It's that time of the month - Rapido Trains UK Announcements & UPDATE TIME! 

We're delighted to present the latest news from the Kent-based team for you today which includes not one, not two but THREE NEW TOOLING projects in OO Gauge - comprising of an all-new SECR O Class locomotive and two new additions to the 'Evolution' range of prototypically literate pre-grouping rolling stock. 

Aside from these new project announcements there's a plethora of project updates for previously announced models to discover too, so without further ado let's jump in!

The first of three exciting new OO Gauge toolings is an all-new SER O Class 0-6-0 Steam Locomotive!  This model complements Rapido's  other recently announced South Eastern Railway rolling stock and other previously announced SER/ SECR items. This older, smaller, sleeker predecessor to the previously released S ECR O1 will also catch the eye of SECR and SR modellers, too (and those of you who just like to appreciate pretty engines). 

As with other Rapido locomotives  you can expect exquisite detailing, a robust mechanism, diecast chassis, digital & sound capability, coreless motor, pre-fitted stay alive, firebox glow effect and a whole raft of accurate tooling variations. 

There are ten variations to choose from in the range covering their entire lifespan in South Eastern Railway, South Eastern & Chatham and Southern Railway liveries! 

DCC Ready: from £178.45 • DCC Sound: from £271.95

We're pleased to present an EXCLUSIVE variation of this new model  available only here at Rails of Sheffield! Our 'O Class' depicts No.49 in this unique SECR simplified lined green livery. This specific example features a flush-riveted smokebox and the original tender with large toolbox.

The next vehicle in Rapido's OO Gauge Evolution range is here, and it's one you are going to struggle to say neigh to! Designed to coexist with the OO Evolution bogie coaches, the new Horseboxes are perfect for those wanting to add something a little different to their pre-grouping passenger and freight trains. 

These newly tooled models represent a 4-wheel Pre-grouping era version that is 16ft in length, with a single Groom’s compartment. They will be available in a variety of liveries, matching many of the colour schemes previously announced in the Evolution Coach range. 

These new models won't skimp on features, with a fully detailed groom's compartment, working dimmable interior lighting, metal bearings, NEM couplings, optional accessories and even alternate window types to drop in! 

Single Horsebox: from £33.95 each

We've teamed up with Rapido to bring you two EXCLUSIVE models in this range in SECR Wellington brown and North British Railway maroon liveries which have been designed to perfectly complement our forthcoming exclusive bogie coaches too!

Learn more about the new Evolution range in our latest video! We interviewed one of Rapido's project developers David Mylett to get a full deep dive into what goes into making these 'prototypically literate' models.

The perfect accompaniment to our Evolution horsebox and previous Evolution coaches is the new Evolution Open Carriage Truck!  The introduction of the railways came at a time when road travel was an uncomfortable and time-intensive endeavour so railway companies nationwide built OCT Wagons  to transport carriages and vehicles. Understandably, they were regularly paired with horse boxes so the owner could continue their journey upon arrival. 

The new Open Carriage Truck  represents a 4-wheel Pre-grouping era version that is 16ft in length. Much like the coaches from the Evolution range, each Evolution Open Carriage Truck is detailed with an array of key features and separately fitted parts that modellers associate with open carriage trucks of the pre-grouping era plus they're available in liveries that match the coaches and horseboxes too! 

What's more, every single OCT comes complete with a stylish load suitable for each version - including three different types of carriages - which are removable. 

Single OCT Wagon: from £33.95 each

As you'd expect, we couldn't say no to some EXCLUSIVE models on these OCT wagons  too! We have two variations available only at Rails in SECR Wellington brown and North British Railway maroon liveries - which of course pair beautifully with the coaches/ horseboxes.

Moving on from those new tooling announcements, we have some exciting project updates to share with you too! First off, Rapido have revealed more decorated samples of their newly tooled short-tank/ long-tank 'Sirdar' Class 0-4-0T steam locomotives in OO9 Narrow Gauge!  

These samples include both the Long and Short Tank Kerr, Stuart & Co. Sirdar variants, and every eye-catching colour available. So, it doesn’t matter if you are modelling one of the well-known North Wales preserved railways or quarries, military installations, distillery, continental cane farm, or a light railway of your own creation, there is a version we suspect has already caught your eye. 

Both variations are expected to arrive during Q3 2026, Rapido only have limited quantities remaining to order and some have already sold out at their end, so do make sure to get your pre-orders in ASAP to ensure you don't miss out! 

DCC Ready: from £118.95 • DCC Fitted: from £152.95

Rapido have also shared images of our EXCLUSIVE model in this eye-catching War Department plain green livery!  This diminutive model is the perfect pairing for our variety of War Department wagon packs in this scale too - as shown in the picture above!

In more OO9 Narrow Gauge news, Rapido have also revealed new engineering samples of their recently announced rectangular tankers, Round-ended flat wagons and Hopper Wagons in this scale! Whether you intend to run these as a dedicated freight train of one type or a mixed freight train. These wagons are ideal to couple with the rest of the growing 009 range. 

Single Wagons: from £23.75 each

Moving back to standard OO Gauge models, Rapido have now revealed some of the first decorated samples of their unusual NSFF Ammonium Nitrate/ Chemical Tankers! Even at this early stage of development, these three samples show just how detailed these remarkable wagons will be. 

Rapido have advised that they have already completely sold out at their end for these wagons so the quantities we have are final! Make sure to pre-order to avoid missing out. 

Single Wagons: from £29.70 each

We're also delighted to share images of our EXCLUSIVE model, which for a bit of fun, is presented in this Henderson's Relish orange livery! This model is perfect to pair with our many previous Hendo's wagons  for an unusual train - and as always comes complete with a FREE pocket size bottle of the delicious sauce!

Next, we're pleased to show you images of the decorated samples of Rapido's newly tooled Great Central Railway 15 Ton 6-Wheel Brake Vans!  The arrival of the samples coincides rather nicely with the order books closing for the GCR Dia.17B Covered Van, Dia.9A / 9B 6-Plank Open, and Dia.6C 3-Plank Open. As you’ll now have everything you need to create a prototypically correct GCR freight train. 

Single Wagons: £39.90 each

The final new product sample reveal  this month is the decorated samples  of the range of LMS 12 Ton Vans! The range includes 2 different diagrams, the D1832A and D1663. They are almost identical; however, the D1832A featured a single ventilator bonnet at either end. 

The order book has closed for these models and Rapido only have limited quantities remaining so make sure to get your pre-orders in ASAP! 

Single Wagons: £28 each

Various projects are also heading to the UK right now from Rapido's  far east factories, including the highly anticipated USATC S160 2-8-0 steam locomotives! We're expecting these to arrive during Q3 2026, and to whet your appetite Rapido recently posed this sample of 5197 with it's real life counterpart at the Churnet Valley Railway! 

DCC Ready: from £229.45 • DCC Sound: from £322.95