Rapido Trains adds more ‘OO’ SECR wagons

Rapido Trains UK has unveiled plans for two further all-new ‘OO’ gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) wagon projects.

Currently at the Engineering Prototype (EP) sample stage of development, these newly-tooled wagons model a Diagram 1426 ventilated box van and Diagram 1744 two-plank ballast wagon.

The Dia.1426 10ton covered goods wagon was a forerunner to the Southern Railway’s distinctive standard box vans and featured elliptical roof, end ventilators, lift link brakes and self-contained buffers, while the new Dia. 1744 ballast wagons were also long-lived and will be the first pre-Grouping example of the type to be produced ready-to-run for ‘OO’.

Rapido Trains’ highly-detailed new models will accurately reflect the prototypes with the box vans featuring separately fitted end ventilators and a choice of two roof gutter strips, while the ballast wagons will be produced with curve-ended planking and straight-ended foot planks.

Each will also benefit from the standard 9ft 6in underframe already developed for the company’s previously-announced SECR five and seven-plank open wagons, fitted with split-spoke metal wheels.

Liveries and running numbers will cover their lengthy careers from pre-Grouping to BR service, with 11 different models of each planned – see tables for more details. (Note: Images shown are hand-decorated Engineering Prototype samples)

Priced at £32.95 each, release is anticipated in late 2022.

Visit www.rapidotrains.co.uk for more information.