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Class 14

Class 15 BTH

Class 16

Class 17 Clayton

Class 20 EE Type 1

Class 21

Class 22

Class 23 'Baby Deltic'

Class 24 Derby Type 2

Class 25 Derby Type 2

Class 26

Class 27

Class 28

Class 29

Class 30 Brush Type 2

Class 31 Brush Type 2

Class 33 BRCW Type 3

Class 35 'Hymek'

Class 37 EE Type 3

Class 40 EE Type 4

Class 41 'Warship'

Class 42 'Warship'

Class 43 'Warship'

Class 44 'Peak'

Class 45

Class 46

Class 47 Brush Type 4

Class 48 Brush Type 4

Class 50 EE Type 5

Class 52 'Western'

Class 53 'Falcon'

Class 55 'Deltic'

Class 56

Class 57

Class 58

Class 59

Class 60

Class 66

Class 67

Class 68

Class 70

The Heljan Class 53

The Brush Class 53 was a prototype Type 4 locomotive built by Brush in 1961. Originally numbered D0280, it was named 'Falcon' in 1962. The locomotive used two Maybach MD655 engines, the same as the Class 52 'Westerns', driving Brush generators and traction motors. The original livery was lime green and chestnut brown. During an overhaul it re-appeared in BR two tone green with small yellow warning panels. Although successful, technology had moved on developing more powerful and comparatively lightweight single engines, making twin engine locomotives obselete. The Type 4 contract eventually went to Brush for their single engine Class 47. From 1965 'Falcon' was allocated to the Western Region, as they had experience with the Maybach engines. In 1970, British Rail bought 'Falcon' from Brush whereupon it went to Swindon Works for an overhaul and the fitting of air brakes. It emerged from Swindon in corporate blue livery and was renumbered 1200. By 1975, it was deemed uneconomic to operate just a single unique locomotive and it was withdrawn, being scrapped early 1976.

My first model of 'Falcon' was a Silver Fox resin body kit mounted on a Lima Class 47 chassis. I added a few extras such as etched side and radiator roof grilles from an accessory pack made by L&J Models. I was quite pleased with the model, but of course the Heljan one runs much better.

Heljan produced an RTR model of 'Falcon' in 2008 in all three liveries. My model of 'Falcon' is the Heljan model in two tone green livery. The model is as you would expect from Heljan at this time. It is a good runner using Heljans tried and tested mechanism, but does not have refinements such as etched grilles.

Heljan released their model in 2008. SIlver Fox produced a resin bodied kit. MTK produced a white metal kit. I believe L&J Models also produced a kit.