Heljan 53643

Class 153 Single Car DMU 153311 Stagecoach East Midlands Trains - DCC Sound

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

Prototype Eras
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Expected Delivery Q3 2025 (Subject to Change at Manufacturer's Discretion).

Destinations: Derby/Crew

HELJAN announces new high specification ‘OO’ gauge Class 153 railcar and Class 155 ‘Super Sprinter’ DMU for release in 2025.

With calls for a high specification, high quality ‘OO’ Class 153 growing all the time, HELJAN has responded with an outstanding new model that will set new standards for detail and high-end features. Based on our highly regarded O gauge Class 153 (due Q1 2025), the new OO model will feature a similar specification with class-leading detail and lighting/sound features. Based on original research and extensive assistance from Porterbrook Leasing, the HELJAN Class 153 is packed with desirable features that make it a ‘must have’ for modellers of the BR Sectorisation era and post-1994 privatisation period. Working engineering samples are expected to arrive in the UK for assessment in autumn 2024.

And, reversing the modifications made by BR to create the Class 153s in the early-1990s, we’ve used the ‘153’ as a basis for an all-new BR/Leyland Class 155 ‘Super Sprinter’ (see below), filling a significant gap in the second generation DMU fleet. Full details about the Class 155 will be unveiled later, but its specification will be very similar to the Class 153. Two-car units will be offered in original Provincial Services ‘Sprinter’, West Yorkshire PTE Red/Cream (original and revised livery) and Northern liveries.

Standard Class 153/155 features will include:

• Eight separately switchable lighting functions in DCC mode
  
• Saloon interior and cab lights
  
• Tail lights and headlights with day/night settings (DCC mode)
  
• Illuminated destination blinds
  
• Bodyside door locking indicator lights and illuminated door buttons
  
• Original/revised headlight units, according to period and livery
  
• Original/modified gangway end doors, according to period and livery
  

Other desirable features will include the myriad rivets and panel lines typical of the British Leyland body design, fine underframe and bogie details plus:

• Factory fitted speakers on all models
  
• Magnetic BSI auto-couplers
  
• Kinematic Close Coupling Mechanisms
  
• Optional Snowploughs
  
• Fully detailed interior with separately fitted seats, tables and partitions
  
• Detailed standard and ‘micro cab’ interiors
  
• Optional NRN radio roof pods
  
• Authentic variations to underfloor radiator grille mesh
  
• Smooth, reliable and discreet low-profile motor driving all axles (Class
  
• 153) or DMSL car (Class 155)
  

All models will be offered DCC Ready with an easy-to-access 21-pin decoder interface or with factory fitted DCC and sound, including route specific station announcements. Decoration will be the icing on the cake for these superb models, featuring a wealth of detail based on original livery diagrams sourced from train operators and detailed research of the prototype.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* 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.