Heljan 30053

LNER U1 - BR Black (Early Emblem) - 69999 (Oil Fired) - OO Scale - DCC Sound Fitted

Name: Heljan 30053 LNER U1 - BR Black (Early Emblem) - 69999 (Oil Fired) - OO Scale - DCC Sound Fitted
Brand: Heljan
SKU: 30053
Price: 520.00 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

30053

GTIN

5708769300533

RRP

£520.00

Release date

April 2026

Model details

Livery

BR black with early emblem

DCC status

DCC Sound

Coupling type

Tension lock

Tooling date

2025

Scale

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)

Chassis construction

Heavy diecast

Coupling mount

NEM pockets

Minimum radius

Radius 2

DCC

DCC Sound Fitted

Prototype information

Locomotive type

Steam

Total built

Tractive effort

72,940 lbf

Wheel configuration

2-8-0+0-8-2

Main duties

Banking Coal Trains

In service until

1955

Builder

Beyer, Peacock & Co

Build date

1925

Operated by

London & North Eastern Railway
British Railways

Wheel arrangement

2-8-0+0-8-2

Built

1925

Built by

Beyer, Peacock & Co

Supplier Links

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Related products

Heljan LNER Class U1 2‑8‑0+0‑8‑2T Beyer‑Garratt (BR early emblem black, No. 69999) is an OO‑scale model of the British Railways articulated steam locomotive built by Beyer, Peacock & Co in 1925. The model is supplied with DCC sound capability and a 21‑pin DCC interface, and can be ordered with either coal‑fired or oil‑fired detailing.

The locomotive represented was the largest and most powerful steam engine to operate on British rails, originally used for banking duties on steep inclines such as Worsbrough and the Lickey. The prototype, No. 2395 (BR No. 69999), made its public debut at the LNER centenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening in 1925.

Heljan’s version incorporates research from the National Railway Museum, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry’s Beyer Peacock Archive and the Gresley Society. Standard features include twin motor/flywheel drive, working LED lamps, sprung buffers, removable cab roof, NEM couplings and compatibility with a smoke unit. Optional specifications are factory‑fitted speakers, separate pipework and cable runs and a choice of oil‑firing conversion details.

The model is currently in the tooling stage; first working samples are expected in January 2024, with production releases planned for early 2025. The edition will be limited, with bespoke packaging and a works‑grey livery reflecting the locomotive’s appearance at the 1925 centenary cavalcade.