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!