Rapido Trains UK announce new Lancashire and Yorkshire Class 25 ‘Ironclads’, 'The Railway Children Train' train pack and War Department Rectank bogie wagons and loads.

Contributed by: Graham Muspratt

20 Mar 2026 00:00am

Rapido Trains UK announce new Lancashire and Yorkshire Class 25 ‘Ironclads’, 'The Railway Children Train' train pack and War Department Rectank bogie wagons and loads in 00 Gauge.


Between the 5 builders of the Class 25, a total of 280 locos were completed. Though there were subtle differences from batch to batch, much of the design remained the same.
Although designed as a freight loco, they proved themselves effective at mixed traffic duties and soon earned the nickname ‘Ironclad’. This was inspired by the battleships that were built around the same time. As they were efficient and quite numerous, Class 25s were assigned to most sheds throughout the L&Y.
After an impressive 72 years of service, the last surviving member of the class was withdrawn in 1959. This was loco No.52044 (L&Y No.957). To many people, No. 957 is better known as the ‘Green Dragon’. Repainted into the striking green livery of the fictitious Great Northern and Southern Railway, it took a starring role in the 1970 feature film ‘The Railway Children’.
a smooth-running mechanism, enhanced with a MoPower stay-alive capacitor, plunger pickups fitted to the loco and wheel bearing pickups on the tender.
Other features include a factory-installed speaker, NEM 362 coupler pockets, sprung buffers, a 21-pin DCC decoder socket, and firebox flicker with a dynamic fire draw effect on DCC-fitted models.
Twelve versions of the L&Y Class 25 ‘Ironclad’ 0-6-0s in both DCC ready ready and DCC Sound fitted are to be produced as per the image above, and can be pre ordered, due for delivery during 2027 here>>>


Rapido Trains UK have announced the 'Railway Children' Train pack, based on the 1970's movie. The pack available in DCC Ready and DCC Sound fitted versions, will feature Great Northern & Southern Railway 0-6-0 No. 957, a triple pack of three 'Evolution' coaches in Great Northern & Southern Railway livery and full colour 3D printed figures of the movie's main characters Peter, Phyllis and Bobby.
To pre-order the DCC Ready 'The Railway Children' train pack click here>>>>
To pre-order the DCC Sound Fitted 'The Railway Children' train pack click here>>>>


The War Department ordered two hundred Rectank wagons. These new 35-ton bogie machinery trolleys were better known as the Rectank. Its name came from an abbreviation of the Railway Executive Committee Tank Wagon.
With the conclusion of WW1, the Rectank was purchased by, and returned to service under the ownership of numerous pre-grouping companies. These incredibly effective flat-bed wagons carried a multitude of heavy or long loads. Bolsters were fitted to some to diversify their carrying capability further.
BR would build a further 78 Rectanks in 1959-60. These featured a fresh style of bogie and truss frame from the original design.
The new Rapido Trains UK OO Gauge WD 35T Rectank Bogie Wagon will have the usual wealth of full external and underframe detail and feature numerous tooling variants.
Detail differences within the range include jack mounts, jacks on the ends and centre, chain boxes, bolsters and additional tiedowns.
Each model features a detailed load that is appropriate to the era; these include a covered Great War tank, steel girders, Ingot moulds, wagon wheels, and flanged pipes.
All models feature 8-spoked wheels and are finished with brass bearings, NEM 363 coupling pockets and a high-quality livery application.
Nineteen versions of the Rectank bogie wagons are to be produced as per the image above, and can be pre ordered, due for delivery during 2027 here>>>

Subject to alteration.

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