Rapido Trains UK ex SECR / SR Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagons arrive – a review

The Rapido Trains UK ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon announced in January this year have now arrived. Both these wagons share the same  9ft 6in wheelbase with the five and seven plank open wagons that were released in April 2022.

The Diagram 1426 vans were introduced in 1918 and they lasted well into BR days, setting the standard for future Southern Railway vans.
These vans Rapido Trains UK feature: Two types of rain strip: curved and straight, separately-fitted end ventilators, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed body, under frame and self contained buffers.

There are eleven Diagram 1426 covered vans available:

• 927001: No. 15782, SECR grey (curved rain strip)
• 927002: No. 16737, SECR grey (curved rain strip)
• 927003: No. 45784, SR brown (Pre 1936) (curved rain strip)
• 927004: No. 47162, SR brown (Pre 1936) (curved rain strip)
• 927005: No. 45779, SR brown (Post 1936) (curved rain strip)
• 927006: No. 47159, SR brown (Post 1936)
• 927007: No. S45819, BR grey
• 927008: No. S47144, BR grey (curved rain strip)
• 927009: No. DS47182, Departmental black
• 927010: No. DS776, Departmental brown
• 927011: No. 15750, SECR grey (preserved)

The SECR used the same underframe for the two-plank ballast wagon. It introduced the first example in 1919 and 120 were built over the next four years. Incredibly, BR didn’t withdraw the last until 1971.
The Rapido Trains UK two plank ballast wagons feature: Two floor versions: curve-ended planks and straight-ended planks, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed bodies,  underframes and self-contained buffers.

There are also eleven Diagram 1744 two plank ballast wagons available:

• 928001: No. 567, SECR grey (preserved) (curve-ended planks)
• 928002: No. 11835, SECR grey (curve-ended planks)
• 928003: No. 1789, SECR grey (curve-ended planks)
• 928004: No. 62454, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
• 928005: No. 62398, SR red oxide (Pre 1936)
• 928006: No. 62371, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
• 928007: No. 62466, SR red oxide (Post 1936)
• 928008: No. 62444, BR Departmental
• 928009: No. DS62402, BR Departmental black
• 928010: No. S62433, SR red oxide with BR(S) number
• 928011: No. S62388, BR Departmental black

All versions of both models, share the same underframe although the Diagram 1744 two plank ballast wagon correctly has an extended brake lever. Both diagrams have accurate body detail, including nicely planked insides on the two plank ballast wagons. The roof of the vans is a good tight fitting separate part and allows for either the original curved or later straight rain strip option.

As is now becoming much more common on such new wagon releases, the also feature good underframe detail that includes nicely moulded beams, planking and central coupling rods/spring details and brake gear nicely in line with the wheels and a wire cross rod. They also feature nice 8 split spoked wheels on 26mm pin point axles that run in brass bearing cups (careful if removing wheels as the  bearings might drop out), that along with a with a reasonable weight of 38g for the van and 25g for the two plank, ensures very free running. Standard NEM 362 coupling pockets are included [Edit: to correct a previous statement].

The livery application is crisp and well printed on all models, the factory satin finish as per their previous five and seven plank open wagons results in a lighter rendition of the colours especially the The SR brown. See my post on colour perception here. Therefore I will a give all mine, include the SR Red Oxide versions, a coat of Testors Dullcoat matt varnish to both give a preferred matt finish and also a darker rendition of the colours.

These excellent wagons are available from either Rapido Trains UK direct, although they have sold of some versions or in stock and discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.