Model maker Rapido Trains UK has today (Friday 25 October) announced additions to both its Evolution range and its range of LMS rolling stock.

New OO Gauge 48-foot ‘Evolution’ Bogie Coach Non-Corridor First and Full Brake variants have joined the company’s Evolution range, and are available in all nine liveries from Batch 1 that Rapido announced previously.

The models include working internal lighting controlled by the magnetic ‘magic wand’, detailing parts to represent both gas and electric fittings, and fitted NEM pockets, with optional close coupling.

Twenty-three different versions of New OO Gauge LMS D1832A and D1663 12-Ton Vans are also available, with and without ventilators, with three-hole disc and spoked wheel varieties, and fitted with metal bearings for free running.

When the London, Midland and Scottish (LMS) Railway formed from the merger of other railway companies in 1923, it inherited ageing and dilapidated freight stock from its predecessors.

Over the next few years, the company undertook a major modernisation program of its freight stock.

In 1924, it began producing 9ft wheelbase Dia.1663 12-Ton Vans, and produced eight hundred and fifty of these wagons over a period of two years.

The Dia.1663 vans featured a sliding door, corrugated steel ends, and external steel cross braces at one end.

Some of the LMS D1832A and D1663 12-Ton Vans worked into the 1970s.

The new Rapido Trains UK OO Gauge model of the van will feature separately fitted parts such as grab handles, full external and underframe details, brass bearings for smooth friction-free running, NEM coupling pockets and a high-quality livery application.

Rapido’s existing LMS range includes the LNER/LMS 25t machine wagon, better known as LOWMAC wagons.

All the new models are currently in tooling, with Rapido Trains UK expecting to produce samples early next year. Buyers can order the models either directly from Rapido Trains or from any of the company’s official retailers, including Sawyer Models, where RailAdvent Plus Gold members can get a discount.

The recommended retail price for the Evolution coaches is £69.95. For the LMS vans, the recommended retail price is £32.95.