In the midst of all the Black Friday Fun, Rapido Trains UK have revealed a number of new product samples and provided us with some major project updates too - including some updates for our upcoming EXCLUSIVE models! Read all about the latest news below...
USATC S160 2-8-0 DECORATED SAMPLES
You might have caught a sneak preview of these at last weekend's NEC show but now Rapido have revealed them in all their glory - the decorated samples of their USATC S160 2-8-0 steam locomotives in OO Gauge! These mighty wartime machines are being produced for the first time ever in OO RTR and we're sure you'll agree that they look astonishing.
The range includes a whopping 12 variations - covering all major liveries worn by this stalwart class. Owing to their overseas wartime construction and scattered usage across the continent, these real life locos saw many build variations and many of these have been replicated by Rapido with a staggering number of tooling differences shown on these.
DCC Ready: from £229.45 • DCC Sound from £322.95
EXCLUSIVE LMR BLUE WD701 DECO SAMPLE
We're also delighted to reveal a decorated sample of one of our EXCLUSIVE models - 'Franklin D Roosevelt' WD702 in Longmoor Military Railway blue with red and white embellishments as seen in preservation in the Mid-1990s. This really showcases how special this particular livery is and we're delighted to finally bring a fully decorated sample to you.
DCC Ready: £269.95 • DCC Sound: £379.95
EXCLUSIVE LBSC BRAKE VAN ENGINEERING SAMPLES
In more EXCLUSIVE Rapido news, we're glad to reveal the first engineering samples of our all new LB&SCR 4-Wheel and 6-Wheel Brake Vans! Again, you may have caught sight of these at the NEC but now they're here in all their glory!
We're really pleased by how well these are shaping up and the project is proceeding at pace for release in Late 2026! These are only available to order at Rails of Sheffield, in a range of LBSCR and Southern Railway colour schemes seen across their lifespans.
DCC Ready: £269.95 • DCC Sound: £379.95
EVOLUTION COACHES DECORATED SAMPLES
Following on from the other decorated samples showcased over the last couple of months, Rapido have now received samples of their Great Central Railway and Great Western Railwaycoaches for evaluation - complete with their stylish Clerestory roofs! The first batch of Evolution Coaches is set to arrive in three stages during the first half of 2026. Pretty much all of them are sold out at Rapido and we have limited availability remaining on many lines - so we recommend placing your pre-orders ASAP.
Singles: £59.45 • Triple Pack: £169.95
LMS 20T HOPPER DECORATED SAMPLES
In yet more decorated sample news, Rapido have also revealed samples of their newly tooled LMS 20 Ton Iron Ore Hopper Wagons in OO Gauge! 17 different models are to be produced in this range including all manner of Big-4, Private Industrial, British Rail and preserved colour schemes. Multiple tooling variations will be released to cover a selection of diagrams - including those with peaked roofs and greedy board versions.
Singles: £29.50 each
LNER C12 4-4-2T LOCO 3D PRINT SAMPLE
Rapido have also shared progress on their recently announced LNER Class C12 4-4-2T steam locomotive project in OO Gauge! This early 3D printed sample fives you an idea of the complexity of the final model and this version, complete with condensing apparatus showcases some of the other tooling variations too.
DCC Ready: £161.45 • DCC Sound: £250.70
MIDLAND 483 CLASS ORDER BOOK CLOSING
The order book is closing imminently for Rapido's all-new Midland Railway 483 Class 4-4-0 steam locomotives in OO Gauge! Once the order book is closed, stocks will be limited and may be at risk of selling out on pre-order. Make sure to place your orders ahead of Monday 1st December to ensure your locomotive is guaranteed.
DCC Ready: £178.45 • DCC Sound: £271.95
RCH 1907 WAGONS ORDER BOOK CLOSING
The order book is also set to close on Monday 1st December for Rapido's next batch of Railway Clearing House 1907 7-plank wagons in OO Gauge! There are a lot of exciting new wagons in this run including pre-grouping and private owner versions in many colours.
Singles: £27.95 each
PORT OF PAR 'BAGNALLS' COMING SOON
The wait is nearly over for Rapido's newly tooled Port of Par Bagnall 0-4-0ST steam locomotives in OO Gauge! The minor issue noted by Rapido's team upon delivery has been rectified and the final models are expected to arrive with us next week. These models are available as singles or special edition Twin Packs.
Single Locomotives from £118.95Twin Packs from £237.95
N GAUGE IRON MINK VANS COMING SOON
Also expected within the next week or so from Rapido Trains is their n ewly tooled range of N Gauge GWR Iron Minks Vans and 'Not Quite Minks'! There are lots of variations to choose from in all sorts of liveries that are sure to bring some colour to your mixed freights.
Single G Fawkes Model: £21.20
Triple Packs in Other Liveries: £59.45
GNR J13/ LNER J52 LOCOS IN STOCK NOW
In case you missed it, we recently received Rapido's newly tooled range of Great Northern Railway J13 (later LNER Class J52) 0-6-0ST steam locomotives into stock! These hardy little tank engines are available in a massive range of liveries charting usage with the GNR right through to departmental service.
As part of this delivery we have also received our EXCLUSIVE Class J52/2 steam locomotive into stock - depicting this unique Departmental Locomotive - as used at Doncaster Works Yard.
DCC Ready: from £140.20 • DCC Sound: from £237.95