😮Exclusive Heljan 18100 Gas Turbine REDUCED - Advent Day 15

In stock now are our exclusive Heljan OO Gauge BR 18100 prototype gas turbine locomotives - representing this experimental loco in its original form and as a converted AC electric loco.

Released earlier in 2024, these models replicate the fascinating 18100 (later E1000/ E2001, and sometimes referred to as the Class 80) in incredible detail - with accurate tooling variations replicating this one-off prototype as both a gas-turbine powered loco or as an overhead electric unit.

Three variations are available - all in the exquisite BR black livery with silver numbering. Each one features an incredible specification as listed below, and, you can learn more about them + the history of the real prototype in our video too!

For Day 15 of our Advent Calendar, these are now available at the reduced price of £189.50 each!

Add the corresponding product to your basket and order it with your locomotive to have your model fitted with sound. We only have a limited number of these packs remaining.

Videos showcasing the sounds can be previewed on the product pages.

The story of ‘18100’ is complicated but nonetheless very interesting. Originally ordered by the Great Western Railway in the 1940s, it was to be a prototype mainline gas turbine-electric locomotive offering an alternative to early diesel traction. The GWR had previously approached a Switzerland based manufacturer to produce another gas turbine locomotive - 18000, but decided that they wished to build their own to compare to the Swiss machine.

Metropolitan-Vickers were tasked with producing 18100 in 1946. This homegrown loco would be powered by paraffin or pool gas oil rather than the heavy fuel oil that had caused problems for the Swiss-built 18000. Development continued into the 1940s but after numerous disagreements and setbacks, the completed 18100 was finally delivered to Swindon Works in 1951, at this point under the ownership of British Railways, where it was found to be significantly heavier than expected.

This 3,500hp locomotive was put straight into testing in early 1952, hauling a 12-coach train from Swindon to Plymouth over the steep Devon banks, increasing to 18 coaches with challenging restarts on the 1-in-42 Hemerdon Bank. In April of the same year, 18100 plied its trade on its first timetabled passenger service and was accepted into the Western Region’s fleet 2 weeks later.

Records state that the Metrovick power unit performed well in service and failures were generally attributed to the mechanical and electrical components as well as the bogies. Following repairs in 1953, the loco performed more light engine tests but never ran a passenger working again.

Later that year, 18100 was sent to Metrovick’s Dukinfield works for conversion to heavy fuel oil, but this never took place. BR cancelled the project and instead ordered the locomotive to be converted to 25kV AC overhead power for use on the London Midland region.

18100 became E1000 (later E2001) and played a brief role in the development of high-voltage AC electrification, which quickly became the UK standard in the late fifties. The locomotive became a 2,500hp electric unit, it’s middle traction motors on each bogie were removed and new electrical equipment was installed - along with a Brown-Boveri circuit breaker, Stone-Faiveley pantograph and mercury arc rectifier units.

18100’s second experimental career was short-lived however. BR pressed ahead with producing their first ‘AL1’ electrics, which were delivered in 1959 - making 18100 (or E2001 at this point) redundant. This fascinating locomotive’s story ends in the late 1960s, when it was officially withdrawn and later scrapped in 1972.