Rapido Trains UK announce the Highland Railway’s ‘Jones Goods’ 4-6-0 and also BR’s Diagram 1/227 ferry van, better known by its TOPS code 'VIX' both in 00 gauge.

Contributed by: Graham Muspratt

25 Feb 2022 00:00am

Rapido Trains UK have announced the Highland Railway’s ‘Jones Goods’ 4-6-0 and also BR’s Diagram 1/227 ferry van, better known by its TOPS code 'VIX' both in 00 gauge.

Highland Railway’s ‘Jones Goods’ 4-6-0
Although they’re often called ‘Jones Goods’ after Highland Chief Engineer David Jones, it was his Chief Draughtsman, David Anderson Hendrie, who proposed that the railway could benefit from the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement that was becoming common in other countries.

The result was the first 4-6-0 design to run in Britain. Sharp Stewart of Glasgow delivered all 15 during 1894. The last was withdrawn in 1940 but the LMS saved pioneer No. 103, which, having worked railtours in the 1960s, is now on display in Glasgow's Riverside Museum.

The Rapido Trains UK ‘Jones Goods' specification includes: Lots of fine detail, sprung buffers, NEM coupler pockets, firebox flicker and a factory-fitted sound speaker.

Six versions have been announced as follows:
914001/501: No. 103, HR yellow (1960s condition)
914002/502: No. 106, HR light green (1890s condition)
914003/503: No. 113, HR Drummond green
914004/504: No. 17920, LMS unlined black (early)
914005/505: No. 17924, LMS lined black
914006/506: No. 17917, LMS unlined black (late)
You can pre-order the 'Jones' Good at £197.95 for DC and £287.95 DCC Sound Fitted (9145xx versions) here>>>

BR Diagram 1/227 ferry van 'VIX'
Inspired by European practice, these vans were very different to existing BR designs. It was nearly 42ft long (over headstocks) and had a massive 26ft 3in wheelbase. The sliding door (one on each side) was 13ft long and it could carry 20 tons. It looked like the incoming vans from Europe, with four sliding vents on each side. More importantly, it had both air and vacuum brakes. Pressed Steel built two batches, totalling 400 vehicles. Coded VIX on TOPS, they lasted in front-line service until the 1970s.

The model features: highly detailed underframes and bodies, NEM coupler pockets on sprung cams and opening side doors.

12 versions are being produced:
910001: Dia. 1/227 No. B786873, BR bauxite
910002: VIX No. GB787298, BR bauxite
910003: VIX No. B787213, BR bauxite, Ferry Link logo)
910004: RBX No. B787170, BR bauxite
910005: VIX No. GB787252, Railfreight red/grey
910006: ZSX No. DB787181, Railfreight red/grey
910007: RBX No. B707178, Railfreight red/grey
910008: VIX No. 21 70 2380 249-9, Railfreight International red/grey
910009: ZSX No. B786980, Engineer’s ‘Dutch’
910010: ZRX No.DB787218, S&T olive
910011: ZYX No. LDB786913, Engineer’s olive
910012: ZJX No. KDB787210, S&T ‘Satlink’ red/yellow
You can pre-order the BR Diagram 1/227 ferry van'VIX'due Q4 2022 / Q1 2023 here>>>

To see the entire Rapido UK range click here>>>

Subject to alteration.

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