First Engineering Prototype (EP) samples of Rapido Trains UK’s newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘Loriot Y’ machinery truck and AA20 ‘Toad’ brake van have arrived for scrutiny by the company’s development team.
Ten GWR Diagram AA20 ’Toad’ brake vans are planned including 114765 (Hereford Barton) in GW grey (Cat No. 918001), 68777 (Newton Abbot) in GW grey (918002), 68784 (East Depot) in GW grey (918003), 17295 in GW (small lettering) grey (918004), 68764 in GW (small lettering) grey (918005), W68868 in BR grey (918006), W114751 (Worcester RU) in BR grey (918007), W114764 (Yeovil Pen Mill RU) in BR grey (918008), DW17247 in WR (Departmental) grey (918009) and DW17244 in Engineer’s yellow (918010).
The specification includes a removable roof, interior detailing (storage boxes/desk/stove), handbrake and sanding levers, plus detail differences between variants such as rainstrip positioning, footboard height and wheel types (spoked or disc).
Meanwhile, three individual models of Rapido’s newly-tooled ‘OO’ gauge GWR ’Loriot Y’ machinery trucks are also expected (in addition to its appearance within the company’s 'Titfield Thunderbolt' range), finished as 41989 in GWR livery (917001), 41990 in as-preserved GWR livery (917002) and DW41990 in BR Departmental livery (917003).
Allied to this wagon, the company has also developed a model of ‘Dan’s House’ as featured in the 'Titfield Thunderbolt' movie, which was secured to a ‘Loriot Y’ machinery truck. A detailed interior has also been developed.
Following assessment of the various EP samples, any corrections required will be communicated to the factory for amendment before progressing to the next stage.
Prices for the ‘Toad’ and ‘Loriot Y’ wagons are set at £39.95, while the ‘Loriot Y’ complete with ‘Dan’s House’ is set to appear in the special 'Titfield Thunderbolt' train packs, priced at £299.95 (standard – DCC ready locomotive) and £399.95 (deluxe – DCC sound-fitted locomotive). A delivery date has yet to be confirmed.
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