Our ‘16XX’ has arrived!
Our next exclusive model is now in the UK and ready to appear on your layout.
After a 33-day trip from China which called first at Cairo, then at Zeebrugge, Gdansk and back to Zeebrugge again before reaching Felixstowe, Model Rail’s latest exclusive ‘OO’ gauge locomotive, the GWR Hawksworth ‘16XX’ 0-6-0PT, is now in stock and ready for delivery to customers. Indeed, by the time you read this, it is likely that all customers who pre-ordered will have received their models.
Based on research and a scan of No. 1638 at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, the model was designed and manufactured by Canadian company, Rapido Trains Inc. at one of its three Chinese factories.
The ‘16XX’ was designed by F.W. Hawksworth to replace elderly pannier tanks which were light enough to work the most minor of branch lines throughout the system, being based at locations from Slough to West Wales and St Blazey in Cornwall. They thus make an ideal model for the average layout.
The Model Rail ‘16XX’ features a die-cast metal body and chassis with plastic detail fittings. A powerful five-pole can motor with flywheel drives the leading axle and the model is Dcc-ready with a Next18 decoder socket and a factory-fitted speaker for those who want to add sound. There’s also an illuminated firebox glow effect.
No fewer than 22 different versions are available, including No. 1661 with ‘Busby’ spark arrestor chimney and chalked ‘Vinegar Castle’ names, No. 1638 as preserved in GWR livery and Nos. 1600 and 1607 in NCB green. This range of numbers has been made possible by Rapido’s willingness to split the production run and change tampo-printing pads for as few as 125 models. That means that there are very small quantities of some numbers and guises, so if you want to be sure you can get a particular number, place your order now! See page 102, visit www.modelrailoffers.co.uk or call our exclusive order line on 01209 705459 to buy your exclusive Model Rail ‘16XX’.
The ‘16XX’ costs £149 (Model Rail subscribers pay just £134.10).