As a southern modeller I love the Helijan class 33. The Slim Jim's were first released from helijan in 2006 along with the 33/1s. Its always been an excellent running model. An excellent review Jenny. I love all 7 of mine. As you say, it's a shame the lighting wasn't better upgraded, mine still has incandescent bulbs. Kernow Models were doing a great deal with two class 33/1s and a 4TC set. Just one point, I think you might of put the body back on the wrong way round. Sorry.
Jenny, great video and I’m a little late to the party so you might not see this. How did you install the red LEDs for reverse running? Like you said, not prototypical, but it’s a function I’d love to have on mine and I don’t understand how to do it. Is it a separate LED from the pre-installed one? Is it just a red LED plugged in with a JST connector or is it a multi-coloured one? Thanks!
Great review on the slim jim ,i have the earlier version of the heljan 33204 which is a great model i perchesed from hattons in 2010 for around £49 😊 how times have changed. Many thanks .
Very good but I would pick you up on just one point. The 33 was chosen over the 37 because the S.R was already using borrowed class 24s and saw the 33 as a logical step-up even though the 37 was cheaper. Axle weight wasn't the reason for choice. The 105 ton 37's axle weight was 17.5 tons giving it an RA number of 5. The 85 ton 33's axle weight was 18.75 tons giving it an RA number of 6. The 33/1s were very slightly heavier. The 33's power to weight ratio was better than the 37's. The 37 having 16.6 hp per ton and the 33 having 18.3 hp per ton.
Great vid' Jenny :-) I work on the Southern Region and my 00 gauge model railway is Southern based...of course. Living down in Hastings, I've always been interested in the Tonbridge-Hastings line. Will definately be getting one of these models, although I don't really have room for any more loco's, but you know how it is 🙂
I had a feeling the Slim Jim's would feature on this channel at some point. I've got one as well (it's 33202 in BR blue), although I'll admit that it was a bit of an impulse purchase from Rails of Sheffield.
Just bought one from Rails Jenny - in fact the same model you tested (mine was just over £100 and they're now just under, which looks even better value). Am still new to model railways despite my advanced age and this is certainly my best running loco. It can potter round or run at speed , acceleration from standstill is very smooth and it even copes with my (too steep for most locos) incline. Very impressed - and on a purely subjective note, I think the Slim Jim is actually better looking than its wider siblings. Thanks for another great video.
Me too, weathered green version arrived today - £105 was a bargain too good to miss, even if Southern isn't really my thing. Seems baffling that Heljan expect you to trim the gubbins off the buffer beam so as to attach couplings to haul trains. No one else does that.
So straight out of box, the bogies aren't free moving because of the detailing. So I have to butcher all this stuff just to make it move and haul trains, probably meaning I can't return it any more. Ah I hear you say, it's designed for static display. In that case, the instructions say you should take the nem pocket off, without explaining house this should be done. Grrr. Good looking model though
The tunnels weren't widened. Instead, they lifted the twin tracks through the tunnel, replacing them with a single track, and installed modern signalling and interlocking. The timetabling was altered to make single-train occupancy of the tunnel a prime constraint.
Hi, I'm new to model railways , I purchased this model and it will be my first attempt at fitting a DCC decoder. Was the decoder you fitted MTC21 +SUSI CONNECTOR (M21S)?. Great site , appreciate you passing on your knowledge and experiences. Dave
At 7:20 you said Heljan hadn't been able to produce a Class 33/2 "until now". Actually, that's not correct. Heljan has had the 33/2 in its range since 2006, and the model came out as the second variation (before the 33/1's. Heljan uses a sequential numbering system, with '3301' being the first, and you have 3388 there. Their first batch of 33/2's was 3320 to 3338. I've owned a Civil Engineer liveried 33/2 since that that year. When Heljan released their first Class 33's in 2005, it was the original 33/0, but it got some negative, but fair, reviews about the shape of the roof. The 33/0 had the shape of the roof very wrong, with it having tighter curves on the outer edges where it transitions from the bodyside... giving something of a 'flat cap' appearance. Their next model was the 33/2, which was great, and then followed up about 18 months later with a 33/1 with a modified roof shape which was much more accurate to the prototype. In fact, the modellers route for an accurate looking 33/0 was to de-convert a 33/1 by rebuilding the ends by removing the pipes and handrails, scraping away the plates for the pipework, and splicing in some plasticard at the bottom to replace the cut out for the rubbing plate (with the rubbing plates removed from the chassis. Pleasingly, about 5 or 6 years ago, Heljan came out with a new 33/0 with a roof profile that matches their 33/1's... although they moved some of the roof details, so now that is slightly incorrect too.
A very interesting review Jenny! I'd agree, the Heljan Crompton is an excellent performer- their best model along with the class 35 Hymek. I spent the last couple of evenings running my 14 year old 33116 model, and it still goes as well as the day I got it. 33208 looks superb in the Dutch livery, do I buy one of those or the Kernow preserved green one?
Jennifer, Loving your video and your informative and well researched information. Unfortunately during the presentation, the video of 33008 'Eastleigh' prompted my OCD to react to the rear cabside handrail, over the Class number being crooked and at a peculiar angle. ( approx 6:42) Once seen, I could not unsee it. Probably a minor fix but worth drawing to your attention otherwise Ineed to get my eyes checked. Love the Channel, keep on ploughing ahead, always entertaining and welcoming.
The main let down on this model is the windscreen wipers, they stick out far too much from the windscreen and is very noticeable if you look at the model side on. The first batch from Heljan did not have this issue and is very disappointing, especially given the price tag you pay for the model. I hope Heljan rectify this on future models of the class 33.
As a southern modeller I love the Helijan class 33. The Slim Jim's were first released from helijan in 2006 along with the 33/1s. Its always been an excellent running model. An excellent review Jenny. I love all 7 of mine.
As you say, it's a shame the lighting wasn't better upgraded, mine still has incandescent bulbs. Kernow Models were doing a great deal with two class 33/1s and a 4TC set.
Just one point, I think you might of put the body back on the wrong way round. Sorry.
So impressed with the layout Jennifer! Looks awesome.
Jenny, great video and I’m a little late to the party so you might not see this. How did you install the red LEDs for reverse running? Like you said, not prototypical, but it’s a function I’d love to have on mine and I don’t understand how to do it. Is it a separate LED from the pre-installed one? Is it just a red LED plugged in with a JST connector or is it a multi-coloured one?
Thanks!
Great review on the slim jim ,i have the earlier version of the heljan 33204 which is a great model i perchesed from hattons in 2010 for around £49 😊 how times have changed. Many thanks .
Very good but I would pick you up on just one point. The 33 was chosen over the 37 because the S.R was already using borrowed class 24s and saw the 33 as a logical step-up even though the 37 was cheaper. Axle weight wasn't the reason for choice.
The 105 ton 37's axle weight was 17.5 tons giving it an RA number of 5. The 85 ton 33's axle weight was 18.75 tons giving it an RA number of 6. The 33/1s were very slightly heavier. The 33's power to weight ratio was better than the 37's. The 37 having 16.6 hp per ton and the 33 having 18.3 hp per ton.
Great vid' Jenny :-) I work on the Southern Region and my 00 gauge model railway is Southern based...of course. Living down in Hastings, I've always been interested in the Tonbridge-Hastings line. Will definately be getting one of these models, although I don't really have room for any more loco's, but you know how it is 🙂
I had a feeling the Slim Jim's would feature on this channel at some point. I've got one as well (it's 33202 in BR blue), although I'll admit that it was a bit of an impulse purchase from Rails of Sheffield.
Just bought one from Rails Jenny - in fact the same model you tested (mine was just over £100 and they're now just under, which looks even better value). Am still new to model railways despite my advanced age and this is certainly my best running loco. It can potter round or run at speed , acceleration from standstill is very smooth and it even copes with my (too steep for most locos) incline. Very impressed - and on a purely subjective note, I think the Slim Jim is actually better looking than its wider siblings. Thanks for another great video.
Me too, weathered green version arrived today - £105 was a bargain too good to miss, even if Southern isn't really my thing. Seems baffling that Heljan expect you to trim the gubbins off the buffer beam so as to attach couplings to haul trains. No one else does that.
So straight out of box, the bogies aren't free moving because of the detailing. So I have to butcher all this stuff just to make it move and haul trains, probably meaning I can't return it any more. Ah I hear you say, it's designed for static display. In that case, the instructions say you should take the nem pocket off, without explaining house this should be done. Grrr. Good looking model though
Just a side note you can remove the hole buffer assembly so a coupler can be fitted if you don't mind no visible buffers while running with a rake 😊
The tunnels weren't widened. Instead, they lifted the twin tracks through the tunnel, replacing them with a single track, and installed modern signalling and interlocking. The timetabling was altered to make single-train occupancy of the tunnel a prime constraint.
The Slim Jim is one of the nicer diesel models. However, you know very well what my bag is!! Southern Steam!!
Very nice looking train will it be coming out in n gauge at some time would be good 👍 great video thanks for sharing 👍
Hi, I'm new to model railways , I purchased this model and it will be my first attempt at fitting a DCC decoder. Was the decoder you fitted MTC21 +SUSI CONNECTOR (M21S)?. Great site , appreciate you passing on your knowledge and experiences. Dave
At 7:20 you said Heljan hadn't been able to produce a Class 33/2 "until now".
Actually, that's not correct.
Heljan has had the 33/2 in its range since 2006, and the model came out as the second variation (before the 33/1's.
Heljan uses a sequential numbering system, with '3301' being the first, and you have 3388 there.
Their first batch of 33/2's was 3320 to 3338.
I've owned a Civil Engineer liveried 33/2 since that that year.
When Heljan released their first Class 33's in 2005, it was the original 33/0, but it got some negative, but fair, reviews about the shape of the roof.
The 33/0 had the shape of the roof very wrong, with it having tighter curves on the outer edges where it transitions from the bodyside... giving something of a 'flat cap' appearance.
Their next model was the 33/2, which was great, and then followed up about 18 months later with a 33/1 with a modified roof shape which was much more accurate to the prototype.
In fact, the modellers route for an accurate looking 33/0 was to de-convert a 33/1 by rebuilding the ends by removing the pipes and handrails, scraping away the plates for the pipework, and splicing in some plasticard at the bottom to replace the cut out for the rubbing plate (with the rubbing plates removed from the chassis.
Pleasingly, about 5 or 6 years ago, Heljan came out with a new 33/0 with a roof profile that matches their 33/1's... although they moved some of the roof details, so now that is slightly incorrect too.
A very interesting review Jenny! I'd agree, the Heljan Crompton is an excellent performer- their best model along with the class 35 Hymek. I spent the last couple of evenings running my 14 year old 33116 model, and it still goes as well as the day I got it. 33208 looks superb in the Dutch livery, do I buy one of those or the Kernow preserved green one?
Jennifer, Loving your video and your informative and well researched information. Unfortunately during the presentation, the video of 33008 'Eastleigh' prompted my OCD to react to the rear cabside handrail, over the Class number being crooked and at a peculiar angle. ( approx 6:42) Once seen, I could not unsee it. Probably a minor fix but worth drawing to your attention otherwise Ineed to get my eyes checked. Love the Channel, keep on ploughing ahead, always entertaining and welcoming.
,just picked mine up brand new from rails of Sheffield for 89.pound in the sale.
Which livery is the brown and cream? It looks like the old Great Western coaches!!
Excellent loco Jenny
Just got 2 locomotives with DCC fitted when I put them on the track they runaway how can I stop this
The main let down on this model is the windscreen wipers, they stick out far too much from the windscreen and is very noticeable if you look at the model side on. The first batch from Heljan did not have this issue and is very disappointing, especially given the price tag you pay for the model. I hope Heljan rectify this on future models of the class 33.
BR... Railtour Grey & Yellow..?
It's Dutch Livery for departmental use..
The video is titled the same as what the box says. If that’s not right, it’s not our error!
Boom #1❤❤❤❤