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Heljan 2802

Class 28 Co-Bo BR Green Full Yellow Ends D5707 Diesel Locomotive

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

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)

Manufacturer description

The Heljan Co-Bo is back! This iconic model, originally released in 2011, was produced exclusively for Hattons Model Railways, and is now available exclusively at Rails of Sheffield.

For the first time these models are now available with digital sound pre-fitted.

The full range includes re-runs of the most popular models as well as some new variations not covered in the range previously in BR green and BR blue. Aside from the new inclusion of DCC Sound provision, these models will also feature enhanced livery application over previous releases.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Highly detailed model with separately fitted parts including handrails, etched grilles, underframe relief and more
• Accessory pack with optional headcode discs
• 5-pole motor with twin flywheels, all-wheel pickups & 8-wheel drive
• Heavy diecast chassis
• Directional lighting
• Digital & Sound capable - 8-pin socket [SOUND FITTED VERSIONS NEW FOR 2024]
• Intricate livery application & printing
• NEM tension lock couplings

ABOUT THE CLASS 28:
The British Rail Class 28 (or Metro-Vick Type 2) were a class of diesel-electric locomotives built under the diesel loco Pilot Scheme as part of the British Railways Modernisation Plan. Often referred to as 'Co-Bos', 'Metrovicks' or 'Crossleys', the class featured a highly unusual Co-Bo wheel arrangement (a 6-wheel bogie at one end, and a 4-wheel bogie at the other). Unlike other Type 2 diesels, the class were fitted with two-stroke Crossley diesel units and had a very high tractive effort of 50,000 lbf. The engines suffered frequent failures and by 1961 the entire class was handed back to the manufacturer for remedial work.

They were known for being excessively noisy and emmitted too much smoke. All twenty Metrovicks were initially allocated to the Midland Division of BR's London Midland Region, where they were often used in pairs on the overnight London–Glasgow "Condor" express freight service. After the 1961 refurbishment they were all transferred to the Barrow-in-Furness 12E depot. They were withdrawn after only eleven years in service. A single example has been preserved at the East Lancashire Railway.
(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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.

Heljan Class 28 Co‑Bo BR Green Full Yellow Ends D5707 Diesel Locomotive – limited edition for the Rails of Sheffield range. The model carries the British Railways late crest livery in BR green with full yellow ends and bears the running number D5707.

The locomotive is presented in OO gauge, is DCC ready with an 8‑pin socket, and features all‑wheel power pickup. It uses NEM tension‑lock couplings, has a pristine finish, and its minimum curve radius is 2 inches. Directional lighting and a heavy die‑cast chassis are included.

Technical details include a 5‑pole motor with twin flywheels driving all eight wheels, separate hand‑rail fittings, etched grilles, underframe relief, and intricate livery application. An optional accessory pack supplies headcode discs. The model is capable of digital sound, with pre‑fitted sound units on the 2024 version.

The prototype British Rail Class 28, built by Metropolitan‑Vickers between 1958 and 1959, was a diesel‑electric locomotive with a Co‑Bo wheel arrangement. Twenty units were produced, numbered D5707 among them, and they served for sixteen years before withdrawal in December 1964. The class was noted for high tractive effort, frequent engine failures, and a noisy, smoky operation. One member of the class is preserved at the East Lancashire Railway.

The Heljan model originally appeared in 2011 for Hattons Model Railways and is now sold exclusively through Rails of Sheffield, marking the first release with built‑in digital sound.