Tag Archives: Rapido Trains UK

Kernow Models, Model News, Model Reviews

Rapido Trains UK ex GWR V6 ‘Iron Mink’ as SR ‘Cone’ Improvised Gunpowder van arrives

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The Rapido Trains UK ‘OO’ gauge GWR V6 ‘Iron Mink’ covered vans have arrived, it might seem unusual for such a wagon to mentioned here you might be thinking… there is a reason, read on…

The SR ‘Cone’ Improvised Gunpowder Van converted from GWR V6 ‘Iron Mink’.

The GWR covered vans of all metal construction, therefore known as ‘Iron Minks’, appeared between 1888 and 1901 (after which their covered vans construction reverted to being built with wooden bodies) were built on 16’6″ underframes with a 9′ wheelbase and had a capacity of 8 tons, with over 4000 being built.

Due to the Governments re-armament programme, the fact the Southern Railway had not built any Gunpowder vans and only had 38 were in service (such as ex LSWR Diagram 1701) , a further 100 were apparently required from late 1937.  It was decided to exchange 100 covered vans for GWR ‘Iron Minks’ and convert them as Improvised Gunpowder vans, they were to be returned at the end of the armament period or potentially the end of the war.

Crisp livery application and lettering.

It does not appear to be documented exactly how many actually came to the Southern or for how long they stayed, but they were lettered SR with temporary SR numbers in the range 59001-100 and carried the SR code name ‘Cone’.

They were never allocated any SR Diagram number, and do not appear to to have been included within the SR Wagon registers, although they are very similar to the aforementioned LSWR Diagram 1701 Gunpowder vans, except the LSWR vans had lifting link brake gear rather than the two independent sets of brakes on the GWR Iron Minks.

Well detailed underframe.

As is now standard on the Rapido Trains UK they 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. Standard NEM slim line tension lock couplings are provided (on removable mounts for those that want to use 3 links) although they do protrude out past the end the buffers a little more than I personally prefer.
The brake handle correctly passes through the see through ratchet, rather than just being a solid moulding, a welcome development that is now starting to be seen on some of the more detailed new RTR wagons.

Another 3/4 view.

They also feature correct 8 spoked wheels on 26mm pin point axles that run in brass bearing cups, that, despite being slightly lighter than I would prefer at 32g, run very freely.
The black livery application is crisp and well printed with the red cross and red and white lettering and has an overall pleasing satin finish. The roof is mid grey which I prefer, although it is suggested that they might haver originally been white.

These excellent SR Improvised Gunpowder van versions are already sold out at Rapido Trains UK direct,  but are still in stock at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.

 

 

Model News, Model Reviews

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

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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 D1426 pre and post 1936 SR livery versions

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.

The D1744 SR Engineers Department red oxide liveries

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.

The common underframe of the D1426 and D744 wagons

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 same wagons as above after a dusting with Testers Dullcoat

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.

Model News

E1 class No. W2 Yarmouth in 00 from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

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Further to my post here announcing the LBSC E1 0-6-0T variations being produced by Rapido trains UK the Isle of Wight Steam Railway have today announced that they working with Rapido trains UK on an exclusive 00 gauge model of our E1 Class locomotive W2 Yarmouth.

E1 No. W2 Yarmouth (picture copyright IWSR)

The finished model will be depicted in Southern Railway green to match the real locomotive when her restoration is completed.

Their exclusive models are £164.95 and available to pre-order now. No deposit is needed –  you can reserve yours online here, or by emailing the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at info@iwsteamwrailway.co.uk, phoning 01983 882204, or calling into the railway office at Havenstreet.
General, Model News

Trains Times Model Shop exclusive Rapido Trains UK LB&SCR E1 0-6-0 locomotive identities revealed

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Further to my post last month where Rapido Trains UK revealed the versions of the LBSC E1 class 0-6-0 tank locomotives they are producing, it also advised that Train Times of Eastbourne announced a exclusive livery versions for the Rapido Trains UK LB&SCR E1 in LBSC Lined Black .

E1 Class 113

Train Times have today revealed the identities for the two exclusive models they have commissioned both in LBSC lined black livery.  They will be producing number 113 which spent some time at Eastbourne in the 1910s and “Loco Dept. New Cross”.

Number 113 originally built in May 1877 named “Granville” carried this lined black livery from 1906 until 1928 when she was repainted into Southern livery and numbered B113. She latter became 2113 then 32113 and was withdrawn September 1958 having worked 1,130,888 miles!

E1 Class “Loco Dept. New Cross”

Number 111 originally built in April 1877 named “Montpelier” and became “Loco Dept. New Cross” from June 1908 until June 1922 when she was renumbered 611 and withdrawn in May 1932.

Both versions are a limited to 150 models and will be priced at £164.95 and available to pre-order from the Train Times website here. 

 

Model News

Rapido Trains UK reveal the ex LBSC E1 class 0-6-0t versions being produced in 00 gauge

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Hot on the heels of my post last month of the Rapido trains UK ex LBSC E1 class 0-6-0t Cad renders, that can be seen here, the list of the 14 ‘E1’ versions being produced so far to cover all key variations has been revealed as below.

127 ‘Poitiers’, LBSCR Goods Green

Rapido trains UK have done their best to ensure that all the detail variations are covered but, they advise: “to be brutally honest, the ‘E1’ is a nightmare when it comes to small detail changes.”
The LBSC  list is:

    • 936001: No. 145 ‘France’, LBSCR ‘Improved Engine Green’
    • 936002: No. 155 ‘Brenner’, LBSCR ‘Improved Engine Green’
    • 936003: No. 127 ‘Poitiers’, LBSCR Goods Green
    • 936004: No. 122 ‘Leghorn’, LBSCR Goods Green
    • 936005: No. 110 LBSCR Marsh Umber
    • 936006: No. 137 LBSCR Marsh Umber [Edit: 24/08/22 Rapido changed the number was 694]
E1 3269 in BR unlined black

The Southern Railway and BR mainland versions are:

  • 936007: No. B690, Maunsell (pre-1931) Southern black
  • 936008: No. 2151 Maunsell Southern Black
  • 936009: No. 32694 BR unlined black (early emblem)
  • 936010: No. 32138 BR unlined black (early emblem)
  • 936011: No. 32151 BR lined black (no emblem) 

 

And for those modelling the Isle of Wight or industrial:

W2 in BR Malachite livery on the Isle of Wight
  • 936012: No. 1 Medina, British Railways lined malachite green, with ‘sunshine’ lettering
  • 936013: No. 3 Ryde, Southern black, ‘sunshine’ lettering
  • 936014: No. 30 Hartley Main Colliery livery

These are now available to pre-order with an RRP of £164.95 for DCC ready and £264.95 for DCC Sound fitted at Rapido trains UK and with a discount at stockists such as KMRC.

In there second collaboration with Rapido trains UK, Train Times of Eastbourne announce an exclusive livery for the Rapido LB&SCR E1 in LBSC Lined Black, 2 different locomotives will be available, with numbers TBC. These will be available to order from their website soon.

Model News

Latest ex LBSC E1 class 0-6-0t CAD renders from Rapido Trains UK

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Rapido trains UK confirmed back in January that they are going to produce the LBSCR ‘E1’ 0-6-0T in ’00’ gauge, as part of their growing range, despite it no longer being a commission by Model Rail magazine. My friends at Rapido trains UK have kindly provide me with copies of the latest CAD renders for this project and allowed me to post them here.

CAD renders of the Rapido ex LBSC E1 note the different dome and safety valve versions

They advise me that they will hopefully be confirming soon which running numbers and liveries they are going to produce and I will of course publish the details here when known. I understand it will cover a number of the class variations throughout their lifetime and geographical working area. As I model 1946 to 1949 I am hoping at least one will be in SR sunshine black, or suitable for a quick repaint and renumber to that period, as a number of members of the E1 class were often seen shunting at Southampton Docks and will be therefore be suitable motive power on my Canute Road Quay layout.

The early E1 version

It should of course be noted that these CAD renders are a work in progress and some areas in particular are known to require some amendments, such as tank tops. I am also hoping that the couplings might be revised slightly to reduce their protrusion.
It is the purpose of such renders to help evaluate the overall shape and details to confirm they are totally correct before approving the CADs for tooling to commence. Contrary to the belief of some, the first impression from tooling / the Engineering Prototype is to confirm fit and function and perhaps make some minor adjustments, not to see if the basic shape is correct…

A 3/4 rear view of the early version note the open coal rails

The class were originally introduced in 1874 by William Stroudley for local goods and piloting duties, as the E class.  Many gained a Marsh type boiler from 1906-7 with a larger dome moved rearwards, encased Ramsbottom safety valves and the whistle relocated to the cab roof.  The last six engines were built by RJ Billinton that also has slightly different boilers, Ramsbottom safety valves and a manhole cover, with whistle, was fixed over the firebox. These six were also given different chimneys, to Billinton’s design, (a cast-iron type in one piece) and were known as Class E1, subsequently all the earlier engines also became known as Class E1.  Withdrawals commenced in 1908 and continued in SR days

The later Marsh Boiler version with revised dome position and Ramsbottom safety valves

during the 1920s, with some examples sold to industrial railways rather than scrapped. Eight examples were also rebuilt as E1/R 0-6-2 radial tank engines for use in the west of England. Four E1s were also transferred during 1932/3 for duties on the Isle of Wight and renumbered W1-W4  and given names related to the Island:136 (originally Brindisi) became W1 Medina, 152 (originally Hungary) became W2 Yarmouth, 154 (originally Madrid) became W3 Ryde and 131 (originally Gournay) became W4 Wroxall.

Thirty  survived to British Railways ownership but during the 1950s they were gradually replaced by diesel shunters. The last survivor,

The tank tops, that should be recessed are an area already noted to be improved

BR no 32694, was allocated to Southampton Docks. It was withdrawn in July 1961.
Number 110 was withdrawn in February 1927, and sold to the Cannock and Rugeley Colliery Company and fitted with a revised boiler design. Withdrawn again in 1963 she was preserved and now resides on the Isle of Wight steam railway and  is being restored with the identity of W2 ‘Yarmouth’ 

It is good to see this project progress and as soon as Rapido trains UK let me know their intended versions being produced I will post the details accordingly.

A rear 3/4 view of the later version

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.

 

General, Kernow Models, Model News, Model Reviews

Rapido Trains UK SECR 5 and 7 plank wagons in 00 arrive.

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Rapido Trains UK first announced these 00 gauge ready to run South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) / Southern Railway wagons in May 2021 and they have now arrived at retailers.  These new models cover the Diagram 1355 seven-plank open and both the Diagram 1347 and Diagram 1349 five-plank opens built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway on the same Maunsell/Lynes steel underframe.

Graham asked:  “should this review be written in the style of a Rapido marketing email,?” but Muz replied: “Right! Stop that! It’s silly.” (with apologies to Monty Python).

A group of D1355, D1347 and D1349 wagons from Rapido

A post 1936 livery D1355 7 plank wagon, one of the wonky self contained buffers can be seen.

A pre 1936 livery D1347 5 plank with tapered buffers

The 5 plank D1349 with self-contained buffers

I will let the photographs show  how good these wagons are and provide a welcome addition to any SECR / SR modellers fleet. I have only purchased some of the SR versions, but SECR grey and BR Grey and BR Departmental versions are also available (see the original announcement here for the full list).
Some people, without a full understanding of the manufacturing process and where production and overheads costs lie, might crawl away at the RRP of £32.95; and whilst there might still be other manufacturer’s wagons currently available at a cheaper prices the realistic market prices are certainly changing as all costs rise. The models can of course be purchased from retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre at a slight discounted price.

The 7 plank open, later SR Diagram 1355, were the SECR’s most numerous wagon with 2,121 wagons built between 1915 and 1927. The SR later fitted a sheet rail. British Railways had over 70 wagons still in service in the 1960s and the last withdrawals were not until the 1970s.

The 5 plank opens utilised the same steel chassis as the 7 plank wagons, 550 were built between 1920 and 1925 with standard buffers that became SR Diagram 1347. A further 150 were built 1921/2  with the self-contained buffer type, as on the 7 plank D1355 wagons, and became SR Diagram 1349. They were withdrawn in the early 1960s.

The well detailed underframe of these Rapido wagons

All three versions of the models, sharing the same underframe, have accurate body detail, including nicely planked insides and now becoming much more common on wagon releases good underframe detail that includes both etched and wire parts.  They also feature nice split spoked wheels on 26mm pin point axles that run in brass bearing cups, that along with a with a weight of 32/33g ensures very free running.

A 7 plank with the usual buffer incorrectly affixed

On my examples, as can be seen in the images,  a number of the self contained buffers were glued in at wonky angles, but being separately applied parts these can be carefully reaffixed.

An SR Brown comparison under the same lighting

The livery application is crisp and well printed. I know for a fact that Rapido have used the same paint colour reference for the SR brown as the Kernow Model Rail Centre used on their ex LSWR/SR D1541 Road Vans, although this appears to be a slightly lighter but still more than acceptable, interpretation of the colour possibly due to the more satin finish, (and even lighter with the lighting I have used in my studio), on these wagons.

The sheet rail parts for the D1355 7 plank wagon yet to be fitted (along with  another buffer to be reaffixed…)

Another group view of the D1355, D1347 and D1349 wagons

The tooling allows for both taped plain and the self-contained buffer types for the 5 plank wagons. To achieve the 7 plank versions fitted with the sheet rail, a pre shaped wire rail along with its moulded mounting brackets for each end of the wagon have been supplied as separate parts for the use to fit (glue) into position (instructions on fitting is included with each wagon).
The holes in the mounting brackets for the sheet rail will need to be opened out very slightly to ensure a good fit. The one slight downside is that the rail can only be positioned in the upright position, as it would be when a sheet was covering the wagon and not, without some modification, in the sideways stowed position when no sheet was fitted.

A comparison of the same brown… the 5 plank has been matt varnished

[Edit 20/05/22] To demonstrate the effect that the factory satin finsih has on the paint colour as mentioned above, the picture left shows a comparison with one of the Rapido wagons given a coat of Testors Dullcoat matt varnish and brings the colour much closer to the Kernow Model Rail Centre ex LSWR/SR D1541 Road Vans, and therefore looking much better.

The sensible choice of body and underframe combination by Rapido Trains UK provides SECR / SR modellers with three different wagon diagrams from one set of tooling and is an approach for choosing wagon types to produce that Rapido Trains UK are have also undertaken with their announcement in January of the ex SECR  Diagram 1426 covered van and the D1744 ballast wagon that also share a common underframe (hopefully with straight buffers…).

Kernow Models, Model News

Rapido Trains UK announce South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon and that the LBSC E1 0-6-0t is go!

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Rapido Trains UK have announced today that they are producing two new ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway wagons, the Diagram 1426 van and the Dia. 1744 ballast wagon. These vans were introduced in 1918 and they lasted well into BR days, setting the standard for future Southern Railway vans. They shared the same 9ft 6in wheelbase with the five and seven plank open wagons that Rapido Trains UK announced in May last year.

D1426 van with straight gutters over the doors

The D1426 van with curved gutter strips

The Diagram 1426 covered van sports the following features: Two types of rain strip: curved and straight, separately-fitted end ventilators, split-spoked wheels running in metal bearings and highly detailed body and under frame.

There are eleven Diagram 1426 covered vans being produced:

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

The D1744 2 plank Ballast wagon

The D1744 with the floor planks extending out from under the side doors.

The D1744 where the extended planks have been cut flush with the sides.

The SECR used the same underframe for the two-plank ballast wagon. It introduced the first in 1919 and 120 were built over the next four years. Incredibly, BR didn’t withdraw the last until 1971. The Diagram 1744 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 and underframes.

There are eleven Diagram 1744 vans being produced:

  • 928001: No. 567, SECR grey (preserved)
  • 928002: No. 11835, SECR grey
  • 928003: No. 1789, SECR grey
  • 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

These wagons are available from either Rapido Trains UK direct or discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.

‘E1’ – it’s on!

A CAD render of the E1

Rapido Trains UK have also confirmed that they are going to produce the ‘OO’ gauge LBSCR ‘E1’ 0-6-0T, that was first mooted by Model Rail magazine. They have not yet confirmed what running numbers or liveries they are going to produce, although I am advised it will cover as number of variations throughout their lifetime and geographical working area, but I will post the details  as soon as further progress is advised.