Finally, if you are patiently waiting for the new range of O11/O15, V14/V16 Mink A Vans, Y4 Banana Vans we have some good news for you.

With various Great Western Railway wagons on their way to the UK, we thought this was the perfect time to bolster the already expanding range of Western Region rolling stock with a couple more wagons - the O18 5-plank open and the N19 Loco Coal wagon.

When we research wagons we are always on the lookout for vehicles that use common parts. Thanks for the GWR obsession with standardisation there are often a number of options for models using common parts. Sitting on the same underframe as our forthcoming DCIII-braked opens and vans, the N19 Loco Coal wagon and the O18 5-plank open are a great way to add a bit of variety to your gradually expanding rakes of Rapido GWR wagons.

Anyway, here's a bit of historical info on each one.

Coal is King – and that is certainly true for any steam locomotive.

JASON (Rapido UK owner, who is visiting from Canada): What about all the great Canadian oil burners? Royal Hudson? Bullet Nose Betty?

RAPIDO UK: We forgot you were here. This is Rapido UK. Please do not interrupt.

Anyway, without copious amounts of ‘black gold’ the railways in the heyday of steam would grind to a halt.

The GWR was no exception and even had a Central Coal Office in Pontypool Road that coordinated the supply of coal from the private South Wales collieries (where much of the GWR’s coal came from) to large locomotive depots and small engine sheds alike. Large motive power depots could receive up to 3,000 tons per week, whilst small branchline sheds might only receive 20 tons.

The GWR had their own Loco Coal wagons to manage this constant flow of fuel. Some would be found running in special trains, whilst many sent to local sheds would be attached to ordinary freight trains. This meant that Loco Coal wagons could be seen all across the GWR network on their way to all the Company’s sheds. Originally, wooden-bodied wagons were used. However, the first official diagram – the N6 in 1889 – had an iron body, a practice the GWR would continue.

These wagons survived in good numbers well into British Railways, having carried several different liveries and lettering styles throughout their lifetime. 10 different versions are available for pre-order now (RRP £32.95).

You can find out more about the GWR N19 Loco Coal Wagon and pre-order them by clicking the button below. You can also pre-order them from any of our Official Retailers today!

A step change in GWR open wagon design occurred in 1902 when a fifth plank was added to its four-plank design. The five-plank became the GWR’s standard wagon design and – most importantly – variations on the post-1904 version with a 3ft 3in deep and 8ft body continued to be built well into the 1940s.

Much like their predecessors, the Diagram O18s have a 10t carrying capacity (later built as 12t) and uses a 16ft underframe with GWR self-contained buffers. The only difference was on the drop-side door. Unlike the O11 and O15 which had a flat door, the O18 featured a tapered foot to the door with the bottom plank set at an angle along with adjustments to the metalwork. This feature became standard on many of the later GWR open wagon designs. In later life, many of the original 10t wagons were up-rated to 12 or even 13 tons.

The GWR built 2850 O18 ‘Open A’ wagons between 1914 and 1924. As records are few and far between, it’s not known exactly when the last of these wagons were withdrawn as they slowly disappeared over the years, but they lasted well into BR days. A batch of O18s was also built for the Rhymney Railway and delivered complete with their own lettering – these were identical, except they were provided without the sheet rail. Many wagons were sold out of service into private railway companies including the Port of Bristol Authority, Port of London Authority and Manchester Ship Canal. Thankfully, several O18 wagons have survived into preservation including examples at the Severn Valley Railway and Bristol Harbour Railway.

Both the N19 Loco Coal Wagon and O18 5-plank Open feature full external, internal and underframe details including brass bearings for smooth friction-free running, NEM coupling pockets and a high-quality livery application.

The O18 also comes supplied with parts to fit the Williams patent sheet supporter. We’re including enough parts to either model the sheet rail in the 'up' or ‘at rest’ positions.

Thanks to their use across the country and by numerous different railways, 19 different versions of the O18 5-plank Open are yours to choose from (RRP £32.95), including the seldom-represented Manchester Ship Canal and Rhymney Railway liveries.

You can find out more about the GWR O18 5-plank and pre-order them by clicking the button below, or you can pre-order them from any of our Official Retailers today.

No sooner were the team back in the office than the first engineering sample of 2024 arrived - the tiny Port of Par Bagnall 'twins'.

Once we had carefully looked them over and compared them to our design and specifications we did a quick pulling power test. We wanted to see if they would pull the prototypical 15 empty wagons on the flat, and we were blown away when a single loco pulled away with 20 of our wagons on the back. Now, we understand that people's collections feature a multitude of rolling stock and not all of them are the bearing-clad, smooth-running examples that happen to frequent our test track. But it's fair to say that for something so detailed that quite literally fits in the palm of your hand, we were highly impressed.

Due to the size constraints we have opted to use an ESU LokSound 5 Nano DCC decoder in our DCC Sound models. This tiny decoder uses an E24 interface and has allowed us to gain some space to include a very small stay-alive circuit into the models. Testing is underway - we shall report back in a future newsletter.

We will continue to evaluate these samples before making any revisions. All being well we plan to close the order books in the coming months and move them into production. You can order yours today direct from us or from any Official Retailer.

Our 1907 spec RCH Private Owner wagons continue to make their way through the factory. All the production wagons have had their base colours sprayed and are now having their tampo (and in many cases multiple tampo) prints applied. With over 70 different wagons in this batch it is taking some time! However the factory has sent some samples to us for evaluation - which we couldn't resist showing off. We expect these to leave the factory during February and arrive with us in March.

A very limited number are still available to order direct from us or from any of our Official Retailers. Don't forget there are also a number of exclusive commissions available from several retailers!

Following the 2nd batch of Leyland Fleetlines through the paintshop are our highly anticipated Bedford OB models. The factory has sent us some sample bodyshell parts painted in the relevant main body colours for approval. We think they look rather splendid!

We always like to push the boundaries of design where we can to be as accurate as possible, and the upcoming O1 is no different. Throughout our research process, it was identified that the SECR (non-preserved) Wainwright Green version we were planning on doing had a slightly different smokebox. All other era versions seemed to have rivets whereas the locomotive we were using as a point of reference appeared to have flush rivets, creating a smooth finish on the smokebox.

During the initial stages of the design process, we decided to make a compromise and use a single riveted smokebox across the range as there were examples of both at the time. As the design progressed it became apparent that the compromise was no longer such a burden and a flush-riveted smokebox could be included, of course this contradicts the initial art that we have been showing off, but we felt that it was a decision we could make to improve the overall accuracy of the range, and would therefore be a popular decision with everyone.

While we were at it, we reviewed the design of the model overall, so made a couple of other changes, these include a slight tweak to the chimney height and smokebox door profile, and the polybag will now have the correct "3 shackle" couplings included.

The O1 is in tooling and we hope to have samples in the spring.

In early December of last year, the highly anticipated N Gauge Class 44 ‘Peaks’ were made available for pre-order. After months of work, and after we thought that we had nailed this one down, it turns out we had made a slight oversight.

As part of the pre-order we put out some lovely artwork of the upcoming launch, and inadvertently included a TOPS Panel on a version that shouldn’t have had one. So, following community feedback and a review of our art we have decided to make a tweak: SKU 948003 Class 44 – D2 Helvellyn BR Green with Small Yellow Panel – will have its TOPS Panel removed to represent the earlier condition of this livery variant.

We are also pleased to say that our friends at Malc's Models and TTC Diecast have joined forces to commission D8 Penyghent in BR green with small yellow warning panels. You can find more by visiting their website - just click on the names above.

We are pleased to say that the factory has completed these highly detailed Great Western Railway wagons, and they are on their way to the UK as we speak. Unfortunately, due to global issues beyond our control, there are a few challenges that are impacting shipping anything at the moment. This means ships are being re-routed away from the Suez Canal to safer but significantly longer routes.

So, as it stands we aren’t able to give you a clear delivery date. Once they have arrived in the UK and we have checked them over we will let everyone know, so please keep an eye on our social channels and further newsletters for more news.

We have made incredible progress on some projects and are keen to get them into production so we can put them in your hands. This means it is time to close our order books so we can instruct the factory how many to produce.

We will be closing orders on the 12th of February for the following upcoming products:

We have already covered some of the history of the diminutive Y7 - but to refresh your memory we have prepared a short video for you:

So, if you’re keen to get your hands on any of these delightful models you need to get in quick and order them direct through our website or from any of our Official Retailers.

We also recently closed the order books on the following:

Some items are close are selling out so get your orders in quick - or contact you preferred Official Retailer today.

Shortly after the New Year, we put out a post on our Social Media pages. It was meant to be a bit of fun, but suffice it to say, it got a bit more attention than we expected. As a homage to the absolutely stunning blue livery that the Bluebell Railway has painted on SECR P Class 323 Bluebell, we thought we would have a crack at replicating it onto our upcoming O1, and in keeping with the railway's fleet of flora and fauna-based loco names we would pick an appropriate shrubbery (cue a few moments of Monty Python quotes in the office) to name it. With the various extensions the railway has seen over the years, we are sure the staff are very familiar with brambles.

The community reaction to this was unexpected: you absolutely loved it! We mulled it over and had a word with the folks at the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society to ensure we could reproduce their crest on the side of the loco. We are pleased to say they agreed, and we are excited to announce that SECR O1 No.65 Bramble in ‘what if’ Bluebell Railway blue livery is now available to pre-order.

This livery will be a conditional release and will be only possible if we are able to achieve sufficient pre-orders. So, if you are keen to add Bramble to your collection, get your pre-order in now!

Having seen our upcoming Port of Par Bagnall Tanks our friends at World of Railways got in touch with us with an idea. How about doing a National Coal Board version in blue? And if the answer is yes, can we have it?

What a great idea, and we couldn’t possibly decline! So, we set to work on creating the most eye-catching ‘what if’ NCB livery we could.

There are two main tooling versions of our Port of Par Bagnall and we have settled on using the same welded tank style as the 1953-built locomotive for this project. For its livery we thought it would be sensible to match it to an NCB loco from our existing range, so have settled on the delightful livery that features on 16in Hunslet 0-6-0 Hollybank: Oxford Blue with lining and lettering, which is then offset with bright red connecting rods.

The NCB Port of Par Bagnall in Oxford Blue will be available as an exclusive release through World of Railways. You can find out more and pre-order yours by clicking the button below:

Complimenting this blue Bagnall, World of Railways also has a range of exclusive Rapido Trains UK RCH 1907 Private Owner Wagons in NCB livery, which are available to pre-order now.

It's that time of year again: time to vote on what models and manufacturers you loved the most in 2023. Voting for the Model Rail Awards for 2023 has opened, and we are very proud to feature heavily in several categories with a multitude of this year's releases being shortlisted, such as OO Gauge Steam Locomotive of the Year, and OO Gauge Freight Stock of the Year.

Every model we have released during 2023 has been shortlisted in their respective categories, along with Rapido Trains UK being in the running for OO Gauge Manufacturer of The Year, N Gauge Manufacturer of The Year, and Overall Manufacturer of The Year.

Model Rail has even got an awesome prize for one lucky voter, so cast your vote now, as you might even get some cool model railway swag!

You can vote for your favourite Rapido Trains UK release of 2023 HERE.

Voting closes on the 15^th of February, so please vote Rapido!

Just before Christmas the gorgeous Wisbech and Upwell Train Packs arrived and we sent them out with glee, having checked they were intact and ran like a dream, however, it has come to our attention that we forgot to check the detailing pack. And typically, something was missing.

Within the instruction manual, we included details of an alternative Cowcatcher that can be fitted to either end of the C53 tram locomotive. This is to enable people who wish to use scale screw or 3-link couplings, display their model as designed, or run their locos in a single direction with one end as designed not to have a hole where the tension lock coupling had been removed.

We are sorry we missed these out of your detailing bags, however, we do have the parts.

So, if you have ordered a Wisbech and Upwell Train Pack and would like these Cowcatchers, don’t hesitate to contact us. Please complete our Warranty form HERE and we will get a pair of Cowcatchers sent out to you.

That’s Not a Graphic Artist. That's a Graphic Artist!

Crickey us Limeys better stick a shrimp on the barbie, we’ve got a true-blue Aussie in the house.

We are pleased to say the Rapido family is expanding and we’ve plucked the best we could find from another of the ex-colonies.

This is the Wonder from Downunder, Bruce Mark. He is joining us as our new Technical Graphic Artist. Mark’s a keen railwayman, having worked on both British and Aussie railways over the years. Many of you may also recognise his smiling face as the face of The Wagon Yard, where he honed his eye for wagon art.

As he will be working with a bunch of shameless Simpsons fans, his first assignment will be to watch one of the greatest episodes ever to air (Bart vs Australia), otherwise he won't appreciate how hilarious we are!

G’day Mark, and welcome aboard.

JASON: Mark's also very strong, so for your own safety don't approach him at shows with a fake Australian accent or ask him for a bottle of "Cuivre Reservé Château Bottled Nuit Saint Wogga Wogga". As his boss, only I'm allowed to do that. Hey Mark - pass me a glass of your famous "Château Chunder" would you?

MARK: Jason! You, me, Aussie Rules, carpark. I just need two minutes.

RAPIDO UK: Jason has thankfully now run away. Back to the newsletter...

This is a show we’ve wanted to do for years and being at the opposite end of the country it presents some logistical challenges that we weren’t able to overcome. Thanks to the influx of new Rapido staff over the last year we now have the manpower to attend and we are pleased that the lovely folks who organise the event have asked us if we would like a stand.

We will have plenty for you to see including the lovely running sample of the highly anticipated Highland Railway Jones Goods - and maybe a secret surprise or two.

The three-day event is at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow and is from Fri 23^rd to Sun 25^th of February. You will find us at stand No.A35. You can find out more about the event and grab your tickets HERE.

We look forward to seeing you in Scotland!

Well, it's fair to say that this month the British model railway world was turned on its head.

We did have a lovely New Year new project piece we were going to put as Thought of the Month, but due to the events of the last few weeks, we felt that it was important to cover our thoughts on the shifting tides.

So, in case you have missed the news, our friends at Hattons Model Railways have chosen to stop trading after 77 years of operating, and the folks at the Warley Model Railway Club have chosen to cease holding an exhibition at the NEC for the foreseeable future. Let's face it, they are both massive pieces of news associated with our hobby and business. Losing the biggest show and one of the biggest retailers within a week was quite the unexpected start to 2024.

The announcement that the Warley Model Railway Exhibition would cease was quite a blow. We understand that in the model railway world we are quite fresh faces and that the Warley Club, through their show, has been instrumental in Rapido Trains UK building a name for itself. We would like to thank the club for including us in their annual proceedings for the last nine years or so (it started with Jason and Bill back in 2014) and welcoming our unique and often comical way of getting people to come and visit our stall. Remember all those 1:1 scale Brummie buses?

Because of the show, thousands of people now know who we are. So, from our perspective, if it is the right thing to do to preserve the club for many years to come, we cannot fault the club's decision to scale things back and let someone else plan the big shows.

Unfortunately, both of these changes have sparked a lot of debate, conjecture, and fear in the community, which in turn has been stoked by the national press, who have farmed out poorly thought-through doom and gloom articles about a hobby they know little or nothing about.

The harsh truth of the situation is that nothing stays the same forever! Now, that seems like quite the inflammatory statement, but we don’t see this as the hobby-ending death knell some have predicted. Despite the average age of our staff being 36, most of us remember staples of the model railway industry that have disappeared from the community. Many will remember the model railway retail powerhouses of Beatties and the Signal Box, both sadly no more. Even in more recent years, the likes of Modelzone have sadly met the sword.

We would be naïve if we said that these things happening have zero impact on the hobby and its affiliated businesses. Let us assure you, they most certainly have. Our friends and colleagues within the industry lose their jobs, other businesses are negatively impacted, projects are dropped, and customers are lost. Things have changed, and in the short term it's not pleasant, but we feel in the grand scheme of things, the hobby will certainly prevail.

To give you a little more insight, let's look at some of the changing tastes and preferences of the hobby throughout the last few years and you can come to your own conclusions.

Overall tastes in how we partake in our hobby have changed, and this isn’t just model railways; the influx of diesel galas is a testament to this. But let's focus on the model side. Thinking back 10 years ago how many of you got your model railway news and reviews from YouTube? We think it is significantly fewer than the thousands of you who currently tune in to watch Jenny Kirk, Sam’s Trains and a plethora of other like-minded influencers broadcast their thoughts and reviews on products and companies.

Coupling this with the highly talented individuals who take their time to share their creative hobby skills and knowledge with us via social media, personal hobby development is no longer a closely guarded secret, passed on from member to member of your local basement club, and reviews aren’t restricted to a limited number (at the time) of print media sources. If you wish, you can enjoy the hobby from the comfort of your own home with greater ease than ever before, and develop your skills without fear of judgement.

This has in turn impacted the buying habits of the average hobbyist. Many moons ago it was rare to see a pre-grouping or modern image layout plastered over the front cover of your favourite model railway mag. Today, the story couldn’t be further from the truth. This is due to the buying habits and availability of models and is a waterfall effect. When model types sell well, manufacturers choose to make more of that type, more people make layouts, and then they appear in mags, which generates interest, and the cycle continues. We think this is awesome!

Tastes change, models change, shows change, and your favourite retailers change, but our wonderful hobby finds the path of least resistance and perpetuates, bringing in new people with exciting new interests.

So, we reflect on this difficult month as something to learn from and to adapt our business around. But, more importantly, we can look to the future of what awesome changes we can make to the hobby, rather than dwelling on the negatives.

Well that's all for this month. Now its time to get back to work finalising our secret Model Rail Scotland plans. We hope to see some of you there.

Happy modelling!