Rapido Trains UK announce New Southern Railway U Class 2-6-0 locomotives in 00 gauge.

Contributed by: Graham Muspratt

12 Sep 2025 00:00am

Rapido Trains UK have announced New SR U Class 2-6-0 locomotives in 00 gauge.

The initial batch of U Class locos was created due to a combination of the operational requirements for a semi-fast and cross-country capable loco, and as an immediate reaction by the Southern Railway to the fatal Sevenoaks Railway accident. The accident involved a SE&CR K Class ‘River’ 2-6-4 tank engine. These engines were known for rocking so it was decided that the entire class would be rebuilt as 2-6-0 tender locos.
Prior to the accident, an order had been placed for further K Class locos, but instead of pursuing this unsuccessful design, the order was amended to be 20 brand-new U Classes instead. The construction was shared between Brighton and Ashford works. As construction was drawing to an end, an order for a further ten locos was placed; this order was completed in early 1931 by Ashford works.
A total of 50 locos were classified as the U Class. However, the rebuilds and new builds looked distinctly different. With a higher running board on the newly built examples, they sported a much smaller wheel splasher. The cabs were also different, as the rebuilt locos retained the 4 look-out windows of the K Class, whereas the new builds had 2 large ones. Maunsell used a straight-sided, smaller 3,500 gallon tender on the Earlier rebuilt versions of the U. Later, newly built locos featured a larger 4,000 gallon version; these had inward-sloping raves to prevent coal spillage. Although they were built without them, smoke deflectors were later added to the whole class by the Southern Railway in the mid-1930s.
Working across most of the South, the U-Classes were reallocated to a variety of sheds throughout their lives. Although Moguls were generally used for freight duties, the U-boats were utilised as a mixed traffic loco; this was due to their reliability as an all-around performer.
Passing to British Railways, these busy locos continued dependably right through to 1966 when the last of the class was finally withdrawn. Four examples have since been preserved, and these consist of a mix of one rebuilt
‘River’ and three newly built locos.

Rapido Trains UK are to produce the SR U Class that were part of the newly built batches 1610 to 1639 with the 4000 gallon tender, The range features a selection of detailing variants, including flush and riveted buffer beams, flat or rounded domes, flat-fronted cylinders or cylinders with piston tail rods, snifting valves on Southern Liveried locos, and smoke deflectors on all models apart from the earliest representation. All models feature the 4000-gallon tenders. Two BR livery models will also feature AWS gear on the right hand side running board.

The models will feature a smooth-running mechanism, factory-installed speakers, NEM coupler pockets, an ESU 21-pin decoder socket (DC models), fitted MoPower stay-alive capacitor, tender pickups, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect (DCC/Sound fitted models).
Ten different versions, in both DCC ready and DCC Sound Fitted variants, are being produced as per the image above, and can be pre ordered, due for delivery during 2027 here>>>

Subject to alteration.

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