Heljan’s well-regarded ‘OO’ gauge Class 33s are back sporting a series of upgrades.
Amongst the latest batch of models are Hastings gauge Class 33/2 Bo-Bo diesels in original guise with all-new exhaust arrangements for the first time and improved Class 33/1 push-pull variants.
Built in the late 1950s/early 1960s by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (BRCW), almost 100 Type 3 Bo-Bo diesel locomotives were built for use on BR’s Southern Region. Of these, the final 12 (D6586-D6597) were constructed for use on the restricted Tonbridge to Hastings line. This restricted loading gauge required the locomotive bodies to be several inches narrower than the standard examples (8ft 8in) so they could negotiate the limited clearance in tunnels along the route.
Above: A new batch of Heljan’s ‘OO’ gauge BR Class 33/1 and 33/2 Bo-Bo diesels has arrived.
A batch of 19 locomotives were also converted to push-pull operation in the 1960s for use with 4-TC trailer units in connection with BR Southern Region’s Bournemouth route electrification for the final non-electrified stretch between Bournemouth and Weymouth.
Turning our attention to the restricted gauge example, Heljan revealed plans to release its ‘OO’ gauge model of the small ba…
