🚂💨 Rapido Dynamometer Car BARGAIN - Now 36% off RRP

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Dynamometer
Dynamometer
Dynamometer

Relive the heyday of the steam age with Rapido's incredible model of the LNER Dynamometer Car in OO Gauge! We're pleased to present a major saving off this model - with a 36% off discount! 


This model, presented in the BR-era faux-Teak finish, replicates this iconic vehicle as seen in 1949 when it was used on trials with Bulleid's famous 'Leader' locomotive. 


Rapido's Dynamometer Car features astounding detail levels inside and out and the tooling was based on meticulous levels of research and archive photographs.

BARGAIN MODEL - ORDER YOURS NOW!

LNER VARIATION ALSO AVAILABLE

Product Features

Award-winning tooling originally produced exclusively for Rails of Sheffield - voted by you as Model Rail Magazine Coach of the Decade!

Exceptional exterior detailing including separate handrails, gangway connectors, duckets, roof furniture, underframe recording equipment and speed measurement wheel 

Fully detailed & painted interior with seating, monitoring equipment & more

Based on detailed research of the prototype, archive photos & official drawings

Prototype Information

Dynamometer Car
Image by Rails of Sheffield

Best known as the vehicle that recorded the 126mph run of LNER ‘A4’ No. 4468 Mallard on July 3 rd 1938, the North Eastern Railway’s test car, built at Darlington Works in 1906, is now on display at the National Railway Museum, where it has been reunited with Mallard.


A Dynamometer Car scientifically measures the performance of locomotives in order to effect improvements. Inside, instruments measure the speed, power and other statistics of locomotive performance, many of which were applied to a paper trace operated mechanically from the movement of the vehicle. The NER’s vehicle was also equipped with a drop-down bed hanging in the ceiling for operators to sleep in. It was also fitted with equipment to allow operators to speak to the driver.


No. 23591 passed into LNER ownership after the Grouping of 1923 where Chief Mechanical Engineer Sir Nigel Gresley used it extensively to test his new designs and modifications against established locomotives. It was even used behind the UK’s only steam-diesel hybrid locomotive!


The Dynamometer car and its paper trace recorded Mallard’s top speed of 126mph on Stoke Bank in 1938. The vehicle eventually passed into British Railway ownership and continued to be used for scientific testing including the famous 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials. The Dynamometer Car is now preserved as part of the National Collection at the NRM in York. 

Dynamometer Car
Image presumed to be Public Domain

ABOUT No. E905202

The example in our Advent Calendar promo showcases LNER Dynamometer Car No. E905202 in British Railways faux teak finish with BR Gill Sans lettering. This livery was applied in 1949 and could be seen when the Dynamometer Car was used on trials with Bulleid’s famous ‘Leader’ locomotive. 


This means that your bargain Dynamometer Car can be used alongside various locomotives due in soon at Rails, including the Dapol Black Label LNER Class A4 4-6-2 and the KR Models SR Bulleid Leader !

Watch our Video

Although this video demonstrates an earlier model from our original exclusive batch - this gives you a great idea of how they look and perform - particularly when coupled up to a fantastic locomotive such as the Dapol Black Label LNER A4!

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