Rapido Trains UK announce New Kerr, Stuart & Co. ‘What If’ Short-Tank Sirdar Class 0-4-0 in 009 Gauge

Contributed by: Graham Muspratt

8 Sep 2025 00:00am

Rapido Trains UK have announced New Kerr, Stuart & Co. ‘What If’ Short-Tank Sirdar Class 0-4-0 in 009 Gauge.

Kerr, Stuart and Co. and their Sirdar Class had several variations, including several cab styles and long and short tanks.
Taking inspiration from these, we have developed our new highly detailed 009 Gauge models of Kerr, Stuart & Co. ‘What If’ Short-Tank Sirdar Class 0-4-0. This has design elements from several “real” locos, combining them into a prototypically literate model.

This newly tooled loco body fits over our existing Kerr Stuart Sirdar chassis and features slightly longer tanks than the real Short-Tank Sirdar locos that were seen around the world. This is combined with a larger enclosed cab based on other Kerr, Stuart & Co. products.

This newly tooled loco body fits over our existing Kerr Stuart Sirdar chassis and features slightly longer tanks than the real Short-Tank Sirdar locos that were seen around the world. This is combined with a larger enclosed cab based on other Kerr, Stuart & Co. products.

The range features a selection of detailing variants, including different chimneys, domes, safety valves, smoke boxes, doors and darts.
Other small detail variants include different lubricators, safety valve turrets, tender gongs, toolboxes, tablet catchers, whistle rods and lubricator pots. The early LMS variant also includes a smokebox door number plate.
The detailing bag will include screw link couplings, steam heating pipes, front frames and guard irons. Some variants will also have etched number plates.

Six different versions, in both DCC ready and DCC fitted variants, are being produced as per the image above, and can be pre ordered, due for delivery during 2026, here>>>

Subject to alteration.

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