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Rapido UK Newsletter No. 54
©2024 Rapido Trains Ltd
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Back in February’s newsletter, we alluded to our ongoing busy period. Well, it would appear that March has been no different, as we haven’t eased off the regulator at all.
To be honest, it was probably slightly busier!
This is no gripe, as we are able to proudly present the fruits of our labour to you, both in this newsletter and a few weeks ago at the London Festival of Railway Modelling (more on that later).
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We’ve knuckled down with signing off the artwork for both the S160 and Evolution Batch 1. There are almost 80 unique artworks in Evolution alone, alongside a good number for the S160s. To ensure that we apply the same level of due diligence and attention to detail as our other projects, we have assigned numerous members of our team to check and double-check all of the artwork on both of these. We are very pleased to say this is now completed, and the artwork been passed on to the factory.
Oh, and for our N Gauge modellers, you will be pleased to hear that we have moved the Class 44 diesel on significantly. There’s a proper update on this project later in the newsletter.
Having made such excellent progress on existing projects, we thought it only right to look to the future, so we began work on research and design for some new wagon and loco projects. Can you guess what we have our eye on?
Anyway, let's step into Spring and march forward with the latest updates.
| | If you are using a web-based email service such as Gmail, be sure to click on the link near the bottom of the email that says something like "[Message clipped] View entire message". That will ensure you don't miss any of this newsletter. | | LMS 12-Ton Van Engineering Prototypes Have Arrived
(OO Gauge) | | |
Announced last October, the OO Gauge LMS 12-Ton Van design has slowly been working through our factory for tooling. A combination of piles of different wagons already on their workbench (more on this later) and the Chinese New Year celebrations meant the progress on these vans was slightly slower than some previous wagons.
This month, all that has changed and the first engineering prototypes have arrived at Rapido HQ.
| | The detail raises the bar on ready-to-run LMS vans that have come before. You can see how crisp the corrugated steel ends look and how details such as the separately-fitted roof vents and underframe components bring it to life. | | Order books are still open on these stylish sliding-door LMS vans. They will add a nice bit of variety to your existing box van or mixed freight rakes. You can pre-order yours now directly through our website or any of our Official Retailers. | | LB&SCR 8-Ton Goods Van Engineering Prototypes Have Arrived
(OO Gauge) | | |
Continuing the OO Gauge van engineering sample theme, we have more news on the LB&SCR 8-Ton Goods Vans for you.
As our first true LB&SCR-designed wagon, we have been looking forward to receiving these engineering prototypes, and they have lived up to our expectations. Despite being a design that was very much ‘of the era’, the Diagram.8 Goods Vans were quite lengthy, and this becomes more apparent when placed alongside other pre-grouping freight.
| | Exceptional E1s - LB&SCR E1 Decorated Samples!
(OO Gauge) | | Staying on the subject of all things LBSC, here’s an update for the E1. | | Based on the number of emails we have received about the upcoming OO Gauge LB&SCR E1, we think Brighton and Southern modellers are looking forward to this one. The progress has been gradual, and we are delighted to finally be able to show you painted production samples of these awesome models. | | The factory has kindly sent us complete painted samples of a selection of liveries as well as painted bodyshells of the some of the simpler variants. We have included images of as many as possible, but if we aren’t showing the one you’ve been waiting for there is no need to panic; it’ll arrive with the rest as planned. | | In the meantime, here is a quick ‘How does it Sound’ video of our lovely new colour samples, which we’ve fitted with our recently completed DCC Sound profile. We’ve also thrown in a few extra shots of some of the other fetching liveries too. This quick demonstration gives you an insight into how awesome the E1’s sound profile is, and just how pretty they will be. What do you make of that? | As the project nears completion, we are unlikely to have any further news for you until they are on a boat and on their way to the UK. They are due to arrive in the next quarter, so keep an eye out in future newsletters for more shipping updates. | | These are now sold out directly with us at Rapido but they are still available from many of our Official Retailers. | | You Can Always Count(y) On Modelu - 3D-Printed GWR County!
(OO Gauge) | | In the nick of time, our friends at Modelu managed to complete this wonderful 3D print of the upcoming GWR County. Handing it over to us at the London Festival of Railway Modelling, we were like kids at Christmas carefully unwrapping our latest toy. In usual Modelu fashion, this 3D-print is outstanding, giving us a glimpse of how awesome the finished models will look. | | |
In addition to its lovely details, such as the interior of the cab, you can see just how different the County is from its GWR counterparts. The wider scale width cab and tender body highlight these differences perfectly.
This print represents GWR County No.1014 ‘County of Glamorgan’ (SKU 954007/954507), a double chimney variant. However, both single and double chimney versions are included in the range, as well as models with varying lengths of nameplates.
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For those of you wanting to run or display the model without tension lock couplings, we have provided an optional blanking plate that fits into the front coupling. The print has it fitted so you can see how it will look, but the final model will have a removable tension lock coupling in its place. The blanking plate will be added to the poly bag.
We hope you like the look of this awesome model as much as we do!
| | If the prototype of the OO Gauge GWR County caught your eye and you want to pre-order it, you’ll be pleased to hear that order books have just opened. You can pre-order yours directly through our website or through any of our Official Retailers. | | The Old Lady is Staying Alive- LNER J52, now fitted with Stay-alives! (OO Gauge) | | |
Over the last year or so we have been working hard to ensure that as many of our upcoming products include a stay-alive capacitor where it is viable. We are pleased to say, that as it hasn’t gone to production yet, we have managed to give the same treatment to all versions of the OO Gauge LNER J52/2. Let’s Keep the ‘Old Lady’ rolling!
With that last revision working nicely, and with the order books closing in just a couple of days’ time, we are pleased to say that this model is due to go into full production shortly.
| | Happening Hunslets – 16in 0-6-0ST Production Update! | | In last month’s newsletter, we showed you the latest updates on the factory’s progress for Batch 2 of the OO Gauge Hunslet 16in 0-6-0ST. Well, this month we’ve got a bit more to show you. Arriving just as we went to press are two of the painted samples, which means they are on track for their predicted Q3 delivery date. We will take a closer look at these samples in the next newsletter. | | Peak Performance – BR Class 44 Sound File Complete and Production Update! | | Over the last few weeks, we have received numerous requests for updates about the upcoming N Gauge BR Class 44 Diesels. The factory has been busy ordering components and materials, and we are pleased to say that the sound file is completed, its artwork signed off, and it has now gone into full production. Progress has been so substantial on Peaks that we are expecting the Class 44 models to arrive in late Q2 of this year. | | While we are on the subject of sound files, here’s a quick video of one of our engineering prototypes with its finalised sound file in our latest "how does it sound" video. We think it sounds rather fantastic. | | |
Now that we have tweaked our order book closing dates to be at the end of the month and after the newsletter arrives in your inbox, we are able to gently remind you that the next order book closing deadline is only a few days away.
You have until Monday 31st of March to get your pre-orders in before the following order books close:
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Following this, there are order books closing at the end of April for some highly anticipated projects in both OO Gauge and N Gauge. Make sure to get your pre-orders in for the following before Monday the 28th of April:
Remember, if you want to pre-order any of these models, you can do so directly through our website or with any of our Official Retailers.
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Our delivery of the following wagons is expected any day now!
These are due to arrive in the UK port in the coming days; as mentioned in last month's newsletter, this does sadly mean they arrive a smidgen into Q2. We greatly appreciate your patience.
Once these have arrived in our warehouse and have passed our QC checks, they will be sent out to all of our customers and Official Retailers who have placed orders. If you have ordered them directly with us, we suggest you keep an eye on your emails over the next few weeks, as you are likely to receive notification of their arrival and your outstanding balances.
We can’t wait to see some pictures of them running on your layouts!
| | As per usual, Warners and BRM put on a cracking show at Ally Pally this year. Based on the warm reception we got from those who visited our stand, we suspect the sentiment was shared by the majority of those in attendance. | | |
As mentioned earlier, fresh off the printer was the gorgeous 3D-printed prototype of the OO gauge GWR County. We know many of you at the show were blown away by it, as were we.
Seeing as the London Festival of Railway Modelling is the South East's premier model railway show, we were incredibly pleased to be able to show off the wonderful OO gauge LB&SCR E1, a suitable Southern steamer. We know many of those who travel to the show have been waiting for the arrival of these models, and your reaction to the painted samples at the show was very gratifying.
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Of course, it wasn’t just the latest arrivals that we had on show.
We had the CR No.123 3D print making its show debut outside Scotland; It was joined by engineering samples of both the Midland 483, Ivor the Engine and many more samples and prototypes. Everyone we spoke to had plenty of nice things to say about these upcoming models, which was awesome. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and see us; it meant a lot.
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We are really excited to be attending our very first Model World Live next month. Unfortunately a number of staff holidays alongside a clash with a Rapido related event (see below) meant that we wont be able to take our full stand. We will however take a number of our cabinets and all the latest samples and Dan and Mark will be on hand to answer your questions.
Model World Live will be held on the 26th and 27th of April at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
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Dwarves of Steam Gala
Kent and East Sussex Railway
26 - 27 April
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Last year our General Manager, Andy, purchased his very own Steam locomotive, the gorgeous Peckett No.1631 ‘Marcia’.
‘Marcia’ was returned to what many would call her true home, the Kent and East Sussex Railway, and Andy swiftly set about getting her back in traffic. Of course, as soon as the two of them had started pulling passengers it was only natural that Andy began looking at what more ‘Marcia’ could do to draw in the punters.
Galas don’t always have to be about the biggest and most powerful locomotives, and as the K&ESR is no stranger to small locomotives both in its heyday and as part of its 50-year preservation life, it seems like the perfect location to prove that small can most definitely be mighty!
The idea of Dwarves of Steam was born.
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Dwarves of Steam will celebrate the unique characteristics of diminutive engines, allowing visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of these steam heroes demonstrating their true power.
Alongside ‘Marcia’ Dwarves of Steam will feature two extra special visiting locomotives operating an intensive weekend timetable between Tenterden Town and Wittersham Road, joining them will be a further two of the railway’s smallest and much-loved residents. This event is the K&ESR’s latest event in celebration of Rail200 and we are very proud to be sponsoring the festivities.
The two visiting little locos are rather special, here is what you’ve got to look forward to!
| | Port of Par 0-4-0ST Bagnall ‘Judy’ | | |
This vertically-challenged beauty was without a doubt our first choice of loco to see. As one of our upcoming models, and a loco that has captured the imagination of many mature enthusiasts or railway-loving children, ‘Judy’ will be one to look out for at the event. Coming all the way from the Bodmin Railway, it has been quite some time since one of the Par twins visited a preserved railway in the South East. We can’t wait to see her giving it everything as she climbs out of Rolvenden on her way towards Tenterden.
You can find out more about and pre-order your OO Gauge models of ‘Judy’ and her twin ‘Alfred’ HERE.
| | Kerr Stuart ‘Willy’ the Well Tank | | |
We could fill this section with a pun-laden titter-worthy array of unsubtle jokes, but we won't because we are better than that… anyway...
He may only be small, but ‘Willy’ is definitely one for many to look forward to.
Ok, we tried and immediately failed, but at least we tried!
‘Willy’ was built in 1918 by Kerr Stuart to an older Edward Borrows & Sons design and sold to the National Shipyard at Chepstow where it worked for its entire service life. Unusually this locomotive holds its water supply in a ‘well tank’ between the locomotive’s frames giving the engine a somewhat unusual appearance compared to other tank engines. Bought privately in 1982 the engine has been restored at The Flour Mill near Lydney.
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Although we know Andy is looking forward to driving ‘Judy’, we suspect that he secretly hopes to have a play with ‘Willy’ at some point over the weekend too. (OK - we had better start looking for our P45).
Held on the weekend of the 26th and 27th of April at the Kent and East Sussex Railway, Dwarves of Steam is going to be a Gala to remember. Come and join us, as it’s definitely not going to fall short.
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‘Rapido Recommends’
Some of you may have already seen the first of ‘Rapido Recommends’ appearing on our social media pages over the last few weeks, and we wanted to touch base with everyone and explain our thought process behind this and to see what you think.
For those of you who may not use social media, or perhaps those who just missed it on your feeds, ‘Rapido Recommends’ is an innovative idea that helps you create suitable or historically-literate rakes using Rapido models along with models from other manufacturers.
Here’s how our first one turned out. What do you think?
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“But why are you advertising other manufacturers' models?” we hear you ask. Well, the simple fact is that unless you are an obsessive Rapido fan in the same way that Jason is a Doctor Who fan, there is a fair chance you will be buying and enjoying models from other manufacturers anyway.
Jason: Can I share a photo of my new costume?
Rapido UK: No.
Many of us at Rapido are modellers too, and we can assure you that we have a plethora of different models in our collections. So, we can bury our heads in the sand and pretend we are the only people producing lovely model trains, or we could lean into it.
We’ve all looked at a cool new model that has been announced and thought, what excuse can I find to add this to my collection? ‘Rapido Recommends’ will give you the excuse you were looking for, while helping those who may be blissfully unaware how and where some prototypes ran and with what other stock.
We are going to try a few more of these on our social channels over the coming months, but we were wondering if you would like to see this sort of thing added to our website. Do you think this would be helpful?
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So, Rapido March(es) on (see what we did there!).
Thanks for reading, and let's see what April and Q2 bring. It will probably include the rather quirky (and so far un-announced) sample that has just arrived on Andy's desk..
Happy modelling,
The Rapido Trains UK Team
Jason: Here it is, anyway. Rob just sent me this photo yesterday. Gold star to anyone who recognizes it!
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Rapido UK: Honestly, we deserve a medal for putting up with this. Everyone except Jason, we'll see you next time!
Jason: You know, I started the British company just so I can get more Doctor Who stuff. If any of our readers works on Doctor Who, I'd love to visit the set in Cardiff! I can give you free model trains!
Rapido UK: Sigh.
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You can write to us at Rapido Trains UK, Unit 3, Clinton Business Centre, Lodge Road, Staplehurst, Kent TN12 0QF. Alternatively, you can call us on 03304 609496 or you can
e-mail us at customerservice@rapidotrains.co.uk
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