Dean Park Model Railway 344 | Heljan's All New Class 47

[@EverardJunction]

Should be marketed as "generic locomotive in a BR style". It's all over the place, quite impressive the project was continued at all. Fair play for being diplomatic & balanced Dave, very polished review.

[@georgethomas7814]

nice to heaar from you. I miss the Everard Junction weekly. Hope the house rebuild is going fine and that modelling can resume shortly

[@DeanPark]

Diplomatic is not often a word placed In the same sentence as my name, so thanks haha!

[@georgethomas7814]

@@DeanPark you should know. Diplomatic does suit a lot of your reviews.

[@tobyytlai]

Wow. Never expected such a harsh comment from Everard Junction. Heljan will have a difficult time clearing these from their warehouses

[@JulianSaunders]

Great review thank you. Think I'll be sticking with Bachmann 😊

[@Steve.M]

Good review. Thank you. It’s interesting that my first reaction on seeing the models at 1:29 was, “Hang on… What? That’s not a 47!” You did a good job at pointing out the numerous small things, which all, in combination, add up to something that just doesn’t look convincing. At that point it doesn’t matter to me if it has the most immaculately modelled buffer bars, etched grilles, or perfectly printed numbers.

[@parshakamarsh]

I think from what I've seen in this video my ideal choice would be the Bachmann 47 with the TMC weathering, that would be a fine model 😉

[@robd2184]

Mine would be better without the TMC weathering I think

[@owentherail]

The body looked to deep on the computer images before it was even went to manufacture. I guess they didn’t care what we pointed out.

[@lukestevens8735]

What seems to happen with Heljan is that the insides are designed and the design fixed before the body. The 45 has the same issue where it is too tall, and the tooling is designed to "lose" the extra height. There must be a reason that Heljan repeated make the same error...

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Although I think Heljan are getting a lot of criticism lately with nearly all there new models, I don’t agree with all of it, in this case you have it spot on, they have missed the target with this update, thanks for the honest review.

[@formidable38]

Hi Dave, this is the 2nd time I've seen a good review of these and once again, you have summarised my thoughts. I really wanted to like these but I'm afraid its a no from me. Like the 0 gauge 50, the 00 Peak and now this, Heljan were told about the issues on all 3 but chose to ignore the advice. Ill be sticking with my Bachmann 47, it isn't perfect but its closer than Heljans effort. Cheers, Gary.

[@robd2184]

Good review. I think you’ve nailed its inadequacies , and with a cost differential that’s negligible ( or even the wrong way ) from the Bachmann 47 that would get my vote

[@simonbradshaw3708]

Thanks for another enjoyable video, if I had the money for a new class 47 from your review I'd buy the Deluxe Bachmann.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

Not one for me, something looks amiss even at a glance. Great review but from you we expect no less ! 😎👍

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

So Heljan failed to make a good class 47 twice??

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

In 2024 there is really no excuse for models that fail to get the shape right. With modern 3D scanning techniques as long as you can get access to a full size example it's perfectly possible to get the CAD exactly right. After that it's up to the tool maker to not eff it up.....

[@andybear7850]

Couldn’t have put it better myself

[@MikeParkin65]

A very fair review I feel. I’ve got the two tone green version (sound fitted)..The livery on mine is very well applied and I think as per the prototype the two bands of colour help break up the slab sides and coincidentally disguise the fact that on the model they are a little too deep. I,ve fitted a Kadee without removing any of the pre fitted buffer beam parts and have had no issues on my layout (theoretical minimum curve of 36 inches on the inside turnout of a Peco curved point). The shape is indisputably ‘off’ but it’s still a model I am very happy with - more of a ‘layout loco’ than we’ve come to expect these days but as you say, the running quality and the sound project are top notch ( even if the function instructions are typically Legoman in their sparseness). I shouldn’t have paid top dollar but I wanted a two tone green version and these from Bachmann are currently like hens teeth. I would buy another but not at current prices and perhaps not at all if Bachman produce a second run in the right liveries for me.

[@MrVinnyh]

As soon as you showed the 47 Dave I thought Heljan have done it again! I think the Bachmann old model is a better option, Heljan just never get the 47 right, the grab rails on the front of the loco look like scaffold poles, added to this in past Heljan models detail parts just drop off due to the lack of glue! both on OO & O gauge, I tend to give Heljan a miss these days.

[@mdatkinson92]

Franky, I'd take a Lima over this.

[@danielsellers8707]

@@mdatkinson92 Me too - or ViTrains as not made in China!

[@James-Akers]

Good review here Dave, and very open and honest to. The main thing that bothers me is the shape the most, it just ruins the appearance of the model, add to that the paint job and the detailing being added at both ends, plus the price, it'll not be one for me. A shame as I was considering getting the Scotrail 47 from the Gaugemaster Collection. Heljan do need to start listening to the consumer though, they're concerns were voiced many times and they've not took the feedback on board. Look forward to the next video Cheers James

[@josefbuckland]

MUST MISS what a shame with a global Shortage of locos on 2024 there is great opportunity but maybe not for some of us. Thanks for the great insight.

[@DeanPark]

Hi, thanks for watching.

[@daviemaclean61]

I much prefer the weathered version, but then I don't go for shiny locos on my layout anyway. A fair review from someone who knows his way about a Class 47! ;-) Cheers

[@onnomulder9775]

An awesome loco and review Dave!!! Many thanks for sharing! Cheers Onno.

[@tomward3656]

That was a very balanced review, I have learned a few details that I didn't know about the class 47. If I wanted a class 47 I would buy a Bachmann 47. Thank you.

[@DeanPark]

My pleasure Tom. Glad you found it handy! Cheers. Dave

[@stephendavies6949]

A well-balanced and informative review. Heljan models seem always to be a mix of brilliance and ineptitude. On first glance it resembles the Brush "Falcon" prototype due to its strange cab shape and oversized headcode box. I agree with you about buffer detail fitting. Whilst I appreciate it being fitted to one end (I tried for two hours to fit some to my Accurascale 37 last night & failed!), fitting it to both ends is a bizarre decision. Heljan is not competitive at this price point. Bachmann wins hands down.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Very attractive model of a Class 47 locomotive. This is one of the most powerful classic diesel locomotives on the Epping Ongar Railway.

[@ClydebridgeStation]

I think the cab door windows, and engine room windows, are a little too big. I'm also unsure about the tapering at the ends, which you raised. As a 47 fan, I'm going to shock you. I'll probably give it a miss.

[@ewoodrailway]

Both look great and will fit in nicely at Dean Park

[@stretchedits]

Hi Dave, a great review of this new loco. There is definitely something amiss with the body shape, although I have seen a picture of one of these new models in BR two tone green with SYP and the narrow front didn't seem so noticable. I have one of the first Heljan Class 47's which although was too wide, I think still looks better than this new version. I don't have a Bachmann one as Heljan run so well and are so powerful they are ideal for my layout with it's gradiants, well alot better than the Bachmann diesels. I good video, nice to see your opinion on this one. All the very best Dave.

[@anthonymizen9095]

Interesting review. Some of the features of this model are quite odd for a newly tooled loco in this era and this is the same with the class 45 which I got a year or so ago. Will wait and see if this comes down in price later on in the year.

[@davidstrains4910]

An overall good video of this 47 here Dave, admittedly I have just recently picked up one of the new tooled bachmann class 47s my one being 47375 Tinsley Traction Depot Quality Approved and I would say that that is the best class 47 currently available, in fact looking at that it should have won a model of the year award, going back the this heljan one though just because I have bought a bachmann one recently I’m not going to go insulting this model, overall heljans attempts is decent, they can make some good models, the vast majority of additions I got last year were Heljan ones so while this may not be as good as bachmann it’s ok for what it is. One criticism I will disagree with you on is the opening in the roof, first of all I will agree that it isn’t great that you can see the PCB very easily but it will be good for sound users and that could be me at in the not to distant future, I have recently just got my first dcc controller and currently I’m wanting to get some sound chips for some of my locos so I can get used to using the functions that dcc can give you, having an opening in the roof will allow the sound to be heard clearly, the cavalex 56s also have openings where the exhausts are and while that is admittedly better because it is a smaller opening in the roof and doesn’t show the PCB like this 47 does when sound is fitted it will produce some good sound coming out of the model. Overall good video here Dave, a decent model that I’m certainly not put off buying regardless of its issues, if they make one that I really like the look of I’m most likely to pick one up, that how I do this hobby, if I like a particular model I’m likely to pick one up, I do currently have one of the older tooled ones in the virgin trains livery, keep up the great work Dave.

[@SteveSmithRailways]

So in the last couple of months, we've gone from having what can only be described as the creme de la creme of model locos....the Cavalex Class 56, to what has to be the release of the worse loco, the Heljan Class 47. I don't think Bachmann will be having sleepless nights over lost sales. What a shame, because Heljan has had may opportunities to listen to people about all the errors and correct it to what could have been a very exciting loco in the scale to own. The only positive of a Heljan loco is the performance, they know how to do this. If I was still modelling OO scale, would I buy one of these......NO, definitely not. A good review of the loco though Dave but I have a feeling that these locos will become heavily discounted due to lack of sales, so I'm sure they'll sell some but feel this has been a huge let down.....oh well!

[@DeanPark]

Cheers Steve. Yes Heljan models do perform. But they lack behind bachmann who still produce market leading models. Some people will be more than happy with this 47. TMC have done a stunning job of the weathering on this model.

[@WayneAtkinson89]

No sympathy for heljan, they were told this was wrong on pre production samples and still made it!! The same with the 45, told numerous times the shape was wrong, still released it!!! The 25 aswell the list goes on and on! I’m starting to wonder if they just think sod it they’ll buy it anyway and we’ll jack the prices up!

[@ajk37416]

Fully agree. I would have been open to having some of these to run alongside my Bachmann ones, after all, a brand new tooling in this day and age at such a high price should be a top notch representation. But there’s not a chance I’ll be even entertaining having any of these Heljan ones after seeing the finished article. Even when they inevitably get knocked down in price. It’s such a shame they’ve got them so wrong.

[@andrewcrawford6642]

A very helpful and honest review thanks Dave. Another consequence of the too narrow cab fronts is that the two foot steps above the buffer beam are too close together for unrefubished locos, presumably so there is also room for the ETH receptacle. They do appear to be in the correct position for the Crewe cut locos. As regards the single roof panel, if I’m not mistaken that was correctly split in two in the pre-production versions so perhaps the factory changing it on their own initiative?

[@LaurenceHoward-f4h]

Shame the shape seems a bit off. Weathering was awesome, especially the colours of the brake blocks, which you either missed or just failed to mention (unless I missed it 😆) all too often under frames are frame dirt or sleeper grime with some dry brushing to pick out detail. So the attention to detail of brake blocks is outstanding well done TMC guy !

[@edenbridgejunction7526]

I brought my 1st heljan loco in march for a birthday present to myself in nse livery. 2nd hand . Everything is correct and nothing broke or missing. Runs like a dream too . Your sound great in dcc ... we're old skool dc users 😊

[@stephendavies6949]

I've acquired a few Hejan models and they do run very well. My class 58 (2ndd bactch) is an extraordinary loco.

[@Simon-Davis]

The selling point of this model is the livery variations which Bachmann has yet to apply to their own model. The trouble is that this model is so dimensionally compromised that you are better off looking for Bachmanns older 47 in the livery you want. Heljan had ample opportunity and sound advice to correct the issues this model presents, but yet again they forged on with a highly flawed model and an attitude which almost seemed to exude an opinion that their model is correct and it is the real thing that is inaccurate. At this price point you'd expect a lot better, and you certainly have considerably better options from past and present models from both a financial outlay and an accuracy point of view.

[@eastcoastdcc]

Hi Dave. Nicely balanced review. Absolutely agree that the TMC weathering significantly improves the appearance and look of the model. Interesting that you find the application of the detailing of the model at both ends superfluous. I'd agree wholeheartedly. Hope you'd agree that most of us modellers want to run a loco with a detailed end at the front, with a coupling at the back. Makes me wonder why so many models feature unswitchable running lights "fore and aft"! I like my models to have functional running lights at the front, but no lights, or at least no red tail markers, at the back. Pet hate of mine seeing loco's running with a rake of coaches/wagons attached and the rear red tail markers on the loco illuminated! Not prototypical!!! Makes me wonder why manufacturers don't configure loco's as such. (Ok, some more expensive models may have that feature!). Something I have addressed by fitting two 8 pin decoders into a class 47. A Lima 47 709 "The Lord Provost" body fitted to a Hornby TTS chassis, with a Hornby TTS sound decoder in No.1 end and a second 8 pin decoder fitted in No.2 End, and LED lights fitted in each end. Lets me control the lights in each end separately, as well as independent cab lights. Oh, and a megabass speaker.... Took a bit of wring, but it works! Anyway, keep up the good work! Cheers, Ross.

[@GarthDavies-cd5oh]

I think I will stick with the Bachmann despite the price. We all dont have tail chasing layouts either and so pipe and cable removal would be a chore . An excellent honest review.

[@DeanPark]

Hi, thanks for watching and for your feedback. Removing the pipes is a nuisance. Cheers. Dave

[@darrenhillman8396]

Sounds better than it looks, Dave. I’ll stick to my Bachmann version, I think. Fair review though and it is (as others have commented) a crying shame that Heljan haven’t taken the opportunity to really have a good go at modelling this iconic loco more accurately.

[@dilwich]

The price is insane for what you get.

[@lucitonstjames3925]

Nice review Dave. Heljan & class 47's what can you say? I guess if you only have these & nobody elses you could probably see past the sizing etc , but its just not at the races stood next to the Bachmann offering & its fair to include the Lima / Vi Trains ones as well. To be fair the BR blue livery with some weathering always did hide a multitude of sins, i guess the Inter City / Scotrail variants will really highlight the height issue & the deeper area below the headcode box. that funny lip near around the bottom where the buffer beam cowling is , looks really naff. Does make you wonder what they where smoking when they trawled through the drawings / 3d scans. Pre fitted pipes , bit of a marmite one that, suppose its a question it they come out easily enough vs the issue of the holes never being big enough for the pipes when you fit them yourself. You could say if the model was priced at around £120 youd be talking given the shaping issue in order to shift them but the sum being demanded , no way on gods earth is that worth its money. To think of the time , money etc invested to produce this , that could have been invested in something else like a 303 or 304 etc.

[@mytinplaterailway]

Actually looks a lot like Heljan's model of 'Falcon' . Particularly the front.

[@SimonWitt]

As good an unbiased review as you can get with all the pre-conceptions of the model formed from all the pre-release info and pictures we got. Unfortunately for Heljan, this one just comes down to price. It's more expensive than the Bachmann 47 and inferior in the most basic of areas, i.e. the shape. If it was priced at a midway point between a Hornby Railroad 47 and the Bachmann 47s then it might be better received, but I imagine Heljan are wanting to recoup their costs from a lengthy development cycle for this one. One to look out for in the bargain bins I fear On the subject of sound, it actually sounds quite nice to have a quieter loco to run around your layout. Imo, on a model railway, trains do not need to be blasting your ears off like you're standing next to them at all times.

[@stephenkell7314]

Good honest review as always but like you I just doesn’t look right pity would have been good for the market and competition for Bachmann but for the price it seems overpriced and a poor effort considering how many class 47’s are still with use.

[@chris_3636]

A generous review Dave. I do like the soundfile, (but that's Legoman for you), and the running characteristics look good. The headcode box makes it look like a shoddy toy, and the depth of the bodyshell looks totally wrong. Don't even get me started on the incorrect number of roof hatches or the tapering cabs. All the Bachmann offering look better, so no thanks, not for me thanks Heljan.

[@vivianhughes9347]

An excellent review. Regarding the weathering, I wonder why they didn't tone down the white BR arrows and running numbers? They look way too bright. And why are there two red tail lights when only one should be lit in BR blue era.

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Heljan models do not form any part of my collection of over three hundred and fifty locos. Currently I have thirty six examples of the Bachmann versions and they are great runners, all with sound.

[@tail_lamp7538]

With increasing prices, we have the opportunity to be more critical with releases. I think the Bachmann model is better overall, particularly the detail and relief around the bogies.

[@kevvynolan8753]

I'm afraid the only thing this has going for it, is the Legomanbiffo soundfile. Did consider the NSE version, but purchased bargain Bachmann 47711 and reworked it to 47708 in NSE. Yet to add a Legomanbiffo v5, but overall will save myself over £100 to have a Bachmann 47 with a superior model in my opinion. Fair review.

[@legomanbiffosounds]

The Legomanbiffo Sound decoderxs are available seperatly and just in case toy need the full function list & the CV settings, thaes are below. Charlie DCKits-Legomanbiffo: F0 Lights On/Off. F1 Sound On/Off. CV259=128 CV419=70 F2 Playable Horn. CV435=128 F3 Playable Horn. CV443=128 F4 Random Buffer clash (when moving)/Coupling hook (when stationary). CV283=80 F5 Brake application/auto-brake. Brake dump when stationery). CV291=70 F6 Driver's door slam. 1 of 3 played at random. CV299=128 F7 Bi Directional Compressor. (Different at each end) CV307=90 F8 Drive Lock (Drive Hold) F9 Automatic flange squeal. CV323=128 F10 Guards Despatch whistle. CV331=110 CV411=100 F11 Right away buzzer with Optional Reply (47/4 & 47/7 Loco's) CV339=15 F12 Radiator Fan. (Normal Fan is CV155=0 but 47401-47420 is CV155=1) CV347=80 F13 Sanders CV355=60 F14 Cab Light. CV427=128 F15 Spirax Valves. CV315=128 F16 Disposal Air Dump. CV379=128 F17 Windscreen Wipers. CV387=90 F18 Detonators. A '3 bang stop'.(This item is Flash Enabled if fitting LEDs) CV395=128 F19 Push-Pull Mode (Train at No1 End) CV427=128 F20 Push Pull Mode (Train at No2 End) CV427=128 F21 Parking Mode (Red light on) F22 Engine Room Lights F23 Mk 3 Coach Wail. CV451=80 F24 Carriage Door Slams. F25 Not Used. F26 High Intensity Headlight. F27 Heavy Load. F28 Sound Volume Control. F29 AWS Bell. CV483=50 F30 AWS Horn. CV491=50 Class 47/4 & Class 47/7 For Push-Pull mode with a DBSO or Saloon, or to disable the tail lights when pulling a train, Turn F19 or F20 on depending upon which end the loco & the DBSO, Saloon or Train is marshalled. Radiator Fans: CV155=0 Normal Fans, CV155=1 Electric fan on 47401 to 47420. Coach Doors: CV156=0 Mk1 Doors. CV156=1 Mk2 Doors. CV156=2 Mk 3 Doors See the Website for more C;lass 47/0 Info: www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=68&product_id=2083

[@cedarcam]

Such a shame the body shape is not right again. The headcode box looks huge to me and put me off right away. I like Heljan they run well and are powerful, the sound is really good on the video as well, but sadly for them another model I will not be getting. I missed out on the Peak for the same reason.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, it resembles the one-off Brush "Falcon" more than a 47, to me eyes.

[@cedarcam]

@@stephendavies6949 Looking at a head on view of Falcon the headcode looks the same size as a Brush 4 but I can see what you mean with the steps above the buffer beam and the side skirting The windscreens look rather like Falcons as well with the deeper ledge under them.

[@madduckuk]

The Uncanny Valley 47

[@Tom-Lahaye]

Good review. The body shape doesn't capture the 47 well, despite having narrowed it (too much). It does look more like a class 50 minus its headcode box to me. While round shapes and curves would be difficult to be interpreted from the original plans this isn't the case for widths and heights, at least regarding these measurements the model should have been right now. The ride height may be an issue which can be solved, but it should have been right in the first place, after all this is their second attempt at this loco. So I rather stick with my older Bachman models, despite being not the perfect shape they capture the overall look much better still.

[@jabberwockytdi8901]

Blue is way way too "Blue" at least on my screen , BR blue was greener.

[@philblyth3218]

Usually a fan of Heljan, particularly for their smooth running but this latest re-tooled 47 looks terrible, their original version was too wide but I’d rather have that than this latest incarnation. Body sides seems too deep and the frontage just looks wrong, why can’t Heljan get their 47s right? I’ll stick with Bachmann thanks

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, both my class 14 & 58 are great locos. But I'll be giving this one a wide birth.

[@michaelscott231]

I can’t believe in this day of laser mapping Heljan have got the shape so wrong. This could be a very costly production for them when there is the Bachman model already available. Commercial suicide. Why didn’t they just scale down their O gauge tooling?

[@DeanPark]

I believe there was criticism of the O gauge tooling as well! 😮

[@nigelericogden3200]

If I had the dosh it’d be Bachmann every day of the week. 🙏 I spotted 47’s for years and this model just doesn’t do it for me.

[@stephendavies6949]

Agree. Does it look more like the one-off Brush Falcon?

[@michaelcrane3327]

So in short.... the model is about 80% imperfect, however the guys at TMC being one of the best in the business help disguise these faults. I would like to see if Cavalex make a 47 and 57.... if they do Heljan may as well hang in the towel.

[@DeanPark]

No company makes a perfect model. Believe it or not, that includes accurascale, bachmann and Cavalex lol. But some companies make models that are further away from being perfect lol.

[@michaelcrane3327]

​@DeanPark Lol I feel this is far lower than the accepted standard of not only 2024, but 5 years ago or more too. Keep up the great work though, love the reviews and your fantastic modelling.

[@DeanPark]

Cheers. We expect so much more from our models these days, and why not!…as they ain’t cheap!

[@bromhead100]

when i saw this on the hornby magazine video the other week,i knew it looked wrong,the bachman one looks a lot better,the older heljan one is a lot better.heljan would be better off retooling the body before releasing any more, if not they will lose sales to bachman.very poor for a leading manufacturer right now. i would give it a C- requires improvement.

[@rremington3983]

Why do you think engines don’t come with glass sunroofs above the drivers position? I like to think if I was driving trains around all day I would love to have that great airy sunroof feeling, anyway, just wondered.

[@aureol40012]

I just do not understand why Heljan don’t take the advice of the real experts in specific classes of loco, especially when a very early prototype is released. Someone spent hours going through every single little area for improvement with the CADs for their 45 and Heljan ignored every single one of them. It’s just insanity.

[@sapphirejunction8993]

Whoever at Heljan was tasked with setting the price for their new Class 47 needs to find another job, ridiculous prices for this flawed model and that side by side front end shot next to the Bachmann is a real eye opener on the flawed tooling & shape of the Heljan 47. Well it does sound better than the Bachmann, I have one Bachmann 47 with sound and it is awful and marginally better after replacing their £2 speaker.

[@stokes8762]

First glance I thought it was 'Falcon'

[@fatwalletboy2]

Wow. Bachmann have nothing to worry about thats for sure...... I think that PCB visible on the roof is just off page 1 its the basics! And thats just going on these mainly side on or from above view images rather than any looking up views from rail level.so not sure what judging category "accuracy" goes in at the end where you gave 70% on appearance......the yellow looks like its been applied by somebody with a nervous disposition. Terrible.i wouldnt pay 330 for this. And that cab taper!

[@paulmoore6345]

You missed one of the annoying flaws. The cab door handle recess is way off it should not have a raised bead round it. Compare it to the original Heljan and the photos. How did they get it wrong. The review is spot on though. You have noticed everything I did. Is it worth the money? No you might as well get the Bachmann version. If the Heljan loco was £150.00 maybe you can overlook some faults would still prefer the Bachmann version personally

[@tobyrowallan6037]

I think giving it 70% for appearance was far too generous. It just doesn't look like a 47. It doesn't matter about how well it runs or whether its finish is good, details etc, once it actually fails to look like the prototype, its lost. I must say I'm really disappointed in Heljan, plenty of their other models are good (and I have a few of them). I did want one of the Class 48s that were done for Model Rail. But I wouldn't touch these with a continental-length barge-pole. A massive waste of money. Thankfully there is a reasonable alternative on the market. I just can't believe that with Cavalex & Accurascale knocking it out of the park (as it were) with accuracy and detail, no one who wants to compete with that can afford to get it wrong. Simply unbelievable.

[@gc7820]

Yet another manufacturer producing a new class 47. How long before a new manufacturer pops up called “class 47 only trains” with the mission to produce the definitive class 47 and nothing else in N, TT, 00 & 0. Seriously can we not get enough 47s?!?! 😂

[@DeanPark]

Oh I’m sure someone will demand Accurascale do one soon! lol then you’ll have yet more duplication to choose from! Personally I think two on the market (and a railroad one from Hornby) is enough! Lots more models to focus on in the meantime!

[@paulkandi]

As most of my working life as a model engineer ( pattern maker ) I can quite clearly see what has happened with those dimensions and have made similar mistakes myself, only to spend hours of extra work undoing the problems.... I do believe the engineers at Haljan making a very simple design mistake.... When tooling the chassis, they forget the body wall thickness dimensions....1.35mm ...per side... It was designed " full width " ...so when the body was designed, they had to adjust the body dimensions to fit the oversize chassis, rather than a costly re-tooling of the chassis die-blocks, they may have been already made in large numbers... But this is a new tool.??? No, nothing of the kind, just a re-hash of the original.. with all the same mistakes...only worse, as really no excuses for poor measurements,these days, with computer aided design..stick with my old faithfuls, Bachmann, lima , Vitrains and Hornby Railroad...

[@timchalk6810]

Sounds not too bad but like all the others the price is a bit steep for my liking.

[@blitzbob2000]

For the price I'd to see a driver. Or how can it move. Also for a review I'd like to see what the slow running is like. Not high speed over cross overs that are probably 15mph. im a retired main line driver. Other wise very good.

[@DeanPark]

Hi, I run it over all point work at unrealistic speeds to test its handling, to see if it derails etc. but good idea about the slow running. I’ll take that on going forward. Cheers. Dave

[@petercollingwood4108]

Headcode panel looks ridiculous, too large. Obvious.

[@stephendavies6949]

It makes it look like the one-off Brush Falcon IMO.

[@staffordstationngauge8359]

Its pretty awful tbh, considering their O gauge model front end looks ok, I remember their previous fat 47 and on release the model shop in Wakefield refused to stock it.

[@danielsellers8707]

For me it would be ViTrains or old Lima as not made in China.

[@DeanPark]

Ah only we had a realistic alternative to china. I’d like to see us stop using that country and funding the regime, but until other countries can do the same in terms of capacity and skill we are stuck with the Chinese.

[@danielsellers8707]

@@DeanPark Buy second hand then; it would be ViTrains or old Lima for me!

[@alantraish3368]

Looks fine to me. Getting sound one and will compare against my Bachmann one side by side on my channel

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

Your reviews, at first glance, should not really be of interest or relevance to me, as I work in n gauge and also do US Outline. However, keeping abreast of what is available on the scene is actually interesting, so I do watch them. Keep it up, but more interest in the actual layout would be preferable.

[@DeanPark]

Hi, thanks for watching. Yeah more layout builds and ‘how to’ are on the way. I’m taking a break from reviews for a while. I’ve been unable to really get up the loft to work on the layout in the last few weeks with other commitments on my time, so reviews fill the gap for me and keep me involved. I’ve a gas tower build, scenic how to and other videos in the works. Hopefully I’ll get a run at doing this work in the next few weeks. So stay tuned. Cheers for Now. Dave

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

@@DeanPark Oh please don't think I'd unsub Dave. I enjoy your videos a lot Dave. Keep 'em Comin'.

[@eddherring4972]

First impression is that the pristine model looks like a toy, I’m sure there was some prism effect on the front windows. The weathered version is more on the mark. I think you have over-scored this because bearing in mind the amount of time there has been to get this right, we’re left with a fairly poor representation with from your description not much functionality.

[@roberthall-h7r]

Heljan don’t do their homework when releasing new models. Too many school boy errors. As for Heljan spares don’t get me started on that one. They need to get their act together before I purchase any more Heljan models.

[@DeanPark]

In Heljan’s defence…at least they do spares! However I’ve had to wait a few months for spares to arrive in stock in the past. Have you tried to get any spares from Hornby? It’s very difficult. Class 56 buffers anyone?!

[@roberthall-h7r]

@@DeanPark I waited 18 months for a Heljan O gauge class 20 spare and when I spoke to one of the reps at a show he came up with a feeble excuse. I tried to order a Heljan OO spare for a class 25 recently and Gaugemaster didn’t even have the loco listed.

[@simondean5998]

Poor model again , but far to expensive

[@Simon-fr4ts]

Too

[@leelishman7137]

You can see the front does look pinched in too much,clearly,doesn't look right it is just too tall, narrow, along with the flat windows and oversized headcode box,it makes the loco look a bit of hybrid class 47/Kestrel, look

[@Mike-kc8rl]

I really don't understand why Heljan even bothered with the class 47?.Bachmann has dominated this class for years! The new version is, I believe, even worse than the first model that fell to pieces! The front on this is more akin to a children's cartoon character? What's going on with the headcode ? The wipers are wrong for the period as they should have two drive shafts and pivot from the windscreen centre ! The bodie looks like it's been sat on! How can Heljan not see the glaringly obvious mistakes here? The prices are ludicrous, and I bet in a year or two these will be offered on serious discounts?

[@DeanPark]

I never owned a previous Heljan class 47.

[@TrainFan_95]

With the front end being too narrow, the headcode box too big and the windows too small, this does not even look like a 47. Heljan's original 47 actually looks better than this one!

[@stephendavies6949]

It looks more like the one-off Falcon IMO.

[@bobtudbury8505]

it's all wrong, the profile ends the roof the wheels the headbox, way too dear for what it is

[@davidmccall2897]

Can we please stop talking about the scamdemic, you are here to talk about the class 47

[@DeanPark]

I mentioned it in a sentence! Im not talking about it. I used it to give context as to the delays for the model being developed and released. If you are not happy, you don’t have to watch.

[@MrRonan3]

How do Heljan feel after these shocking reviews on this model. I had one on order and cancelled it!,