Rapido Trains UK announce LBSC D1 0-4-2 tanks along with two Kernow Model Rail Centre exclusive versions in 00 Gauge

Rapido trains UK have announced they are to produce the London Brighton and South Coast (LBSC) D1 0-4-2 tanks in 00 gauge along with two exclusive versions for Kernow Model Rail Centre.

William Stroudley followed his successful A1 Terrier class with the equally successful D1 0-4-2 tanks   Built over thirteen years, the first, “Sydenham”, appropriately bearing the number ‘1’, appeared in November 1873 whilst the last, the 125th, was not built until December 1886. Initially built at Brighton, Some 35 examples were built by Neilson & Co of Glasgow, after which the remainder were once again Brighton-built.

With such a large class it is not surprising that there were a number of variations. The original series of Brighton-built locomotives had wooden brake blocks, but from the last of this series, iron blocks were fitted. A number were converted for working motor trains (pull push operation). As time progressed virtually all were re-boilered by either RJ Billinton or, later, Marsh who raised the pressure to 170 lb. Coal rails were fitted to increase coal capacity to 2 tons 15 cwt.
Although members of the class were withdrawn regularly from as early as 1904 onwards 112 of the class entered Southern Railway stock. During Southern Railway days four of the class had their bunkers cut down and side tank capacity reduced so that they could (unsuccessfully) work the Lyme Regis branch.  Also during WWII seven D1s were sent to Scotland for branchline and shunting work.
Twenty managed to just survive into BR ownership although none carried the 32xxx numbers and No. 2359 was the last to be withdrawn in July 1951.

The Rapido trains UK LBSC D1 0-4-2 tanks include a range a tooling differences including different boilers, tanks, smokeboxes, chimneys, domes, safety valves, whistles, brake blocks, and Westinghouse pumps. Certain versions are then equipped with push-pull equipment, condensing pipes and air reservoir tanks.  They all feature factory fitted speakers, front and rear NEM 362 coupler pockets, sprung buffers, a Next 18 DCC decoder socket, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect on DCC-fitted models, stay alive powerpacks and 6-wheel drive from a coreless motor.

The 14 main range versions being produced in both DCC ready and DCC Sound fitted versions (although no SR post 1941 Black) are as follows:

  • 810001 LBSC D1 No.35 Southwark in LBSCR Improved Engine Green – condensing gear, wooden brake blocks, Stroudley boiler / chimney, Original dome with salter safety valves as running June 1876 to May 1878
  • 810002 LBSC D1 No.232 Lewes in LBSCR Improved Engine Green – condensing gear, wooden brake blocks, Stroudley boiler / chimney, Original dome with salter safety valves as running July 1884 to C1906.
  • 810003 LBSC D1 No.279 Tunbridge Wells in LBSCR Improved Engine Green – condensing gear, wooden brake blocks, Stroudley boiler / chimney, Original dome with salter safety valves as running December 1879 to May 1911.
  • 810004 LBSC D1 No.361 Upperton in LBSCR Umber – condensing gear, iron brake blocks, Stroudley boiler / chimney, Original dome with salter safety valves, tablet holder as running May 1905 to January 1914.
  • 810005 LBSC D1 No.614 in LB&SCR Marsh Umber – condensing gear, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler, Stroudley chimney, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running January 1912 briefly before Pull Push equipment was fitted later the same year.
  • 810006 LBSC D1 No.256 in LBSCR Marsh Umber – condensing gear, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running September 1917 to c1924.
  • 810007 LBSC D1 No.B266 in SR Lined Green – Pull Push fitted, condensing gear, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running 1924 to c1931 
  • 810008 LBSC D1 No.2270 in SR Lined Green – Pull Push fitted, condensing gear, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running c1931 to July 1940
  • 810009 LBSC D1 No.2626 in SR Lined Green – Pull Push fitted, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running c1931 to November 1940.
  • 810010 LBSC D1 No.2232 in SR Lined Green – Pull Push fitted, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running c1931 to  March 1941.
  • 810011 LBSC D1 No.2252 in SR Unlined Green – Pull Push fitted, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler, Drummond chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running July 1940 to c1942
  • 810012 LBSC D1 No.2627 in Unlined Malachite – Pull Push fitted, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump as running November 1940 to November 1943.
  • 810013 LBSC D1 No.1 ‘James Fryars’ Wittingham Hospital Railway Lined Olive Green – iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler / chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump. As running 1948 to 1956. 
  • 810014 LBSC D1 No.32234 in ‘What-If’ BR Malachite  – Pull Push fitted, iron brake blocks, Marsh boiler, Drummond chimney, SR clack valves, Ramsbottom safety valves, late Westinghouse pump.

 

Kernow Model Rail Centre have announced two exclusive versions in Stroudley’s ‘improved’ engine green and appropriately, for their Guildford shop, named ‘Guildford and ‘Dorking’

  • 810016 Rapido D1 LBSC No. 274 ‘Guildford – DCC Ready £159.99 – Stroudley boiler, Flush-riveted smokebox, Condensing gear, Original smokebox door , Stroudley chimney, Original dome with salter safety valves, Firebox-mounted whistle. Control arm-type handrail, Stroudley clack valves, Wooden brake blocks, Internally mounted sandpipes, Early Westinghouse pump and plain bufferbeam. As running December 1879 to late 1880s.

These models are about to go to tooling and will likely to into production Q2 2027 and all are available to pre-order through Kernow Model Rail Centre here.

 

 

 

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