Rapido UK has announced a fully licensed OO gauge train pack themed around the classic film 'The Railway Children', featuring the iconic 'Green Dragon' locomotive, three GNSR Evolution coaches and a range of film-inspired accessories.
The pack is fully licensed by Studiocanal, and is currently in tooling. Pre‑orders are available through Rapido and authorised retailers.
The collection carries the fictional Great Northern and Southern Railway (GNSR) livery as shown in the 1970 film.
The locomotive, 'Green Dragon' is a GNSR liveried version of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Class 25 'Ironclad', as used in the production of the 1970 film.
Contents:
- GNSR No. 957 “Green Dragon” 0-6-0 locomotive
- Three GNSR Evolution coaches:
- Non‑corridor Brake Third
- All‑third
- All‑first
The coaches replicate on‑screen styling, including round‑topped doors and period detail.
Features and specifications
Locomotive – No.957 “Green Dragon”
- Diecast metal and injection‑moulded construction
- Separately fitted details
- Smooth-running mechanism
- MoPower stay‑alive capacitor
- 21‑pin DCC decoder socket
- Factory fitted speaker
- Firebox flicker with dynamic fire draw effect
- NEM 362 coupler pockets
- Sprung buffers
- Painted number plates included in the detail pack
DCC sound‑fitted versions also deliver full locomotive sounds and dialogue from the original film.
- Three‑coach set (brake third, all‑third, all‑first)
- Working internal lighting controlled via magnetic wand, with adjustable brightness
- Removable roofs for interior detailing or figure placement
- Arc roofs and round‑topped doors
- Disc wheels
- Detailed interiors including luggage racks and compartment features
- Fully detailed guard’s/luggage compartment
- NEM coupling pockets with optional close‑coupling bar
Additional contents
- Colour 3D‑printed figures of Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter
- Great Northern and Southern Railway poster and tickets
- Art print of the “Green Dragon” by Jonathan Clay
'The Railway Children' is an enchanting children’s novel that was written by Edith Nesbit in 1906. Nesbit lived a tumultuous life in a variety of abodes across Kent and the Southeast throughout her lifetime. Many of these had one thing in common: their proximity to the railway line.
Nesbit was an established children’s writer by 1906, when she published her most famous work, ‘The Railway Children’.
The story follows Peter, Phyllis and Bobbie. The three children are torn away from the comforts of their middle-class London lifestyle to live in the Yorkshire countryside. They arrive to find their new home is a dilapidated cottage named ‘Three Chimneys’ that faces the railway line.
With their lives thrown into chaos, they pass the time by waving at trains, which were often hauled by a locomotive they dubbed ‘The Green Dragon’. Their adventures include befriending the local station porter, Mr. Perks, and an old gentleman who regularly travels on the 9:15 am train.
As the story progresses, they assist a Russian man who’s searching for his family, saving the day by preventing a train from colliding with a landslip and aiding a young boy who was injured during a paper chase. The old gentleman (a Director of the railway company) in turn helps them reunite the Russian man with his family and free their father from prison, who had been wrongly accused of spying.
Since its publication, this wholesome tale has had many interpretations on the big screen, small screen, and stage. However, the definitive rendition is considered to be the 1970 movie. Amongst a fantastic cast, the movie stars Jenny Agutter as Bobbie, Sally Thomsett as Phylliss, Gary Warren as Peter, and the legendary Bernard Cribbins as Mr. Perks.
Capturing the imagination of people of all ages, this classic movie is heralded as one of the greatest family films of all time. Beloved by railway enthusiasts and their families alike, it has charmed fans across generations.
Pricing and availability
Both versions are currently in tooling, with the order book open through Rapido Trains UK and its network of official retailers.
- DCC Ready: RRP £439.95
- DCC sound‑fitted: RRP £549.95
