Rapido Trains UK 909002 Metropolitan Railway E Class No. 1 0-4-4T No. L48, London Transport lined Maroon - Steam Tank Locomotive

Rapido Trains UK unveils an icon of London steam ready-to-run in ‘OO’ gauge.

It’s January 2013 and a humble 0-4-4T that spent a good proportion of its life hauling permanent way trains became Britain’s most famous locomotive. That locomotive was Metropolitan Railway No. 1 and it was celebrating the 150 anniversary of the world’s
first underground railway – the Metropolitan – by taking to tunnels under London that hadn’t played host to steam since 1971.

‘Met 1’ worked the opening train on the Uxbridge branch on July 4 1904. As London Transport No. L44, it worked the 50th anniversary train in 1954. It would work LT’s last steam-hauled passenger train in 1961 before taking a starring role in the Metropolitan Centenary Parade at Neasden on May 23 1963.

Prototype Factfile
Built: 1896-1901 (Seven built)
How long did they last? The last
Met ‘E’ 0-4-4T was withdrawn in
1963.

Where did they work? Throughout the Metropolitan network.
Can I see one? ‘Met No. 1’ is undergoing an overhaul at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.

Here’s the specification of our ‘OO’ gauge model:

• Designed from original works drawings and a wealth of photographic material
  
• Sound-fitted versions available
  
• Quality mechanism
  
• Next18 decoder socket
• NEM coupler pockets
  
• Sprung buffers
  
• Key detail changes between individual locomotives
• High level of detail with plenty of separately fitted parts
  
• Optional user fitted tripcocks, airbrake and vacuum hoses included