Steve Johnson Modelmaker
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Clayton Class 17
Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric
The Heljan Class 17 These unusual centre cab locomotives became the 'standard' Type 1 design, but proved very unreliable. All were allocated to the Scottish Region, but did occasionally appear in England, such as workings on the Waverley Route to Carlisle, For a long time, the only models available were kits. The first RTR model was by TechCad and more recently Heljan has produced a fair RTR example and this is the model that I now run. My first attempt was with a MTK white metal kit, but my efforts were a little unsuccessful, not overly helped by the kit itself! I later purchased a TechCad RTR model. This was a resin bodied model available in a range of liveries. It had a custom chassis with one motor bogie, but pick ups on all wheels. It ran reasonably well, but lacked weight and power. The Heljan version has a much better weight and all wheel drive, probably making the model a better hauler than the real thing! Initial batches of the model suffered from motor problems. The model is quite low geared and does not move particularly fast, even with the controller flat out. However, this is probably a good thing rather than the model hurtling along at a scale 200mph! The model features working lights, but the headcode panel is not so good. It is illuminated by a single, centrally mounted LED and the result is a very bright centre and not much at the edges. I will correct this by replacing the single LED with a new board containing two LED's and some material to diffuse the light a bit more. DCC installation is again fiddly, with a 'compartment' moulded in the interior for the chip to sit in. Provision for sound is made by a moulded circular depression in the weight under the engine casing at one end under the fan grille. So without drastic modification, it seems designed only for a small circular speaker. A reasonable model of this interesting and unusual class. TechCad released an RTR model of the Class 17 as well as in kit form from about 2006? The Heljan model was released in 2009. Other kits include the Dave Alexander white metal kit and the Judith Edge etched brass kit. The latter is probably the better model and also has alternative bonnet tops for the Rolls-Royce engined versions. MTK produced a white metal kit. It has been mentioned that DC Kits also produced a version. |