967804 Rapido RCH 1907 7 Plank Wagon - John Stephens, Son, & Co.

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during 2027. preauthkernow

Rapido say "Rapido Trains UK is enhancing its Private Owner wagon range with an iconic open design from the UK's most famous wagon builder.

• New OO Gauge Gloucester 7-Plank Private Owner Wagons - 18 different versions are available.
• Fully detailed and decorated interior ironwork strapping.
• Tooling variants covering wagons that are fitted with and without end doors.
• Liveries covering a wide selection of Private Owners from across the country.
• NEM 362 Coupler Pockets.
• Fitted with metal bearings for smooth, free running.

These will be the first OO Gauge ready-to-run wagons with internal ironwork strapping that includes rivet details, all of which are fully decorated."

History

The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company were a staple of British rolling stock production for over 120 years. Due to the length of the company's tenure, designs inevitably evolved as railway technology improved. One that stood the test was the company's conventional 7-plank design, featuring an internal strapping design, and was 15ft in length over its body. This design underwent very few changes between the 1890s and early 1920s, but versions were produced fitted with or without end doors. Examples of these wagons were both sold and hired to private companies across the UK, with the hired versions being maintained by the Gloucester R. C. and W. Co. After World War Two, the 10,000 wagons that made up the Gloucester R. C. and W. Co. hire fleet were nationalised. However, with newer designs being introduced by the company in the 1920s, the exact number of the 1890s 7-plank design inherited by BR remains a mystery. Sadly, no examples survived into preservation.

RCH 1907 Spec Open Wagon - John Stephens, Son & Co. Ld. No. 26

• 7-plank wagon with side doors
• 15ft length, inside diagonal bracing
• Square grease axleboxes
• Single-sided brakes
• Straight V-hangers
• Smooth tapered buffers
• Split-spoke wheels running in metal bearings
• High level of detail above and below the floor line
• High-quality livery application
• NEM coupler pockets