HELJAN 4000
HAWKER SIDDELEY BRUSH PROTOTYPE DIESEL ELECTRIC
'KESTREL'
Developed as a private venture by
Brush Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd., of Loughborough, when
completed in 1967, 'Kestrel' was the worlds most powerful Sulzer
engined locomotive delivering 4,000bhp at 1,100rpm and by the
end of 1968 had completed 26,000 miles of trial running. It's
life on BR rails was short lived however, and just three years
later Kestrel was sold to the USSR railways and shipped to
Leningrad on 8th July 1971. It was eventually scrapped in the
early 1990's.
Heljan's model of 'Kestrel' faithfully reproduces its
streamlined front end and its unique colour scheme Out of the
box it runs smoothly and quietly. Access to the printed circuit
board for fitting a DCC chip is by prising the lower body away
from the chassis, which proved to be easier said than done, but
eventually access was gained and a Bachmann DCC chip was
inserted.
As a unique addition to the loco fleet 'Kestrel' is sure to
prove a winner with almost everyone but no doubt there will be
critics eager to put a dent in its buffers. For what its worth,
the 'faults' already highlighted such as inaccurate horn
mouldings and the solid roof grills aren't even noticeable when
your eagerness can't wait to get this stunning loco from its box
and onto the track. I can live with the horns and the grills.
You can view a short video of
'Kestrel' in action on the Selby Garden Railway below:
