For Day 18 of our Advent Calendar we're excited to offer you not one, but TWO, special deals from the Rapido Trains OO Gauge range!
We've heavily discounted a selection of their GER 'Wisbech & Upwell' Train Packs as well as their gorgeous Liverpool & Manchester 'Lion' 0-4-2 steam locomotives. All models are available either DCC Ready or pre-fitted with DCC Sound - so they're perfect for any layout!
GER Wisbech & Upwell Train Packs
Recreate the heady days of light railways with Rapido's Great Eastern Railway 'Wisbech & Upwell Railway' Train Packs! Two variations are available complete with a Class J70 steam tram locomotive and two coaches - in either pre-1919 or post-1919 livery variations.
Product Features
Each pack includes a J70 locomotive and 2 tramcars
Fully detailed carriage interiors
Accurate tooling variations dependent on era
Next18 decoder socket in locomotive and factory fitted speaker
Sprung buffers
NEM tension lock couplings
Museum quality finish
Smooth & powerful mechanism
Lots of separately fitted parts on both locomotive and tramcars
Prototype Information
Two bogie tramcars were constructed for use on the Wisbech & Upwell Tramway in 1884. These two vehicles were built by the Great Eastern Railway under order A17.
Both vehicles were outwardly similar, however, details like panelling and roof layout were unique to each vehicle. They remained almost unchanged during their working life, apart from modified footsteps. After passenger services on the W&U ceased in 1927, both were transferred to the Kelvedon and Tollesbury Light Railway in Essex, working until line closure in 1951 and retaining their unusual longitudinal seating. Stardom then beckoned for No. 8. when it starred in the Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt – complete with bar! It was earmarked for preservation by the British Transport Commission and even restored into GER livery.
Sadly, due to misunderstanding, it was scrapped on March 9th 1957. Number 7 was sold and became an onion store before being rescued for preservation. Acquired by the M&GN Society in 2002, it has been fully restored - complete with a Titfield-style bar.
LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER 'LION' LOCOMOTIVES
Rapido's wonderful Liverpool & Manchester Railway 'Lion' 0-4-2 models cater for this iconic steam locomotive in its 1930 and 1980s era preserved conditions. A must-have for any fan of this pioneering Era 1 locomotive design!
Product Features
Die-cast metal and injection moulded plastic construction
High quality motor and mechanism
Next18 decoder socket
Factory-fitted sound decoder
NEM tension lock couplings
Ability to couple to coaches from other manufacturers
Many accurate tooling variations depending on era including different spring boxes, pressure gauge, toolboxes, safety chains and livery
Prototype Information
Constructed in 1837 at a cost of £1,100, Lion, along with its sister Tiger, was the first locomotive built by Todd, Kitson and Laird of Leeds. Designated as a ‘luggage engine’, Lion was first used as a banking engine, before resuming luggage duties for several years, and finally working as a ballast engine.
Lion was sold in 1859 to the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board where it was used around the docks before being turned into a stationary pumping engine. ‘Discovered’ by members of the Liverpool Engineering Society, Lion was presented to the society by the Dock Board in 1928. Society members then formed the Old Locomotive Committee, which continued to care for Lion for several decades.
The LMS created the shape of Lion as we know it today during its overhaul at Crewe Works. It undertook a prominent role in the Liverpool & Manchester Railway’s centenary celebrations in 1930, where it hauled a train of specially-built 1830s-style coaches.
Lion was removed from its plinth at Liverpool Lime Street to make its film debut, in the 1937 film Victoria the Great. It left Liverpool again in 1938 for the centenary celebrations of the London & Birmingham Railway and again during the Second World War for the safety of the Crewe Works paintshop. Its next public appearance would really throw it into the public spotlight.
The producers at Ealing Studios need an antique locomotive to star in its new film about a local village that saves its branch line by running it themselves, with the help of an old engine from a museum. Lion was overhauled at Crewe and specially painted for its starring role, especially as this was the first Ealing Comedy to be shot in colour.
The Titfield Thunderbolt was released in 1953, and Lion went back into store. It made a brief appearance in 1961 for more filming, albeit the TV show Lookaround. Then, in 1967, Lion took up position in the City of Liverpool Museums’ new transport gallery. Due to its condition, it was cosmetically restored between 1968 and 1969.
Lion was awakened from its slumbers in 1979 in order for it to take part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the ‘Rainhill Trials’. It was overhauled by apprentices at Ruston Diesels in Newton-le-Willows and starred at the Rainhill Cavalcade in 1980. It continued to appear in steam until 1984 when it required repairs.
Lion’s final spell in traffic was between 1987 and 1988 when it celebrated its 150th birthday. Sadly, once the celebrations were over, it was decided to withdraw Lion permanently. After display in Liverpool and Manchester, Lion moved into its new home, the re-vamped Museum of Liverpool, which opened in 2011. Lion is still one of the museum’s star exhibits.