Rapido Trains UK 959015 SECR G Class 4-4-0 No.678 - SECR Grey Steam Locomotive

Exclusive to Rails of Sheffield

• SECR “G” Class
  
• SECR Wartime Grey No. 678
  
• SECR smokebox door
  
• Curved running plate valance
  
• Uncovered Ramsbottom safety valves
  
• Early tender springs
  
• Westinghouse and vacuum brake fitted
  
• Suitable for operation on 2nd Radius curves (438mm or greater)
  
• Dynamic firebox flicker
  
• 21-pin DCC decoder socket
  
• MoPower stay-alive capacitors
  
• Factory-fitted speakers in all models
  
• Sprung buffers
  
• Museum quality paint finish
  
• Smooth & powerful mechanism
  
• Highly detailed
  
• NEM coupler pockets
  
• 1:76 scale, (OO gauge)

OO Gauge SECR G Class 4-4-0.

The formation of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway took place in 1899, and was an amalgamation of the South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham and Dover Railway. Despite joining forces and sharing resources, there was a distinct lack of motive power across their newly combined fleet.

Orders were swiftly placed by the SECR Management for goods and suburban tank engines, and delivery of these was expected in 1900. However, a much-needed batch of larger express locos couldn’t be met until the following year.

Thankfully, this shortfall didn’t last, as Scottish locomotive builder
Neilson, Reid & Co. had the ideal solution to the SECR's problem. 

Neilson, Reid & Co. had built a batch of 4-4-0 tender locos for the Great North of Scotland Railway; the first part of their order was delivered and paid for, but due to financial difficulties, the GNoSR were unable to complete the purchase of the final batch of five
engines. These surplus locos were then made available to the SECR, which they immediately and unsurprisingly snapped up, albeit at an inflated price.

These distinctive locos shared very little with their Southern-built and designed counterparts, but this was no bad thing. Fitted with  roof ventilators, twin side windows and folding footplate doors, these roomy locos earned the nickname ‘Glasshouses’ from 
crews. Their official designation became the G Class. Although they had nice big cab windows, drivers found that the Gs were challenging to drive in some sections of the London area.  This was due to them being left-hand drive, and both SECR constituents had placed their signals to better suit their right-hand drive locos.

Originally delivered to the old LCDR works at Longhenge, the G Class would work from this central London base for several years. From here, they regularly worked the Margate and Dover semi-fast expresses. In 1913, they were given a new base of operations, 
Gillingham (Kent). From here, they were regularly seen on London and coast-bound expresses, local passenger trains across Kent, and ran trains to Sheerness throughout the summer.

All 5 locos were passed to the Southern Railway upon the grouping of the railways, where they continued to work across Kent and London from their North Kent base. 
Unfortunately, none of the G Class made it to nationalisation, as the Southern Railway gradually scrapped classes that were non standard.

The models will be available in a variety of liveries, including two in full SECR Wainwright Green, one in SECR Grey, and two in Southern Olive Green. We have represented all 5 locos from the class throughout the range.

Each version in the range includes detailed variations and exclusive tooling to accurately represent the SECR G Class throughout its lifetime, and set it apart from its GNoSR cousins. These tooling variations include SECR and GNoSR Chimneys, flush or dome riveted smoke boxes, covered or uncovered Ramsbottom safety valves, open or fully plated tender coal rails, and two different types of lubricators. Different models then have
additional fittings such as wash-out plugs, clack valves, a steam lance, and a communication cord stanchion. Those wishing to personalise their model will be pleased to hear that the detailing bag includes steam heating pipes and headcode discs.
You can look forward to a smooth-running mechanism, factoryinstalled speakers, NEM coupler pockets, an ESU 21-pin decoder socket, a fitted MoPower stay-alive capacitor, tender pickups, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect.