THE CLASS 04 0-6-0 shunter is to become Rapido Trains UK’s first British outline ‘OO’ gauge diesel locomotive.
Introduced in 1952 and totalling 142 examples for BR and two for the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) by 1962, they were seen across the BR Eastern Region as well as on the Southern Region.
The Rapido model is at an early stage of development, but the manufacturer has confirmed that it will be modelling original locomotives with 3ft 3½in wheels and original cabs as well as the main production batch with 3ft 6in wheels and a cab with larger windows. Skirted and non-skirted locomotives will also be available allowing the tramway operated Class 04s to be represented.
Development of the new ‘OO’ gauge model has started with surveys of D2298 at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre and D2203 at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and, while the full specification is yet to be revealed, the Rapido says the Class 04 model will have a plug and play DCC interface and a factory-fitted speaker.
• Visit Rapido Trains UK for more information.
