Rapido Trains UK 986006 Sirdar Class 0-4-0 Kerr, Stuart & Co. Long-Tank Lined Maroon Steam Locomotive

• 009 Gauge Kerr, Stuart & Co. Long-Tank Sirdar Class 0-4-0
  
• Lined Maroon
  
• Sand Dome on Boiler
  
• Standard Chimney
  
• Backsheet with Doors
  
• Short ‘Hook and Loop’ compatible coupling factory-fitted
  
• Detail bag of optional parts for full customisation, including full-length ‘Hook and Loop’ coupling
  
• Suitable for operation on 1st radius curves (228mm or greater)
  
• 6-pin DCC decoder socket
  
• Museum quality paint finish
  
• Smooth & powerful mechanism
  
• Highly detailed
  
• NEM coupler pockets
  
• 1:76 scale, (009 gauge)

This delightful little loco is well-known to many as Diana, the most famous locomotive of the class. Her restoration was completed in 2015, after which she travelled the UK, capturing the hearts and minds of enthusiasts across the country. 

Built as a modified 0-4-0 Sirdar class by Kerr, Stuart and Co. in 1909 and to a gauge of 2’5½”, Works No.1158 had a rather difficult life. She featured 200-gallon tanks, more than twice the size of those usually fitted to standard Sirdar class locos. Originally built alongside 5 other locomotives of varying gauges, she was intended for a railway in Mauritius; however, No.1158 sadly never made it abroad. Despite several attempts to sell the loco, No.1158 would remain ‘in stock’ until 1917. She was purchased by the Home Grown Timber Committee and delivered to the Kerry Tramway near Newtown, Powys. Prior to delivery, No.1158 was regauged to 2’. Following the closure of the Kerry Tramway, No.1158 was sold to the Oakeley Quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1925. It was here that she had the name Diana painted on her tank sides. 

She would remain at the Oakeley Quarry for a further 18 years, following which she changed hands several times. She continued to work in Wales up until 1950 when her boiler was declared unsafe. It wasn’t until 1963 that her long journey to eventual preservation would begin. Passing from one well-meaning owner to another, there were several unsuccessful attempts to fully restore this sweet little loco. Thankfully, in 2014, Phil Mason purchased the weather-beaten remains of Diana, and, using the Workshops at the Vale of Rheidol Railway, restored her to her former glory. Diana now resides at the Amerton Railway in Staffordshire. 

A very similar Long-Tank Sirdar to Diana was also built by Kerr, Stuart and Co. for the Sons of Gwalia, a mining company based in Western Australia. Built in 1901 and arriving in Australia in 1902, Leonora was tasked with pulling trains full of firewood, fuel for the busy mines; she was also fired using this instead of coal. As such, she featured distinctive ‘cane bin’ style rails over both her tanks and boiler top. Incredibly, Leonora was delivered to Sons of Gwalia by horse and cart and undertook a journey considerable distance, which is no mean feat!

To accompany Diana and Leonora six further versions are being produced featuring a number of eye-catching liveries and physical differences – perfect for customisation. Throughout the range, there are standard, stove pipe and balloon stack chimneyed versions, as well as cabs with either doored or plain backsheets. In addition to this, some models are fitted with cane bins.