Heljan have revealed factory decorated samples for their long awaited new range of British Rail first generation diesel multiple units (DMUs) and trailer cars in O Gauge!
This comprehensive range recreates the Class 117 2-car and 3-car units, Class 121 & 122 single-car units as well as the Class 149 & 150 trailer cars. The latter models are perfect to pair with the single-car DMUs to extend your train, as in real life.
With 31 models across nine different liveries to choose from there's something to suit all tastes, from late-1950s BR green to Network SouthEast and Regional Railways vehicles of the 1990s. Standard features include a powerful, smooth running 5-pole motor bogie in every Driving Motor car (2x per Class 117 set), a 21-pin DCC interface in every car, authentic exterior and interior lighting, detailed passenger saloons, cabs and underframes, magnetic couplings, sprung buffers, robust construction and a range of detail differences according to livery and period.
All models have been produced in *extremely limited* quantities and pre-ordering is recommended for the most popular liveries to avoid disappointment.
Class 117 2-car & 3-car DMUs
Class 121 & 122 Single Car DMUs
Class 149 & 150 Single Trailer Cars
Product Features
Highly detailed models with separately fitted parts
All new accurate toolings for the Class 117, 121, 122 and 149/150 trailers including small detail variations present within each class
Fully detailed coach interiors and cabs
Smooth & powerful 5-pole motor bogie in every driving car (2 in each 117 set, 1 in each 121/ 122, none in the 149/150 trailers)
21-pin DCC interface in every car
Authentic exterior and interior lighting
Magnetic couplings
Sprung buffers
Robust construction
Prototype Information - Class 117
The Class 117 DMUs were produced by Pressed Steel in the late 1950s/ early 60s and were based on the similar Class 121 "Bubble Car". They were originally intended for use on suburban services out of London Paddington where they spent several decades. During the 1980s, some moved to Birmingham and Scotland prior to the introduction of newer rolling stock. Like other first generation multiple units, the Class 117s had a long lifespan, with the final units bowing out in 2000. Due to their longevity, many can still be seen at heritage lines across the UK.
Prototype Information - Class 121
Built between 1960 and 1961, a total of 16 Class 121 single car DMUs were built by Pressed Steel for use on the Western Region of British Rail. Featuring slam-doors, vacuum brakes and a top speed of 70mph; the 'Bubble Cars' were used on lightly used branch lines and thanks to their affordability, helped to keep rural services running. Remarkably, they have the honour of being Britain's longest serving DMU, having only been fully withdrawn in 2017. These versatile units have proven to be popular on heritage lines too, with 12 currently preserved.
Prototype Information - Class 122
Twenty single car Class 122 units were produced by Gloucester RCW in 1958. Nicknamed "Bubble Cars" due to the large expanse of glass in their construction, they were built mainly for use on the London Midland region of British Rail, with some also seeing use in Scotland. They were designed for use on a variety of lightly used branch lines - some of which were closed during the Beeching Axe but others were kept alive thanks to the low cost & simplicity in running these units.
Prototype Information - Class 149 & 150 Trailers
The Class 149 and 150 trailers were unpowered coaches which bore a resemblance to the Class 121 and 122 single-car DMUs. They were constructed by Pressed Steel and were designed to work alongside the aforementioned DMUs to boost their capacity when required. They had a cab at one end which linked to the controls of the DMU.