Klass 17 - BR Grön - D8607 - OO Skala

This has been a model that was on my radar for several years but early stories of motor problems, prices and availability had prevented a purchase.

The changes at Heljan that led to the 2026 sale of various lines with the promise of Accurascale style support led me to take a gamble at a penny shy of £100.

For me only GSYP is appropriate and I wanted to avoid the weathered versions. My D8607 is therefore pristine in my chosen livery. Neither ordering nor delivery presented any problems.

The model arrive intact and running in demonstrated it was a smooth and issue free example mechanically. Once run in I wanted to sound fit. Online comments suggested this might be tricky but these proved a little pessimistic in my view. Like the prototype the model is a little less conventional in its construction but there is nothing particularly difficult about disassembly if you follow the (limited) instructions provided and be patient. The biggest risk is of losing the collars that secure the buffers or their springs. The solution is to work in good light in a white surface. I use some plastic white boxes sourced from IKEA for tricky disassembly jobs so that stray parts are both contained and easily seen.

Space inside is limited but I have secured a Loksound Nano V5 with an 8 pin plug in the centre of the model and wired two small sugarcubes securing one at each end. The prototype has 2 Paxman engines so this gives at least a suggestiin of an engine being present under each hood. The Paxmann engine is also used in the Class 14 for which there is a free ESU sound project. I have used this as in my layout scenario the different running profile (the 14 is a hydraulic transmission) isn't immediately obvious. I may well install a more appropriate sound project in due course.

Whilst the Heljan model is a product of its time it remains a well finished and eminently useable model of an interesting prototype. Hopefully re will see future reruns, perhaps with DCC compatibility and functionality enhanced.

At first I missed out on your listing. Not this time and the locomotive is excellent. I do hope that more listing such as class 15, 16 and even 23 may soon be here. I hope so.
Mike Kearns

I have always wanted a class 17, and with Heljan.com staring both price and timing was right to buy, buffer beam detail is very good, my loco runs well and looks good. I'm very pleased with it.