Heljan 34243 Class 33 026 BR General Departmental Grey Livery OO Gauge DCC SOUND

Description Heljan 34243 Class 33 026 BR General Departmental Grey Livery OO Gauge DCC SOUND OO Gauge Anticipated Release Date 10/2025 Class 33 026 BR General Grey (DCC-Sound) 1:76 scale model produced by Heljan. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection. DCC Sound Model This model is decorated in BR company markings This model is best suited to 438mm radius curves Speaker Fitted Era 8 Working Lights Sprung Buffers Wire Handrails Smooth and powerful performance Heavy die-cast chassis All-wheel pick-up and drive Fine body, bogie and underframe tank detail Exquisite livery application based on extensive research of the prototype locomotives Fine Etched Grilles Detailed Cab Interiors History/Prototype The British Rail Class 33, commonly referred to as the BRCW Type 3 or by its nickname Crompton, is a classic Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive built specifically for the Southern Region of British Railways between 1960 and 1962. Designed and manufactured by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (BRCW), a total of 98 locomotives were produced. Developed as a more powerful successor to the Class 26 Type 2, the Class 33 featured a robust 1,550 bhp engine—an upgrade made possible by removing the steam heating boiler and installing an 8-cylinder version of the original 6-cylinder power unit. This design perfectly suited the Southern Region's traffic demands, where summer passenger services were prioritised and winter operations focused on freight—eliminating the need for heating during peak passenger months. Fitted with Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment, the Class 33 earned its ‘Crompton’ nickname. Its all-steel body and cab design closely resembled the Class 26 and Class 27 locomotives, though it was distinguished by its Southern Region-style two-digit headcode blinds situated between the cab windows. A favourite among enthusiasts and collectors, the Class 33 remains a popular choice in model railway ranges, celebrated for its distinctive design, reliable performance, and rich railway heritage.