Like you say the Bachmann model stands up well. I did consider one of these but decided against it. What I do want to comment on is your production! Absolutely excellent, much like mine you include a comprehensive class history with cc photos, really nice clear unhurried narration together with top notch images and video. Full marks sir, well ✔ done

Thank you for the review as I think I’ll stick with my Bachmann ones👍🏻

I think I’ll go for the Bachmann one,I remember me and my brother at St Pancras in the late 70s seeing these and on one occasion at Paddington at the refuelling point opposite Royal Oak tube station great place to watch train leaving and arriving LT staff were great then they would come up and say you ok boys just be safe and sometimes chat with us different times now ,will someone do a good class 81 and a class 310 or 313 series unit for a good price ,cheers Dave like everard junctions repaint Mark 😊👍🏻😃

Awesome review Dave!!! Well done! Cheers Onno.

Good review, it's a very elegant looking loco & looks at home.

Another informative update

Well done on the video and some of the history. You got my sub. And obviously not biased review 👍🏻 Thanks.

Since I got my BR green peak a couple weeks ago, I have been waiting some reviews for a while. While I can't disagree about the roofline, I find it to be something I never would have noticed left to my own devices. Of more importance to me is the smooth and silent running, good pulling power and good details. I love the buffer beams - those pipes seem to me be finer than the ones they usually give you to fit for yourself. I love the lighting aspect - and the magic wand for the cab lights is a nice touch.

You have an amazing eye for detail .

I must say your layout looks amazing from some of them camera angles and positions. Good review.

Very good video.

Awesome video

Very fair review, great video

Great vlog. Love to have one, not got the pennies at the moment.☹

Very good Dave , I do like these models , despite the imperfections you highlighted, I still have some left for sale , I might well keep the last one left for myself many thanks Rog

Good overview of this new 45 Dave, One of these will defiantly be added to my fleet at some point, one that I have taken a fancy to is one of the ones commissioned by the model centre, for me, for me the minor inaccuracies are not enough to deter me, when you showed both the bachmann and heljan one head on I couldn’t even see the inaccuracies straight away and didn’t even know what the inaccuracies were until you said what they were in the video, an overall very good overview of this model Dave, will be interesting to see if heljan follow up with the 44s and 46s in the future.

That's a great review Dave, and thank you for taking the time to explain the issues with the body shape............I had read similar comments from others but nobody seemed willing to explain exactly what the issues were. I have a BR green Heljan 45 D57, there is something not quite right with the shape but I couldn't put my finger on it until you pointed things out in your review here. I'm happy to accept this though as the rest is so good. The BR green seems right to me, unlike your blue, and the paint on mine seems good, with little fuzziness between colours. The floating front axle and shiny wheel sets could be disguised with a little black paint on the wheel centres I guess. The Cab is a work of art but would I be right saying Bachmann have never modelled the very distinctive handbrake wheel like Heljan have? The performance is excellent, quiet and smooth, and so strong even on gradients. Anyway off to watch Richards review now, all the best Dave.

A well positioned review. Seems fair and balanced. This is just out of my timeline for my layout but looks like heljan have got some good points to work from.

Fantastic model, but a "Peak" model always looks better with weathering (IMHO) I saw them at St Pancras as a wee lad, when I would go transpotting (without telling my Mum of course). They were always kind of shabby from what I recall, as was St Pancras station too!~

We have similar taste! I also bought 45133 and agree with your observations … well balanced review as always. The running session looked good as well! One additional observation … I’m running in DC and the cab lights can be toggled on/off using the magnetic wand that’s supplied. However … it seems that every time the loco is stopped, the reed switch inside the loco closes and as the loco draws power again, the cab light is back on again! I prefer my loco’s to run without cab lights switched on … thankfully the cab lights can be unplugged from the circuit board. Overall I’m glad I purchased and certainly a lovely runner and layout loco! 👍

Nice video, the excess noise mentioned (if the squeaking around curves) could actually be a small rod at the top of the bogies rubbing on the underneath of the chassis. I stopped this with just a bit of tape to stop the friction noise.

I added 45118 to my roster recently, mainly because it was the only offering in blue with the sealed beam and high intensity head lamp. I fully agree with your findings, as did a few of my friends who I gave the chance to view it. BR blue is a subjective and always argued on colour but is indeed too dark. I would add that the cab hand rails are a bit blocky and are closer to the class 44's. The length of the pin on the pony axle sometimes extended so far that it looked like someone had attached a scale size javelin to the bogie but this will be due to the need to negotiate 2nd radius curves. The radiator fan area was the biggest gripe with the electronics being very prominent, maybe a piece of styrene sheet could be the answer. Over all, I like it. I won't be replacing my bachmann model as 45022 was the very last peak I saw at Manchester Victoria during "The Last Days of the Peaks" event was running.

I am looking at images of 45 068 at Rocket 150 at Rainhill in 1980, and the colour is spot on for that loco. I think this version would suit me better than the Bachmann version as it will just need the wipers painting black. My only dissapoinment is the lack of the diagonal strusts visible for behind the the big grill.

Another excellent and informative review Dave. I have to agree with your observations sadly ; as you know mine has derailing and lighting issues but, at least the blue paintwork is all the same shade and finish; plus no glue vapour misted up windscreen like yours (definitely a 2nd at best). i do have the bleeding into the yellow too though and as for seeing all that lies beneath the fan (WTF). I have decided not to keep ; it is packed ready to post back tomorrow and my other two orders cancelled , i was also toying with the Rails and Kernow exclusives but, not now. I too shall be keeping my Bachmann ones and my wait for a perfect Peak continues. To be honest my Replica version i put a lighting kit in is better than the one i received (not saying they are all like mine) but the lights work properly and it stays on the track. Another observation minor but, still disappointing ,my instruction book looked like they had been pulled out of shredder 1/4 of the way through. it is all just sloppy and amateurish all round and a backward step for Heljan after some of their more recent models in my opinion 🙁

An excellent and fair review. I have one myself, the un-numbered version with the sealed beam lights and high intensity headlight, and whilst I am delighted to finally have a 45 in the spec that I prefer, the issues you have highlighted really do let it down. The colour is especially bad though, it does look ridiculous compared to the rest of my fleet. I bought a Heljan 25 earlier this year, and that it spot on so I dont know how the 45's can be so different so soon afterwards. I don't want to have to repaint it, but I have a feeling that is what I will do in the future sadly.

Excellent video Dean Park - love your layout and Bachmann producing another great model (Abeit quite expensive - same with other suppliers ) but not keen on Class 45 - as I wasn't brought up / had too much exposure to this Class when growing up - Mine were class 47,50, HST, 86 & 87.

Thanks for this review Dave. I nearly sent mine back as I thought I had a faulty model. It wasn't until I heard you say that an 8 function decoder was needed for all the lighting funtions that i gave it one last chance - the Imperium3 did solve the issue. My email communication with Heljan wasn't great and I recieved a poor reply to solution of the lighting functions not working with a 6 function decoder (as per instruction manual). I'm pleased to say the Peak is staying in my collection & thanks to you for pointing this out. Cheers........Andy

I always enjoy your reviews 👍, I am buying 2 from AJM Railways, free international postage, always a plus ➕😀. I also have my Bachmann class 44 & 46 so I will have a nice wee feet of peaks in my collection the same 46 you reviewed. I agree with your view on this model and I thought that your history of 45133 was excellent because it was a designated passanger locomotive I'm pleased I ordered 45003 & 45033....lots of 3s there. I thought you might have shown us the lighting as a feature in the review but you talked about it so 🤷I'm pleased it was mentioned; you forgot in your Bachmann class 24 review. Keep up the work always a pleasure.

Nice review Dave. 3 and a half stars thats a fair score considering the colour inaccuracy and a few other things. But I would say it's a nice model. - Nicholas.

Thanks for another really enjoyable and informative video. I suspect Bachmann will bring out a new model in the next few years, a lot more expensive and with a powered fan.

I’ve got the Rails ‘Sherwood Forester’ special edition. There are so many different shades of rail blue on this layout, another one doesn’t bother me too much. I hadn’t noticed it until after watching the review, but the paint coverage is uneven and the wires are definitely on show. Very impressed by how quiet it is. Pleased with it but might not have bought it if I’d seen your review first.

Pretty much what we come to expect from Heljan. "they nearly got it right but......." I succumed and bought one a week ago but after re=spraying it and weathering i will probably sell it.

I bought the first run of the retooled peaks (not the mainline tooling) I bought a 44 & a 46.. of course no lights, only 4 wheel drive & Bachmann omitted the seam line on the nose. However unlike the Mainline tooling they did have the buffer beam on the bogies & not the loco body..of course since then Bachmann retooled upgraded etc so I would probably go for a Bachmann ..I remember the peaks hauling mk2 a/c stock I used the catch the 9:05 @ Wellinboro to St. Pancras (66 miles) with 1 stop @ Bedford fastist time 44 mins.

Good honest review, for a new tooling I expected a little more, the shiny toy like wheels are also not ideal

Tricky one this model. Certainly if I owned a Bachmann example I wouldn't have purchased the Heljan one. Side by side the shape issue becomes very obvious. I do like my Heljan example but I'm not going to rush out and buy another. Especially given the rather navy shade of blue that took me many hours to rectify. Excellent review as always, covered just about everything you need know. Cheers

Came here having watched Richard’s (of Everard Junction) review. First thing I noticed was the colour, and a close up of one of the noses seemed to show some overspray which he didn’t mention. He mentioned the window edge curve inaccuracy and the cab door, also the pony wheel box opening. Richard has felt the need to re-spray the model due to the colour being incorrect and the finish is flat, consequently a re numbering and naming of his model. I would agree with his review and the re-spray really does help. However it should not be necessary rather than optional and at the price point I don’t think it offers value.

As stated,the rail blue finish is incorrect, and by some distance as well. This error seems to be a trait of Heljan’s. I have a DRS based layout, & purchased their Class 33. The DRS blue is a mile away in shade, so much so, I just couldn’t live with it, and took it back for a refund. Side by side with Bachmann models of the same era, it looked ridiculous.Heljan need to address this as this seems to be a regular error on their part. I have steered clear of Heljan models since, and after your excellent review of the new Peak, it seems that nothing has changed much, and I know I couldn’t live with the vast difference in colour. Excellent unbiased review as usual,look forward to the next one

Well thought out review . Covers the roof line issue that others fail to mention. Makes it look too slab sided to me . But is that only because I know of the issue from social media , and would I have noticed had I not known . I think I would, particularly in comparison to the Bachmann one. Something just looks off

A balanced review I think. I have the Bachmann version and won’t be getting rid of that in a hurry. One point I have to make though! Is there a ‘correct shade’ of BR blue? While I broadly agree with what you say, you’ve only got to look at a few photos of anything that’s BR blue to see that no two are the same! I’d much prefer it to be lighter, but it’s close enough not to bother me personally if I were to get one 👍🏻

Honest and fair review as always. I always felt the windows and cab line would be an area which Heljan would struggle with. For me, its not horrific and something I can live with, including the BR Blue shade. Can't complain too much. I've got 7 on order!

While I model steam era, I do find some diesels quite interesting, and I enjoyed your review very much! I personally think that if you already have one of the Bachmann models, then there isn’t really a reason to buy one of these, as while they are overall a slight improvement, it’s not enough to justify a new tooling, and there are even areas where Bachmann did slightly better. Overall though, this was definitely a good effort from Heljan, and it is definitely better than many of their previous models. In the end, this is all just my opinion though.

A good review. It's an almost which I think Heljan could have avoided some years back had they listened to feedback. As you have highlighted, the blue is way too dark- noticable alongisde the Mk1's it is pulling. The roof shape I can live with as it would pass me at a scale 60mph ish and I would not notice. However my main issue is with the bodyside radiator grill- there is no visible frame showing compared to a really obvious one on the real loco.

Was waiting for a good review before taking the plunge i already have 2 bachmann 45s but by the time you add cost of sound, which i would have installed your still talking 300 quid, with the issues of paintwork aswel again i would have changed that like everard junction its added more cost, with that in mind i would rather get another bachmann 47. Great honest review dave. ATB phil @ charlemont Parkway 👍👍

Hi , firstly I must apologise for my reply yesterday, which was not directed at you at all, it was for somebody totally different of whom I won't mention. Your review is probably the best I have read , it is impartial and informative and your painting and weathering is a credit to you as is your layout. I have bought one a TMC D15 which I think is lovely albeit the relief on the nose doors could have been better defined , still waiting for a chip to arrive . I am always aware that some reviews can kill a model in its tracks ,eg the Heljan Western when it first came out, your review does the model justice and again apologies for my confusion in replying.

I take your point about speed; passengers and overpriced drinks everywhere 😆

I'm glad both you and Everard Junction pointed out the issue with the front screen/side window inaccuracy as when I first saw the model that area didn't look quite right to me and I couldn't put my finger on it, so thanks for that. Whilst I accept somethings are done for engineering and operational reasons such as the oversize cut out for the floating front axle some of the things you have pointed out are simply not acceptable on a new model given how much we are now being asked to pay for them, this model for example would be close to £300 sound fitted and if it doesn't look right it not acceptable. All that said if you're happy with the model and you feel it's value for money that all that counts. As with most railway modellers two rules apply only railway 1 It's my Railway and I'll run what I like when I like at whatever speed I like. 2 see rule 1. With modern scanning techniques basic things like the shape of the cab window shouldn't be a problem and whist colour perception is a subjective thing many of the reviews I've seen say the blue is too dark which again if like me you don't have the bottle or skill to completely repaint a brand new loco as did Everard Junction I think that too is a bit poor.

Generally a good looking representation of the Peaks in general. As I don’t model my interest is in the layout and balanced reviews for the various looks. There was still enough to evoke memories of the class working the Trans-Pennie services between Liverpool-York,Newcastle & Scarborough.

I looked at these Dave but I ended up going for the Bachmann Sherwood Forester because I wanted the split headcode boxes. I got a new sound version for £189.99

I think a light weathering will cover up the paint colour issues and blend in the ugly front wheel better. Thank you

I used to spot the Peaks in the early 80’s. I wonder if I have any old photos?

No way Dude, Richard just got one of these over at Everard Junction channel. He repaint and weathered it right out of the box. That's Mad!

Thanks Dave for yet again another thorough review, great work and really helps when experienced modellers share their views. I’m seriously considering this model. Kernow have their own weathered bespoke loco that looks just the job but I am concerned about the colour of the loco. I’ve watched Rich at Everard repaint his and a fine job he has made but at £200 for the loco I would not expect to send the loco off for repainting. Is it really that far off? . Like you I prefer the weathered loco and maybe this will hide some of the colour issues. Many thanks Andy.

Enjoyed the review Dave - the end view showed a couple of gaps between the buffers, one higher than the other, one presumably for the NEM - does the NEM go in the top or bottom one?

I'm glad someone is telling the truth at last. What is it with Heljan screwing up their models. Do they need a new team at the company so that the models are correct. Even the pantograph is still way too high on the top of the new class 86. Other get it right

Perhaps it's the lighting where my track is, but the paint colour is very similar to my Bachman mk2a's that I don't notice it.

I’ve returned one model. Most of the group of five lower bodyside fins at each end had been broken off, presumably in the factory as they were not in the box (as can be seen in one of the review photographs in Hornby magazine). Plus the motor was growling and sluggish and the cab lights didn’t work. On the basis of this, your review and others, I’ve cancelled my other order. I’ll wait to see if/when Bachmann decide to do a new model.

This really interested me, Dave, as I had an email from a well-known model supplier telling me that my preorder for this very locomotive, 45 133, was cancelled because, and I quote, "This is an email to let you know that the following item has been cancelled from production, and so we have cancelled it from your order - reference 5125838. If this was the only item on that order, then it will be cancelled, otherwise, the order will remain on our system with the other items." So you can understand my interest that you, and others, now seem to possess a model which Heljan have cancelled! Something fishy is going on in the state of Denmark or I wonder, maybe in the UK?

Not one for me, location-wise, but at that kind of price the issues around the fan area are terrible. After all, it is the roof that is the most commonly viewed part of a model.

If an 8 function decoder is necessary for cab lighting to work, how does Jenny Kirk have them working on a 4+2 decoder? I ask as I can’t get mine to work on DCC with or without the supplied wand with a Hatton’s 6 function decoder.

Not commenting about the 45, but more that I really like the houses that are still under construction, that you have on your layout. Q who makes them? Q part two can you still buy them? Cheers.

My pet peeve for OO/HO size models is oversized/thick window frames and poor fit of glazing , it's an area that has hardly improved over decades despite the advances in CAD , toolmaking and injection moulding that have taken place.

What's wrong with a Ford mk4 Escort LOL other than that a great unbiased review with lots of information about the protype Andy

Cant believe the model left with gloss paint at the cabs and matt on the rest....who signed that off ! £189? I want the paint to match.

Watch Richard video before yours dave bit of deserpiontment on heljan part such a shame £200 loco and faults like these that have been pointed out by you and Richard not good. I'm a big fan of heljan aswell having 3 58s from them and class 47s on the old layout I thought they was one the best retailers and designers on the market. All the best dave and happy modeling.

What was the difference between a class 45 and a class 46 ? Was there a visual difference that I have never spotted. Or was it an engine difference..? Sorry for my ignorance on this. Thank you. Dave Farrell.

Its not a bad model, but its problem is that it gives us a taste of what it could have been if Heljan had paid more care and attention. Its a shame, the model showcases that Heljan are very capable of pulling out all the stops in fine detail and upgrading their DCC functionality, only to be let down by saying 'that'll do' when it comes to other aspects such as the shape and fit and finish. The mess of wiring in the fan grille and the etched step plating and grille blanks not matching the shade of BR Blue is a disappointing oversight. The lack of fine detail of Bachmanns model can be fixed with West Hill Wagonworks detailing to bring it up a level, but while Everard Junction proves the Heljan colour can be fixed with a lot of effort, the shape can't.

As ever through and fair. That blue looks closer to more modern 'DRS' blue. Such an odd thing for them to get wrong.

The eye is in the detail? Heljan just are not getting it right with the new models?

Hi Dave, once again Heljan have produced a second rate loco! on first view even though you had said not a word IT LOOKS WRONG on shape of the cab roof (I don't normally notice this detail), secondly how long if it real remain stuck together? as previsualize models from Heljan to Quote Terry Pratchett (Wee Free Men) slug glue is used by Heljan ( I used to model in O gauge Heljan locos falling apart, in fount of my eyes fallowing apart,) I will not purchase Heljan there second rate. I Also watched my fav loco (the class 14) drop apart in OO gauge horrid locos 😵‍💫 better of with older Bachmann

Its a very good likeness but its not BR blue!

Great and balanced review Dave. My own experiences with the model are poor. The quality control of the models leaving the factory is poor and Heljan need to address this. I had two, the first having the paint issues you mention and a lot of blue grinning through the warning panel, but rather worse was the terrible mess around the plated over steps which looked scratched and covered in glue. The replacement had the same paint issues and the outer wrapping was actually stuck to the yellow in one place. These are Heljan QC issues and the retailer dealt with these quickly and courteously. I’ve decided that with the issues around the two I had, it’s a miss with me.

RRP of £189? you can get them from £160.

These days there is no excuse for poor body shape as long as there is a survivor avaialble, portable 3D scanning equipment is now very accessible , even relatively small car modifying businesses use it regularly for instance. Sure it will take longer to scan a railway loco than a car and it would take some extra effort to scan the top of the loco, but we shouldn't be talking about anything that is prohibitive to the production of a reasonably popular model. Time and money spent on scanning an original should also help reduce CAD time for the model.

Take it from someone who knows nothing about Peaks, doesn't care about Peaks and thinks they are just ugly slabs on rails but let me tell you those cab windows & cab window roof shape are all wrong, this is coming from someone with an untrained 'Peak' eye who has just compared actual prototype photos from all angles to the Heljan model to reach that unqualified conclusion. If I was the opposite to what I just stated, I would be spitting chips and going back to Bachmann for my Peaks or urging them to update the tooling to knock this one out of the park which I'm sure they will sometime in the future. This Heljan Peak looks pretty good elsewhere on the model but those cab windows & roofline shape is a fail plus with all the others issues highlighted they need to do better.

High cost and again incorrectly livery colours, not worth the money

Will you ever weather your engines and wagons