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APT-E

D0260 'Lion'

D0280 'Falcon'

HS4000 'Kestrel'

'DELTIC'

DP2

DHP 1

HS4000 'Kestrel' was built by Brush as a speculative venture to offer a high power, high speed locomotive. It featured a Sulzer engine producing 4,000hp and was until recently, the most powerful single engined diesel locomotive. It had a top speed of 125mph and featured a streamlined Class 47 type cab. When 'Kestrel' first appeared it was very overweight with heavy Commonwealth type bogies. These were later changed to the lighter Alstom type bogies used on the Class 47. It ran trials for a few of years, latterly on coal trains based at Shirebrook. In the event, British Rail were not interested as they were looking to develop multiple units for high speed operation such as the HST and APT. The locomotive eventually was sold to Russia.

The first model I built of 'Kestrel' was a Silver Fox Models resin body on a Lima Class 47 chassis. I managed to acquire some etched brass grilles from L&J Models to improve the appearance of the body and the transfers were Fox Transfers. Paint was authentic Railmatch Yellow Ochre and chocolate Brown. The wrap round windscreens were a challange, but were successfully made by carefully forming clear acetate.

Heljan has now produced an RTR model of 'Kestrel'. The model itself is fairly reasonable running on their Class 47 type chassis. Unlike my model, the Heljan version has moulded roof fans and grilles. There does seem to me a slight issue with the headcode panel area. The model seems to have a curved panel rather than curved glass with a straight headcode behind.