Rapido Trains UK has announced the addition of a Great Western Railway Open C ‘Tube’ wagon to its range of OO gauge rolling stock.

Open C wagons were originally introduced in 1907 for carrying timber.

First produced Diagram O8, it subsequently went through carious modifications until the final version to Diagram O19 was built in 1914.

Open C wagons were one of the first to incorporate DC III brakes.

The new model is the Diagram O19 version, which was produced right through to 1927, but further variants were produced into the late 1940s.

Although originally designated as timber wagons, Open Cs were soon recoded, and by World War Two steel tubing was their most common load, and they were then considered to be tube vehicles, with an increased capacity of 15 tons.

Open C wagons were still in use transporting steel tubes well after the Second World War and through to Nationalisation and beyond.

Because of their specific role, they could often be seen further afield than the Great Western Railway or BR Western Region network. One is known to have been seen in Eastleigh on the Southern Region, and some were transferred to the Port of London Authority.

With their wide use, Open Cs are ideal for modelling anything from a pre-grouping freight train, through to a busy 1950s industrial setting, and is a perfect addition to your collection and rakes.

Several examples have survived into preservation, and with clear works drawings available, the Diagram O19 version was chosen as the type to produce.

Variants will be available in Great Western Railway (GWR), British Railways (BR), and Port of London Authority (PLA) liveries, and with two types of wheels, separately fitted lashing rings, and flat-sided and sack truck door versions. Metal bearings are fitted to help with smooth running and shunting.

Although the design has not been finalised, engineering prototypes have been produced and orders are now being taken from today directly from www.rapidotrains.co.uk today or any of Rapido’s official retailers at a price of £35.95.

Further information can be found at https://rapidotrains.co.uk/gwr-dia-o19-open-c/

In recent months, Rapido has launched a range of S160 2-8-0 steam locomotives and fireless locomotive Caledonia, both in OO gauge.