Here are the first EPs of our new SR eight-plank open wagons. These have been designed by our UK design team and they're available to order now.

New tooling announcement: Southern Railway eight-plank open

Say 'hello' to our new ‘OO’ gauge Southern Railway eight-plank open wagon.

Choosing an eight plank design set the Southern apart from most other railway companies and this distinctive design actually became the SR’s most numerous wagon.

The beauty of the Southern Railway eight-planks is that they could be found all over the Southern’s network, including the Isle of Wight, where they ran with ‘E1s’…

ANDY: See, this range isn’t just thrown together, you know?

RICHARD: Absolutely!

We’re producing two types of eight-plank: the unfitted 9ft wheelbase Diagram 1379 and the 10ft wheelbase unfitted Diagram 1400.

You can see the detail differences below:

JASON: And these two? They all look the same to me!

RICHARD: These are the Dia. 1400s. They both have Freighter brakes but there's

JASON: Yes, that 4mm difference really jumps from the screen....

We’re simply delighted with the six samples that we received. They're absolutely exquisite and we think that they're very slightly better than the SECR opens. And they're designed in the UK too.

More importantly, they’re available to order now. RRP is £32.95 and you've got until October 1st to get your order in.

Take a deep breath because there are 31 eight-planks to choose from.

Here they are:

Phew! You can place your order direct with ourselves or with your local Rapido UK stockist. Remember, the order book closes on October 1st.

We'll leave you with look at the eight-plank's underframe. It's a work of art and, you'll note, the brake hangers are now a folded metal part rather than the solid moulding that's on our SECR open wagons. These wagons are available to order now.

Here's a 3D render of our new 'N' gauge SECR wagon four pack. Scroll down to find out more. Please note that all subsequent images are 3D renders taken from the 'N' gauge wagon CAD files.

New tooling announcement: SECR wagons in ‘N’

One common question that we get asked is: when are you going to produce your SECR wagons in ‘N’?

We can answer that one right now: we are!

We’ve got the factory to not only scale down our Dia. 1349 five-plank open, our Dia. 1355 seven-plank open and our Dia. 1426 van but also the six-wheel

dual-veranda brake van too.

Now, we're going to do things a little differently with these models than perhaps you're used to from other manufacturers. These ‘N’ gauge wagons will only be available in multi-packs.

ANDY: N gaugers, please pay attention for this is where it gets a bit complicated...

RICHARD: The starting point is the ‘Freight Train Pack’. This contains

1x Dia. 1349 five-plank, 1x Dia. 1355 seven-plank, 1x Dia. 1426 van and

1x dual veranda brake van. RRP: £99.95 each.

There are four 'Freight Train Packs' to choose from:

942001: SECR Freight Train Pack (all wagons in SECR grey)

942005: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (all wagons in SR pre-1936 brown)

924009: Southern Railway Freight Train Pack (all wagons in SR post-1936 brown)

942013: BR Freight Train Pack (all wagons in BR grey).

We’ve then grouped the five-plank, the seven-plank and the 10t van into triple packs. This means that you can increase the length of your goods train at a stroke. We’ve called these ‘Top Up’ packs and they’re available in the main livery options (please note that each wagon will have its own unique running number).

Here are the SECR packs:

942002: 3x Dia. 1349 five-planks in SECR grey

942003: 3x Dia. 1355 seven-planks in SECR grey

942004: 3x Dia. 1426 10t vans in SECR grey

RRP: £69.95 each

Here are the pre-1936 Southern Railway packs:

942006: 3x Dia. 1349 five-planks in SR pre-1936 brown livery

942007: 3x Dia. 1355 seven-planks in SR pre-1936 brown livery

942008: 3x Dia. 1426 10t vans in SR pre-1936 brown livery

RRP: £69.95 each.

The post-1936 Southern Railway packs:

942010: 3x Dia. 1349 five-planks in SR post-1936 brown livery

942011: 3x Dia. 1355 seven-planks in SR post-1936 brown livery

942012: 3x Dia. 1426 10t vans in SR post-1936 brown livery

RRP: £69.95 each.

And, finally, here are the BR packs.

942014: 3x Dia. 1349 five-planks in BR grey

942015: 3x Dia. 1355 seven-planks in BR grey

942016: 3x Dia. 1426 10t vans in BR grey

RRP: £69.95

ANDY: This is a bit of a different approach than most other manufacturers take but we think that it’s the simplest way to build up accurate SECR and Southern Region goods trains in ‘N’.

RICHARD: Indeed, and it opens the door for us to offer more of our ‘OO’ gauge wagon models in ‘N’. With the ‘Iron Mink’, GWR four-plank and Dia. AA20 ‘Toad’, we’ve already got the makings of GWR-themed packs!

ANDY: But, as with all these things, we will only consider doing more if this first experiment is successful. And by successful, we mean getting lots of orders!

RICHARD: That's right. The order book is now open and you can pick these little beauties up either direct from ourselves or from your local Rapido UK stockist.

The two open wagons and the Dia. 1426 van share the same underframe and, as you can see, just because these are 'N' gauge doesn't mean that we've skimped on the detail! Want to see more 'N' gauge wagons to this level of detail? Then you need to place an order!

Something else we've asked in recent weeks is ‘what’s happening with the ‘E1’; you promised us an update!'

You’re right, we did.

I had a free couple of days just before the Jubilee weekend and was able to make some great progress on the ‘E1’.

The factory has devised a very clever modular system so that we have the capacity to offer the Stroudley, Billinton and Marsh dome positions. We have also been able to tool myriad different detail configurations, so we’re confident that this will be the definitive take on the ‘E1’.

Here are some 3D renders from the latest CAD files. There are still a few things to iron out but the bulk of the design is very close to completion. As soon as the design work is finished, we’ll announce what versions we’re doing and the order book will open.

Here are the artwork files for our forthcoming SECR six-wheel brake van, to whet your appetite. This is SKU931001, No. 2033 in SECR grey.

We conclude our little Southern section with an update on the SECR six-wheel brake van.

We had to launch this project with just the 3D CAD renders to show what it will look like. We've now finished the artwork files and we thought that you'd like to see what these brake vans will look like in colour, so to speak. We are expecting our first samples next month, all going well.

SKU931002 is another SECR grey 'van, in this case No. 2036.

SKU931003: No. 55382 in Southern Railway brown with red ends and large lettering.

SKU931005: No. 55384 in post-1936 livery (SR brown with red ends but small lettering).

SKU931006: No. 55366 in post-1936 livery (SR brown with red ends but small lettering).

SKU931007: No. S55429 in SR post-1936 livery but with British Railways lettering.

SKU931008: No. S55434 in BR grey.

SKU931009: No. S55371 in BR grey.

SKU931010: No. 80383 in BR Engineer's black.

Don't they look great? They're available now (RRP is £39.95) and you can order direct from ourselves or from your local Rapido UK stockist.

JASON: Wait... I think you're missing one. Honestly, I can't leave you guys alone with a newsletter for five minutes!

RICHARD: I, er, um... Andy, do you want to handle this one?

ANDY: Yeah, sorry everyone. I made a very tiny mistake with SKU931004. Turns out that the running number I chose for SKU931004 isn't actually correct for the veranda style that awe're producing.

RICHARD: Never mind, these things do happen. Could you all please make a note that SKU931004's running number is now 55409 and NOT 55389 as previously advertised. The livery (SR pre-1936 brown with red ends) is still correct.

This is SKU931004 in SR pre-1936 brown but with the new (and correct) running number of 55409.

Our friends at Train Times in Eastbourne have commissioned an exclusive SECR six-wheel brake van from us. This is the Kent & East Sussex Railway's No. 2010 as preserved in SECR grey livery. You can order yours here.

ANDY: Now, the interesting thing about this brake van...

RICHARD & JASON: Yawn!

And now for some non-Southern Railway stuff!

ANDY: Click here or on the above image to see some cringe-worthy acting... and the '15XX'.

We showed off the ‘15XX’ last issue but, with a little more time available, we’ve put together a video too. It’s the usual high quality, refined affair that you’ve come to expect from Rapido Trains UK. You can click here to watch it.

It's worth watching just to get a better look at the '15XX', especially as you can see how well it performs.

ANDY: Sadly, that's the only decent performance in the whole thing. The presenter seems to have had an off-day...

RICHARD: Oi!

ANDY: Serves you right. The KESR's SECR brake van does have an interesting story to tell!

JASON: Stop bickering you two and use this space constructively. How about showing off more '15XX' images?

There are six '15XXs' to choose from and you can order yours today from ourselves or from your local Rapido UK stockist. DC/Silent models retail for £149.95 whilst the RRP for a sound-fitted model is £249.95.

Click here or on the above image to view our video showcasing the OOA open, the

Loriot Y and the Dia. AA20 'Toad'. All three are available to order now, either direct from ourselves or from your local Rapido UK stockist. But, of course, you know all that already!

Another month has flown by which means that another order deadline is rapidly approaching. This time, it’s for the OAA open wagon.

There are 17 superb versions to choose from but you’ve only got until July 1st to secure the one you want. Need to remind yourself of what’s available? Click here to take a look… and then hurry back here to carry on reading!

We couldn’t let the OAA order deadline pass without bringing you a video. In fact, while we were talking about videos, we realised that we hadn’t actually produced one for the Loriot Y or the Dia. AA20 ‘Toad’.

Andy, therefore, decided to kill three proverbial birds with one stone. Click here or on the above image to watch the video.

Here's a final look at it. Remember, it's available to order now (RRP £39.95) but you've only got until July 1st to guarantee getting the OAA you want.

We also couldn't resist showing you the Loriot Y again...

...or rather some of the exquisite detail that we've been able to include.

If all that fine and accurate brake gear doesn't get you ordering a Loriot Y, nothing will. Don't forget that one lasted until the late 1980s so even you modern image modellers can get away with ordering one for your layout!

We have very limited numbers of APT-Es in stock here in the warehouse so if you want one, best get your order in quick before they all disappear. We have original and spoof liveried sets available.

We've had a couple of cancelled APT-E orders meaning that we have VERY limited numbers of sets AND individual coaches available.

We have the following in stock and ready to order:

924001: APT-E train pack, original livery (DC); RRP £379.95

924002: Individual coaches, original livery; RRP £119.95

924501: APT-E train pack, original livery (sound-fitted); RRP £479.95

924503: APT-E train pack, InterCity blue/grey livery (sound-fitted); RRP £479.95

924505: APT-E train pack, InterCity 'swallow' livery (sound-fitted); RRP £479.95

Numbers are so limited that these items are only available on a first-come-first-served basis. Click here to place your order. Don't delay as they're not likely to hang around for long.

We have a small number of Rapido Trains Inc's 'HO' scale Chevrolet Impala and Caprice cars available. You can only get them direct from ourselves. RRP is £19.99.

We also have limited numbers of some exciting Rapido Trains Inc products in stock. These items are only available direct from Rapido Trains UK. As well as the Chevrolet cars pictured above, we also have:

You can also buy the 'N' gauge 'New Look' bus from us as well. RRP is £28.95.

Did you know that we also have plenty of BCT 'New Look' Guy Arabs in stock too? Better get your order in quick before they all disappear...

ANDY: I wish they would disappear!

Normally at this point in the proceedings, there’d be some thought, comment or analysis from one of us about some aspect of model railway manufacturing or the state of the hobby. But now that the world is opening up again post-Covid and we’re able to travel again, we thought we’d share some of our favourite railway journeys in order to get old creative juices flowing again – or to maybe inspire your own travel plans.

We turn to Jason to kick us off:

JASON: My best railway journey is one I am fortunate enough to take a couple of times a year: ‘The Canadian’, VIA Rail Canada's flagship train.

‘The Canadian’ follows the original route of Canadian National's Super Continental between Toronto and Vancouver, via Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper. My wife, Sidura, is from Winnipeg and most of her family still lives there. My children have grown up taking the ‘Canadian’ so many times that they know most of the Winnipeg-based train crews.

When Isaac was little, the five of us would squeeze into bedrooms E and F in a ‘Manor’ series sleeping car. The wall between the two bedrooms opens up to make one big room.

The ‘Manors’ are stainless steel cars built by Budd in 1954/55 for Canadian Pacific and are still used every day in regular service. Bedroom F used to be sold as a compartment so it is 18 inches wider than a standard bedroom. Once Isaac got too big for the floor, we started getting an additional roomette. Sidura uses the roomette so she can take a break from the madness of the family whereas I am the cause of most of the madness so I stay with the kids.

We eat our meals in the dining car, just as people did on streamliners throughout North America in the 1950s. We also enjoy time in the Skyline mid-train dome, as well as the bullet lounge and dome in the Park Car at the rear of the train.

Below the rear dome is a fancy bar. On one trip there was an older gentleman and his even older mother sitting in the bar. They were making disparaging remarks about the train and its service, even though they were travelling in Prestige class, the most expensive accommodation. I wonder if the disparaging remarks were in any way connected to the fact that Isaac and I were sprawled on the floor of the bar playing with Thomas trains in our soft, dulcet tones.

Our next trip will be in August (God willing - there have been so many cancellations due to Covid lately). We can't wait!

RICHARD: Thanks for that Jason. We'll have more favourite and inspirational journeys in future newsletters.

We couldn’t leave this Southern Railway-themed newsletter without sharing this tantalising image with you: it’s an Isle of Wight goods train!

We’re working as hard as we can to turn this image into physical reality but you can almost hear the collective groan of hundreds of credit cards working out how to eke out a few more pounds before hitting the credit limit!

Thank you for making it to the end of yet another newsletter!

What do we have in store for you next time? Well, all being well, something Titfield related!

Until then, all the best!

Richard