📢 Please take a minute to read this personal message from the creator of RailwayModels.uk

Heljan 8709

W&M Railbus - BR Green - E79964 - OO Scale - Weathered

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

Prototype Era
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest

Manufacturer description

These German-built railbuses were delivered in April 1958 and initially operated on the Maldon, Braintree, and Saffron Walden lines. The last working example was withdrawn from service in August 1967 and four survived into preservation. This model is an improvement on the previous version first produced by Heljan in 2012.

FEATURES

• 21 Pin DCC Interface
  
• All-Wheel Drive
  
• Heavy Duty Chassis
  
• Working Interior Lights
  
• NEM Couplings
  
• Sprung Buffers
  

 

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.

This Heljan model represents a Waggon & Maschinenbau Railbus, a type of diesel railbus operated by British Railways. The railbus, with the running number E79964, is finished in a weathered BR Green livery with 'Speed Whiskers' design, typical of the period. The model is a more recent iteration of the design, replacing the previous version produced by Heljan in 2012.

The model features a 21-pin DCC interface, allowing for easy digital control, as well as all-wheel drive and a heavy-duty chassis for smooth running. Other details include working interior lights, NEM couplings, and sprung buffers.

The model is based on a real-life German-built Waggon und Maschinenbau GmbH Donauwörth railbus, which was introduced to British Railways in April 1958 and operated on lines including the Maldon, Braintree, and Saffron Walden routes. The last working example was withdrawn in August 1967, but four examples have survived into preservation.