Boom time for ‘N’ gauge

‘Peak’ project for Rapido Trains

ARGUABLY, the most glaring omission in the range of available scale ‘N’ gauge BR diesel-electric locomotives has to be the Class 44, Class 45 and Class 46 family of Sulzer locomotives or ‘Peaks’.

Announced in time for The International N Gauge Show (TINGS) by Rapido Trains, work has just commenced on what is undoubtedly a very welcome, if ambitious, project to model an important BR locomotive family.

It will not only cover the three generic classes of ‘Peak’ locomotive, the Class 45s are divided into two distinct sub-classes with significant detail differences existing between them which will be covered in the new models. Rapido Trains plans to accurately match the many detail differences between the three classes of ‘Peak’ and individual locomotives with the appropriate liveries too.

The models will share the same high-fidelity drive mechanism and LED powered directional lighting circuitry. External detailing will include flush glazing, wire handrails, etched grille fittings and small details such as windscreen wipers. Class 44s will be supplied with a variety of train reporting disc options too.

The project is in its early stages, with the first CAD renders of the Class 44, the first models of the project to be produced, being made available for public view. Nine versions of the Class 44 covering most of the class includes original BR green, BR green with yellow panel and BR rail blue, including No. D4 Great Gable in heritage condition. No prices are quoted by Rapido Trains at this time and delivery is expected to be in 2023. Follow the project at

www.rapidotrains.co.uk

Whilst the Class 44 will be the first of the three classes of ‘Peaks’ to be modelled, Rapido Trains plans to produce models of the Class 45 and Class 46 too.

The first CAD renders of the brand-new ‘N’ gauge Class 44 were revealed by Rapido Trains in time for TINGS, marking the start of a project to close an important gap in the range of scale ‘N’ gauge diesel locomotives.