Tag Archives: Diagram 1558

Model News

Rapido Trains UK announce SR Diagram 1379/1400 8 plank open wagons in 00 and SECR wagons in N gauge, and an exclusive brake van livery from Train Times.

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Rapido trains UK have announced they are producing a range of  SR Diagram 1379 and Diagram 1400 eight  plank open wagons in 00. They have also announced that their SECR wagons and Diagram 1558 6 wheel brake van are to be produced in N gauge as wagon packs.

The Engineering Prototype of the Diagram 1379 and Diagram 1400 8 plank open wagons

There were ten standard open wagon designs produced for the SR under Maunsell, although these could actually be grouped into just three main types: an 8 plank open that came in eight versions, a 5 plank open and an 8 plank ferry train wagon.
The first and numerically the largest SR design is the Diagram 1379 eight  plank open on a standard 17’6″ RCH underframe with 9’0″ wheelbase with a total of 7,950 built. The first 3000 built from 1926 were fitted with Morton brakes  with the remainder with SR ‘Freighter Brakes. Production continued until 1933.
88 Diagram 1379 8 plank wagons were transferred to the Isle of Wight in 1948/9 receiving 278xx / 279xx numbers.
In 1935 the wheel base of the standard 17’6″ underframe was increased to 10’0″ and from August 1936 an unfitted version (similar to the Diagram 1379) was introduced and given Diagram 1400.  Construction continued until November 1937 and conveniently 1,400 of this diagram were produced.

The Diagram 1379 with Morton Brakes
The Diagram 1379 with Freighter brakes
The longer 10ft wheelbase Diagram 1400

Rapido trains UK are incredibly offering 31, yes 31, versions across the two Diagrams 1379 and 1400, as they have tooled Morton and SR ‘Freighter’ brakes and split spoke and disc wheels, RRP is £32.95 per wagon (although they can be pre-ordered at a discounted price from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre) :

  • 940001: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29306, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940002: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.30601, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940003: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31458, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940004: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31372, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940005: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.32565, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940006: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33333, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940007: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36485, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940008: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36759, SR brown (pre-1936)
  • 940009: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.30004, SR brown (pre-1936) (As preserved on the Bluebell Railway)
  • 940010: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29898, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940011: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.29427, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940012: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31364, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940013: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.31421, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940014: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33255, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940015: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.33730, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940016: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36359, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940017: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.36871, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940018: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.10939, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940019: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.11783, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940020: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.27363, SR brown (post-1936)
  • 940021: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S30215, BR grey
  • 940022: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S27915, BR grey (Isle of Wight)
  • 940023: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S27930, BR grey (Isle of Wight)
  • 940024: D1379 Morton Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.S31472, BR grey
  • 940025: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S34301, BR grey
  • 940026: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S36194, SR brown with BR lettering
  • 940027: D1379 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S34745, BR grey
  • 940028: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S10953, SR brown with BR lettering
  • 940029: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.S26782, BR grey
  • 940030: D1400 Freighter Brakes, Disc Wheels, No.S11530, BR grey
  • 940031: D1379 Morton Brakes, Split Spoke Wheels, No.DS719, Motive Power Department black

These wagons are currently at the Engineering prototype stage and should be available during mid 2023.

The N Gauge Freight Train Pack

For N gauge modellers Rapido trains UK have reduced their SECR Diagram 1349 five-plank open, Diagram 1355 seven-plank open, Diagram 1426 covered van and but also the Diagram 1558 six-wheel dual-veranda brake van too. These N Gauge versions will only be available in multipacks. The ‘Freight Packs’ (RRP £99.95) comprise of 1 off of each D1349 five-plank, D1355 seven-plank, D1426 van and a D1558 dual veranda brake van. The ‘Wagon’ packs (RRP £69.95) are a triple packs of one wagon type with three different running numbers as follows:

  • 942001: SECR livery Freight Train Pack
  • 942005: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (pre-1936 livery)
  • 924009: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (post-1936 livery)
  • 942013: BR Freight Train Pack
  • 942002: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SECR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
  • 942003: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – SECR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
  • 942004: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SECR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)
  • 942002: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SECR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
  • 942003: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – SECR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
  • 942004: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SECR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)
  • 942010: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SR post-1936 Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
  • 942011: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – SR post-1936 Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
  • 942012: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – SR post-1936 Livery 12t Covered Vans
    (Dia.1426)
  • 942014: SECR Wagons Pack 2 – BR Livery 5 Planks (Dia.1349)
  • 942015: SECR Wagons Pack 3 – BR Livery 7 Planks (Dia.1355)
  • 942016: SECR Wagons Pack 4 – BR Livery 10t Covered Vans (Dia.1426)

The N Gauge SECR wagons are at the CAD stage, with tooling due to start shortly and will be available during mid to late 2023. The packs can be pre-ordered at a discounted price from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre. 

The Train Times limited edition 00 gauge Diagram 1558 brake van artwork

Additionally the Train Times Model Shop in Eastbourne has announced an excusive livery on the Rapido trains UK 00 gauge SE&CR 20t 6 wheel brake van, in Wainwrights’ goods livery of grey body and grey solebars, with the number 2010 as preserved on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. These can be ordered direct with Train Times Model Shop here  They should be available with the main production batch in early 2023.

The Rapido trains UK wagon range continues to grow at pace providing Southern / Southern Region modellers with plenty of further wagon choice, and the packs for N gauge modellers are also a welcome addition.

Model News

Rapido Trains UK announce South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake van

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Rapido trains UK  have announced today (15/04), following a bit of a hint in one of their videos and me here, that they are producing the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake van.

CAD Render of the D1558 Van original version
A detailed interior is included
A fully detailed underframe with full brake gear
The D1558 rebuilt version

Forty 6 wheel 20t brake vans were built in 1898 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway to Diagram 1558, were heavily influenced by Midland Railway practice, these had an open veranda platform (i.e. with no roof, sides or end rail) at one end and a closed one at the other. In 1910, 50 more were built with close verandas at each end, between 1914 and 1920 the original vans were modified with two closed verandas. These modified vans were identifiable as had double top rails at the rebuilt end only.  All 90 vans entered Southern Railway stock and most passed into British Railways ownership. There were also variations in some of the framing, planking and handrails between the two built versions.

Rapido trains UK  have tooled two bodies to cover both the dual veranda vans built new in 1910 as well as the single-ended vans re-built that year and have announced ten initial versions:

  • 931001: No. 2033, SECR grey with black underframe
  • 931002: No. 2036, SECR grey
  • 931003: No. 55382, SR brown with red ends (large lettering)
  • 931004: No. 55389, SR brown with red ends (large lettering)
  • 931005: No. 55384, SR brown with red ends (small lettering)
  • 931006: No. 55366, SR brown with red ends (small lettering)
  • 931007: No. S55429, SR brown with red ends (BR lettering)
  • 931008: No. S55434, BR grey
  • 931009: No. S55371, BR grey
  • 931010: No. 80383, Engineer’s black

The RRP will be £39.95 or discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.  The expected availability is early 2023.

The SER single ended version being produced for Rails of Sheffield

Rails of Sheffield have commissioned the original pre 1910 single end vans  to be produced in SER red/brown with red ends (ran into SECR days) and SECR grey (two running numbers).

These vans are a logical choice by Rapido trains UK and compliment there already arrived SECR Diagram 1355 seven-plank open, Diagram 1347 / Diagram 1349 five-plank opens and the previously announced Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagons.

 

Canute Road Quay, Workbench, Workbench Witterings

Workbench Witterings#14 A quick brake… in 3D a SECR Diagram 1558

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One of those occasions when looking for an item you come across something else purchased a while back and think I should really finish it… The other weekend I found my 3D print, purchased from Simon Dawson’s store on Shapeways (in those days when it was much cheaper than it is now…), of the 6 wheel ex SECR Diagram 1558 20 ton brake van, so I decide it would make a nice quick win project and be one less thing on the things to do one day list/pile…

The D1558 brake van is shunted at Canute Road Quay by an ex LCDR T class 0-6-0t

Forty 6 wheel 20t brake vans were built in 1898 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway to Diagram 1558, these had an open veranda platform (i.e. with no roof, sides or end rail) at one end and a closed one at the other. In 1910, 50 more were built with close verandas at each end, between 1914 and 1920 the original vans were modified with two closed verandas. These modified vans were identifiable as had double top rails at the rebuilt end only.  All 90 vans entered Southern Railway stock and most passed into British Railways ownership. There were also variations in some of the framing, planking and handrails between the two built versions.

Buffers heads, handrails and lamp irons added
Brass bearings fitted and the ‘T’ section to support the weighted floor is added to the inside of both sides.
A dusting of Halfords plastic primer. The double top rail at the modified closed veranda end can be seen.
Painting and lettering complete, some etched brake gear will be added in due to finish

The one piece 3D print represents one of the first batch as modified with both verandas enclosed and correctly has the double end top rails at one end only. The print is pretty basic but was quite a clean print, has no floor, and is missing some of the fine top corner strapping detail. Handrails and lamp irons are thankfully not part of the print as I would have replaced these if they were. I replaced the printed bufferheads with finer turned metal 13″ versions, drilling the buffer stocks to take the shank.
There is no representation of any brake gear, although its omission is mainly hidden behind the full length stepboards, I will at some stage add some brake gear, once I purchase some suitable etches.

I drilled the axle boxes to take standard brass top hat bearings for Alan Gibson 12mm spoked wheels, wire handrails and lamp irons fashioned from Bambi staples were added. I made a floor from plasticard onto which I added some lead strip to bring the van weight up to approx. 45g to ensure good running. To affix the floor I first glued some plastic ‘T’ section to the inside of the van sides to provide a mounting location.

Following a dust of Halfords plastic primer the van was brush painted with Precision Paints P91 SR Freight Brown and P90 SR Venetian Red for the ends. Lettering and numbers were added using HMRS Pressfix SR Wagons transfer sheet 13 and then give a spray coat of Railmatch satin varnish to seal. Glazing for the end windows was glued into place before the floor was affixed.

For the time being standard slim tension lock couplings have been fitted using Peco Parkside P34 mounting blocks. It is now added the queue of items to be weathered.

I am sure there is potential for these vans to become a ready to run model one day, as interest in pre-grouping rolling stock is on the increase, hence this project being done as a bit of quick win.