Heljan 28183

Class 28 Co-Bo BR Green Small Yellow Panels D5704 Diesel Locomotive - DCC Sound & Weathered

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

Prototype Era
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

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:


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 They were withdrawn after only eleven years in service.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

Brand
Heljan
Product Code
28183
GTIN
5708769281832
RRP
£349.95
Release date
Q4 2025
Limited edition model for
Rails of Sheffield

Model details

DCC status
DCC Sound
Tooling date
2011
Finish
Weathered
Chassis construction
Heavy diecast
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Coupling type
Tension lock
Minimum radius
Radius 2
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

Prototype information

Builder
Metropolitan-Vickers
Build dates
1958 to 1959
In service until
1968
Locomotive type
Diesel-Electric
Main duties
Express Freight
Operated by
British Railways
Total built
20
Tractive effort
50,000 lbf
Wheel configuration
Co-Bo
Locomotive class*
Class 28

* 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.

Supplier Links

Special commissions are usually only available new from the commissioning organisation, and may well have sold out on pre-order before they even end up listed here! But you may be able to find used items on marketplace or auction websites.

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Related products

Heljan Class 28 Co‑Bo BR Green Small Yellow Panels D5704 is a die‑cast model of the British Rail Class 28 diesel locomotive, finished in a weathered livery and fitted with digital command control (DCC) sound capability. The model represents the late‑crest period of British Railways.

It is issued as a limited edition for the Rails of Sheffield range, formerly produced in 2011 for Hattons Model Railways and now exclusively available from Rails of Sheffield. The model now includes a pre‑fitted digital sound system for the first time.

Key technical features include a 5‑pole motor with twin flywheels, all‑wheel pickups and eight‑wheel drive, directional lighting, an 8‑pin DCC and sound socket, and NEM tension‑lock couplings. The chassis is heavy die‑cast, and the model incorporates separate handrails, etched grilles and underframe relief. An accessory pack with optional headcode discs is supplied.

The real British Rail Class 28, also known as the Metro‑Vick Type 2 or “Co‑Bo”, was a diesel‑electric locomotive built under the 1955 Modernisation Plan. It had a distinctive Co‑Bo wheel arrangement, two‑stroke Crossley engines delivering 50,000 lbf tractive effort, and was noted for excessive noise and smoke. All twenty units entered service in the Midland Division, later transferred to Barrow‑in‑Furness, and were withdrawn after eleven years; one example is preserved on the East Lancashire Railway.

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