Railway Models UK

Rapido Trains UK has announced its latest project: an OO gauge model of the Southern Railway's U Class 2-6-0 steam locomotive. This eagerly awaited model represents the newly built batch of these versatile Moguls, nicknamed the 'U-Boat'.

The initial release includes 10 variations, reflecting the U Class's working life across both Southern Railway and British Railways eras. The models will feature a range of liveries, including:

Southern Railway (SR) Liveries:
- SR U Class No. A639 -- SR Lined Olive Green (SKU 992001)
- SR U Class No. 1615 -- SR Lined Olive Green (SKU 992002)
- SR U Class No. 1638 -- SR Lined Olive Green (SKU 992003)
- SR U Class No. 1614 -- SR Unlined Black with Sunshine Lettering (SKU 992004)
British Railways (BR) Liveries:
- BR U Class No. 31616 -- BR Unlined Black with Sunshine Lettering (SKU 992005)
- BR U Class No. 31632 -- BR Unlined Black with Sunshine Lettering (SKU 992006)
- BR U Class No. 31631 -- BR Lined Black with Early Emblem (SKU 992007)
- BR U Class No. 31620 -- BR Lined Black with Early Emblem (SKU 992008)
- BR U Class No. 31627 -- BR Lined Black with Late Crest (SKU 992009)
- BR U Class No. 31639 -- BR Lined Black with Late Crest (SKU 992010)

The model will be packed with features, including:

A 21-pin ESU decoder socket for straightforward DCC fitting
A working firebox flicker for added realism
Era-specific details such as snifting valves, buffer beam styles, domes, cylinder fronts, and smoke deflectors

The U Class emerged in the late 1920s as a response to the Sevenoaks accident involving the SE&CR K Class. Designed by Richard Maunsell, the first 20 U Class locomotives were rebuilds of the withdrawn K Class 'River' tanks. These were followed by 30 new-build locomotives constructed at Ashford and Brighton works. The U Class served reliably across the Southern network until their withdrawal in 1966, with four examples surviving in preservation today.

The range is currently in the tooling stage, with engineering prototypes expected in early 2026. Models are available to pre-order now directly from Rapido Trains UK or via official retailers, with prices starting at:

£229.95 for the DCC Ready version
£344.95 for the DCC Sound Fitted version

Rapido unveils OO gauge SR U Class 2-6-0

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