Rapido Trains UK have announced Sentinel Steam Shunter 0-4-0 in OO Gauge
OO Gauge Sentinel Steam Shunter 0-4-0.
Unlike the majority of industrial railway locomotives, the Sentinel steam shunter concept evolved from road vehicle technology rather than other railway loco designs.
Founded in 1875, Alley & MacLellan Ltd of Polmadie, Glasgow was the original trading name of what would become the Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd. This is where the roots of the Sentinel steam shunter prototype would come from.
The steam Sentinel would be built in a range of diverse styles, with the main two-cylinder vertical engine, known as the ‘BE’, being the most commonly produced before WW2. An example of the ‘BE’ was even built for the LMS. In the post-war years, different body types were produced and in greater numbers than their predecessors.
Production of the Sentinel steam shunter continued right through until 1958. Though the end of an era for industrial railways, this was only part of the Steam shunter's story. The Sentinel would go on to adopt the internal combustion engine as its motive power, and its legacy would be continued by Rolls-Royce through the production of various Sentinel diesel locomotives. Whilst production may have finished in 1958 – many locomotives continued in industry for several decades.
The Rapido Trains UK OO Gauge Sentinel Steam Shunter 0-4-0 is available in both Pre-War and Post-War body types, and in a variety of colourful liveries.
They feature a smooth-running mechanism, NEM 362 coupler pockets, and an E24 decoder socket. This is in addition to a selection of optional details in the accessory pack.
Due to the limited amount of space that the model's chassis offers, we have prioritised smooth running and have fitted a MoPower stay-alive capacitor to all versions. This has meant that a fitted speaker wasn’t viable on the smaller Pre-War variants. As such, these versions will be available in DCC-Ready and DCC-Fitted (non-sound).
Thankfully, the Post-War versions have sufficient space, so in addition to the MoPower stay-alive capacitor, they will also feature a factory-installed speaker. These versions will be available in DCC-Ready and DCC Sound-Fitted.
Twelve versions, are being produced as shown below.
Pre-War versions
949001: Pre-War Sentinel - LMS No.7164
949002: Pre-War Sentinel - BR No.47184
949003: Pre-War Sentinel - JS Fry 'Somerdale'
949004: Pre-War Sentinel - British Tar Products 'Ann'
949005: Pre-War Sentinel - Cory & Son 'Greenwich'
949006: Pre-War Sentinel - Tottenham Gas Company No.7
What Post-War versions are we making?
949201: Post-War Sentinel - RB Tennents 'John'
949202: Post-War Sentinel - Sentinel Demonstration Loco
949203: Post-War Sentinel - Rugby Portland Cement No.7
949204: Post-War Sentinel - R. Y. Pickering & Co. No.4
949205: Post-War Sentinel - Craven Bros 'Craven No.9'
49206: Post-War Sentinel - Plain Yellow
Click on the items above to view and pre-order the OO Gauge Sentinel Steam Shunters due 2027.
Subject to alteration
