Rapido Trains UK has received the first Engineering Prototype (EP) running sample of its forthcoming newly-tooled ‘N’ gauge Metropolitan Vickers Class 28 Co-Bo diesel for evaluation by the company’s development team.
Built in the late 1950s, 20 Metro-Vick Type 2 locomotives were introduced under the Pilot Scheme for new motive power on British Railways. They became synonymous with British Rail’s Anglo-Scottish ‘Condor’ freight service.
Rapido Trains UK is producing seven ‘N’ gauge models initially, finished as D5709 in BR plain green (Cat 905001), D5711 in BR green with small yellow warning panels (905002), D5713 in BR green with small yellow warning panels (905003), D5707 in BR green with full yellow ends (905004), D5705 in BR green with small yellow warning panels (905005), D5701 in BR blue (905006) and D5700 in BR plain green (905007).
The company has also received the first EP samples of the associated all-new ‘N’ gauge Conflat-P container flat wagons used on the Condor service with the Metro-Vick Co-Bos, for assessment.
There will be 15 individual Conflat-P wagons released, together with three triple-wagon packs.
Eight single wagons will feature one Type A and one Type BD container finished in BR crimson (Cat 921001-921008), five will include one each of the containers in BR bauxite (921011-921015), while two will be issued with one container in BR crimson and the other in BR bauxite (921009-921010).
Following extensive testing, modifications to the models will be required before they enter production.
Locomotive prices are set at £129.95 DCC ready and £229.95 DCC sound-fitted, while the Conflat P wagons are priced at £29.95 each for single wagons and £87.95 for triple-wagon packs.
Visit www.rapidotrains.co.uk for more information.
