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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 3h

Alert! Alert!
A U-boat has surfaced on the horizon!
The crew at Modelu have handed us a bounty of glorious treasure: a 3D print of the SR U Class. The depth of detail is a boat as good as anyone could fathom.
You can be shore to expect puns hitting your deck over the coming months!
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 2d

Throughout the Railex weekend, we showed you several videos of our latest 009 engineering prototypes, as they trundled around some of the awesome visiting layouts. We thought you'd like to see a few close-ups of these terrifically titchy wagons.
Find out more about our 009 range:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 4d

We had quite an array of surprise samples at Railex last month. So, we thought we would recap what was on show throughout this week, just in case you missed the event.
Let's kick it off the same way we started our epic announcements, with this wicked 3D print of the HR Loch Class.
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 6d

All Aboard!
We are closing the door on October 27th for Batch 2 Evolution coach pre-orders! So, we thought you might like to see a close-up of these highly detailed coaches. Here’s our painted sample of a Batch 1 liveries.
Jump on board and order yours today!
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 7d

Today's 'rejected' loco is one that was actually rejected in real life!
Before Heywood built the F Class for the GNoSR, Pickersgill proposed an enlarged V 4-4-0, to be the W Class.
This had a higher pitched boiler and taller arc-roofed cab.
Here is an impression of what that may have looked like.

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 8d

Still a little while away!

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 8d

Can traditional hobbies help tackle screen addiction?
Hornby Model Railways have commissioned a report from Disrupt UK about the impact of screens on people of all ages, and how tactile/active hobbies such as model railways can help.
Read the full report here:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 9d

Let's brighten up your day with our colour production prototypes for the upcoming N Gauge Iron Mink range.
What a wonderful array of wagons, don’t you think?
We will be reviewing these samples over the coming weeks and hope to have more production news for you soon.

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 11d

That’s it, time's almost up!
We will be closing the order book for the OO Gauge Ammonium Nitrate / Chemical Tank Wagon and GCR 15T Brake Van this evening.
You aren’t going to want to miss out on these, so get your pre-orders in while you still can!

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 12d

Tomorrow, we close the order books on 2 massive OO gauge wagon projects. So, if you want to be guaranteed either the Ammonium Nitrate / Chemical Tank Wagon or GCR 15T Brake Van, get your pre-orders in right away!
You can pre-order yours either via our website or from any of our Official Retailers.

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 13d

Missed Railex, but still want to see our latest prototypes?
Head to the Stafford Model Railway Show at Bingley Hall this weekend. Our friends from The Wagon Yard will be bringing our 009 Layout ‘Bryn Stwffwl’ and a selection of our latest samples for you to enjoy.
You can find them at Stand No. 59.

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 13d

J52/2 Production Progress and a look inside the Rapido Factory!
Our benevolent CEO Jason Shron recently took a tour around the production facilities in China and did his best not to mess with the production of the upcoming LNER J52/2 locomotives.
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 15d

A handy guide for anyone who was confused about our latest announcements.
Pre-order a U or 2:
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D40:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 17d

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to Rapido Railex 2025, exhibitors, traders, helpers and visitors. You all made it a wonderful 2 days and we enjoyed it immensely.
Now, time to pack everything away and get back to work!

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 20d

We do a lot of Scottish stuff, but people keep asking us about blue Scottish engines, so here's one the designers dreamed up....
This month's 'rejected' livery, perhaps?

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 20d

Tackling the bank!
One of the early engineering prototypes of our upcoming 009 Kerr Stuart 0-4-0Ts takes a long train of Narrow Lines wagons up the steep incline on the wonderful Clyre Valley Railway.
Come and see this layout, these samples and more at Rapido Railex on Saturday!

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 21d

Railex is open!
Lots of people have already been raiding the spares and seconds stand. All money raised from this stall goes towards the continued upkeep of Peckett 0-4-0T 'Marcia'.
There's still some bargains to be had as well as a variety of layouts and trade stands.
Come on down!

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 23d

There's only 1 day left to pre-book your Rapido Railex ticket at the lower price of £7.50, saving on the on-the-door price of £10.
Come on down to Maidstone and see a variety of wonderful layouts as well as some of our latest samples!
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Reposted by Rapido Trains UK

Westhaven GWR @westhavengwr.bsky.social · 24d

Rapido LMS van weathered by ⁦‪The Model Centre‬⁩. Stunning. #bsmrguk @rapidotrains.co.uk

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 23d

Not long now until RAPIDO RAILEX, our exhibition of model railways in Maidstone.
Join us this coming Friday and Saturday from 10am-4.30pm at The Market Hall (near Maidstone West Station).
Tickets are £7.50 in advance or £10 on the door.
Book your tickets here:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 24d

What a line-up of loco launches! We hope you like the new releases, now available to pre-order.
Out of the Loch, D40, U Class and Kerr Stuart 'what if', which is your favourite?

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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 27d

HEY U!
It's Maunsell's Mogul, the SR U Class in OO Gauge!
10 variants are available from SR lined green to BR late crest, covering the working life of the class.
Check out our website or any of our Official Retailers for more:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 28d

THE LAST LEGEND.
RoUnding out our trio of Scottish Legends is the LNER D40, previously the Great North of Scotland Railway V and F Classes, including the legend itself, 'Gordon Highlander'.
Browse the main range here:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · 29d

EVOLUTION III!
As the orderbooks come to a close on Evolution II next month, we are launching the third batch, with 11 new liveries, plus 3 exclusives.

All of the main range can be ordered directly from us or from any of our Official Retailers:
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Rapido Trains UK @rapidotrains.co.uk · Sep 9

Och aye, it's the Loch!
Following up on our Highland Railway 'Big Goods' 4-6-0 is the last of David Jones' designs, the Loch Class 4-4-0.
15 of these handsome locos were built in 1896, with a further 3 in 1917. The last was withdrawn in 1950.
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