There’s nothing quite like getting a model back from the factory, putting it under the microscope, and then finding all the little things that you know need fixing.

That’s exactly where we are with our Heljan Class 86s.

We’ve been working through the decorated samples for the upcoming Class 86 range and, as you’d expect, we’re not simply accepting the first samples that arrive and calling it a day. We’ve been comparing them against reference material, photographs and our own research, with a particular focus on colours, lining, lettering and the positioning of the many details that make each individual locomotive what it is.

The result is a series of improvements across the range. Some are subtle, some are rather more obvious, but collectively they make a significant difference.

Here’s a look at what we’ve been working on.

86253 – BR Blue

Our BR Blue 86253 has received a number of corrections following examination of the first decorated sample.

The most important change is the colour itself, which will be brought into line with our correct Accurascale colour specification.

We’ve also corrected the positioning of various details, including plates and associated bodyside items, ensuring that they sit where they should on the real locomotive.

Small changes, perhaps, but exactly the sort of things that make a model look right when you know your Class 86s!

86235 “Novelty” – Rainhill 150

There’s certainly nothing subtle about the livery carried by 86235 “Novelty” during the Rainhill 150 celebrations!

For this version, we’ve been refining the large Rainhill 150 logo, with finer detail being incorporated into the artwork to better capture the original.

The locomotive's numbers have also been reviewed, with the correct style being applied. One number still needs moving on the sample, and we’re aware of it and are getting that corrected.

We’ve also added the distinctive “100 MPH” stencil on the cab roof dome, another small but important detail that helps make this particular locomotive unique.

86204 “City of Carlisle” – InterCity Executive

The InterCity Executive 86204 “City of Carlisle” has also received some attention.

The colours are being corrected to our Accurascale specifications, while the positions of the various lines and livery elements have been refined to ensure they match the prototype.

It’s amazing how much difference a few millimetres of lining can make!

86238 “European Community” – INTERCITY Swallow

Our INTERCITY Swallow version, 86238 “European Community”, has similarly benefited from a detailed review.

The colours and line positions have been corrected, while we’ve also added the Norwich Crown Point depot sticker to the model.

It’s exactly the sort of tiny detail that can easily be missed, but it’s there on the real locomotive – so it belongs on the model too.

86241 “Glenfiddich” – BR Parcels

For 86241 “Glenfiddich”, we’ve concentrated on getting the colours and finer details correct.

The Accurascale colour specification has been applied, along with corrections to the various livery and bodyside details.

This should give us a much closer match to the locomotive as it appeared in BR Parcels service.

86260 – Anglia

The Anglia-liveried 86260 has also received a comprehensive review.

The colours are being corrected, while the positioning of the various details has been revised to better match the prototype.

There is one further change worth flagging: the roof colour will be changed from that shown on the current sample.

So, if you’ve spotted that and wondered whether it was intentional, don't worry – we’ve spotted it too!

86240 “Bishop Eric Treacy” – Virgin Trains

The Virgin Trains version of 86240 “Bishop Eric Treacy” has had its colours and detailing refined.

One particularly noticeable correction is the position of the grey/red diagonal split in the bodyside livery. The sample shown here predates that correction, and the split has since been moved to the correct position.

86261 “THE RAIL CHARTER PARTNERSHIP” – EWS

Moving into the post-privatisation era, 86261 “THE RAIL CHARTER PARTNERSHIP” has also benefited from a thorough review.

The EWS colours have been corrected to our Accurascale specifications, with the associated details and livery elements also being refined.

86259 “Les Ross / Peter Pan” – Electric Blue

The striking Electric Blue 86259 “Les Ross / Peter Pan” has had its detailing and positioning reviewed and corrected.

There is one important caveat with this sample, however: the colour itself will be corrected.

The sample shown here therefore isn't representative of the final shade we’ll be using, but the various details and their positions have already been addressed.

86701 “Orion” – COLAS Railfreight

Finally, we have 86701 “Orion” in COLAS Railfreight colours.

The COLAS lettering and logos have been corrected, while the colours have also been brought into line with our Accurascale specification.

There is another correction already made to this sample which you won't see here: the divide point between the yellow and orange sections on the mid-bodyside has been corrected since this sample was produced.

Can Do Attitude

As you can see, there’s been quite a lot going on behind the scenes.

These aren't simply cosmetic tweaks. Each sample has been scrutinised against the prototype, and we've gone back to the factory with a list of corrections covering colours, lining, logos, numbers, plates, stickers and the positioning of individual details.

And, importantly, some of the photographs you saw here previously show samples before those corrections were implemented. Where we've already made changes since the samples were produced, we've highlighted them above.

That's part of the process of producing a model we're happy to put the Accurascale name to.

The Class 86 is a locomotive with an enormous amount of variety across its career, and with a range covering everything from BR Blue through InterCity, Virgin, Anglia, EWS, COLAS and more, getting each individual machine right is a considerable job.

But that's precisely why we're doing it.

There’s still work to do before these locomotives enter production, but we're getting there – one plate, logo, colour and bodyside stripe at a time. As a result of this, the delivery date is now estimated as mid-2027.

And yes, we promise we really do know where that number on “Novelty” is supposed to go!

Pre-Order Your Class 86 Today Right Here!