Heljan Gresley O2 2-8-0 'Tango'

[LNER4479]

Seven of the by then renumbered early O2s got GS tenders (stepped and straight sided examples) from withdrawn K3s, but only as late as 1961-62

You mean like this one:

Mind you, I've absolutely no idea which sub-class of O2 this one actually is!

I feel the need for an e-mail to TW coming on...

[earlswood nob]

G'day all
I posted this a while ago:

A quick look at the green book shows that:
the first twenty six O2's had GN tenders,
the next twelve O2's had stepped out coping GS tenders,
the next four O2's had flush sided GS tenders,
and the last twenty five (built 1942/2) had ex-D49 tenders, some stepped out and some flush.
there were tender changes after the war.

Earlswood nob

[Atlantic 3279]

Looks like Hatt*** may have their knickers in a twist then! "Which tender do you want your cancelled loco to have Sir?" Not the brightest question to ask, is it?

[strang steel]

Just called Hattons a few minutes ago and apparently the O2/2 version has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Only O2/3 & O2/4 will be made.

Going to think hard about whether I still want one.

This is all very strange, because late this afternoon I had an email confirming my order for two 02/2s with one of each tender style.

I am very confused.

[Sniffer]

Looks like you may have been guaranteed an O2/3 &4 with whatever tender.

They're not going make an O2/2 for a long while, if ever.

Still, an O2 is a nice engine to have.

[LNER4479]

TW comments as follows:

'One has to be careful with the description O2/2, because some O2/1s acquired these tenders, ex-K3s. O2/1s are 'identical' to O2/2s in BR days apart from having side-window cabs, like the O2/3s. Both O2/1 and O2/2 had the lower central footplate because of their short-travel valves.

The locos acquiring bigger tenders between 1960 and 1962 were............
63923 O2/1 (stepped-out, 8/'60) - by date of withdrawal it was an O2/4
63927 O2/1 (stepped-out 1/'61)
63928 O2/1 (flush-sided 7/'61) - by date of withdrawal it was an O2/4
63937 O2/2 (flush-sided 10/'61)
63939 O2/2 (stepped-out 1/'61)
63943 O2/2 (stepped-out 5/'62)
63946 O2/2 (stepped-out 10/'60.

From the list above it would appear Heljan has four O2/2s to choose from, one with a flush tender and three with stepped-out. Since the maximum amount of time these locos had these tenders was less than four years, it does rather limit their use.

There were also at least two types of the GN tender - those with a cut-out at the front behind the handrail and those without. I believe Heljan is to make the latter, but some retained pick-up gear and some lost it. In my helping Heljan with the research for these models, I've pointed all these things out.'

[earlswood nob]

Good morning all
As well as the handhold at the front of the GN type tenders, there are other differences in the detail.
RCTS vol 6B shows the majority of GN tenders were 3500gal, but 3480/1/4 had 3670gal tenders, and 3461/83 had 3720gal tenders. These 3670/3720gal tenders had different frame details. They were eventually changed for the 3500gal type.

Earlswood nob

[strang steel]

Goodness me, Heljan will certainly know they've been Tango'd.

[Sniffer]

Received the following from Hattons this afternoon...

"Our understanding is that the O2/2 will follow at a later date but at the moment we don't have any further details other than those provided."

I've decided to cancel my order until such time as further details come available of when the O2/2 might actually appear.

Bit miffed that something can be advertised and then withdrawn in this way, and I believe the fault probably lies with Hattons rather than Heljan.
As somebody else posted, "Which tender do you want your cancelled loco to have Sir?"

Edit: Happier now as I picked up a Hornby O1 this afternoon for £85.
I'll wait until whenever the O2/2 appears, and I'll have a pleasing trio of LNER 2-8-0's. O4, O1 & O2.

[strang steel]

I hope Mr BrushVeteran does not mind me pasting this info which has been posted on RMWeb:-

" Posted Today, 09:56

I would like to point out that the initial releases of the O2 will be #3910-3913,the O2/3 with stepped LNER Group Standard tender and #3920-3923, O2/4 with flush and stepped LNER Group Standard tender. The O2/2 will be a future version for which tooling is already in hand, i.e. low running plate and GN tender.



The O2 Tango is a complex subject, with five distinct variations, and it is the intention to produce all versions, but not all at once. The project is proceding nicely and on target so far. It is at a stage whereby colour layouts are being produced. The tooling for this model is a more lengthy process because there was more of a mix and match of components within all variants meaning that everything has to be tooled initially to ensure good fitment and compatability. At least this way there is every chance of producing the complete class, but as always, each variant will be of limited production runs to ensure that sales warrant the investment.



Once we have received satisfactory EP samples I will post some images to show current progress."

[Sniffer]

Good news that.

Thanks for posting the update strang.

[Sniffer]

Couple of Wrenn LNER liveried 8F's on a certain auction site.

Never really come across these much, decent model ?
e.g. How do they compare to the Hornby tender driven version ?

Bit pricey really but I'm curious.

[Atlantic 3279]

Better to ask / discuss that in a new thread rather than send this one off at a tangent....

[Sniffer]

Every conceivable LNER 2-8-0 has been mentioned in this thread. (Including the O6 class.)
Seemed the obvious place for such a question.

Never mind it's not that important, I'll make my own mind up.

[Atlantic 3279]

No offence intended - just seemed logical.