Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ‘OO’ gauge Stroudley ‘A1/A1X’ 0-6-0Ts return

The Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ‘OO’ gauge Dapol Stroudley ‘A1/A1X’ 0-6-0Ts were first introduced back in 2020.  My post about the release can be read here.

Rails of Sheffield have announced today that a new production run of seven versions with a number of tooling enhancements are due in quarter 3 2026.  The enhancements include a new cab with [a much welcome] solid roof, new etched coal rails [hopefully positioned in the correct place], additional weight in the coal bunker, modified smokebox weight, an upgraded factory-fitted 15mm x 8mm x 8mm speaker, factory-fitted stay alive and easy access to the Next18 Digital Command Control (DCC) socket.

The seven versions are as follows:

• 4S-010-013 Class A1X Terrier 0-6-0T LBSCR Marsh Umber ‘680’ as running April 1912 and c1914/5
• 4S-010-014 Class A1 Terrier 0-6-0T Isle of Wight Central Railway Red ’10’ as running between April 1900 and c1910
• 4S-010-015 Class A1 Terrier 0-6-0T LBSCR Improved Engine Green ‘Stepney’ ’55’ as running between 1890s and June 1901
• 4S-010-016 Class A1 Terrier 0-6-0T LBSCR Improved Engine Green ‘Knowle’ ’78’ as running between July 1880 and March 1907
• 4S-010-017 Class A1X Terrier 0-6-0T BR Lined Black Late Crest ‘32662’ as preserved
• 4S-010-018 Class A1 Terrier 0-6-0T KESR Blue ‘Rolvenden’ as running between 1905 and c1920s
• 4S-010-019 Class A1X Terrier 0-6-0T Southern Railway Olive Green ‘E653’ [sic ‘B653’] as running between c1924 and c1931

Models will still feature a die-cast chassis and running plate, firebox flicker, diecast wheels with compensated centre axle, separately fitted detail and the ability to accurately model ‘A1’, ‘A1X’ and Isle of Wight locomotives with two styles of cab, coal bunker, smokebox, boiler and wooden or metal brake blocks.

I am sure these will be a welcome return by Rails of Sheffield especially with the tooling enhancements.