A nice looking model, not on my must have list at the moment but never say never. I do wonder why Heljan are persisting with fitting buffer beam detail at both ends. I’m also not keen on removable roofs, having had a few issues with other manufacturers who’ve used magnets. Not sure Heljan’s removable roof is an improvement tbh. It’s good to see that they’ve ditched the bulbs and used LEDs. That’s definitely an improvement. Looks a very smooth runner with a very quiet motor too. Always great to see running shots around Dean Park. Cheers for the review Dave.
I probably wouldn't get one for myself unless I somehow developed a love for the 26 in particular, I already have a Type II. But, I will give Heljan credit, she looks lovely. And I will also give Heljan credit for letting you take a look at this loco after your honest review of the company's other offerings, to me, that shows that Heljan does care about improving.
Nice model and definately an upgrade! The depth in the bodyside grills is much better! The one element I have an issue with is the missing horn panel... it's something common on class 33's, but these were not removed on 26's, including 26026.
An excellent review. Totally agree regarding the fitting of buffer beam details at one end only. Heljan models are a little Marmite: us hobbyists seem to either love or hate them. I have several Heljan locos, and am very happy with them. They're very smooth, strong runners, and look the part. However, the prices when the models are first released are eye-watering for what they are. I tend to wait until they get discounted. I know this risks FOMO, but I'm OK with that. Recently I've bought a 33 & a 57 for under £100 each using this approach. Keep up the good work, sir.
Thanks for that comment. Yeah the wait for discounts is a risk but if you’re not that bothered/obsessed with having it right away you can pick up a bargain! Cheers.
Great video here Dave, overall it is looking to be a very good model from Heljan, as someone who has had excellent experience of the locos that they have produced in previous years I would definitely be up for getting one of these as currently a 26 is not in my collection, with regard to your question of the fans being red could be so it’s easier for the people doing maintenance to spot if there are any defects in the fan, I have based my possibility on German steam locomotives which had red wheels in order for inspectors to detect when the wheels were showing defects in them, the fan in the real locos would spin at quite a high speed in order to keep all the internals of the locomotive cool when they are running and constant running at that high speed could make them vulnerable to defects over time, this actually happens on aircraft engines, those run at very high speeds and over time small cracks can form which if not detected can lead to disasters and has led to disasters in the past, as I say though that is just my thoughts, great video overall here Dave, as I say it looks like a great loco and one I would mind getting as currently a 26 is not in my fleet, keep up the great work.
You could be right. At a works open day there was a fan out of a loco that had a crack and they were showing how it was detected with a spray that dries white and shoed up easily against the red paint they also showed us the use of ultrasonic testing to find the crack. I never knew until then that the fans were so heavy cast alloy not fabricated from steel.
After their class 47 this looks a lot better and being my 2nd favourite loco I will see if I can get one with a tablet catcher ordered from my local shop. I have a few old ones and other Heljan locos which have always run well with good quiet and powerful motors.
Yeah, Heljan tends to be a mercurial manufacturer: elements of brilliance marred by schoolboy errors. Personally however, all my Heljan locos are great. Smooth, strong runners that look the part. But the prices at release are eye-watering, so I wait until they are discounted. I know this risks FOMO, but I'm OK with that. I've just bought a 33 & a 57 for less than £100ea using this approach.
Very nice locomotive, and hopefully Heljan can use this to correct the issues with the windows in their current 47 tooling. My favourite was the railfreight large logo grey livery, but the one you've got looked great! I'd also say, at 15:15, those photographers got some great photos!
Loco fans are red for danger!! Try putting a hand in one when they are running (lol). The loco looks great, but I really wonder why it has the removable roof panel when the body is so easy to remove (probably easier than the panel...). Nice review.
Firstly, nice review! I was going to complain that the livery did not look quite right, so I did a search and looked at my books and lo and behold, 26026 did have the grey on the body side finish at a lower height than the grey on the cab side, whereas the other 26s in ‘Dutch’ livery I have seen had the grey finish sit at the same level on both body and cab - very noticeable between 26026 and others in photos of double headed rail tours and on the model. That is great attention to detail from Heljan and just goes to show how wrong an armchair critic can be! 🤣
@@DeanPark Pairs of Railfreight Coal liveried 26's operated out of Millerhill... and also worked in multiple with RF Coal 37's too, so a couple would fit your layout very nicely Dave!
That does look fantastic, I've got just the one on order currently, but I do think one or two more may be joining it also. Great video as ever too, and very thorough overview
We just had a new lady start at my place of work and showed her a model of a class 37 that was based at Easffeild dopey she remembers the Scottie dog picture on the side on the engine
Look great, only thing is with the later refurbished class 26s like the Dutch livery 026 they were fitted with the single main headlamp. Odd to see it not on the model.
A nice looking loco and some very fine detail. However, I don't have the size of layout to justify a purchase when I already have two, D5300 and D5301 Eastfield. Cheers
The body looks a nice improvement but the bogies look disappointingly similar to the previous generation. They lack depth in the springs. Many modellers took time to cut the older ones and reposition them further back. I would have thought Heljan would have had a look on RM web. Overall though it looks great and I shall still pick up a few.
I notice one of the side windows is larger than the other 3, which I have seen in photos of the real locomotives. Always wondered why this was? It was never a feature of the first Heljan model. Maybe someone can explain why this modification was made to the real class 26s.
@@Rasher-og2up I can accept your opinion for not wanting all the bufferbeam detailing fitted but at the same time it’s a very silly reason to just refuse buying their locos just because of it, speaking as someone who fits accessories to locos and like to fit them all if possible I know how difficult it can be to fit details like the front piping to a loco sometimes so I actually like that Heljan do it, when it comes to couplings though you could just make a coupling bar out of for example brass wire (this is something I have done and it’s very easy to do) or you could just cut down the detail from the end that you want to fit the coupling that you intend to use, doing that then means you don’t have the holes where detailing should be.
@@davidstrains4910. Most people will want coupling at one end at least , having to make a brass coupling or break the pipes off is unacceptable I think
What a professional presentation. Easily the best model railway channel on RUclips!
You’re too kind. Thanks Charlie lol
They certainly look good. Thanks for a great review.
A great review thanks for taking the time to share this, thanks Chris
Thanks. I enjoyed doing this one :-)
A nice looking model, not on my must have list at the moment but never say never. I do wonder why Heljan are persisting with fitting buffer beam detail at both ends. I’m also not keen on removable roofs, having had a few issues with other manufacturers who’ve used magnets. Not sure Heljan’s removable roof is an improvement tbh. It’s good to see that they’ve ditched the bulbs and used LEDs. That’s definitely an improvement. Looks a very smooth runner with a very quiet motor too. Always great to see running shots around Dean Park. Cheers for the review Dave.
Cheers Andy. It’s a nice wee loco. Not perfect, but I’ve yet to come across a model that is!
I probably wouldn't get one for myself unless I somehow developed a love for the 26 in particular, I already have a Type II.
But, I will give Heljan credit, she looks lovely. And I will also give Heljan credit for letting you take a look at this loco after your honest review of the company's other offerings, to me, that shows that Heljan does care about improving.
Hi thanks. Ben of Heljan is a guy who knows his beans and he takes on board comments, good and not so good. I enjoyed having a look a this one.
Nice model and definately an upgrade!
The depth in the bodyside grills is much better!
The one element I have an issue with is the missing horn panel... it's something common on class 33's, but these were not removed on 26's, including 26026.
Great looking loco and video.
Love that livery! Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Andy
Cheers Andy.
An excellent review. Totally agree regarding the fitting of buffer beam details at one end only.
Heljan models are a little Marmite: us hobbyists seem to either love or hate them.
I have several Heljan locos, and am very happy with them. They're very smooth, strong runners, and look the part. However, the prices when the models are first released are eye-watering for what they are. I tend to wait until they get discounted. I know this risks FOMO, but I'm OK with that. Recently I've bought a 33 & a 57 for under £100 each using this approach.
Keep up the good work, sir.
Thanks for that comment. Yeah the wait for discounts is a risk but if you’re not that bothered/obsessed with having it right away you can pick up a bargain!
Cheers.
Great video and review Dave!! Many thanks for sharing this video! Cheers Onno.
Damn fine looking loco 😎
Great video here Dave, overall it is looking to be a very good model from Heljan, as someone who has had excellent experience of the locos that they have produced in previous years I would definitely be up for getting one of these as currently a 26 is not in my collection, with regard to your question of the fans being red could be so it’s easier for the people doing maintenance to spot if there are any defects in the fan, I have based my possibility on German steam locomotives which had red wheels in order for inspectors to detect when the wheels were showing defects in them, the fan in the real locos would spin at quite a high speed in order to keep all the internals of the locomotive cool when they are running and constant running at that high speed could make them vulnerable to defects over time, this actually happens on aircraft engines, those run at very high speeds and over time small cracks can form which if not detected can lead to disasters and has led to disasters in the past, as I say though that is just my thoughts, great video overall here Dave, as I say it looks like a great loco and one I would mind getting as currently a 26 is not in my fleet, keep up the great work.
Cheers. Yeah that’s an interesting theory. Dave
You could be right. At a works open day there was a fan out of a loco that had a crack and they were showing how it was detected with a spray that dries white and shoed up easily against the red paint they also showed us the use of ultrasonic testing to find the crack. I never knew until then that the fans were so heavy cast alloy not fabricated from steel.
After their class 47 this looks a lot better and being my 2nd favourite loco I will see if I can get one with a tablet catcher ordered from my local shop. I have a few old ones and other Heljan locos which have always run well with good quiet and powerful motors.
Another great video Dave. Good review on the new Heljan class 26.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. It’s a nice model. :-)
precioso trabajo, felicidades
Looks good . Thanks for review .
Thanks for watching! ;-)
Nicely done ! Preordering any heljan is like Russian roulette for your wallet….theyve had a few changers !
Yeah, Heljan tends to be a mercurial manufacturer: elements of brilliance marred by schoolboy errors. Personally however, all my Heljan locos are great. Smooth, strong runners that look the part. But the prices at release are eye-watering, so I wait until they are discounted. I know this risks FOMO, but I'm OK with that. I've just bought a 33 & a 57 for less than £100ea using this approach.
Very nice locomotive, and hopefully Heljan can use this to correct the issues with the windows in their current 47 tooling. My favourite was the railfreight large logo grey livery, but the one you've got looked great! I'd also say, at 15:15, those photographers got some great photos!
Loco fans are red for danger!! Try putting a hand in one when they are running (lol). The loco looks great, but I really wonder why it has the removable roof panel when the body is so easy to remove (probably easier than the panel...). Nice review.
The red fans might be an anti-corrosion paint, I'm thinking. Great review. 👍
Good call! like a red oxide type paint perhaps.
Firstly, nice review!
I was going to complain that the livery did not look quite right, so I did a search and looked at my books and lo and behold, 26026 did have the grey on the body side finish at a lower height than the grey on the cab side, whereas the other 26s in ‘Dutch’ livery I have seen had the grey finish sit at the same level on both body and cab - very noticeable between 26026 and others in photos of double headed rail tours and on the model. That is great attention to detail from Heljan and just goes to show how wrong an armchair critic can be! 🤣
Thanks. It was good getting a look at this new model.
Yeah, I checked my books too and make sure it was correct for this loco. :-)
great vid on channel great see you got vid out thanks four share
I remember watching the 26 running into cockenzies coal plant from the prestonpans station long time ago Dave great review 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂
Cheers. Great days I’m sure? Dave
@@DeanPark Pairs of Railfreight Coal liveried 26's operated out of Millerhill... and also worked in multiple with RF Coal 37's too, so a couple would fit your layout very nicely Dave!
That does look fantastic, I've got just the one on order currently, but I do think one or two more may be joining it also. Great video as ever too, and very thorough overview
Cheers. Glad you enjoyed it. I always like the 26 and this one is a tidy model.
We just had a new lady start at my place of work and showed her a model of a class 37 that was based at Easffeild dopey she remembers the Scottie dog picture on the side on the engine
Thank you for pronouncing "Heljan" correctly Dave.
You say tomato I say tomato lol
Look great, only thing is with the later refurbished class 26s like the Dutch livery 026 they were fitted with the single main headlamp. Odd to see it not on the model.
Photos I have of 026 in its 1992 guise, it was scrapped a year later, doesn’t show an additional headlight fitted.
@DeanPark Ah ok, my mistake then, I presumed all 26s after refurb were fitted with them. Thanks for the reply 😊👍
A nice looking loco and some very fine detail. However, I don't have the size of layout to justify a purchase when I already have two, D5300 and D5301 Eastfield. Cheers
Personally I think it's quite expensive for what you get, compared to other locos from other manufacturers..
The body looks a nice improvement but the bogies look disappointingly similar to the previous generation. They lack depth in the springs. Many modellers took time to cut the older ones and reposition them further back. I would have thought Heljan would have had a look on RM web. Overall though it looks great and I shall still pick up a few.
Does the coupling droop
Thought these new 26s also had engine room lights?
Not on this model.
Why are there LEDs the pcb inside the model. Not the cab lights these are for something else. Maybe engine room lights
I notice one of the side windows is larger than the other 3, which I have seen in photos of the real locomotives. Always wondered why this was? It was never a feature of the first Heljan model. Maybe someone can explain why this modification was made to the real class 26s.
noticed that to. watching 26 on the video, it does not have a 3rd large window.
I really hope they stop pre fitting all the Bufferbeam details. It actually stops me wanting to buy heljan locos.
@@Rasher-og2up I can accept your opinion for not wanting all the bufferbeam detailing fitted but at the same time it’s a very silly reason to just refuse buying their locos just because of it, speaking as someone who fits accessories to locos and like to fit them all if possible I know how difficult it can be to fit details like the front piping to a loco sometimes so I actually like that Heljan do it, when it comes to couplings though you could just make a coupling bar out of for example brass wire (this is something I have done and it’s very easy to do) or you could just cut down the detail from the end that you want to fit the coupling that you intend to use, doing that then means you don’t have the holes where detailing should be.
@@davidstrains4910. Most people will want coupling at one end at least , having to make a brass coupling or break the pipes off is unacceptable I think