Preorder Heljan Class 47 47817- Porterbrook DCC SF

Key Publishing has commissioned an exclusive limited edition modelling Porterbrook purple and white Class 47/8 47817 in ‘OO’ gauge - DCC sound fitted.

It is available to PRE-ORDER today with a non-refundable £10 deposit - full price £389.95 DCC ready. When the model is available the Customer Services team will contact you for the remaining balance of £379.95.

Porterbrook purple and white Class 47/8 47817 is the latest limited edition model commission to be revealed by Key Publishing. The Heljan model is available to pre-order now from the Key Model World Shop with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2024.

47817 started life on August 18 1964 as D1611 when it entered traffic at Landore Depot. It became 47032 in 1973 before becoming an Electric Train Heat fitted Class 47/4 in December 1986 carrying the number 47662. Three years later it moved into the Class 47/8 fleet with extended range fuel tanks which transferred to Porterbrook ownership at the beginning of British Rail privatisation.

The locomotive was the first ILRA (Virgin Trains Class 47/8 pool) Class 47 to be repainted from InterCity ‘Swallow’ colours when it gained a brand-new livery design from leasing company Porterbrook. The purple and white scheme stood out from the crowd and was later applied to 47807 as well.

The repaint lasted two years with 47817 gaining standard Virgin Trains red and charcoal colours in June 1998. It then continued in service until 2002 when it was selected for rebuilding as a Class 57/3 and became part of the Virgin Trains ‘Thunderbird’ pool. Its final number was 57311 which it gained on July 31 2003.

The new 'OO' gauge Class 47/8 limited edition uses the all-new tooling from Heljan. Specification highlights include all-new tooling for the body and chassis, correct marker lights at each end, 47/8 long-range fuel tanks, cutaway buffer beams, sprung buffers, a powerful five-pole motor, twin flywheels and correct lighting features with can be managed through the decoder.

This sound fitted model is fitted with an ESU 21-pin chip pre-loaded with a custom sound file for the Heljan model created by Legomanbiffo. The sound profile includes unique features for the ETH fitted Class 47/8s including options for door closing sounds from Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3 carriages, different radiator fan sounds and function control of the head, high intensity, cab, engine room and tail lights (see function list below).

Delivery is expected in the third quarter of 2024 and pre-orders are open now. Prices are set at £389.95 DCC sound fitted and just 150 will be available in this format. You can reserve a model with a £10 non-refundable deposit today.

SOUND FUNCTION LIST - HELJAN CLASS 47/8

F0 - Light engine mode (head and tail lights on)

F1 - Engine sounds on

F2 - Playable high horn

F3 - Playable low horn

F4 - Buffering up (moving), coupling hook (stationary)

F5 - Playable manual brake (moving), brake dump (stationary)

F6 - Driver's door slam

F7 - Compressor

F8 - Drive hold

F9 - Variable flange squeal

F10 - Despatch whistle

F11 - Guard's right away and optional reply

F12 - Radiator fan

F13 - Sanders

F14 - Cab light

F15 - Spirax valve

F16 - Disposal air dump

F17 - Windscreen wipers

F18 - Speed dependant detonators

F19 - Tail lights off No. 1 end

F20 - Tail lights off No. 2 end

F21 - Parking mode

F22 - Engine room lights

F23 - Mk 3 coach wail

F24 - Mk 1, Mk 2 or Mk 3 coach door slam

F25 - Not in use

F26 - High-intensity light

F27 - Heavy load

F28 - Volume control

F29 - AWS bell

F30 - AMS horn