Rapido Trains UK announce SR U Class 2-6-0 in 00 gauge and further ‘Evolution’ coach liveries

As part of a flurry of new announcements Rapido trains UK have announced they are to produce the SR Maunsell U Class 2-6-0 in 00 gauge and further ‘Evolution’ coach liveries.

The initial batch of U Class locos was created due to a combination of the operational requirements for a semi-fast and cross-country capable loco, and as an immediate reaction by the Southern Railway to the fatal Sevenoaks Railway accident. The accident involved a SE&CR K Class ‘River’ 2-6-4 tank engine. These engines were known for rocking so it was decided that the entire class would be rebuilt as 2-6-0 tender locos.
Prior to the accident, an order had been placed for further K Class locos, but instead of pursuing this unsuccessful design, the order was amended to be 20 brand-new U Classes instead. The construction was shared between Brighton and Ashford works.
As construction was drawing to an end, an order for a further ten locos was placed; this order was completed in early 1931 by Ashford works. A total of 50 locos were classified as the U Class. However, the rebuilds and new builds looked distinctly different. With a higher running board on the newly built examples, they sported a much smaller wheel splasher. The cabs were also different, as the rebuilt locos retained the 4 look-out windows of the K Class, whereas the new builds had 2 large ones. Maunsell used a straight-sided, smaller 3,500 gallon tender on the Earlier rebuilt versions of the U. Later, newly built locos featured a larger 4,000 gallon version (although some tender swaps did occur during their lifetime); these had inward-sloping raves to prevent coal spillage. Although they were built without them, smoke deflectors were later added to the whole class by the Southern Railway in the mid-1930s.

Working across most of the South, the U-Classes were reallocated to a variety of sheds throughout their lives. Although Moguls were generally used for freight duties, the U-boats were utilised as a mixed traffic loco; this was due to their reliability as an all-around performer.
Passing to British Railways, these busy locos continued dependably right through to 1966 when the last of the class was finally withdrawn. Four examples have since been preserved, and these consist of a mix of one rebuilt ‘River’ and three newly built locos.

Rapido Trains UK are to produce only the SR U Class that were part of the newly built batches 1610 to 1639 with the 4000 gallon tender,  rather than which is a great shame also tooling for the rebuilt K Class 1797 to 1796 locos with 3500 gallon tender (or also the three cylinder U1 class). The ten versions available will be as follows:

• 992001/992501, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, SR Olive Green (A Prefix) No. A639 with 4,000gal tender, U type chimney, Flat fronted cylinders, Flat dome and Snifting valves fitted. As running between March 1931 and February 1933
• 992002/992502 ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, SR Olive Green (4 Digit) No. 1615 with 4,000gal tender, U1 type chimney, Piston rod fitted to cylinders, Round dome and Snifting valves fitted. As running between December 1931 and circa 1934.
• 992003/992503, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, SR Olive Green (4 Digit) No. 1638, with 4,000gal tender, U type chimney, Flat fronted cylinders, Flat dome and Snifting valves fitted. As running between circa 1934 and circa 1942. (Not in as preserved condition).
• 992004/992504, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, SR Plain Black (Sunshine Lettering) No. 1614, with 4,000gal tender, U1 type chimney, Blanking plate fitted to cylinder, Round dome and Snifting valves fitted. As running between May 1943 and June 1949.
• 992005/992505, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, BR Plain Black (Sunshine Lettering) No. 31616 with 4,000gal tender, U1 type chimney, Flat fronted cylinders, Flat dome and Snifting valves plated over. As running between August 1948 July 1954.
• 992007/992507, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, BR Lined Black (Early Emblem) No. 31631 with 4,000gal tender, U1 type chimney, Flat fronted cylinders, Round dome and Snifting valves plated over. As running between June 1953 and Sept 1956.
• 992009/992509, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, BR Lined Black (Late Emblem) No. 31627 with 4,000gal tender, U1 type chimney, Flat fronted cylinders, Flat dome, Snifting valves plated over, AWS Battery Box . As running between October 1959 and October 1965.
• 992010/992510, ‘U’ Class 2-6-0, BR Lined Black (Late Emblem) No. 31639 with 4,000gal tender, 4MT type chimney, Blanking plate fitted to cylinders, Round dome Snifting valves plated over, AWS Battery Box. As running between April 1960 and June 1966.

The models will feature a smooth-running mechanism, factory-installed speakers, NEM coupler pockets, an ESU 21-pin decoder socket (DC models), fitted MoPower stay-alive capacitor, tender pickups, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect (DCC/Sound fitted models).

The project is already at the tooling stage and engineering prototypes are expected in early 2026.

Rapido Trains UK have also announced this week the next batch of liveries for their Generic ‘Evolution non-corridor bogie coaches and these include LBSC Mahogany, SR Olive Green and BR(s) Malachite Green.

You can of course pre-order the SR U Class, Evolution coaches and all their newly announced items, at retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.

Additionally, a Kent and East Sussex Railway livery ‘Evolution’  two-coach set will be available exclusively via Rapdio Trains UK’s own website. These coaches are being produced as a fund raiser – with all the proceeds going towards the upkeep of Peckett 1631 ‘Marcia’.  Proceeds go to the ongoing preservation and upkeep of the loco, which has been based at the K&ESR for many years.