Rapido Trains UK is to produce another range of its highly acclaimed ‘OO’ gauge Hunslet 0-6-0 saddle tanks with 16-inch cylinders.

The new range is expected to be available by the end of this year and will include a selection of preservation favourites and eye-catching liveries.

The new models include:

• Beatrice (Hunslet No. 2705/1945) in lined green, as preserved at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway – catalogue No. 903013:
• Clement (Hunslet No.1983/1940), ex-NCB Brodsworth Colliery in black with yellow stripes – catalogue No. 9013014;
• Glasshoughton No. 4 (Hunslet No.3855/1955), ex-Glasshoughton Colliery in lined green with a stovepipe chimney – catalogue No. 9013015;
• John Shaw (Hunslet No.2375/1942), ex-NCB South Kirby Colliery in lined green – catalogue No. 9013016;
• Primrose No. 2 (Hunslet No.3715/1952,), ex-NCB in red with a stovepipe chimney as preserved at Embsay in the 1970s – catalogue No. 9013017;

Each model will be ‘OO’ gauge and designed from original works drawings and field visits to several 16-inch Hunslets. They are of die-cast construction with a quality mechanism and are fitted with a Next18 decoder socket, NEM coupler pockets, and sprung buffers. Each model is different, with key detail changes between individual locomotives.

The RRP of each model is £129.95, and all are available fitted for sound for an of RRP £229.99 – catalogue No. SKU903513-517.

The 16-inch 0-6-0ST was the largest of Hunslet’s standard locomotives, similar-looking locomotives also available with 12, 14 and 15-inch diameter cylinders. They were economical, simple to operate, and easy to maintain.

Forty-four were built between 1923 and 1958, and many were still in revenue-earning service well into the 1970s. They were to be seen in mines, collieries, and quarries throughout Yorkshire and the Midlands. One worked in a power station in Wales, and five were built for export. There are at least nine left in Britain.

Rapido UK General Manager Andy Hardy said, “We were bowled over by the reaction to our Hunslets. We knew that the model was a good ‘un but to receive so many positive comments was unexpected and very pleasing.

“We had so many liveries that we could have offered in the first batch that we are able to turn this second batch around really quickly so that if you missed out on the first batch, you’ve got another opportunity to add a Hunslet to your collection.

“We’re also delighted to announce that we’re able to keep the price the same for this batch as the first one, which we think offers excellent value for money.”