The Heljan LNER O2/1 in LNER Black is a superb model and excellent value at £119.99. While this is slightly more expensive than some of the £99.98 Heljan direct offers, it is still exceptional value for a large, detailed tender locomotive.
This model originally carried an RRP of around £219.00, so at £119.99 it represents a saving of roughly 45% against the original recommended price. That is exactly the sort of pricing where the customer benefits from Heljan selling direct and passing more of the saving on to the modeller.
The locomotive itself has real presence. The O2 “Tango” is a powerful-looking heavy freight engine, and Heljan have captured that character very well. The finish is strong, the detailing is impressive, and I have had no issues with it derailing.
Another big plus is that the tender already has a factory-fitted speaker built in. The model is also 21-pin DCC ready, and access for fitting a decoder after purchase is straightforward. That makes it a very practical model for anyone wanting to add DCC or sound without having to carry out major modification work.
At this price point, it is very hard to argue with what is being offered. A big LNER freight locomotive, well detailed, DCC ready, factory speaker fitted, and available at a substantial saving against the original retail price.
This is a great example of the direct-to-consumer approach working in favour of the hobby. Heljan gets the model into customers’ hands, and the customer gets a serious locomotive at a price that feels genuinely good value.
An excellent model, a very strong price, and an easy five stars