Since the announcement of our Custom Wagon Service, we've seen a shedload of interesting and bespoke models created. Some of you have really let your creativity go wild, which is awesome.
We want you to unleash this creativity with a camera, too. Share some photos or videos of your Custom Wagons!
The Port of Par 'Twins' Alfred and Judy are well known for their small stature, allowing them to shunt 5-plank 'clayhood' wagons under a particularly low bridge. But did you know that the locomotives often shunted goods vans, too? Bagged clay was shipped out from Par docks in Palvans and similar.
Our range's gradual expansion of accurate pre-grouping wagon prototypes has been enhanced with some eastbound freight!
Our factory has sent us painted prototypes of the upcoming OO Gauge Great Eastern 5 & 7-Plank Open Wagons.
We expect them to arrive at the start of Q2.
The OO Gauge USATC S160 will be taking a voyage soon, so we have got one of our staff members to have a crack at weathering a painted sample. He’s matched the only colour wartime reference photo that we had, and we think it looks incredible.
What do you think?
Will you be weathering yours?
To coincide with the announcement of the OO Gauge GWR 45xx ‘Small Prairie’, we thought it would be fitting to do some era-appropriate coaching stock to go alongside it.
The new GWR Lined Crimson Lake versions represent coaching stock that would have been seen between 1912 and 1922.
Everyone knows GWR locos are supposed to be green, so we’ve had a bit of fun and put a different shade of green on the new 45xx to see how it looked.
We think we’ll stick with liveries that Churchward would approve of going forward…
Happy World Book Day!
Over the years, we have produced numerous books to complement our models. Our next publication will be a brand-new Ivor the Engine story written by Daniel Postgate, which will be included as part of the OO Gauge Ivor the Engine Train Packs.
Your new GWR 45xx in the delightful pre-grouping lined green needs some suitable stock! The GWR red livery for goods wagons was discontinued in 1904 but was seen in service well into The Great War, so why not add a bit of colour to your bucolic branch line with these?
It’s been a good week for our Scottish railway fans. As if the Loch wasn’t good enough, we’ve got our hands on something that made us all say "Aye!"
Gordon Highlander has marched into Rapido HQ, and you don’t have to be a resident of the Highlands to appreciate these engineering prototypes.
Well, that’s it, time's almost up.
At the end of the day today, we will be closing the order books for the OO Gauge Not-Quite-Minks, GWR Four-Plank Opens and ‘Iron Minks’.
The early GWR versions are a perfect match for our new 45xx 'Small Prairie' tank locomotives!
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Still looking for that elusive G. Fawkes Iron Mink?
Well, we have you covered, as we have included two versions of this ever popular banging livery in our Not-Quite-Mink 2025 range.
The order books are closing for the OO Gauge Not-Quite-Minks tomorrow.
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We’re heading back to the West Country for an exciting new OO Gauge announcement of a prominent branch line loco.
The beloved GWR 45xx ‘Small Prairie’ 2-6-2T!
You can pre-order your now from our website or any of our Official Retailers.
rapidotrains.co.uk/gwr-45xx-sma...
We have some colour production samples of the upcoming LNWR open wagons.
These are progressing nicely, and we are expecting them to arrive at some point in Q2 2026.
These excellent shots were sent in by Ian Stobbs, and it shows a busy N Gauge shed jam-packed with Rapido models.
Our N Gauge Class 45 and 46 arrived last month, so we would love to see some shots of these distinct diesels on your layout too.
Share a photo or two in the comments below!
Missed us at the Tonbridge show yesterday?
Don’t panic!
In a month's time, we will be going on the road for a fortnight of busy shows and visiting both ends of the country.
Come and see us at the London Festival of Railway Modelling (21st-22nd March) and Model Rail Scotland (27th-29th March).
Did you see our most recent mammoth wagon announcements?
We have bolstered our selection of pre-grouping freight with an entire range of new Great Central Railway wagons.
Head to our website to check out these wonderful new wagons.
We have had a load of lovely new colour production samples arrive!
These pretty prototypes will be making their public debut at the Tonbridge Model Railway Exhibition tomorrow. Join us at the show, where we will be displaying these along with all of our latest samples.
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We will be attending our first show of the season this Saturday, so we are getting the van packed and the samples ready.
Join us at the Tonbridge Model Railway Exhibition, where you can have a chat with our staff about all things Rapido and see all of our latest prototypes.
Ash Wednesday is a day for reflection.
So, we want you to reflect on how much you have been enjoying your OO Gauge Fireless, a loco that definitely didn’t create any ash!
They have so many uses, so it would be cool to see some pictures of them on your layouts. Share some shots of your Fireless!
Happy Pancake Day!
Now, here is something cool to distract you from your feast.
The N Gauge Dynamometer Cars are now on their way to the UK from our factory. So, we thought it was about time we showed you some close-ups of these beautifully finished models.
They will be arriving soon!
Our factory has dispatched some engineering samples of the upcoming OO Gauge Loch Class, and we can’t wait to see them.
We will be including some photos of this spectacularly Scottish loco in the next email newsletter. If you want to be the first to see them, make sure you sign up!
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SO YOU LIKE PROTOTYPICAL WAGONS, EH?
Well, good news for you because alongside the recent delivery of Evolution Coaches, we also received the GWR O19 Open C wagons as well as the LMS Hoppers!
These have now all gone through QC and payment links will be sent out over the next week or so.
SO YOU LIKE GENERIC COACHES, EH?
Well then we've got good news for you, as Group A of Batch 1 (SECR, LBSC and LMR) has arrived in our warehouse!
The models are currently going through QC checks. Please keep an eye on your inboxes over the next three weeks as we will be sending out payment links.
MEDIUM NEWS EVERYONE!
After extensive testing of our S160 prototypes, we have taken the decision to change the material of the running boards from plastic to metal.
Pro:
Reduced chance of bending during installation
Con:
Slightly reduced fidelity in the detail
Expected delivery will now be in Q2.
Our Great Northern Railway teak 'Evolution' coaches are currently aboard a ship en route to the UK.
We really hope you like the teak finish, as it took a lot of design work and several iterations of the printing process to try and align all the panels.
We can confirm that the Evolution coaches from Group B of Batch 1 are currently heading to the UK from our factory.
There are some truly eye-catching liveries in this second stage, as it contains those of the Midland Railway, Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, and Great Northern Railway.
We are calling time on the order books for three prominent projects, including the Caledonian Railway 'Single'.
If you want to add any of these amazing models to your collection, make sure you pre-order yours through our website or any of our Official Retailers before the end of the day.
Just one more day left before we close the order books on the OO Gauge Caledonian No.123, the RCH 1907 Peaked-Roof Salt Vans, and the Metropolitan and London Transport liveried Evolution coaches.
Get your pre-orders in now!
Looking to season your goods trains with something colourful and a bit different?
The RCH 1907 Salt Vans ran in their respective company colours from the pre-grouping era right through to the end of steam.
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We are pleased to announce that we are greatly expanding our OO Gauge pre-grouping wagon fleet with a brand new range of Great Central Railway rolling stock!
The new range includes the Dia.17B Covered Vans, Dia. 9A / 9B 6-Plank Opens, and Dia. 6C 3-Plank Opens.
You can pre-order yours now.
