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.
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
30043
GTIN
5708769300434
RRP
£520.00
Release date
April 2026
Model details
Livery
BR black with early emblem
DCC status
DCC Sound
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
In service until
1955
Main duties
Banking Coal Trains
Operated by
London & North Eastern Railway
British Railways
British Railways
Wheel configuration
2-8-0+0-8-2
Tractive effort
72,940 lbf
Total built
1
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
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