We are excited to reveal an all-new diesel locomotive project from Heljan in OO Gauge - the Class 42 'Warship' available for the first time in super detailed ready to run form!
For the very first time, Western Region diesel-hydraulic fanatics will soon have the opportunity to expand their fleet with a range of high specification, high quality ‘OO’ Class 42 ‘Warships’.
With calls for an all-new ‘Swindon Warship’ growing in recent years, Heljan has responded with an outstanding new model that will set new standards for detail and high-end features. This marks the first time a modern super-detailed model of the class has been produced, with the last model being first released all the way back in 1980.
Developed from Heljan's highly regarded O gauge Class 42, this new model will feature a similar specification to other recent Heljan ‘OO’ models with class-leading detail and lighting/sound features.
EXCLUSIVE RAILS OF SHEFFIELD VERSIONS
And that’s not all, here at Rails of Sheffield, we have cooperated with Heljan to develop models of the first 13 prototype ‘Warships’, a variant never previously offered in ready-to-run form. Famously, D800 to D812 were delivered with nose-mounted frames to carry GWR steam era style train reporting numbers. Our models will feature a set of magnetic plates (similar to those produced for gas turbines 18000/18100) allowing customers to easily add their own authentic train headcodes as required. The prototype models will also feature original short (D800-D802) or standard nose handrails and original style underframe skirts between the bogies.
GENERAL INFO
An initial batch of five production Class 42 liveries will be available on general release, alongside the four exclusive limited editions for Rails of Sheffield. Engineering samples have already been received and are now being reviewed. Livery artwork is approved and we expect production to commence in mid-2025 with delivery to the UK shortly afterwards.
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EXCLUSIVE TO RAILS - Prototype Warships
General Release - Production Warships
Product Features
Fine separately fitted lamp brackets, wire handrails, sandpipes, roofhatches and much more!
Separately fitted bufferbeam details according to loco, livery andperiod, including original and later style multiple working equipment
Original short type or standard nose end handrails
Magnetic GWR style train reporting numbers (exclusive to Rails D800-D812)
Etched grilles
Interior engine room detail
Interchangeable bufferbeam skirts (full and partial)
Robust sprung buffers
21-pin DCC decoder interface with factory fitted twin speakers on all models
(Factory fitted DCC sound models available too!)
Powerful 5-pole motor with twin brass flywheels driving all axles - powered by all wheel pickups
Six separately switchable lighting functions in DCC mode
Cab interior and engine room lights
Illuminated headcode blinds
Prototype Information
The British Rail Class 42 Warship diesel-hydraulic locomotives were introduced in 1958. The Western Region of British Railways negotiated a licence with German manufacturers to scale down the German Federal Railway's "V200" design to suit the smaller loading gauge of the British network and construct new locomotives.
Each locomotive bore a name: for example D825 was Intrepid. All except D800 and D812 were named after Royal Navy vessels, thus the "Warship diesel" moniker used to refer to the class. The first service route for the class was Paddington–Penzance, either via Swindon and Bristol, or via Newbury and Westbury on the "Berks and Hants" route. This allowed for elimination of steam on the difficult-to-operate railway west of Newton Abbot.
Due to practical problems in modernising the class and a decree by BR to withdraw all diesel-hydraulics, the class were withdrawn by the end of 1972. Two have been preserved.