Rapido Trains Guy Arab IV bus

◆ SCALE 1:76 ◆ MODEL Rapido Trains Guy Arab IV bus with Metro-cammell body ◆ PRICE £39.95; Deluxe version with lights £49.95 ◆ PERIOD 1952-70 ◆ REGION Birmingham area ◆ AVAILABILITY Rails of Sheffield

Canadian manufacturer Rapido Trains can be relied upon to do things differently, so it is little surprise that they have entered the UK model railway market with a model bus!

Rapido’s chosen prototype is the Guy Arab Birmingham ‘new look’ double-decker of 1950. Two hundred examples were delivered between 1952-4. The prototype was scanned at Wythall Transport Museum and the museum will be the beneficiary from sales of the model. The Guy Arab IV has not been previously offered in model form and, in contrast to the various die-cast bus ranges, Rapido’s product features a finely detailed plastic bodyshell. The model has captured beautifully the subtle curves of the ‘tin front’ body. It is flush-glazed, allowing the detailed interior to be enjoyed and the chassis has a separately fitted front suspension arrangement, so the wheels can be turned and posed in any position.

Rapido’s obsession with detail extends to the interior, with correct cab details and passenger saloon layout. Downstairs, the seats are printed with the very ‘jazzy’ moquette pattern of the real thing, while the upstairs seats feature a plain finish (for workers’ dirty overalls). The deluxe version of the model is fitted with LED lighting in the saloon, destination blinds and front lamps. Even the courtesy light over the back platform is illuminated. Two wires from the underside of the model power the lighting but modellers will need to supply their own means of connecting these to a 9V supply, although the model is supplied with a magnetic wand which operates an internal on/off switch.

The Guy Arab IV is available in Birmingham City Transport and the later West Midlands PTE markings and with a wide variety of routes and destinations. The dark blue and cream livery is neatly applied and has a satin-matt finish, rather than the high gloss that is familiar on die-cast models. Printing is neat and legible, from the route blinds, to numberplates, legal lettering, the Guy logo on the radiator and even ‘Used tickets’ on the box beside the rear platform.

The follow-up vehicle, the Fleetline, is currently on the back burner until the economic position in the UK stabilizes and Rapido is once more able to consider establishing a UK operation. (CJL)