Rapido UK Newsletter No. 34
©2023 Rapido Trains Ltd
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Following an inexplicably damp July, it was rather nice to enjoy a bit of sunshine here at Rapido Trains UK.
That ray of sunshine has also been extended to our upcoming products. We are really pleased to say that one of our locomotives has finally gone on sale.
We have also made substantial progress on numerous other projects of all scales, but before we move on and provide more detail, we have something nice to address.
We would just like to thank everyone for their incredible response to Lion hitting the shelves last month. It's fair to say that for one reason or another, this project has had people singing its praises since the very beginning and that positivity has continued up to and beyond the launch. We have received some awesome pictures, videos and emails from across the model railway community. Thanks to you the beast has well and truly been released!
Right, let’s take forty-four big steps forward.
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Small Prairies have always been popular with modellers - but our 44xx will be the first of the class available in ready-to-run. |
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There has been a lot of excitement and interest since we first announced this project, and we are sorry we have kept you waiting. Thankfully, your patience has been rewarded and we are pleased to say that the 44XX has progressed enough that we are able to start taking pre-orders.
We have taken a little longer than planned to check over the designs and artwork, but we are confident that this diligent approach has given us the time we need to produce a gorgeous Great Western Railway classic.
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Whilst the class survived into BR days, sadly none made it into preservation. |
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Better known to its fans as the Small Prairie, this delightful little 2-6-2T is the perfect locomotive for the ever-popular Great Western Railway branch line layout. Despite being a small class, the 44XXs found work in many different parts of the Great Western network, including around Birmingham and South Wales, but they are perhaps best known for their performances in Devon and Cornwall. Often seen alongside B-set coaches or a variety of light freight, this tank engine is the perfect addition to our gradually expanding range of Great Western Railway stock.
Rapido Trains UK will be releasing eight highly detailed variants, which cover everything from the clearly recognisable Great Western livery of the 1920s right up to its final British Railways guise before the last of the 44XX sadly got sent to the scrapyard. To represent the subtle changes that the class experienced throughout its lifetime, we have included some rather nice little features so they stand out from their counterparts. These include early and late-era buffers, inside and outside steam pipe versions, parallel and tapered chimneys, and probably the most riveting addition, two different patterns for the rivets on the side tanks.
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Eight versions will be available featuring both different liveries and detail changes. |
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Crammed full of the usual Rapido Trains UK awesome locomotive features – such as a combination of die-cast metal and injection moulded plastic construction, firebox flicker, a Next18 decoder socket, NEM coupler pockets, sprung buffers, and a high-quality motor and mechanism – this little Prairie is lining itself up to be quite the big dog. |
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A perfect branch line train? Why not order a B Set to run beind your 44XX?
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It will also be the first small prairie produced in ready-to-run to have a straight footplate and separately-fitted cab shutters.
You can pre-order your GWR 44XX now from our website or from one of our Official Retailers, and they are available in DCC Ready (£172.95 RRP) and DCC Sound Fitted (£284.95 RRP) versions.
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A new Low for Rapido - LNER / LMS 25t Machine Wagons |
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Following the popularity of the Loriot Y GWR machine wagon we thought we should add something for LNER & LMS modellers. |
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This humble LOWMAC design dates back to the Great Central ‘MAC N’ 20t machine wagon. With a few revisions to the original concept, the LNER upgraded the design in 1938 into the diagram 143 ‘MAC NV’ wagon, increasing the wagon's carry weight to 22 tons.
Pressures of the wartime era evidently called for an even greater load weight, so prior to production another batch of improvements were carried out. The design was refined by replacing the 12in by 6in main longitudinal sections with 14 in by 6in equivalents. This increased the load to 25t, thus creating the diagram 173 ‘MAC PV’ we know today. Featuring 4 binding chains and 16 lashing rings, this all-purpose implement truck was fit for any load (well, any load up to 25 tons of course).
Shildon Wagon Works received its first order for diagram 173 ‘MAC PV’ implement trucks in 1943, and by 1944 production was complete. The first batch of 60 wagons rolled out just in time to assist with the heavy freight traffic that was heading to the South Coast in preparation for the liberation of Europe. 30 wagons went to the LMS and the LNER retained 30 for themselves, however, in the last year of the war, and first year of peacetime, the LNER ordered a further two batches of 25, taking the Shildon built quota up to 110 vehicles.
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The 173 ‘MAC PV’ machine wagons were reclassified as LOWMAC EP. Having proven successful throughout its working life under the Big 4, British Railways decided to build even more of them – giving them the diagram 2/242 in their number system. Passing the contract to P & W Maclellan in 1950, a further 38 vehicles were produced. Incredibly, the LOWMAC continued serving Britain's railways as an engineering vehicle way into the '00s.
The Rapido Trains UK design of this long-serving wagon will be the most detailed version of the LOWMAC to date, featuring a combination of die-cast metal and injection moulded plastic construction, brass bearings, moulded lashing rings, and a rather nice optional load that represents a set of 4 replacement wheels and their carriers. These wheelsets will feature scale axles and are ideal for scenic use if not required as a load.
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Available in eleven different versions there is something for anyone modelling the Eastern or Midland regions from the late '40s to early '00s. |
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We will be producing 11 SKUs that cover liveries from the original 1944 design to its most modern engineering guise, and everything in between.
The LNER/LMS 25t machine wagons are due Q2 next year. The model is currently in tooling and we hope to have samples shortly.
The order book is open, and you can order your LNER/LMS 25t machine wagon direct from us today or from any Official Retailer. The RRP is £39.95.
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Better known as Met 1 in the enthusiast community this powerful pre-grouping 0-4-4 is beloved by many, and from these incredible decorated samples of our upcoming model, it's easy to see why.
Most preserved locomotives have snappy adjectives applied to them to build interest, and yet few have genuinely earned the titles of 'iconic' and 'historic' to the extent Met 1 has.
Emerging in a cloud of smoke and steam from the depths of London's very first subterranean railway, Met 1 and her classmates were a sight to behold. Unfortunately, there are few people alive who will remember such a sight in daily use. However, a much more common memory for enthusiasts is seeing this beautifully restored locomotive at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre (where it is the society's flagship attraction), at various other heritage railways as a gala visitor, or back on its old stomping ground on London Underground during various events such as Steam On The Met or Met 150.
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To pay homage to this marvellous maroon machine we are releasing several red-hot liveries, each covering a part of its history with the Metropolitan Railway, London Transport, and throughout preservation. |
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Each model is an exceptionally high-quality die-cast metal and injection moulded plastic construction and is fitted with sprung buffers, a Next18 decoder socket, and NEM coupler pockets. When coupled with the user-fitted tripcocks and air/vacuum hoses it is one exceptionally detailed model. The 2013-2020 condition variants of MET 1 (SKU: 909004 and SKU: 909504) also come fitted with era-specific air brake equipment within the cab for a more prototypical look. |
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Available in DCC Ready (RRP £179.95) and DCC Sound Fitted (RRP £279.95) versions you can paint the town (and your layout) red by pre-ordering your 00 scale Metropolitan E Class now! You can grab yours directly from our website or one of our many official retailers. Just be sure to order before our order books close on the 11th of September to avoid disappointment.
Want to see it in action first? Click on the video below to see Met No.1 in action on 'Wendover'.
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Don’t worry we aren’t going to try too hard to sound “down with the kids”, because we will fail epically. Instead, we are going to give our N gauge fans the update they have been so patiently waiting for (well most of you have been patient…). |
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It’s Showtime - The International N Gauge Show |
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That's right, Rapido Trains UK will be at TINGS for the very first time. The show will be held on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of September at Warwickshire Event Centre, and you’ll find us at stand number 25. We have plenty to talk about and some exciting progress on our N Gauge projects, so make sure you pop by our stand and say hi.
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BR and modern-era N gauge fans will be pleased to hear that our upcoming BR Diagram 1/191 OAA Open Wagon packs have moved on from the design stage and have gone to be tooled. These brand new ‘N’ gauge models capture the distinctive look of the real thing perfectly and are available to pre-order in six different li veries and convenient packs of 3 models each with different running numbers. These will be the perfect wagons to complement our upcoming Peaks.
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Speaking of Peaks, we are hoping to have some more news for you on the BR Class 44 Diesels by TINGS, if we can get the final design and artwork completed by the show, we will have them available for you to pre-order. This has taken longer than planned because we have been trying to future-proof our design for later models of the Class 45 and 46 locomotives. When they go on sale you will be able to pre-order your model here: BR Class 44 – Rapido Trains UK or from one of our official retailers.
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“Hooray, She’ll do”, “All aboard”- The Titfield Thunderbolt is on its way! |
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In true Titfield spirit, we have managed to overcome adversity and resolved our sound decoder shortage as swiftly as possible. With the sets all completed and checked they are now sailing towards the UK as we speak. You will be pleased to hear we are hoping to have them with you in October. You’ll be racing towards Mallingford with the Reverend at the controls before you know it.
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We still have a handful of them left on our website, and plenty of our official retailers have stock of this highly anticipated pack. You would not want to end up like old Pearce and Crump and miss out, would you? |
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OAA (00) on the High Seas |
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It's not only the N gauge counterparts that have progressed this month, as the 00 gauge BR Diagram 1/191 OAA Open Wagons are now complete, packed and on a boat heading for the UK. Once we have received them we will be checking them over and getting them sent out as swiftly as we can.
If you are still looking to add these to your collection and haven't pre-ordered them yet there is a limited number available directly from our website, and many of our official retailers will be stocking them once they arrive.
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Wisbech and Upwell Production News |
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Our much anticipated GE tramcars are receiving their final decoration in the printing room. |
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We have some good news from our factory. The upcoming Wisbech and Upwell train packs and tramcars are being assembled and are currently having the finishing touches added to them. As you can see from the pictures above and below, things are moving along rather well.
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Also in progress is our Titfield Buffet Car - these will arrive at the same time as the standard cars. |
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We are hoping to have further updates for you next month and subsequently have them with us later in the year. We will keep you posted and have more to show you soon. In the meantime, enjoy these work-in-progress pictures. |
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Not Quite Mink, Not Quite Ready
The Not-Quite-Mink Gunpowder Vans are well on their way to being completed and as you can see from these production photos our factory has sent us of the L&Y and NE versions they are looking rather smart. Don’t forget that Gunpowder wagons were seen across the length and breadth of the country, and we have tried to represent the various designs in this respectful tribute.
With plenty of pre-grouping and interesting liveries to choose from we are sure any one of these will go off with a bang in anyone’s collection.
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Great progress is being made with our "Not-Quite-Minks" which we hope will be delivered later this year. |
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In last month's newsletter, we noticed a minor issue with the Bedford OB coaches. Soon after the newsletter went out, we decided to have another look over our research for each of the variants of these upcoming models. We have obtained additional photographic evidence which will result in us making further tweaks to improve the accuracy before we put it into production.
After going over them with a fine-toothed comb, we noticed the following:
1-SKU 920006 - Edinburgh Corporation. The license plate number will be changed from GWS 468 to GWS 466 and the fleet number to X22.
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2-SKU 920009 - West Yorkshire. The bodyshell has been changed from one that features roof windows to an alternative that has no roof windows but does have round indicator lights. This is because the updated bodyshell better matches its appearance before it was rebuilt in 1957. The rebuilt form (and its current preserved appearance), though it has roof windows like our first choice, does not match our tooling at all, with a different style of trim with no flash and two extra windows.
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3- SKU 920005 - Southern Vectis. We have changed the bodyshell design to one that has a bigger rear bumper as it matches the real-life example better.
We also would like to manage expectations as these changes have had an understandable impact on production time frames. This is simply because we keep holding the factory back from progressing until we are confident in the model’s accuracy.
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As such, we are sorry to say these may be a little further down the road than initially intended or advertised. Keep an eye on future newsletters and social media posts for further updates on this project. |
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What about everything else? |
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We have made good progress on lots of projects that we haven’t covered in this month's newsletter, and we know everyone is wanting their favourite project to be at the top of the list. So, we thought we would sum up the current progress and target production dates for anything we haven’t already covered on a handy webpage that you can view HERE.
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Rapido Recommends
As much as we may like to, we cannot do everything ourselves. The hobby is filled with manufacturers who make fantastic add-ons specifically for our products. In the spirit of cooperation we love to showcase some of these fabulous items so that everyone can enjoy them.
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That’s right, you asked, and we delivered. Well, by that we mean we asked our friends at Modelu very nicely. We have been inundated with requests for interesting figures for pretty much every loco we produce and more since we popped the pictures of the SECR 6-wheel brake van in last month's newsletter. |
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As such, we thought it would be foolish to not pass this on to the guys at Modelu and let them know your most requested figures so far. You will be pleased to hear they have kindly obliged to add as many of them as they can to their range. They are not quite ready for release - keep an eye out for the September Modelu newsletter to find out more. Until then here is a teaser of one of the many projects to come... |
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We sent the clever chaps over at TRS Trains one of our decorated samples for our forthcoming 15XX models to see if they could work their magic. After a little head scratching they have managed to incorporate their water based synchronised steam systems into this mighty tank loco. Check out the video below to see how it looks! |
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TRS Trains offer a custom fitting service and will happily add steam effects to your 15XX. Find out more and visit their website by clicking on the button below. |
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The Big (and little) Finale
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Beauty and the Beast – two new locos… |
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As mentioned earlier in this newsletter this month we posted a teaser on our social media pages about three unannounced projects going into tooling - one of which has been announced above. The unintended consequences of this is that rumours started spreading across social media about the possible projects – two of which happened to be true but not part of our 'three in tooling' items. This led to a quandary – do we keep quiet and let the rumours spread and possibly spoil the project, or do we join in with the fun?
Well, naturally the team at Rapido Trains UK like to have some fun so we thought we best join in and fan the flames further by posting two further teases.
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Now the result of this is a LOT of people got very excited and we once again became inundated with phone calls, emails, direct messages and smoke signals asking if the teases were true.
Well, we are extremely pleased to say they are and we would like to introduce to you Beauty and the Beast…
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The Beauty - Manning Wardle L Class 0-6-0 |
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Since Rapido Trains UK started we have been asked to produce a small industrial locomotive suitable for industrial and light railway use. With Andy’s interest in such things, we didn’t need asking twice. |
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Fifteen years ago, our General Manager Andy passed his steam loco driving test on “Matthew Murray”, an 'L' Class built by Manning Wardle in 1903 and residing on the Middleton Railway - a stone’s throw from its birthplace. The railway is also home to a sister L class “Sir Berkeley”. This type has never been produced in OO gauge in any form so it’s no surprise that we opted to produce this model.
The L class were dainty and attractive little locomotives with double-bossed wheels and a variety of bolt-on options the purchaser could add. The resulting engines were unmistakably Manning Wardles.
Our model is in the final design stages and will feature a number of tooling variants to allow for open and closed cabs, different pipework layouts, different frame styles and different wheels among others.
We are currently finalising the design and until then will keep the planned list of liveries, physical specification and prices close to our chest to provide a little more excitement later on.
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"But why does anyone think you are making it?" we hear you ask. Well, when we visited the Middleton Railway earlier this year to record the sounds of the Y7 we also recorded “Sir Berkeley”. Obviously, this drew lots of attention and we were even caught on camera which may have fed the rumours. |
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The Beast – The USATC S160 |
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Love them or hate them, nearly everyone has a view on them – the S160 will be joining the Rapido Trains UK fleet. |
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Having been in the top 10 of various wishlist polls for many years, the S160 has been one of our most requested models. Coupled to that, as we are a company with links to North America it seemed a no-brainer for us to make a model of an American-built loco that operated in the UK.
JASON: You know I'm Canadian, right? And so is Sidura?
RAPIDO UK: Yes, but still. Canada is close to Ameri-
JASON: And you know Rapido Trains Inc. is based in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario and not Toronto, Kansas, right?
RAPIDO UK: The factory has some new TurboTrain samples for you to look at.
JASON: Sorry - gotta go!
RAPIDO UK: Thank heavens. Now where were we?
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Designing the S160 has not been the easiest of undertakings. We have been working on this alongside our other projects for well over a year. No two preserved locos are the same, and there are even differences between the locomotives as built because they were supplied by several different manufacturers. After the war, the engines saw service all over the world and were heavily modified to suit their new operators’ requirements.
Our plan is to produce models of the original locomotives ‘as built’, when they were seen across the entire country during the Second World War. We will also produce tooling to allow for several preserved examples to be modelled as closely as possible.
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It's a little early for us to announce which exact locomotives and liveries we will be producing. Rest assured we will share the news as soon as we are able.
JASON: See it says "U. S. A." there and not "CA. NA. DA."
RAPIDO UK: Can we get on with this newsletter?
JASON: Can you make one that says "CA. NA. DA."?
RAPIDO UK: Uh... Sure. Did you notice the factory is printing tiny antimacassars on your TurboTrain seats?
JASON: Right. Gotta go again. Remember me to Gallifrey!
RAPIDO UK: Jason? Hello? OK - I think he's actually gone now. And we're not making a "CA. NA. DA." S160, so don't even ask... 🤦🏻♂️
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Thought of the Month
Do we really need to do Thought for the month?
What are everyone’s thoughts, do you like them or not?
Have you got a burning (and inoffensive) question you would like to ask our readers?
Answers on a postcard or by email, please…
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Well, that’s it for another month. We hope you have enjoyed the updates and news – don’t forget to place your orders if something takes your fancy.
See you at TINGS and best wishes,
The Rapido Trains UK Team
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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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Check out our YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter! |
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