It's the end of the month and that means it's time for the latest Rapido Trains UK monthly update, and there's plenty to get excited about!

We're pleased to reveal Rapido Trains UK's latest announcements for September 2026, including not one, not two, but three new tooling OO Gauge locomotive projects - including our latest Rails EXCLUSIVE collaboration project!On top of the three new tooling reveals, we've got plenty of project updates on existing models to share with you too as well as some  delivery updates. There's plenty to be excited about so read on to find out all the latest news.

Following on from the recent announcement of the newly tooled Rapido Sentinel Steam Shunter, we're proud to announce this EXCLUSIVE body variation available only at Rails of Sheffield depicting the 'streamlined' versions of these humble industrial locomotives.

Several examples were built like this during World War Two, and the design acted as a stopgap between the squat pre-war design and the boxy post-war examples. A  streamlined design  was certainly an interesting design choice, given the locos' limited top speed. It did bring a level of style to an otherwise utilitarian locomotive.

The range includes a number of prototypical industrial colour schemes, as well as the preserved examples, plus two special edition novelty liveries including "G. Fawkes" gunpowder and  "Henderson's Relish" liveries - the latter being perfect to pair with our plethora of 'Hendos' themed wagons.

DCC Ready: £139.95 • DCC Sound: £249.95

The first of two new general release toolings rom Rapido this month is this all-new model of the LB&SCR Class D1 0-4-2T steam locomotive in OO Gauge!  Following on from the release of the 'E1', which was used for freight - these D1s are perfect for suburban passenger duties.

These handsome locomotives perfectly complement their sister E1 locomotives, Rapido's LBSCR liveried Evolution rolling stock, and are the ideal candidate to add to your Brighton or Southern collection. A whole host of tooling variations are baked in for ultimate accuracy - and as usual the models will feature an advanced specification with a powerful mechanism, DCC capability, stay-alive & more.

There are a number of LB&SCR and Southern Railway liveries to choose from as well as a one-off 'what if?' SR malachite green model for those looking for something a bit more unique.

DCC Ready: £144.45 • DCC Sound: £237.95

Also tying into the Sentinel Steam Shunter range is this newly tooled model of the Thomas Hill Sentinel Rebuild 4wDH diesel shunters in OO Gauge! 

Fascinatingly, these locomotives were created by converting existing Sentinel Shunters to diesel power, by Thomas Hill Ltd at Kilnhurst Works - retrofitting the chain-drive steam locomotives with a diesel-hydraulic powertrain and a new body. These locomotives were seen at industrial sites from the 1960s onwards and some have even been preserved.

There are a number of colourful shunters to choose from in the range - and as with the other Sentinel models these will feature a powerful mechanism, DCC capability, stay-alive & more.

DCC Ready: £118.95 • DCC Sound: £212.45

In more Rails EXCLUSIVE news, we're delighted to reveal these production samples of our delightful little LB&SCR 4-Wheel and 6-Wheel brake Vans in OO Gauge. These have literally just landed at Rapido and are still undergoing final checks but impressions are very good!

With the arrival of Rapido's LBSCR 8-Ton Goods Vans last month and with today's announcement of the 'D1' locomotive, Brighton modellers have never had it so good! With these, you'll have everything you need to complete any LBSCR freight or passenger train that you desire. Stay tuned for more details with our expected delivery dates.

4-Wheel Van: £44.95 • 6-Wheel Van: £46.95

Moving on to some other project updates from Rapido this month, we're pleased to share these new engineering samples of the range of LSWR/ WD 20 Ton Brake Vans with you! 

Due to the high number of different builders, the prototype featured a multitude of subtle differences. Rapido have included many of these in the range, and you will notice a wide variety of tooling variants. These lovely new undecorated samples  illustrate the differences perfectly. 

One of this range's biggest strengths is its livery selection. This means that folks who model the London Passenger Transport Board, Cambrian, North British, Great Eastern, and Metropolitan Railway get to enjoy a ready-to-run brake van model of an accurate prototype for the first time.

Single Vans: £38.20 each

Last month, Rapido shared some painted production samples of the majority of their second batch of Evolution Bogie Coaches - but there were some absentees! Today we're pleased to share their Metropolitan Railway and London Transport liveried examples.

As with the rest of the Evolution range, these have been enormously popular on pre-order and stocks are running low across the board - so it's certainly worth getting your orders in ASAP to ensure your models are secured.

What's more! The first stage of Batch 2 has now been completed and shipped from the factory including Great Eastern Railway, Highland Railway, North Eastern Railway liveries  as well as our EXCLUSIVE North British Railway models. You can expect these in the coming months and as with the rest, stocks are limited so do pre-order if you haven't already!

Singles: from £59.45 each • 3-Packs: from £169.95

Rapido have a reputation for producing all sorts of wonderful and wacky private owner wagons and more are on the way soon from the Railway Clearing House 1907 design 7-plank open range! 

Decorated samples have now been shown for the new batch announced in 2025, which include subtle detail differences such as ribbed or smooth-tapered buffers, square, rounded or Ellis axle boxes, straight or bent ‘V’ hangers, and single- or double-sided brakes.

This new batch has now been completed at Rapido's factory  so we expect these to arrive with us during Q4 2026. Stay tuned for more updates!

Single Wagons: £27.95 each

Following on from the RCH Open Wagons, Rapido have also revealed these new decorated samples of their highly anticipated Peaked-Roof 4-Wheel Salt Vans too! 

Although salt was known to be delivered in large quantities from time to time, it wasn’t uncommon to see a solitary peaked roof van amongst a mixed freight rake. Don’t forget, many of these wagons remained in their colourful liveries right through to the BR steam era.

As with the Open Wagons above, these are flying through production and are also expected to arrive during Q4 2026.

Single Wagons: £27.95 each

Customers have been crying out for an update on the new Southern Railway U Class 2-6-0 'Mogul' in OO Gauge - and Rapido have provided us a status update to share with you here!

Updated engineering samples have surfaced, and though Rapido were impressed with their initial ones, these new samples feature a number of improvements to give a more consistent appearance to the real thing. There is much more testing and finessing to be done but the project is certainly moving along. The order books will remain open for a bit longer until Rapido are totally satisfied that the model is ready to move on.

DCC Ready: £195.45 • DCC Sound: £293.20 

Rapido's factory has now completed the next model in their OO Gauge Scottish Legends collection - the ornate Caledonian Railway 'Single' 4-2-2 No.123! They're now being packed and shipped to the UK so you can expect to have them soon.

International shipping can still be quite volatile but we've got our fingers crossed that these will arrive very soon! Stay tuned for more updates. This run also includes our EXCLUSIVE model in the handsome CR lined dark blue livery.

DCC Ready: from £212.45 • DCC Sound: from £310.20

Sometimes international shipping takes a little longer than expected, and sadly, this has been the case for the delivery of a handful of Rapido's upcoming products - including the Ivor the Engine Range. Originally expected in Q3, this range is now expected during October 2026.

Train Pack: from £169.95 • Rolling Stock: £97.70

Also slightly delayed and now expected toward the end of October 2026 is the newly tooled range of OO Gauge LMS 12 Ton Goods Vans. There are a whopping 23 variations to choose from in LMS, BR and Departmental conditions.

Single Vans: £28 each

Last but not least, Rapido have also let us know that their all-new range of Great Central Railway 15 Ton Brake Vans are now on the way, and also expected within the next month!

Single Vans: £39.90 each