plated over and refurbished dual-braked locos with air tank cradle between bogies
• All-wheel drive and pick-up
• Powerful, smooth-running 5-pole motor with flywheel
• Sprung Oleo buffers
• Optional tablet catcher arm
• Optional three-piece miniature snowploughs
• Original or plated over cab door windows
• Enhanced decoration with additional printed elements on body and underframe
• As is often the case, there are detail anomalies and areas requiring improvement on these pre-production samples but these will be addressed before they are approved for production.