North British Locomotive Company 10800 The Wonder Engine, Review and Southern History

Join me in this detailed review of the Heljan model of the unique British Railways locomotive 10800, known as the "Wonder Engine." Initially designed by George Ivatt and built by the North British Locomotive Company in 1950, 10800 was a prototype inspired by North American designs, aiming to replace steam engines on secondary and branch lines.
In this video, we’ll explore the intricate details of the Heljan model, from its delicate pipes and handrails to its accurately depicted steam heating boiler and Paxman 16PHXL engine. I'll provide tips on handling and servicing this finely detailed model, ensuring you can enjoy it without damage.
We’ll also delve into the fascinating history of 10800, particularly focusing on its trials and tribulations on the Southern Region from 1952 to 1954. Despite its struggles and the nickname "The Wonder Engine," 10800 played a significant role as a pathfinder for future diesel locomotives like the Class 15 and 16.
Watch as we run the model on my layout, showcasing its smooth operation and realistic performance. From pulling a rake of Birdcage coaches to handling freight, 10800 proves its worth despite its historical challenges.
Stay tuned for more insights, history, and model railway fun!
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[@Night_Ferry]

An excellent model. My first thoughts are it looked very American. Well turns out that was for a reason. Strange that so many Diesel and hydraulic locomotives were inspired by foreign designs in the early days. We certainly weren't at the forefront of that one! Very informative video, certainly not a locomotive I had heard of. The observation about the XL 08 was very thought provoking as well. Neber really considered that. The SEMG website is a favourite and brilliant resource. My grey booster arrived and I went straight there to look up the supplied route numbers. Keep it up :)

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it.

[@flippop101]

I think I‘ve learned more about British Diesels from your channel than anywhere else on TH-cam. Great video as always, thank‘s Mike!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Aww cheers Philip that's very kind of you 😊

[@petertate5741]

Hi Mike, I like the way Heljan tend to include the oddities in BR service (15 16 17, the Falcon etc. They tend to get quite a bit of stick from some TH-cam reviewers but I like most of their models.
Great review as always mate.😊

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, I agree they make some lovely models and the prototypes are some of the best. My BTC series features my collection

[@neilfarrar6217]

That's a great addition to your collection. Thanks for the extra information, I'd struggled to find much on this little loco.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks and you are always most welcome 🤗

[@nicklloyd6362]

I like it, it would be nice if they did one with LMS markings as intended, thankyou for another great review and the history behind her

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

You are very welcome 😁 yes got to agree 💯

[@hughoconnor9172]

£155 from Rails

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks, much less from TMC

[@mytinplaterailway]

I am surprised how attractive it is. The black and early crest help I think. I wonder how easy silver bogies were to keep clean btw?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks, not easy is the answer and they were painted black for the remainder of her career

[@Mike-kc8rl]

Nice,one from a time when I'm sure British diesel locomotives were thought up down the pub? This has the typical American switcher look about it!
The sound file of the Paxman engine reminds me of the Paxman 185 hst unit fitted prior to the Rolls Royce MTUs!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks, oh yes the original HSTs sounded wonderful :)

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

The out-of-place blue RN bus was the sort of vehicle providing workers' transport in Devonport Dockyard in the 1980s, other places too no doubt, maybe for many years . . .

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Great to know

[@bianchikat]

hmm Thank you. I didn't realise 10800 had been on the Southern Region. Does this mean I have to get one?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Afraid so 😱 lol

[@GrahamMuz]

I am glad you found useful and referenced my page on the SREMG website. It is a shame that Heljan did not release this model in the condition it spent most of its life on the Southern Region i.e. before all the bonnet lower side louvres were added in post February 1954. I will be taking the file to mine and also also adding the missing at the bottom of the right hand side bonnet.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks for the permission and information, so did these modifications improve her?

[@GrahamMuz]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimitedthe February 1954 modifications did help but only a little...

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Ah right, the 16 went on to need more ventilation, seems lessons were not learned lol

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Thanks Mike, looks a super model.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

It certainly is, thanks for watching 😀

[@hamshackleton]

Too far out of my 'region' to be of use, but it's a nice model.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Great, what's your region because it did get about

[@ewhurstgreen]

An excellent review Mike and glad you are pleased with your model! 👍
I did buy one upon release but promptly returned it due to many faults (not purchased from TMC). Sadly cannot get enthusiastic about trying again even at a discount... 🤔
_Perhaps one will come to visit in the not too distant future..._

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Colin, many thanks. I did wonder if you'd have one. What were the issues?

[@ewhurstgreen]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited Mike, the body was an ill-fit to the underframe and there might have been minor damage. However, the main issue was I'd ordered the weathered version and the weathering was really poor - basically just a quick woosh with brown leaving some areas completely missed. 😒
So it was immediately returned and whilst I considered a non-weathered version (thence send it up to TMC) decided there were many steam locomotives yet to be used and perhaps this was rather 'niche' even for a Southern Region modeller.... 🤔

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Well this one would like a visit 😉

[@ewhurstgreen]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited Hopefully along with a GWR steam railmotor.....

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

For sure 😄

[@petersmith4455]

hello Mike, great video as usual.when it broke down i would of thought the clowns at NBL would have sent engineers down to fix the confounded thing.well done to the staff at Brighton works for trying to repair or solve the problems but againthe clowns should have sent someone down at their own expenseto put the loco right,wasn't the power unit under warranty ?the model version 10/10,

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks. It's odd isn't it. It did undergo testing in Scotland for a time and made trips back to NBL then. I wonder if it was simply being used outside of it's design parameters, I mean you'd not stick 8 coaches behind an H class which is surely all this loco was but in diesel form??

[@mattnimmo]

I really dislike the term "clowns at NBL", as both my Father & Grandfather worked for the Company, at their Queen's Park Works, although to them it was always known as "Dubsies", after Henry Dubs.
NBL were renowned for building steam locomotives but their reputation was damaged by the "new technology", of diesel & electric propulsion.
Let's face it, very few of the diesel products, from UK manufacturers of that era, were a great success.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Personally I love the NBL stuff. At least they were brave enough to try. I think materials were just not up to it at the time which let the locos down. Also the railway thrashed these things, over taxing the locos because they were new and no doubt hostility due to the threat to jobs.

[@patricksmodels]

Diesel traction was in its infancy at the time, so teething problems were to be expected.
Anyhow I'd refrain from calling the staff of one of the country's and the world's leading locomotive manufacturers "clowns".
The Finnieston Crane, used for loading NBL locomotives on ships in Glasgow speaks for itself.

[@marksinthehouse1968]

I was a southern man until my health kicked in I worked at CLJ as an RO2 ,I might get one of those thanks for the heads up on how to cradle it
All the best
Mark 😊

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks Mark, let me know if you do

[@rodericfindlay4147]

I also read that it was called the Wonder Locomotive as people wondered whether it would get to its destination. Very nice model and good review and very effective use of sound.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thank you very kindly my friend

[@simonturner5450]

The Hawk flies again. Thanks for sharing Mike.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Ah yes well done, her name with Brush. You are most welcome 🙏

[@DennisLora2001]

Nicely done Mike i like it 4:25

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks 🎉 nice run pasts at that time code

[@DennisLora2001]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited My pleasure