rapidoandy

In service both Beatrice and Primrose No.2 (along with two others) were fitted with underfeed stokers and stovepipe chimneys. They were originally fitted with standard chimneys but received their stovepipes after undergoing the stoker conversion and overhauls at the Hunslet Engine Co. works. In preservation the owner of Beatrice has more some substantial modifications to the exhaust system - mainly fitting a Lempor exhaust - and replaced the chimney with a more traditional lipped chimney. Thanks, Andy

Hi Paul, Being honest it is unlikely we will specifically do the buckeye equipment for the OIC examples. There were others with deeper buffer beams as well. I will certainly pass the comments on for review. Livery wise we were provided details of the "as built" livery from the Hunslet records. However if you have any more photos that show otherwise we would love to hear from you - feel free to drop me a PM. We intend to produce more of these in the future and personally I would like to see Ring Haw feature. Thanks Andy

We spotted that too! How do these look: Andy

We have noticed that one - typically only after pressing submit on a post. We are correcting the mock ups and will have a the full version to show on the website in the not to distant future. Andy

I could claim to have done that deliberately but suspect my fingers are just fat!

The gap under the boiler was a must for us. We are currently using a similar method to the Model Rail J70 locos with gears driving all the axles. The motor depends very much on the space - keep an eye out for further developments there in the future.

Take a look at the livery slide show on the website and have a close look at Beatrice ;-) Andy

The answer is "sort of". We have been lucky to have copies of the original Hunslet paint records supplied to us by someone who was very involved with the Hunslet Engine Co. Interestingly whilst the lining was similar, 'standard' green was known as Victoria green. However other greens include Bright, Olive, Standard and Brunswick (and that's just for the 16in locos!) Many of them were green of one form or another and Arthur and Thorne No.1 were selected to give a lined and unlined example.

We are exploring the options of both - we cannot commit at this stage but it is something I would certainly love to include!

The model is of the preserved one. Chasewater have been fantastically helpful with the project. However, we are sure the many talented modellers out there will be able to add some extra handrails and tank footsteps should they wish to model the in service loco. :-) Andy

Rapido’s Birmingham City Transport ‘New Look’ bus broke new ground for 1:76 scale road vehicles when it landed last year. Highly detailed with rubber tyres and flush glazed throughout, its innovative features included poseable front wheels, working headlamps, etched stanchions and internal lighting. But this bus wasn’t a flash in the pan… We are adding further UK-outline buses to the Rapido Trains UK range to the same high standards as the BCT ‘New Look’ to delight the modeller and collector alike. First out of the Rapido ‘garage’ is the 1:76 scale Leyland ‘West Midlands’ Fleetline. This bus was originally designed by Daimler and adopted the Leyland name in the 1970s as both Daimler and Leyland had become part of British Leyland. As West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive was Britain’s second-largest Fleetline owner, our new model will be offered with a choice of 20 different registration numbers and destinations. We are producing both the original and the rebuilt front headlamp/indicator arrangements. In addition, we are producing a new run of our ‘New Look’ Guy Arab Birminghams. Coming soon are 11 new BCT liveries with different, previously unreleased registration numbers and destinations. For the full list of what ‘New Looks’ and Fleetlines we’re making, go to www.rapidotrains.co.uk Both buses are due spring/summer 2021. RRP is £54.95. We have a long list of exciting bus plans. To stay updated, keep an eye out on our website, through our social media channels, in the model press and by signing up to our new UK newsletter. Specification • 100% accurate proportions based on field measurements of the real thing • Injection-moulded plastic and metal construction • All body weld lines, extrusions and screwheads/rivets accurately rendered • Full, multi-coloured interior with no large posts blocking aisles • Separate etched-metal interior grab poles • Steerable front wheels with rubber tyres • Flush-fitting windows • Accurate, even paint finish that does not obscure the details • Several routes/destinations available • Working headlamps & interior lighting • Requires a 12V 500mA DC power supply (not included)

Rapido Trains is to finally fulfil its promise to produce a gunpowder van in ‘OO’ to 21st Century standards. This project was originally unveiled in 2017 and a 3D test print was produced… but then the project spluttered to a halt. Now we’re bringing it to a successful conclusion. The movement of gunpowder by rail to military establishments, mines and quarries was once commonplace and the railway companies built special vehicles to safely carry this commodity. The Railway Clearing House produced a standardised design circa 1930 and it was adopted by the GWR, LNER, LMS and Royal Ordnance Factories with minor detail differences. Gunpowder vans featured all metal low-height bodies. Internally they were wood lined and a cast plate on the external doors instructed staff that no unauthorised persons may open the doors. Over-boots - made without nails - were also provided to ensure that no sparks were created. BR built a slightly modified version of the RCH design under Diagram 1/260. During peacetime up to five vehicles could marshalled in trains whilst during wartime this restriction was removed and entire trains of GPVs could be seen. Our new model will depict the RCH design, GWR Diagram Z4 and BR Dia. 1/260, with key variations including different ‘W’ irons, doors, buffers and brake gear. What liveries are we making? 902001: Dia. 1/260, No. B887021, BR bauxite 902002: Dia. 1/260, No. M701508, BR bauxite 902003: Dia. 1/260, No. B887001, BR grey 902004: Dia. Z4, No. 105777, GWR livery 902005: Dia. Z4, No. 105708, GWR livery 902006: RCH pattern, No. 701016, LMS livery 902007: RCH pattern, No. 299031, LMS livery 902008: RCH pattern, No. N260936, LNER livery 902009: RCH pattern, No. 147511, LNER livery 902010: RCH pattern, No. 11, Royal Ordnance Factory livery Price? £32.95 What stage is it at? 3D test print When’s it due? Delivery is expected in late 2021.

Rapido Trains is to fill one of the last gaps in the ‘N’ gauge main line diesel fleet with the MetroVick Type 2 or Class 28 Co-Bo. On paper, Metropolitan Vickers’ design should have been a good one. The Crossley two-stroke diesel had fewer moving parts than its contemporaries and it was powered on all axles. It should have looked good too with its stylish wraparound cab windows. Sadly, it became one of BR’s least successful designs. The engine was problematic and the unique five-axle design decreased its route availability. Despite rebuilding the fleet in 1961, it was deemed more economical to scrap the class than spend more money rebuilding them further. Prototype Factfile Built: 20 (D5700-D5719) built by Metropolitan Vickers at its Stockton-on-Tees factory in 1958/1959 How long did they last? All 20 had been withdrawn from revenue-earning service by the end of 1968. D5705 was retained for Departmental duties until 1985. Where did they work? Initially used on the Anglo-Scottish ‘Condor’ container services, they were relegated to local duties around north-west England. Can I see one? D5705 is under long-term restoration at the East Lancashire Railway. Specification Post-1961 flat screen version Next18 decoder socket High quality motor and drive systems Directional lighting Wealth of separately fitted and highly detailed parts DCC Sound option NEM coupler pockets What liveries are we making? 905001: D5709, BR green 905002: D5711, BR green with yellow warning panels 905003: D5713, BR green with yellow warning panels 905004: D5707, BR green with yellow ends 905005: D5705, BR green with yellow warning panels 905006: D5701, BR blue with yellow ends Price? Prices for DCC Ready models are £119.95 each and DCC Sound models is £219.95 each. What stage is it at? The project is in the early stages. Design work has started using works drawings and a wealth of historical and preservation era photographs. When’s it due? Delivery is expected in 2022.

Rapido Trains is pleased to announce that we're filling a big gap in the ranks of ‘OO’ gauge GWR models with the Hawksworth ‘15XX’ pannier tank. Although designed during the days of the Great Western Railway, the ‘15XXs’ were built by British Railways. They were a major departure from the GWR’s tried and tested pannier tank formula. The ‘15XX’ featured a very short wheelbase for negotiating tight curves and, with outside cylinders and Walschaerts valve gear, the bottom end design was said to have been inspired by the USATC 'S100' 0-6-0T (Southern Railway ‘USA’). Above the non-existent running plates, the locomotives resembled Hawksworth's '94XX' 0-6-0PT, which shared the same design of boiler. Prototype Factfile Built: Ten built in 1949 at Swindon Works to a design by FW Hawksworth How long did they last? The first was withdrawn in 1959 and the last had gone by the end of 1963. Three were used by the National Coal Board until 1969. Where did they work? The majority were based at Old Oak Common shed for moving coaches to and from Paddington station. However, other examples could be found as far afield as South Wales. Although designed for shunting they did, very occasionally, work short-haul passenger and goods trains. Can I see one? No. 1501 was bought from NCB by the embryonic Severn Valley Railway. It returned to steam in 1997 and has proven to be a popular and powerful member of the fleet, so much so that's earned the nickname ‘Raging Bull’. Specification Die-cast metal construction High quality motor and mechanism Next18 decoder socket DCC Sound options High level of detail NEM coupler pockets Sprung buffers What liveries are we making? 904001: No. 1506, BR unlined black, no emblem 904002: No. 1500, BR unlined black, early emblem 904003: No. 1505, BR lined black, early emblem 904004: No. 1504, BR unlined black, late emblem 904005: No. 1501, BR lined black early emblem (as preserved) 904006: No. 1509, NCB maroon Price? Prices for DCC Ready models are £129.95 each and DCC Sound models is £229.95 each. What stage is it at? The project is in the early stages. Design work has started using works drawings and a wealth of historical and preservation era photographs. When’s it due? Delivery is expected in 2022.

More and more modellers have been calling for industrial locomotives in ‘OO’ and Rapido Trains has answered the call with our new Hunslet 16in 0-6-0ST. The 16in 0-6-0ST was the largest of a range of ‘standard’ locomotives offered by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds. Customers could buy similar looking locomotives with 12, 14 and 15in diameter cylinders. They were designed for industry where owners were looking for a locomotive that was economical, simple to operate, easy to maintain and durable. This attractive saddle tank is being produced from original works drawings and field visits to a number of 16in Hunslets. We aim, using sounds recorded from an operational Hunslet 16in, to offer a factory-fitted sound model - a first for a UK ‘OO’ gauge steam-outline industrial locomotive. Prototype Factfile Built: Hunslet built 44 16in 0-6-0STs between 1923 and 1958 How long did they last? Hunslet 16in 0-6-0STs were still in revenue-earning service well into the 1970s. Where did they work? Mines, collieries and quarries throughout Yorkshire and the Midlands although one worked in a power station in Wales. Four were exported to Peru and one to Australia. This locomotive, Public Works Department No. 79 (No. 1825/1938) is now on display at the New South Wales Rail Museum in Thirlmere. Can I see one? There are at least nine Hunslet 16in 0-6-0STs left in Britain. Specification Die-cast metal construction High quality motor and mechanism Next18 decoder socket DCC Sound options High level of detail NEM coupler pockets Sprung buffers What liveries are we making? 903001: No. 3716/1952, Alex, Oxfordshire Ironstone lined red. 903002: No. 3782/1953, Arthur, Markham Main Colliery lined green 903003: No. 2705/1945, Beatrice, NCB lined red 903004: No. 3783/1953, Holly Bank No. 3, NCB lined blue 903005: No. 1953/1939, Jacks Green, Naylor Benzon & Co lined green 903006: No. 3715/1952, Primrose No. 2, NCB lined black 903007: No. 3714/1951 Thorne No. 1, plain green Price? Prices for DCC Ready models are £129.95 each and DCC Sound models is £229.95 each. What stage is it at? First computer design images are being assessed for accuracy before further design work takes place. When’s it due? Delivery is expected late 2021.

I do take customer suggestions very seriously Phil....

Thank you for your sympathy Paul. However you never know where the future may take us...

I’m fairly certain I took the photo. I’m also a driver on a railway with some SECR rolling stock. Maybe it’s relevant or maybe it was just a convenient 3! Andy

Very much so. We will be making full use of all the communication methods available to us! Andy

Well it won’t be to long until all your questions are answered. I have to say I am having a great weekend of entertainment looking at all the responses. Lots of interesting guesses and ideas being shared. I can’t possibly comment if the numbers are, or are not significant to the range. We will all just have to wait and see. Andy

Hello everyone! Those of you who follow our Facebook page may have seen todays post that answers the above question. For those that haven't I can say that our announcement will feature products in two scales! Andy

Oh - yes I am a Maidstone lad. I have a real interest in the railways in and around the surrounding area - one day there may even be a book. Other than a decade in Leeds I have always lived in the area. Andy

Hello everyone. As you would expect we are fully registered in the UK as Rapido Trains Ltd. In its simplest form the problem is that most mainstream UK banks are currently not taking new business customers. I have been given a few reasons, some relating to staffing and operations during the Covid pandemic, whilst one high up person in a certain bank has explained its related to the Bounce Back loan scheme and issues with people being less than honest. Either way the result is they wish to focus on their existing customers during these unusual times and have suggested we talk to the New Year (it has been ongoing since September when I started). There are a number of ‘online’ banks ie those with no real high street presence. Likewise these have been more willing to help now - but they in turn have been more likely to be put off by our Owners being in Canada. Even the banks based in both the UK and Canada have been unable to help. We have a few leads to follow up a d our recent plea has seen a few well placed people come forward to help us. I can’t comment on other manufacturers but I think it’s fair to say they did t have the Covid issue causing mayhem so are not to comparable. Our view was that with Christmas and everything else approaching we are very unlikely to get our account sorted along with having the time to test our systems and still launch our new range. This lead to the decision to announce our product range next month and then follow up with ordering after that. We will keep everyone posted. Until then we are getting more and more excited about our announcement on the 1st December. Take care, Andy

Evening everyone! I'm pleased to say we are getting a little closer to our UK launch: See you on Tuesday 1st December at noon! Andy

Well a Birmingham bus on a BR(S) layout is somewhat lost! I agree it’s a Cliche - although one myself and my co-builder like. Andy