Heljan Gresley O2 2-8-0 'Tango'

[auldreekie]

I am greatly heartened by the correspondence which I see here over the projected Heljan model. I DO hope the venture succeeds commercially for the firm: the relative open-ness with which options and constraints have been discussed is a refreshing change as compared with the much less comfortable activities of two "mainstream" manufacturers which will remain nameless....

It is perhaps worth underlining that Heljan's approach to the UK-outline market has been and continues to be remarkably adventurous (and presumably risky) in all sorts of ways: the "oddball" diesels, the multiplicity of railbuses, the joint venture with Hattons into Beyer-Garratts, the current project for a narrow gauge (L and B) tank engine.......

I do hope also that the early O2s do not ABSOLUTELY sell out before they touch the sides. I'm afraid that I really do not subscribe to the current trend of manufacturers (other than tiny "cottage" ones) and retailers to wish to have commitment and money up front for pretty well an entire production run months (if not years) before it hits the sales floor. So I hope there will be at least one unallocated when shove comes to push....


auldreekie

[auldreekie]

Oh, and I meant to say. I guess the problem is not Danish to Scouse translation, so much as Scouse to English.....


auldreekie

[strang steel]

I continue to be amazed by the attitude of Heljan on this project. A manufacturer who has the patience to listen to enthusiasts and modellers concerning detail differences, not only between sub-classes, but even within them. A manufacturer who is prepared to invest vast amounts of time, money and effort into the tooling up of these varied locomotives, and is willing to have short production runs of many different variants maybe over the next 5 to 10 years with only a vague idea of how they might sell.

I can only say thankyou very much to Heljan for everything, and as long as my finances can cope, and the individual loco/tender variants are spaced over a decent period of time, I will have one each of all of the BR liveried versions; because as a boy, living along the route of the High Dyke - Frodingham ore trains, the O2s passing by became a regular part of my daily life, and they disappeared into history far too quickly for my liking.

Having the chance to own them in detailed rtr model form is a dream come true for me, and I still have to pinch myself to believe that it really is this class that has been chosen after all these years.

Once again, thankyou Heljan, and thankyou Brush53 for keeping us so wonderfully well informed.

EDITED: to add that I agree with everything auldreekie says, also. His post arrived while I was typing mine.

My O2 piggy bank is already beginning to fill up.

[Brush53Falcon]

Fingers still crossed for the versions with GN cabs and tenders then. No desperate hurry, so long as they actually materialise.

Being humorous, or at least tongue-in-cheek for a moment, this leaves me wondering whether there is some unique difficulty in translating Danish into Scouse, as there seems to be a peculiar tendency for Hattons to misunderstand or misrepresent the Heljan "position" as described here by Brush53Falcon.

To be completely fair to Hatton's in their quest to get information 'up-front' it may be that the original information given to them in Danish hasn't translated very well. Hatton's spend quite a lot of effort promoting manufacturers products and occasionally information can get mis-interpreted. The complicated nature of the make-up of the O2 class is no mean feat for those that have to gain the knowledge from scratch at short notice............believe me I've been there and am still learning.........you can only imagine some of the discussions that have taken place regarding all the sub classes over in Denmark but we are getting there.

Fortunately I know some very nice experts who can put me right and occasionally improve my English!

For your information it is anticipated at this stage that this first run of O2/2's and the O2/1's will all have the GN B type tender, tooling for which is currently in progress.

[Seagull]

For your information it is anticipated at this stage that this first run of O2/2's and the O2/1's will all have the GN B type tender, tooling for which is currently in progress.

I'm certainly looking to get a couple of these when they appear. Though the delay will at least give my wallet some breathing space.

Alan

[Brush53Falcon]

As promised I am able to update you on the progress being made with the Heljan Tango project.
Two running samples have recently been sent over to Heljan UK for thorough testing and examination. One sample represents an O2/3 complete with a GS flared tender whist the other is somewhat of an O2 hybrid...........produced to demonstrate the universal fitting together of the main components and evaluate material quality. It actually comprised of O2/4 smokebox, O2/1,O2/2,O2/3 boiler (dia.2), high running plate (long travel valves), GN cab and GN tender, a combination there never was!

The main objective was to carry out extensive running tests using various types of trackwork, Peco code 100 to C & L finescale and the performance from anolgue using various control sources from ancient H&M Clippers, Safety Minors etc to DCC using Lenz and NCE digital control, with the locos on Lenz running as unchipped on zero.
Performance was general rather outstanding with absolute crawl being accomplished on an anologue H&M Safety Minor. The main bulk of the testing included five hours of intensive running on Tony Wright's 'Little Bytham' where both locomotives were loaded up to a 55 heavy kit built wagon freight and used in both tender first and loco first formations. Tests were of course carried out against many of Tony's superb kit built locos of similar power range as well as those from both Hornby and Bachmann. The Heljan Tango was equal and in some cases out performed its rivals and only the likes of Bachmann's WD and 9F could haul a greater load, as you would expect. The loco appeared very quiet and smooth and was able to crawl at an absolute snails pace without faultering.
As far as the replication of detail is concerned the locos both look like O2's, even the proving 'hybrid' version. There are a few cosmetic areas still to be addressed and it must be stressed at this point that they are 'proving prototypes' and that there will be changes made where appropiate. These include the shape of the transitional curve of the roof of the GN cab, the GN tender buffers, GN tender coal rail, return crank, chimney and fit of the cab to the running plate. There are also a couple of assembly issues such as upside down fitment of coupling rods and positioning of sandbox fillers but all in all these are all fairly straight forward to rectify and should not delay the proposed release of around March/April 2015.
There will be other prototypes sent over for evaluation and the same testing procedure will be carried out with each modification until passed for production. We were unable to fully test the model under DCC control due to incorrect wiring within the circuit board, which is a completely new type but the next samples will be decoder fitted at the factory to ensure they are compatible,
As pointed out before the first releases will be the O2/3 and O2/4 (O2/3 rebuild) and the early GN cab and tender version is only shown as part of the development for a future release.
Attached are some images kindly supplied by Tony Wright which we understand may feature in the next issue of BRM together with a report from Tony. Please enjoy

[Atlantic 3279]

Are the O2/1 and O2/2 versions still due for later release than the O2/3 and O2/4?

[auldreekie]

Exemplary information to the potential customer base.

Other manufacturers ought to take note.


auldreekie

[Flying Fox 34F]

What a delight to see! Going to have to start saving up for these.
It is nice to see a manufacturer being so open about developments
Paul 4475

[Brush53Falcon]

Are the O2/1 and O2/2 versions still due for later release than the O2/3 and O2/4?

Yes the O2/1 and O2/2 followed by the O2/4 low running plate versions will follow on after the O2/3 & O2/4. I cannot give any timescale for this at present but as you can see the tooling has been put in place and the models are in test. I would of thought that you wouldn't have to wait too long, probably within 12 months, for the O2/1 & O2/2.

[Atso]

Those pictures look awesome, I almost wish I had enough room to model in 4mm now!

You 4mm boys are getting a good deal at the moment, a J11, O1 and O4 all having been released along with a D16, J15, K1, P2 (one day!) and now this! Who would have thought you'd ever have it this good?

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Look's Ruddy Marvelous, bring em on

manna

[Woodcock29]

Hi Brush53Falcon

I think the O2s look great at this stage and commend Heljan and yourself for showing us the progress being made. I note your comments about the cosmetic areas to be worked on. I would however like to make a couple of constructive comments which I hope will be taken in the way they are meant.

Firstly in the photo showing the rear of the GN tender it appears that the back of the tank has squarish corners rather than curved corners - this may only be an aberration from the light reflecting off the tender in the photo?

Secondly the footplate on the two engines which are both from the long travel valve version appear to me to be too high above the driving wheels. I have been comparing the models in the photos with photos in the Yeadon register and where this appears to be most noticeable is in the rising sections where the footplate curves up behind the cylinders and in front of the cab. It might only be due to the angle of the photos but they certainly appear to me to be too high.

At the end of the day we are all wish to see the best possible model so I trust these comments are helpful.

Regards

Woodcock29

[Atlantic 3279]

Woodcock has a good eye, having spotted errors that have eluded me in the past, and I think that point about the running plate is a good one. I'm tempted to think that on looking at the lower rear corners of the tank of the GN tender there is evidence that the radius exists as it should.

One other point perhaps. The chimney cap styles need to be dead-on as does the fit on the base of the chimney if Heljan must produce them in two parts. They will look very poor if assembly leaves a gaping joint half-way down the chimney, or if the crucial details of the Doncaster cap style are spoiled by flash and mould lines. Following a round of suitable persuasion by a highly observant and skilled modeller I became firmly convinced a few years ago that chimney appearance can be the making or the ruin of a good model.

[James Harrison]

These look sublime; I think I'll have to get either an O2/1 or O2/2 when they're released...