Rapido Trains OO Locomotive Projects

One of the few BR diesel classes not yet produced to contemporary standards in OO is the BR Drewry 204bhp 0-6-0 diesel shunter. Although given TOPS code 04 the class was withdrawn, many being sold for industrial service resulting in 18 being preserved.
Rapido Trains expect this to be a very complicated project with the many different detail options. Tooling is being designed to be able to produce models with both the first batch of 04s with 3ft 3½in wheels and original cab design in skirted and no-skirted version, the main production batch with 3ft 6in wheels and cab with larger windows as well as the Southern Region version.

Rapido Trains have announced new OO gauge models of the GWR Small Prairie classes are under development. The design work is covering all of the Small Prairie’ family, including 44xx 45xx and 4575 classes.
Design work is already under way with the intent include key changes made to the engines throughout their lives as well as myriad smaller detail differences between batches. The models will feature a Next18 decoder socket, factory-fitted sound speaker and firebox flicker. As design work is still on-going, liveries and prices are to be confirmed.
The 11 engines of the 44xx class, the prototype 'small prairie's, were introduced in 1904 with the 4ft 1½in diameter driving wheels. While ideal for steeply graded branch lines the wheel diameter proved rather small for fast running, leading to the very similar 45xx class being built with the larger 4ft 7½in diameter wheels. All of the 44xx class were withdrawn by the end of 1955, 40-50 years being a typical design life for a steam locomotive.

Rapido Trains have announced new OO gauge models of the GWR Small Prairie classes are under development. The design work is covering all of the Small Prairie’ family, including 44xx 45xx and 4575 classes.
Design work is already under way with the intent include key changes made to the engines throughout their lives as well as myriad smaller detail differences between batches. The models will feature a Next18 decoder socket, factory-fitted sound speaker and firebox flicker. As design work is still on-going, liveries and prices are to be confirmed.

Following number 4574 when the next batch of the 45xx class 'small prairie' engines were ordered the opportunity was taken to increase the water capacity of the engines' side tanks by raising the height of the tanks at the rear. Similar to the 'large prairie' and 2-8-0 tank classes the tanks sloped downwards towards the front to avoid obstructing forward visibility. These engines are generally known as the 4575 class and a further 100 locomotives, 4575-5574, were built in 4 batches between 1927 and 1929. While a number of detail changes were made to these engines over their lives the 45xx design was well established by 1927 so the batches seem to be quite consistent. The engines were withdrawn between 1956 and 1964 and 11 have been preserved, many heritage railways finding them to be powerful and economical locomotives.

Rapido Trains have announced new OO gauge models of the GWR Small Prairie classes are under development. The design work is covering all of the Small Prairie’ family, including 44xx 45xx and 4575 classes.
Design work is already under way with the intent include key changes made to the engines throughout their lives as well as myriad smaller detail differences between batches. The models will feature a Next18 decoder socket, factory-fitted sound speaker and firebox flicker. As design work is still on-going, liveries and prices are to be confirmed.
Rapido Trains have announced new OO gauge models of the GWR Small Prairie classes are under development. The design work is covering all of the Small Prairie’ family, including 44xx 45xx and 4575 classes.
Design work is already under way with the intent include key changes made to the engines throughout their lives as well as myriad smaller detail differences between batches. The models will feature a Next18 decoder socket, factory-fitted sound speaker and firebox flicker. As design work is still on-going, liveries and prices are to be confirmed.
Following experience with the 44xx class the 'small prairie' design was revised to use the GWRs 4ft 7½in driver wheels, allowing these engines to reach and maintain 60mph with ease, suiting them to mainline stopping passenger as well as branch line service. The 45xx class continued the flat topped tanks with 75 locomotives built in 5 batches between 1906 and 1924. Each batch was slightly different as issues like coal capacity were addressed and GWR design styling developed. Early engines were modified to conform to the 'standard', with several of the modifications being quite noticeable, though some engines seem to have emerged from overhauls with later batch features!