Gaugemaster GM4240206

Class 47 578 'Respected' Rail Express Systems

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways

Manufacturer description

In response to customer demand, HELJAN is now working on an all-new Class 47 in ‘OO’ gauge. The model will build on the research and design work undertaken for their new ‘O’ gauge Class 47, which is currently at the tooling stage.

While Heljan's older model remains a firm favourite with ‘OO’ gauge diesel era modellers, the tooling is no longer fit for production and in the years since it was first released, technology for features such as DCC sound and lighting has moved on rapidly. Their new ‘47’ will make the most of these features with LED lighting, controllable lighting features and ample provision for DCC sound using the latest decoders.

With several sub-classes and myriad detail variations across the class over a career of almost 60 years (and counting), Heljan's models will reflect the complex history of Class 47 with a wide range of authentic differences according period, livery, sub-class and individual locomotives.

They plan to release models in phases over the coming years, starting with Class 47/0s for the BR green and BR blue eras and Class 47/0s, 47/3s and 47/4s for the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Future releases will cover other popular versions including the ScotRail Class 47/7s, refurbished Railfreight Distribution and Rail express systems (Res) locomotives with cutaway bufferbeam cowling and more contemporary machines depicting locomotives still in main line service.

All major liveries will be covered, as well as numerous special liveries, ‘one-off’ variations and unofficial embellishments according to customer demand.

Detailed design work is in progress and the first releases are expected in 2021 to mark the 60th anniversary of BR’s most numerous main line locomotives.

More information on planned releases, detailed technical specifications and expected release dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

We are pleased to be commissioning a number of limited edition locomotives under our GM Collection range of commissions, for release in batches of two variants at a time over future Heljan production runs.

Locomotive Features Sprung Buffers Exterior Detail Interior Detail Beautifully Painted Body 21 Pin DCC Ready Cast Profiled Wheels with Appropriate Colouring All Wheel Pick-ups

Catalogue listing

Brand
Gaugemaster
Product Code
GM4240206
GTIN
5060025801018
RRP
£249.95

Model details

Livery
Rail Express Systems "Respected"
Couplings
NEM
Finish
Pristine
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Coupling type
Tension lock
Chassis construction
Heavy diecast
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Minimum radius
Radius 3
Tooling date
2024
Running number
47 578
Features
Interior lighting

Prototype information

Build dates
1962 to 1968
Locomotive type
Diesel-Electric
Builder
Brush Traction
British Rail Crewe Works
Power output
2,750 hp
(Later derated to 2,580 hp)
Tractive effort
55,000 to 60,000 lbf
Total built
512
Top speed
75 or 95 mph
Wheel configuration
Co-Co
Main duties
Mixed Traffic
In service until
Present
Operated by
British Rail
Advenza Freight
Anglia
Caledonian Sleeper
Colas Rail
Cotswold Rail
Direct Rail Services
EWS
First Great Western
FM Rail
Fragonset
Freightliner
GB Railfreight
Harry Needle Railroad Co.
ONE
Porterbrook
Rail Operations Group
Riviera Trains
Victa Westlink Rail
Virgin Trains
Waterman Railways
West Coast Railway Co.
Locomotive class*
47
Wheel arrangement
Co-Co

* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

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Related products

Gaugemaster Class 47 578 “Respected” Rail Express Systems is a OO‑scale model locomotive produced by Heljan. It is finished in a pristine Rail Express Systems “Respected” livery, carries the running number 47 578 and uses NEM couplings. The model measures 255 mm in length, is built to the Class 47 specification with a Co‑Co wheel arrangement and is supplied under manufacturer part number GM4240206. It represents the initial privatisation period of British Rail.

Heljan is developing a new version of the Class 47 in OO gauge that incorporates modern features such as LED lighting, controllable lighting effects and provision for DCC sound using the latest decoders. The model includes sprung buffers, detailed exterior and interior fittings, a beautifully painted body, 21‑pin DCC readiness, cast‑profiled wheels with appropriate colouring and wheel‑pick‑up contacts.

The release programme will be phased, beginning with BR green and blue era locomotives and later covering 1970s, 1980s and 1990s variants, including ScotRail, Railfreight Distribution and Rail Express Systems versions. All major and many special liveries will be offered, with limited‑edition models issued in batches of two variants. The first releases are expected in 2021 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Class 47 fleet.

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