Tag Archives: South Eastern and Chatham Railway

Model News

Rapido Trains UK announce SECR/SR O1 Class 0-6-0 in 00 gauge.

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Rapido Trains UK have announced they are to produce the SECR/SR O1 Class 0-6-0 in 00 gauge. This will complement their range of SECR  /SR goods wagons.

O1 Class No.65 on the Bluebell Railway

Between 1878 and 1899 122 O Class locos were built designed by James Stirling. Following the first group of 20 that were built by Sharp, Stewart and Co., several more batches were completed, both by them and by the South Eastern Railway Ashford Works. The final five locos were built in 1899 By the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. In 1903 Wainwright started rebuilding the class, to become the 01 class,  with domed boilers and a squared cab. 58 were so treated by 1918, with another rebuilt by the Southern Railway in 1927. Those O Class locomotives not rebuilt were all withdrawn by 1925.

A 3D Test print from the Cad

A total of 49 members of the O1 class survived into British Railways ownership with the final member of the class 31065 earning one final claim to fame by leading the ‘Farewell to Steam’ railtour on the Hawkhurst Branch, before being withdrawn from service in June 1961. Thankfully she is now preserved in full working order on the Bluebell Railway.

The Rapido Trains UK model will feature a smooth-running mechanism, a factory-installed speaker, a 21pin DCC interface, a sleek tender connection and a firebox glow. The model is currently ready for tooling, and it is  hoped to have samples in the spring. At the moment only the 3D test print and livery renders have been made available.

The initial 11 versions announced are as follows:

  • 966001: 65 Wainwright Green, As Preserved
  • 966002: No.373 Wainwright Green
  • 966003: No.385 SECR Grey
  • 966004: No.A7 SR Lined Black, Maunsell Lettering
  • 966005: No.1437 SR Plain Black, Maunsell Lettering
  • 966006: No.1046 SR Bulleid Black early Bulleid lettering
  • 966007: No.1379 SR Bulleid Sunshine lettering
  • 966008: No.100 East Kent Railway Black
  • 966009: No.s1065 British Railways Sunshine lettering
  • 966010: No.31064 British Railways Early Crest Unlined Black
  • 966011: No.31065 British Railways Late Crest Unlined Black

These are now available to pre-order with an RRP of £199.95 DCC Ready or £309.95 DCC Sound Fitted. This announcement is part of Rapido trains UK winter range announcement (the hint of a format to come..) and prior to the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 25/26th November, for completeness Rapido trains UK have also announced the Cornish Bagnall Port of Par ‘Twins’ 0-4-0ST, the GNR Stirling Single No.1 (with small tender) and the GNR J52/2 0-60T, these and the O1 are available to pre-order at Rapido trains UK or with a discount at stockists such as KMRC.

Model Reviews

The SECR / SR D1 4-4-0 from Rails of Sheffield arrives – a review

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The Rails of Sheffield ex SECR / SR D1 Class locomotive, produced in partnership with Dapol that was announced, with initial decorated samples (with errors) on show, in February 2022, as a natural follow on from their D Class, has now arrived (DCC Sound fitted versions will take slightly longer to arrive), and it certainly is a nice model.

The Rails of Sheffield / Dapol D1 31487 in BR Sunshine lettered livery

After 1901 the D class locomotive further more powerful locomotives were investigated by the companies. After Richard Maunsell took over as CME from Harry Wainwright in 1913 he worked on a series of new locomotives which were intended for a long service life, this involved the conversion and upgrade of 11 E class locomotives, resulting in the E1 class. This proved very successful and led directly to the conversion of 21 D class into the D1 class in 1921 and 1927. Six of the final nine to be rebuilt in 1927 received new frames.
Though arguably, not as elegant as the D class equipped with a larger boiler, a belpaire firebox and longer travel cylinders the D1 was able to produce a considerable haulage and power increase over its predecessors.

D1 31487  LHS view.

Initially allocated to Ashford shed, this class was to be found all over the south-eastern division from London to the south.
In September 1941 1145, 1247, 1492/4 and 1739 were transferred to Nine Elms and could be seen on on the Basingstoke and Salisbury semi fasts as well as van trains to Eastleigh and Southampton.
All were withdrawn by November 1961, no preserved examples exist.

The model is available in six liveries, with detail variations as listed below:

  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class SECR Grey 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive No.735 (original D frames, side feed, Ramsbottom safety valves, original smokebox with snifting valves and manual lubricators).
  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class Southern SR Maunsell Green 4-4-0 Loco No.1749 (original D frames, plated dome, side feed, Ross pop safety valves, original smokebox with snifting valves).
  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class Southern SR Maunsell Green 4-4-0 Loco No.1741 (new frames, spuriously top feed dome and side feed,  Ramsbottom safety valves, original smokebox with snifting valves).
  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Early Crest) 4-4-0 Locomotive No.31741 (new frames, side feed, Ross pop safety valves, original smokebox without snifting valves).
  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Late Crest) 4-4-0 Locomotive No.31246 (original D frames, side feed, Ramsbottom safety valves, later smokebox without snifting valves).
  • SECR Maunsell D1 Class BR Black (Sunshine Lettering) 4-4-0 Loco No.31487 (original D frames, side feed, Ross pop safety valves, laster smokebox without snifting valves).
Excellent cab detail and also the Dapol ‘pinless’  loco to tender connection can be seen.

It features a five pole motor driving the front driving axle and a the now standard Dapol ‘pinless’ click to couple drawbar that also carries the electrical connections. Electrical pick up is on all tender wheels as well as the locomotive driving wheels. For those using DCC the model has Next-18 Decoder socket mounted on a pull out PCB behind the smokebox door (suposedly tooless but a supplied ‘tool’ is needed) with space for a 15mm x 11mm cube speaker, plus provision for customer to fit a larger bass speaker in tender. The loco also features the current gimmick of a firebox flicker (a fireman would never leave the firebox door open all the time…)

Lovely detail includes a representation of the motion between the frames.

The detail is excellent including a good representation of the inside valve gear between the frames, well modelled and decorated cab details even down to the padlocks on the tender tool lockers. Separately applied items include lamp irons, pipe work, handrails and factory fitted brake rodding on both loco and tender. The buffers are sprung. The slightly plasticly coal, is removable and the water tank and limited coal space on these engines is modelled underneath it. It has been noted however that the version of Loco No.1741 spuriously has been produced with top feed dome and side feed, not a combination that would have occured on the prototype.
[Edit: I have also now noticed that for some reason the smokebox door on the non BR versions spuriously have the cast BR shedcode plate, albeit with nothing printed, moulded on the door shat should not be there].

The removable coal load and the accessory bag items (still in bag) can be seen in this rear 3/4 view.

Supplied in the accessory bag are a cross member to be fitted to the bogie if no front coupling is required, front buffer beam steam heat pipework (identified incorrectly as vacuum pipes in the instructions) and guard irons that can be user fitted if the curves on your layout allow.  The instructions also refer to footplate doors being supplied, but these are not supplied on the D1 class (a cut and paste error from the D Class instructions I guess).

Being a 4-4-0 managing weight distribution and good traction is always an issue, the previous D class with a plastic boiler had traction tyres fitted to one wheelset and was supplied with a spare non tyre fitted wheelset. The D1 has neither traction tyres or optional wheelset, despite the diecast boiler, (the loco minus tender weighs in at 180g that is 25g heavier than the D Class model) on this model its traction is a still bit limited and wheel spins on starting with only three coaches.

The elevated view shows the looks of the D1 loco has been well captured.

The livery application is very well executed and I am pleased to say that having provided some assistance to my friends at Rails of Sheffield and Dapol, the colour, lining and lettering errors originally perpetuated from the D Class models have been correctly applied on the D1s.
The bright silver grey coupling rods and coupling hooks on the buffer beam will need toning down a bit.
Note: although unusual the short lived right / front facing lion within the late crest on the right hand side is actually correct for  31246!

Overall, albeit slightly light footed the Rails Of Sheffield  in partnership with Dapol Wainwright D1 Class 4-4-0 is a lovely model with some great detail and a welcome addition for pre-grouping / SR modellers alike.

General, Model Reviews

The Rapido Trains UK South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake vans arrive

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The all new RTR South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 1558 six wheel brake vans announced  by Rapido trains UK  in April last year have now arrived.

The Rapido Trains UK SECR D1558, later post 1910 built brake van,

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 end opposite to the rebuilt end to increase the height of the veranda.  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 build versions.

Another 3/4 view of the D1558 van

Rapido trains UK  have tooled two body types 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. 55409, SR brown with red ends, 1910 batch (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, 1910 batch (BR lettering)
  • 931008: No. S55434, BR grey, 1910 batch
  • 931009: No. S55371, BR grey
  • 931010: No. 80383, Engineer’s black, 1910 batch
A side on view of the D1558 brake van

The model contains a wealth of detail and many separately applied parts including, handrails, step boards and all lamp irons. Nicely moulded, non sprung buffers are fitted which is fine by me.
Due to the shape of the handrails and their prototypical fixing point positions, these have been finely and understandably moulded in plastic, so they will need to be handled with care. The upper step at each end just like the prototype is mounted on a single central bracket, on my example these steps are not quite horizontal.
Also included with the van is an etch of three of the document clips that were usually fitted to freight stock but not always in the same positions on the same type of van / wagon, so the purchaser can fit to the correct positions for the van modelled (some might have preffered the compromise of them being moulded or prefitted).
For those that want to remove the glued on roof, there is a also fully detailed and decorated interior.

The equsite underframe, note the use of the NEM 363 coupling mount

The underframe with its wealth of brake gear as we have come to expect from Rapido Trains UK is wonderfully reproduced. This detail does mean that there is not enough space for the usual NEM 362 coupling mount so the tension lock coupling fitted is an NEM 363 short style with the fishtail but no socket,  a sensible move.

The van weighs 36g which is a little (perhaps 10g or so) lighter than I would usually apply to my own models of this size, but with the brass axle bearings they are extremely, if not too, free running. Whilst I would always fit brass bearings to kit built models, I have rarely seen a need for them in most RTR wagons.

Crisp decoration, although too satin, and note the wonky foot step

The livery and lettering as we would expect is nice and crisply applied, although as I have discussed here, the use of a stain finish gives the SR brown a perceived lighter colour, so I will give mine a coat of matt varnish.

The RRP is £39.95 or discounted at official retailers such as Kernow Model Rail Centre here.

P.S. Before anyone asks about the already sold out Rails of Sheffield commissioned original pre 1910 single end van, the version that has “Goods Break” on the side, is the correct and prototypical spelling for the period of the modelled van!

Model News

SECR 12 Ton SR Diagram 1358 7 plank mineral wagon packs from Rails of Sheffield

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Rails of Sheffield have announced that they are working with Rapido Trains UK to produce exclusive SECR 12 Ton 7 Plank Mineral Wagon Packs in 00 Gauge.

Between 1913 and 1914 the SECR purchased a number of wagons from RY Pickering. These wagons were built to move coal and were at the time were primarily used by William Cory & Son (Coal Factors) based in Erith. They were originally allocated SECR Diagram s1084, later becoming Southern Railway Diagram 1358.

These wagons carried a variety of liveries – Wainwright light grey with small SECR lettering and black metalwork, all over Maunsell dark SECR grey with large lettering and also standard SR pre-1936 brown.

These wagons are produced by Rapido Trains UK using their latest RCH 7 plank open wagon tooling featuring both side and end doors, angled vee-hangers, double sided brakes, flat-fronted axleboxes and split-spoked wheels. Although not all minor detail differences can be captured with this tooling, these wagons will be as close a representation of the SECR wagons as possible.

Three livery version packs of three are available for £99.95 each pack.

  • Early SECR livery (Light Grey)
  • Late SECR livery (Dark Grey)
  • SR Brown – Pre 1936 livery

The wagons are currently in production. The current expected delivery date is Late 2023 / early 2024. (Subject to change)

Model News

Hattons announce a new batch of ex SECR P Class 0-6-0Ts

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Following on from the release back in April 2018  of their SECR P Class 0-6-0t and a further four later that year in Hatton’s have today announced that seven new versions of the SECR P Class will be available Q2 2024

They are to be produced in limited quantities and are available for pre-order now for £85 here. 

The list includes for the first time a new simplified SECR livery, a re-run of the popular 323 ‘Bluebell’ and new running numbers for previous liveries.

General, History

Marking 100 years since the formation of the Southern Railway – a potted history

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It would be remiss of me not to mark the fact that today is 100 years since the Grouping and the formation of the Southern Railway, it also of course marks the demise of its constituent companies. This post attempts to provide a simplified potted history of the Grouping and the Southern Railway.

The Southern Railway coat of arms incorporated heraldic elements from the main constituent companies.

Although the actual Grouping occurred on 1st January 1923, it’s instigation can be traced back to the First World War where all railways were under state control until 1921. The Railways Act 1921, followed discussions at the time on potential nationalisation, had the aim of stemming the losses being occurred at the time by many of the 120 or so railway companies.

The form of Grouping originally proposed in 1920, by former North Eastern Railway executive, the Minister of Transport, Eric Geddes, was for five English and one Scottish regional companies, by 1921 this was amended to four English and two Scottish companies before the Scottish routes were incorporated in the companies that we know as the ‘Big Four’.  Royal Assent for the Railways Act was in August 1921.

The main Constituent companies of the Southern Railway were the well known three, actually four: The London and South Western Railway (LSWR), The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) and the combined South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, under the South Eastern & Chatham Railways’ Managing Committee (SECR).

The first SR passenger livery was a continuation of the LSWR style in Olive Green with expanded Clarendon ‘Egyptian’ style ‘Southern’ font as seen on ex LSWR Adams A12 0-4-2. From 1937 the Bulleid malachite green and ‘Sunshine’ lettering as seen on the ex LSWR M7 in the background was introduced.

Also incorporated were the three Isle of Wight railway companies and the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway (Bere Alston and Callington section).
Some non-working or joint companies that had been previously leased or worked by the main constituent companies, including for example (not an exhaustive list): the North Cornwall Railway, Sidmouth Railway, Lee-on-the-Solent Railway, Hayling Railway, Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway, London and Greenwich Railway, Croydon & Oxted Joint Railway and Dover & Deal Railway, were also included, as was the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway although not covered by the Railways Act 1921, it had been absorbed by the LSWR.

The Southern Railway also was to share or jointly operate a number of lines including: the East London Railway, West London Extension Railway, Weymouth & Portland Railway and of course the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.

The Southern Railway Network

The total route mileage owned whole by the Southern Railway at Grouping was 2,186 miles, with the main constituents not surprising forming the majority with 1,020 miles ex LSWR, 457 miles ex LBSC and 637 ½ ex SECR. The SR was operated essentially as three Districts: Western, Central and Eastern based approximately on the previous main constituents.

There were two Chief Mechanical Engineers; Richard Maunsell, ex SECR, between 1923 and 1937 and Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid, ex GN / LNER, from 1937 to 1948.

And just because you can never have enough Bulleid pacifics or Southern malachite green…

Although originally three general managers were appointed from each of the main constituents, with a year Sir Herbert Walker became the single General Manager and the development of the SR was built upon many of his ex LSWR practices. Following his retirement in 1937 he was succeeded as general manager by his long-time assistant Gilbert Szlumper. In 1939, Szlumper left the Southern Railway for war service and Sir Eustace Missenden took over.

The Southern Railway officially lasted, of course until Nationalisation in 1948, although in reality, just as during the First World War, the Railways due to the outbreak of The Second World War were taken once again under Government control via The Railway Executive on 1st September 1939 and would remain so until the 1st January 1948 becoming the Southern Region of British Railways.

With the passing of the Transport Act 1947 that nationalised the Railways, Missenden became the first Chairman of the Railway Executive and John Elliot became acting General Manager of the SR and would later become Chief Regional Officer of the Southern Region of British Railways.

I hope this brief simplified history of the Southern Railway has been of interest, and appropriate to mark the 100 years since its formation. I thought it was about time that it was included on my corner of the blogsphere!

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

Heljan announce new SR Passenger Luggage Vans and Utility Vans in 0 Guage

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Heljan have today announced that are to produce the SR 4 wheel Passenger Luggage Vans and Utility Vans in 0 Gauge.

PMV S1874S (picture copyright and courtesy Heljan / Ben Jones)

The Passenger Luggage Vans, ‘PLV’ (Parcels / Miscellaneous Van, PMV) were initially developed by the SECR in 1919, the design formed the base for numerous luggage produced subsequently by the Southern. The original SECR built versions did not have the side vents and number of the ex SECR PLVs were through piped in the 1930s for Pull Push work. From the 1939 built batch the PLVs were built with mixed 6½” / 3½” planking on the body side.

Utility Vans, ‘Van U’ (Covered Carriage Truck, CCT) were first  introduced in 1925 the Utility vans were similar to the PLV but with end loading doors also like the PLVs up until 1938 even thickness body side planking was employed and those from 1938 were built with mixed 6½” / 3½” planking. Those built by BR ins 1955 had plywood sides.

The Heljan models will depict a range of variations and liveries across the PLV/PMV – Van U/CCT as follows:

9150 Southern Railway PLV No. 1171 (even planks)
9151 BR Crimson PMV unnumbered (uneven planks)
9152 BR(S) green PMV S1626S (plywood body)
9153 BR Blue PMV S1574 (plywood body)
9154 BR Blue PMV S1865 (uneven planks) WEATHERED
9155 BR Gulf Red PMV ADS4 (even planks)

9170 Southern Railway Van U No 2372 (even planks)
9171 BR Crimson CCT S1765S (even planks) WEATHERED
9172 BR(S) green CCT unnumbered (even planks)
9173 BR Blue NOV (CCT) S2017 (plywood body)
9174 BR Departmental Olive ADB975276 (uneven planks)
9175 BR Blue CCT S1733 (uneven planks)

This project is currently at the CAD stage and Heljan hope to show first samples in early-2023 with production towards the end of next year.

 

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.