Rapido Trains UK announce New GNR C2 / LNER C12 4-4-2Ts locomotives in 00 gauge.

Contributed by: Graham Muspratt

14 Nov 2025 00:00am

Rapido Trains UK have announced GNR C2 / LNER C12 4-4-2Ts locomotives in 00 gauge.

The first ten GNR C2 Class 4-4-2 tank locos rolled out of Doncaster works in 1898. They quickly proved their worth, so the GNR continued building the class in batches of 10 until the 60th example was completed in 1907.
Under their new LNER ownership in 1923, the C2 tanks were reclassified as the C12. The LNER subsequently spread the C12 way beyond the bounds of the old GNR network. In the early 1930s, ten examples were sent to Hull Botanical Gardens of the former Great Central Railway. Six more would follow shortly after.
Ten of the class were withdrawn during 1937-8; the remaining members would be redeployed to other far-flung reaches of the LNER. This included the Manchester District, sheds on the former Great Eastern Railway, and the Midland and Great Northern Railway.
The LNER scrapped only one more example before the Nationalisation of the railways in 1948. So, BR went on to inherit forty-nine of the class.
The last surviving example was No.67397. It had spent most of its existence as a Hull-based loco, but was withdrawn at the end of 1958 from Grantham.

The Rapido Trains UK GNR C2 / LNER C12 locos will be available in a variety of liveries. These include several pre-grouping variants, and a selection of grouping and nationalisation era examples that were shedded across the wider Eastern region network.
Throughout the range, there are so many detail variations that only two models have the same selection of parts. These differences include chimneys, domes, safety valves, round and flared or square bunkers, round or square tank corners, condensing pipes, three designs of coal rails, and many more!
For models representing the pregrouping variants that were fitted with the condensing apparatus include brass destination plates in the detailing bag.
The models feature a smooth-running mechanism, diecast running board, factory-installed speaker, an ESU E24 DCC decoder socket, pre-fitted MoPower stay-alive, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect. So that the detail of the leading bogie isn’t compromised, the models will be fitted with NEM 363 coupler pockets on the front, and 362 on the rear of the loco.


Twelve 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>>>

Rapido Trains UK have also added two LNWR 17B Brake vans in Police and G Fawkes livery. To view pre-ordcer clcik here>>>

Subject to alteration.

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