Heljan 30033

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

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

Catalogue listing

Brand
Heljan
Product Code
30033
GTIN
5708769300335
RRP
£520.00
Release date
April 2026

Model details

DCC status
DCC Sound
Livery
BR black with British Railways lettering
Tooling date
2025
Minimum radius
Radius 2
Coupling type
Tension lock
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Chassis construction
Heavy diecast
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

Prototype information

Build date
1925
Builder
Beyer, Peacock & Co
Locomotive type
Steam
In service until
1955
Main duties
Banking Coal Trains
Operated by
London & North Eastern Railway
British Railways
Tractive effort
72,940 lbf
Total built
1
Wheel configuration
2-8-0+0-8-2
Wheel arrangement
2-8-0+0-8-2
Built
1925
Built by
Beyer, Peacock & Co

Supplier Links

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Related products

The Heljan model reproduces the LNER Class U1 2‑8‑0+0‑8‑2T Beyer‑Garratt steam locomotive, numbered BR 69999 and originally built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1925. It is presented in British Railways black livery with period‑accurate lettering and carries the manufacturer part number 30033, representing the early‑crest era of British Railways.

The model includes a twin‑motor/flywheel drive, 21‑pin DCC interface, factory‑fitted DCC sound and speakers, working LED lamps and optional coal‑ or oil‑firing configurations. Standard features also comprise sprung buffers, NEM couplings, a removable cab roof, smoke‑unit compatibility and separate pipework and cable runs. A range of detail variations, such as changes to the smokebox, water‑tank breather pipes, coal bunker, handrails, cab and vacuum tanks, are offered.

An exclusive “Railway Icons” edition will be released in works‑grey, replicating the locomotive’s appearance at the 1925 Stockton & Darlington Railway centenary cavalcade. Production is limited, with tooling in progress and the first working samples slated for review on 01/01/2024; release is planned for early 2025 to mark the prototype’s centenary. The model has been developed with input from the National Railway Museum, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry’s Beyer‑Peacock archive and the Gresley Society.

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