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Heljan 1457

Class 104 - BR Blue/Grey - BX487 - M53434+M59207+M53424 - OO Scale

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

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

Class 104 3 Car DMU BX487 M53424/M59207/M53434 BR Blue/Grey

PROTOTYPE

This much-requested and widely travelled First Generation DMU, providing the ideal companion for other HELJAN OO gauge models, including the Class 25, 45 and 47.

BR Class 104 DMU built by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. for the London Midland and North Eastern Regions. CAD work is in progress and images will be released as soon as design work is complete. This model will be available in a wide range of BR liveries covering the life of the class from 1957 until retirement of the final sets in 1993.

With 302 vehicles built to six different car types, the ‘104s’ are the largest group of BR diesel railcars not currently available in ready-to-run form. The only previous RTR model was produced for ‘TT’ gauge in the late-1950s.

Although synonymous with the Manchester area and the routes to Buxton and Blackpool, the units worked across a wide area of northern England and the Midlands and towards the end of their career ventured further afield to Scotland and the south-east of England.

MODEL

The new HELJAN OO gauge Class 104 will feature a low profile mechanism powering one car per set, switchable interior and exterior lighting features, a 21-pin DCC decoder interface and provision for DCC sound. Options for factory-fitted DCC sound on all models are being investigated and will be announced separately. External features will include authentic detail variations appropriate to period and livery, a highly-detailed interior and underframe, separate handrails and sprung buffers.

The '104s' are among the most complex models we've ever developed, with a huge range of detail variations to cab ends, roofs, interiors, body details and more. The models also have a superb range of DCC, lighting and other features, including...

• Illuminated headcode panel and destination blinds
  
• Separately switchable headlamps (where fitted)
  
• Separately switchable cab lights
  
• Separately switchable tail lights
  
• Separately passenger saloon lights
  
• Factory fitted speakers in all Driving Motor cars
  
• 16/24-wheel pick-up
  
• 21-pin DCC decoder interface in DMBS car
  
• Discreet wiring between all cars hidden in gangways
  
• Super-strong magnetic couplings within each set
  
• Super-thin body shells with fine flush glazing
  
• 2x types of sprung buffers
  
• LMR or ER cab footsteps
  
• LMR or ER van doors
  
• Extensive underframe/engine detail
  
• Fully detailed interiors with First/Second Class seating
  
• Superbly detailed cab interiors
  
• Easy-to-remove bodies with retaining magnets
  
• Etched metal bogie swing links, lamp irons and water pipes
  
• Separately fitted roof vents (or blanking plates)
  
• 2-car ER Power-Trailer or NSE Power Twin options

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* 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.

Here is a summary of the content:

Heljan is developing a new OO gauge model of the British Rail Class 104 3 Car Diesel Multiple Unit, built by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. for the London Midland and North Eastern Regions. The model will be available in a range of British Rail liveries, covering the class's life from 1957 to 1993. The Class 104 was a widely used and versatile train, operating in various parts of northern England, the Midlands, Scotland, and the south-east of England. The Heljan model will feature a low profile mechanism, switchable interior and exterior lighting, and a 21-pin DCC decoder interface. It will also include authentic detail variations and a range of DCC, lighting, and other features.

The model will be available as a DCC-ready model, with options for factory-fitted DCC sound being investigated. It will feature a range of details, including illuminated headcode panels, separately switchable headlamps and cab lights, and factory-fitted speakers in the driving motor car. The model will also have a super-strong magnetic coupling system and super-thin body shells with fine flush glazing.

The Class 104 was built between 1957 and 1959, with a total of 302 vehicles produced. It was withdrawn from service in December 1964, after 16 years of operation. The Heljan model will be a highly detailed and accurate representation of the Class 104, making it an ideal companion for other Heljan OO gauge models, such as the Class 25, 45 and 47.