[double00]

Any Forum member who own a Heljan Class 33 diesel locomotive, find that placing the said model with the exhaust grille positioned to the left of direction, causes the Class 33 to derail on curves and points, while reversing direction of the Class 33, it runs without any fault.
I note that the Class 33 is fitted at both ends with none working screw couplings - can these couplings be the cause for derail? as it looks as possible for this coupling fouling in between the bogy and main body of the Class 33 !! Probably, another fault is causing the derailment+.
Help on this fault will certainly be most appreciated.

 

[34C]

I have the very similar class 26 model, and there was some snagging between the bogie mounting for the coupling and the screw link coupling at one end. Used a little cyano to secure the screwlink just out of contact, and that sorted it. The clearances are all a bit tight, I suspect because Heljan haven't compromised on scale dimensions: it is just a matter of observing the model closely until you are sure where the trouble is arising from, and then deciding for yourself how to sort it out. Simplest solution is always to remove any troublesome detail, ideally in such a way that it can later be reattached if wished.

 

[34030 Watersmeet]

I also recently bought a Heljan class 33 (£39 from Hattons, just had to be got). One of my friends had a 33 which is a very good runner, as is mine. However I came across the same problem, bogie catching on fitted scale coupling. For the moment I've left the scale coupling at one end and removed the scale coupler at the other and fitted the auto coupler. But I'll fit autocouplers both ends soon. Placing the lower link on the hook keeps it out of the way as well. The scale couplings are very good, only trouble is they make the working screw link couplings on some of my steam locos look very clumsy. (had a similar problem with the Hornby T9 front bogie).

Bill

 

[double00]

I refer again to the Heljan Class 33, as its running became most eratic, even to the stage of stalling with a heating of one bogy wheel and a strong ozone smell, usually associated with a sparking motor. A company who specialises in model locomotives was approached to replace motor, however the fault turned out to be a fault in the circuit board and board replaced. The Class 33 in question is now running normal.
I have found many times, that the pickup power wire become detached from the pickup copper strip probably cause by the bogy continual movement and short length of wire.
Anyone find the directional lights hard to see and certaily the rear portion of the Class 33 show no red warning light - perhaps true in real working.

 

[SRman]

As far as lights on the 33 go, they are essentially correct - if you darken the room you will see red tail lights but these were not used after the early 1960s (soon after most the locomotives were delivered), as the SR gained approval to use the headcode blinds with two red rectangles showing as the tail indication. The marker lights were taken out of use and, in some cases removed or sealed up - certainly they were all removed on 33/1 locomotives. The real lighting was by incandescent bulbs so was not very bright, again as reflected by Heljan. Since the Heljan marker lights are so dim, you can effectively ignore them as they would have been out of use when the locomotives were in blue.

Of course, tail light indications were not used when the locomotive was hauling a train, as the tail light would be on the last vehicle of the train.