Heljan's new Class 47 - What a disaster...

In this video, I take a quick look at Heljan's latest release of a Class 47, a model they have attempted for roughly 2 decades. Their previous version was wrong but this new version could be argueably a bigger downgrade than the previous attempt...

Let's take a look shall we.

It gives a nice and close up view if you would like further insight.

With all that said, thanks for tuning in, I hope this video helps you make a decision and informs you well!

[azuma]

Nice to see Heljan still living up to their reputation! 😅

[PondersEndModelRailway]

I'm glad I purchased a nice Lima on eBay for £35, well worth it

[DeanPark]

Good video. Glad to see you came across the same issues as I did in my review. Cheers. Dave

[MalcolmCrabbe]

So strange as you would have thought that before it went into production that there would be lots of opportunities to check these things in tooling samples etc. Granted there might be some who wouldn't pick up these things (although even to a layman that head code box looks oversized), but a lot of them can easily be checked such as the number of roof doors !

[allegheny]

Thank you for an honest review of this so-called “model”. I take it that you drove these in real life? I’m no expert but after a one second glance at it, I was horrified and aghast. Heljan have inflicted another piece of absolute rubbish on the British modellers.
I thought Ben Jones was supposed to be cleaning their act up?
Why some people fawn over this company beggars belief.

[stretchedits]

Hi, not come across your channel before, going to have a look after writing this. Your right, there is something wrong with the front of the new 47, and I think it appears less noticable on your BR green version then on some other think I will stick with my 17 year old Heljan 47 from the earlier version, even if it is too wide. I actually do like Heljan Diesels and have quite a few, most bought second hand I must say, but there is a problem with this one, such a shame. Anyway, all the very best Dave.

[TrainsBigandSmallUK]

Fundamentally it doesn't look like a 47. Good video. Thank you.

[Shauniboy]

Great review, I watch tons of model railway channels and I dont understand why Heljan dont get more of a bashing, all of the products seem like over-priced garbage to me. I had an 05 suposedly one of their best efforts... goodness their worst must be really bad. Cheers Shaun

[rowlinsonpj]

Thanks for the honest review. Pity the mainstream magazines didn’t in the main pick up these errors

[kennethmcintyre]

Enjoyed your presentation. The problems with Heljan's models explain why I do not have any of their models in my collection of 384 locos. Having watched Sams Trains for years and his problems with their models, is why I do not have any.

[Simon-Davis]

The trouble is that people fawn over Heljan models as if they can do no wrong, which sadly legitimises them. Its almost like an attitude where the real things are wrong because they don't match the Heljan models. I've seen comments online stating that the Bachmann model should be corrected because its buffers doesn't line up with the Heljan model. Strange considering the Bachmann 47 measures out near spot on in key dimensions, but thats what you are up against.

[DCProductions]

I'm glad I never touched a Heljan 47; the inaccuracies on that model are shocking. I've got three Bachmann 47s instead.

Incidentally, I see Rails of Sheffield have some Heljan 57s heavily discounted. I wonder if they have similar issues to the 47s.

[beeble]

I was a keen trainspotter as a kid in the 1990s but haven't had much to do with British railways since then. Even I can tell that front end looks wrong!

[timharrison]

Ouch that's a roasting. Pleased with my Heljan 33 which had all that buffer beam detail that I had to cut off in order to haul trains. Other end, had to remove nem pocket to avoid interaction with the fitted detail. It's mad, but I got it from Rails with huge discount and like I say looks great with smooth running, light are a bit dim tho. Got a 20yo bachmann 47 that I won't be replacing for this!

[delphjunction]

Hi ya.
Just found your channel.

I can understand you're disappointment. Mem couplings should come as standard. Looks like quality control were having a day at the seaside in this nice weather.

With the unboxing I do show me taking it out the box because people want to see how it's protected. Just did a Heljan class 15 unboxing and it even had couplings.👍

Thanks for sharing buddy. Same as you I would be fuming.
Thanks again.
.... Pete....

[kevinbradley]

Im also dissapointed with the 2 57s i bought 57601 and 57311 a big feature of the is the top headlight doesn't work and you can't fit the snow ploughs because the bogies protrude to far and the footsteps prevent them being fitted anyway and the 3 link coupling are just awful as previous false bits of plastic luckily i didn't pay any where near full rrp cos i too would be p**sed off

[DOCTORDROTT]

Shame there are so many errors. Worked on the full size versions for nearly 50 years at Canton

[MrRonan]

Had one of these on order. Could not wait to see it. Cancelled it and purchased a Bachmann version.
so disappointed with Heljan,

[locomotionlotion]

“How they draw out videos is beyond belief!
- Before we go to the model…”

[Mike-kcrl]

I seem to remember seeing it should also have a magic wand for the lights? In this day and age of the CAD design, its difficult to make these kind of mistakes, surely?
I also see it has the wrong type of wipers that look as long as broom handles! It is not as good looking as a Lima 47 and thats fourty odd years old?