Rapido announce six versions of ‘Jones Goods’ model

THE Highland Railway introduced the 4-6-0 design to Britain, its ‘Jones Goods’ being named after chief engineer David Jones, but suggested by chief draughtsman David Anderson Hendrie. The HR’s board authorised construction in January 1894 and Sharp Stewart of Glasgow delivered all 15 by the end of the year. Nos. 103-117 were put to work between Perth and Inverness and, aside from some minor tweaks to the draughting arrangement, were an instant success. After a few modifications over the years, the subsequent LMS withdrew the first ‘Big Goods’ in 1929, by which time it had renumbered the whole class as Nos. 1791617930, but it took until 1940 before the last (No. 17925, ex-112) was condemned. Happily, the LMS saw fit to preserve one of these historic machines and restored pioneer No. 17916 (ex-103). After a return for railtour use, No.103 was eventually retired in 1965 and restored to as close to original condition as possible. It is now one of Glasgow Riverside Museum’s star exhibits. Rapido Trains has announced six versions available to pre-order covering the various liveries the locomotive ran in, ranging in price from £219.95 to £319.95 depending on options such as DCC sound fitted or just DCC ready. Specifications include: three types of smokebox, sprung buffers, four chimney types and a 21-pin decoder socket. See rapidotrains.co.uk for more details.