Heljan Class 52 Western Unboxing & Review

Hi Sam Actually loco has two engines of 1350 bhp = 2700 bhp. Saw these being built at Swindon Works in 1961. Nice loco and model is good. Another good video Sam. Keep up the good work. Nige

I went to a local model train show last year and purchased the model at 17:00 for $20. It wasn't running and hadn't been serviced in years. Since I was just getting started in servicing my models I used it as a little test. It now runs near perfectly but it sort of tilts a little to the left and/or right going around curves. For the longest time I didn't know the classification of the model but now I do! I'm definitely going to check out the review for that model now. Another amazing review Sam! Keep up the great work. :D Also, in response to your question at the end of the video; I would probably not buy this model. If I am going to spend the little money I have I would want to spend it on a model that's high on quality, detail and performance. The quality of the model and the amount of separate detail you have to put on yourself just doesn't match the price for me, even when bought second hand. The model looks great but wouldn't make the cut for me. P.S. - I'm purchasing the N7 and Oxford Toad this weekend from Hatton's and I can't wait. Thanks for doing reviews on those models. Helped make my decisions easier.

I love a good diesel. Shame the build/design quality seems to be questionable. Can you do a Napier Deltic one of these days? That would be properly awesome!

Sam. .Oh boy did I like these. I will never forget sneaking into Oxley (Wolverhampton) Locomotive Depot early in the very early sixties, nobody about and in front of me was Western Enterprise D10000 in Desert Sand just outshopped in prestine condition. These Locomotives were light for their size at 108 tons (contrast this with the brilliantly reliable Peaks at 133 tons with 2,500hp) , the two Maybachs produced 2,700 hp and boy could they pull. When they took over from the "Kings" Paddington - Birmingham Snow Hill they more than adequately did the job, hence the early loss of the Kings. The sound of the two Maybachs at full blast "music to my ears"! Excellent review as always.

Yes! I love the Class 52, especially in this sublime Rail Blue livery, maybe with the Desert Sand livery running a close second. It's a shame that the build quality isn't better, though.

I’ve been looking at these for a future purchase for my layout. I didn’t realise that some shudder at a Heljan steam locomotive so I will tread carefully. A fair few extras to add to the model and detail it up. This looks a beautiful model but really surprised how secure that body is! Looks like a definite buy in the future for my layout. Clint

Cor! As soon as I saw Western I couldnt help but think of D1015 thrashing down here in Devon! brilliant class, and a great model. I have a Lima one in red with small yellow panels, and it even sounds like a proper Whizzo even though its only DC!

The bodies of US N scale diesel locos are usually fixed on just by clips and no screws. The bodies are very secure and don't just fall off when picked up.

I have just purchased one of the old Heljan class 52 it doesn’t seem to have the very loose body details and round the corners doesn’t seem to slow down. Think the older ones seem to be a bit better👍

Nice to see a deisel once in a while!

Another option Sam is too look at Scotrail and how they are using 5 car HSTs, the history of passenger locos is quite varied P2 2-8-2, K3, black 5s, as well as push pull class 26 and 47 as well as 158s

Great diesel review!🤩 I love the class 52s😍. You helped me make a decision of Heljan or Dapol. I went for Dapol. I bought a Dapol class 52 model from a uk train shop on eBay. Also Intercity82 made a review of a Dapol class 52 and they look nice. Their DC motors sound like they have DCC sound oe actual engine😄. Maybe you can do a comparison of the Dapol 52s and Heljan 52s like you did with the Terriers.😃

The design of the box reminds me of what Athearn's Genesis-series locomotives come in, but even those have a nice large drawing of the locomotive in the box on the side of it, but those are also designed to be "top of the line" (at least in terms of details), and most of the boxes I've seen here in the US have used a plastic window on the front to showcase the locomotive.

I'm a diesel / 0-4-0 / 4-2-2 fan Keep up the good work, i know you're gonna hit 1 million, even if it's gonna hit 5 years, you're gonna hit 1 million subs

Hi Sam, The Westerns were designed in Swindon (and built in Swindon and Crewe) to be more powerful, Co-Co versions of the German designed Warships, which often had to double head or be banked in the steep banks of Devon and Cornwall. Later in their life, some examples were fitted with dual-brakes (previously being vacuum only) to be able to be used on more trains. These dual-brakes versions were identified with a red cap on the brake pipes. The Maroon and Green Versions (also Western Champion which was Golden Ochre for a while) had the BR Coaching Stock Emblem rather than the Locomotive Emblem for some reason. If you (or anyone else) wants more information, feel free to ask. George

Hi Sam I've a Heljan Lion loco in all white, great motor but as you found, bits drop off. The front buffer beam fell off mine and I now can't find it!! Also the couplers sit too low, so I have to manually coax the loco onto the coaches. Great and honest review, keep up the good work. Heading to Spend on Museum bank holiday Monday-see you there?? Take care, Terry.

Class 52 Western? A perfect Segway for your upcoming class 50 review! The class 50 review you should totally do and your viewer base has been asking for!

Hi I have 2 of these class 52 and both mine have the issues of the body coming off and the coupling coming off. When running on dcc they run much better lights and speed. But yes Heljam could do better.

I find the Heljan couplings to be a pain. I bought a Heljan Class 05 BR Green shunter diesel not too long ago. Beautiful runner, very smooth, nice detail... except that the coupling when plugged in at either end of the loco were so long to the sleepers that they were catching on every point the loco ran over, causing a derailment or just causing the loco to stop dead where it got caught. I had to clip a couple of milimetres off the bottom of the coupling arms to sort the issue. Great review as always Sam \m/

Piko also uses a standard box, with a standard "window" so I think Heljan just doesn't want the minor expense of putting in extra foil