PROTOTYPE

This much-requested and widely travelled First Generation DMU now in development, providing the ideal companion for other HELJAN OO gauge models, including the Class 25, 45 and 47.

Design work is underway on HELJAN’s next ‘OO’ gauge project – the BR Class 104 DMU built by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. for the London Midland and North Eastern Regions. CAD work is in progress and images will be released as soon as design work is complete. This model will be available in a wide range of BR liveries covering the life of the class from 1957 until retirement of the final sets in 1993.

With 302 vehicles built to six different car types, the ‘104s’ are the largest group of BR diesel railcars not currently available in ready-to-run form. The only previous RTR model was produced for ‘TT’ gauge in the late-1950s.

Although synonymous with the Manchester area and the routes to Buxton and Blackpool, the units worked across a wide area of northern England and the Midlands and towards the end of their career ventured further afield to Scotland and the south-east of England.

MODEL

The new HELJAN OO gauge Class 104 will feature a low profile mechanism powering one car per set, switchable interior and exterior lighting features, a 21-pin DCC decoder interface and provision for DCC sound. Options for factory-fitted DCC sound on all models are being investigated and will be announced separately. External features will include authentic detail variations appropriate to period and livery, a highly-detailed interior and underframe, separate handrails and sprung buffers.

The '104s' are among the most complex models we've ever developed, with a huge range of detail variations to cab ends, roofs, interiors, body details and more. The models also have a superb range of DCC, lighting and other features, including...

• Illuminated headcode panel and destination blinds
  
• Separately switchable headlamps (where fitted)
  
• Separately switchable cab lights
  
• Separately switchable tail lights
  
• Separately passenger saloon lights
  
• Factory fitted speakers in all Driving Motor cars
  
• 16/24-wheel pick-up
  
• 21-pin DCC decoder interface in DMBS car
  
• Discreet wiring between all cars hidden in gangways
  
• Super-strong magnetic couplings within each set
  
• Super-thin body shells with fine flush glazing
  
• 2x types of sprung buffers
  
• LMR or ER cab footsteps
  
• LMR or ER van doors
  
• Extensive underframe/engine detail
  
• Fully detailed interiors with First/Second Class seating
  
• Superbly detailed cab interiors
  
• Easy-to-remove bodies with retaining magnets
  
• Etched metal bogie swing links, lamp irons and water pipes
  
• Separately fitted roof vents (or blanking plates)
  
• 2-car ER Power-Trailer or NSE Power Twin options