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Class 14

Class 15 BTH

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Class 17 Clayton

Class 20 EE Type 1

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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

Class 23's, Heljan left and my kit built version right

Ten Class 23's were built by English Electric  in 1959 as part of The Pilot Scheme. These diesel-electric locomotives were powered by one Napier Deltic engine, giving rise to the nickname of 'Baby Deltics'. When completed, they were found to be 3 tons overweight and some weight had to be lost before BR would accept them. They worked on outer suburban services from Kings Cross, including some trips to Moorgate via the 'widened lines'. This didn't last long and they were banned from Moorgate due to excessive exhaust fumes.

They were not particularly reliable at first with quite a few engine failures. As more and more of the class were stored at Stratford, it was decided to refurbish the class with redesigned engine components. In addition, the locomotives lost their nose end doors and received four character headcode panels instead of discs. They were also repainted, losing the grey skirt band in favour of a Sherwood Green band, similar to the Deltics. Reliability improved, but by this time BR had decided against maintaining such a small fleet of locomotives. Withdrawals started in 1968 and all had gone by 1971. However, D5901 was transferred to Derby Technical Research Centre and was used up until 1975. It was scrapped in 1977 with non surviving. However, there is a project for a new build 'Baby Deltic'.

Silver Fox Models produced a resin body kit for the Class 23, both original and refurbished. I have the original version and modelled it in as new condition.

My kit built version from a Silver Fox kit

The Silver Fox version is a one piece resin casting that requires minimal cleaning up. However, as usual I felt that the body could benefit from some extra detailing. This included the fitting of separate wire handrails. These were made from nickel silver wire, with the cab door ones being fitted last and left unpainted to give that metal look. I had an A1 Models detailing kit for the Class 23, which included an etched fan and grille, boiler and exhaust ports and radiator frost grilles. It also included the lozenge shaped horn grilles for the front lower left of the nose above the buffer. Holes in the bodywork were made for these and the grilles glued on. The fan was painted red and fitted in the body below the grille.

Another distinctive feature of the original version are the small ladders on the nose end to the right of the connecting doors. A search in my bits box found some suitable laddering. I also removed the moulded headcode discs and replaced them with etched brass versions.

Buffer beam detailing saw the fitting of sprung buffers, vacuum and steam heating pipes. In addition the multiple unit jumper and recepticle were fitted along with air control pipes. An Exactoscale drawhook and screw coupling were also fitted along with my usual Alex Jackson coupling.

Painting was done with Railmatch paints finished off with suitable Fox Transfers emblem and numbers, overhead wire warning panels and the small steam type shed allocation plates. I also found some some English Electric works plates which are fitted below the cab side windows.

Detailing on the chassis included adding the various pipes that are visible. The bogie sideframes benefited from the addition of brake blocks and pull rods, handbrake chain, air pipes, sanding pipes and guard irons.

This model was built in the early 2000's, so pre-dates my automatic fitting of DCC and working lights. It will be fitted with a decoder at some stage.

The Heljan Class 23 in refurbished condition

Heljan have since produced both types in ready to run form. I have the refurbished version which was released in December 2011. It is one of Heljans better attempts at a diesel and looks pretty convincing. Performance is also good via the company's standard powertrain. I fitted it with a Hornby R8249 DCC decoder.

MTK made a white metal kit at one stage.