Heljan 3003

LNER U1 - BR Black (British Railways) - 69999 - OO Scale

Name: Heljan 3003 LNER U1 - BR Black (British Railways) - 69999 - OO Scale
Brand: Heljan
SKU: 3003
Price: 399.00 GBP

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

Prototype Era
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

For 30 years, the ‘U1’ was deployed on arduous banking duties on the infamous inclines at Worsbrough near Barnsley, and Lickey Incline near Birmingham. Although not always popular with those who worked on it, No. 2395 (BR No. 69999) was by some distance the largest and most powerful steam locomotive ever to work in Britain.

Celebrating the centenary of the ‘U1’ and 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening in 1825, the exclusive model will depict No. 2395 in works grey, as it appeared at the LNER’s S&DR centenary cavalcade shortly after completion in 1925 (see below). This very special collectors’ edition will feature bespoke packaging plus DCC Ready and factory-fitted DCC Sound options and production will be strictly limited.

Using original works drawings and photographs we have created a collection of museum quality models covering the entire career of the locomotive and the various modifications it underwent over its 30-year life. These include changes to the smokebox, water tank breather pipes, coal bunker, handrails, cab and additional vacuum tanks. Also included is a model depicting the locomotive after conversion to oil firing, which saw modifications to the former coal bunker, the addition of a turbo generator for the electric headlight and associated pipework/cable runs.

Packed with authentic details specific to period and livery, our ‘U1’ will be the ultimate expression of steam power for ‘OO’ layouts and a must for collectors of historic locomotives.
The model is currently in tooling and we expect to receive the first working samples for review in January 2024 with first releases planned for early-2025.

Premium Features – Delivered As Standard

High Quality Design & Construction
Twin Motor/Flywheel Drive
Working LED lamps
21-pin DCC Interface
DCC Ready and DCC Sound Options
Factory Fitted Speakers
Coal or Oil Fired Options
Sprung Buffers
Extensive Detail Variations
Removable Cab Roof
Smoke Unit Compatible
NEM Couplings
Separate Pipework and cable runs

Catalogue listing

Brand

Heljan

Product Code

3003

GTIN

5708769300311

RRP

£399.00

Release date

April 2026

Model details

Tooling date

2025

DCC status

DCC Sound Ready

Livery

BR black with British Railways lettering

Minimum radius

Radius 2

Coupling type

Tension lock

Coupling mount

NEM pockets

Chassis construction

Heavy diecast

Scale

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

Finish

pristine

DCC

DCC Sound Ready

Prototype information

In service until

1955

Main duties

Banking Coal Trains

Operated by

London & North Eastern Railway
British Railways

Wheel configuration

2-8-0+0-8-2

Tractive effort

72,940 lbf

Total built

Build date

1925

Builder

Beyer, Peacock & Co

Locomotive type

Steam

Wheel arrangement

2-8-0+0-8-2

Built

1925

Built by

Beyer, Peacock & Co

Supplier Links

Heljan website

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Related products

Heljan’s OO‑scale model represents the LNER Class U1 2‑8‑0+0‑8‑2T Beyer‑Garratt locomotive, originally built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1925 and later allocated British Railways number 69999. The model is supplied in British Railways black livery with period‑accurate lettering and carries the manufacturer part number 3003.

The prototype was the largest and most powerful steam locomotive to operate on British rails, serving on demanding banking duties at Worsbrough and the Lickey Incline for thirty years. It made its public debut at the LNER celebrations marking the centenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening in 1925.

The Heljan model is DCC ready and offered with optional DCC sound. Standard features include twin motor/flywheel drive, a 21‑pin DCC interface, factory‑fitted speakers, working LED lamps, sprung buffers, removable cab roof, NEM couplings and compatibility with a smoke unit. Options allow the locomotive to be displayed in either coal‑ or oil‑fired configuration, with separate pipework and cable runs to reflect the various modifications made during its service life.

Tooling is currently underway, with the first working samples expected for review on 01/01/2024 and a limited production run planned for early 2025. The model is promoted as part of an exclusive Railway Icons collectors’ edition, featuring bespoke packaging and extensive period detail.