Heljan 8621

Class 86 - BR Blue - 86253 - OO Scale

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

Prototype Eras
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

BR’s standard 25kV AC electric locomotive of the late-1960s, developed using experience gained with the earlier ‘AL1’ to ‘AL5’ classes. A handful of ‘86s’ remain in use today both in the UK and overseas. This latest variant features a number of improvements over our previous Class 86s, including separately switchable tail lights in DCC mode. It focuses on the previously overlooked mixed traffic ‘86/4’ and freight-only ‘86/6’ sub-classes modified from the mid-1980s onwards.

Models are supplied with either a Faiveley (*) or Brecknell Willis high-speed (+) pantograph.

FEATURES

Catalogue listing

Brand
Heljan
Product Code
8621
GTIN
5708769862116
RRP
£254.95
Release date
Q2 2026

Model details

DCC status
DCC Ready (21 pin socket)
Minimum radius curve
Radius 2
Power pickup
All wheels
Coupling
NEM / Tension lock
Minimum radius
Radius 2
Coupling type
Tension lock
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Chassis construction
Diecast
Tooling date
2024
Finish
Pristine
Name
The Manchester Guardian
Livery
Blue
Running number
86 253 'The Manchester Guardian'
Features
Directional lighting

Prototype information

Wheel configuration
Bo-Bo
Tractive effort
60,000 lbf
Main duties
Express Passenger
Heavy Freight
Operated by
British Rail
Anglia Railways/ one
Bulmarket Bulgaria
Caledonian Sleeper
Colas Rail
Europhoenix
EWS
Floyd Zrt
Freightliner
Hull Trains
Locomotive Services Ltd
Network Rail
West Coast Railway Co.
Vintage Trains
Virgin Cross Country
Virgin Trains West Coast
Locomotive type
Electric 25kV AC Overhead
Builder
British Rail Doncaster Works
English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
In service until
Present
Total built
100
Build dates
1965 to 1966
Locomotive class*
86
Operator
BR
Motive power
Electric
Wheel arrangement
Bo-Bo
Built
1965 to 1966
Built by
British Rail Doncaster Works English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
Total produced
100

* 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.

Supplier Links

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Related products

The Heljan Class 86/2 86253 'The Manchester Guardian' is a British Rail Blue electric locomotive model. It is part of the Class 86 series, which was developed in the 1960s as the standard 25kV AC electric locomotive for BR.

The model features a number of improvements over previous Heljan Class 86 models, including separately switchable tail lights in DCC mode. It represents the mixed traffic '86/4' and freight-only '86/6' sub-classes modified from the mid-1980s onwards.

Key features of the model include finely applied livery details, a smooth running motor and flywheel, and 21-pin DCC readiness. The model also comes with a choice of Faiveley or Brecknell Willis high-speed pantograph. Other features include NEM couplings, working lights, sprung buffers, and sound readiness.

The model is supplied with the running number 86 253 'The Manchester Guardian' in BR Blue livery. It meets the specifications of the operator BR and class 86.

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