◆ GAUGE ‘O’ ◆ MODEL 4863 Railfreight red stripe Class 47 ◆ PRICE £594.15 ◆ AVAILABILITY Heljan stockists ◆ WEB www.heljan.co.uk

The Class 47 comes in standard Heljan packaging, well protected by foam inserts. Like all Heljan ‘O’ gauge diesels, the first thing one notices about the Class 47 is its weight. It tips the scales at just over 6lb and it’s nearly 18in long. The review sample supplied is in Railfreight grey with the red bodyside stripe, as introduced on the Class 58 locomotives. It carries the TOPS panel and overhead live wire signs but has no BR logos or numbers.

I’d have to admit that this is probably my least favourite of all potential liveries, but it does emphasise the length and the neatness of the Class 47 design.

Despite being warned that the model has large openings in the cab ends to facilitate the various alternative headcode/marker light versions, this sample had the panelled-over headcode displays, with two marker lights already installed. Presumably other livery versions have the alternative parts included. I understand that many of the class had standard marker lights at one end and frosted lenses at the other, and both styles are catered for. Inevitably some locomotives bucked that trend and if you know your chosen locomotive was different, well, you should be able to replicate it with the parts supplied.

The only extras provided with the review sample are two sprues of snowploughs which can be attached with the small screws supplied. It seemed odd that there are no decals for BR logos or Working lights alternative numbers etc included, though these are available from other sources.