Dapol 4S-027-001D

D Class SECR 488 Pre Grouping Silk Finish DCC Fitted

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 2 (1875 to 1923) Pre-grouping

Manufacturer description

51 D Class 4-4-0 locomotives were built between February 1901 and March 1907 during the Wainwright period by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway. From delivery these locomotives were used on the prime express trains to the Kent Coast and Hastings including those carrying boat train traffic for the Continent via the Cinque Ports. During the First World War there was a considerable increase in troop and ambulance train traffic between London and the ports of Dover and Folkestone. The D Class were also utilised on trains conveying armoured vehicles to Richborough and other ports as the war advanced in Europe. Twenty-one of the Class were rebuilt between April 1921 and October 1927 as D1 Class 4-4-0s, leaving 30 D Class locomotives in operation. During the first years for the Southern Railway the locomotives continued to appear on front-line express duties. As larger locomotives appeared the D Class locomotives began to appear on South Central services. The outbreak of World War 2 in September 1939 saw many of the class laid up due to the wartime travel restrictions resulting in a reduction of passenger traffic. 28 members of the D Class entered British Railways stock, two of the total class of 30 locomotives being scrapped prior to Nationalisation. The first of the Class (No. 1242) was withdrawn in October 1944 due to wartime damage and the last in December 1956. No. 31737 survives into preservation and resides as a static display at the NRM facility in York.

Technical Specification

• Diecast Chassis

• Low centre of gravity between the wheels

• NEM couplings with removable coupling pocket

• Sprung buffers

• R2 (438mm/17.2”) minimum radius

• Pickup from tender and driving wheels

• Powerful 5 pole motor in boiler

• Pull-out PCB for tool free DCC & Speaker fitting.

• ‘Snap-fit’ conductive tender drawbar

• Options for bass reflex speaker in tender (pre-wired)

• Firebox glow

• Profiled wheels

• Detailed motion

• Removable coal load with internal tender profiling

• Fully detailed back-head and cab interior.

Variations

• Two boiler variations

• Two cab types

• Three Chimney Types

• Two Smokeboxes

• Three tender variations

• Additional detail variations

‘Snap-fit’ tender drawbar—a robust solution for simple mechanical & electrical connection of the tender

Dapol's Toolless DCC & Speaker Installation
Simplifying & Reducing the risk of DCC Installation

Catalogue listing

Model details

Dapol D Class SECR 488 Pre‑grouping Silk Finish is a 00 gauge, DCC fitted model locomotive. The manufacturer part number is 4S‑027‑001D and it represents the pre‑grouping period of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway.

The real D Class 4‑4‑0 locomotives were built between 1 February 1901 and 31 March 1907, a total of 51 engines. They operated the main express services to the Kent coast and Hastings, including boat trains via the Cinque Ports, and were heavily used for troop and ambulance trains during the First World War. Twenty‑one engines were rebuilt as D1 Class between April 1921 and October 1927, leaving 30 D Class engines in service. After the formation of the Southern Railway they continued on express duties before moving to South Central services, and many were laid up at the outbreak of the Second World War. Twenty‑eight entered British Railways stock; the first was withdrawn in October 1944 and the last in December 1956. No. 31737 survives as a static display at the National Railway Museum in York.

Technical features of the Dapol model include a die‑cast chassis with a low centre of gravity between the wheels, NEM couplings with a removable coupling pocket and sprung buffers, a minimum radius of 438 mm (17.2 in), pickup from both tender and driving wheels, and a powerful five‑pole motor housed in the boiler. A pull‑out printed‑circuit board allows tool‑free DCC and speaker fitting, and a snap‑fit conductive drawbar provides a simple mechanical and electrical connection to the tender. Optional bass‑reflex speakers are pre‑wired in the tender. The model also has firebox glow, profiled wheels, detailed motion, a removable coal load with internal tender profiling, and fully detailed back‑head and cab interior.

Several variations are offered, including two boiler types, two cab types, three chimney designs, two smokebox styles, three tender configurations and additional detail options. Dapol’s toolless DCC and speaker installation system is designed to simplify fitting and reduce the risk of damage during installation.