EP samples for new Rapido J52/2 locomotives arrive

They will be on display on the Rapido stand over the weekend (November 23-24th) before being put through rigorous testing.

This little shunter was seen the length and breadth of the GNR network, from North London to the Northeast of England and started life on the GNR, where they were classified as J13 and based on the Stirling-designed J14 (which featured a domeless boiler). The first J13s rolled off the factory floor in 1897 to work alongside their domeless counterparts on shunting duties.

In 1959, and only a couple of years before the entire class were scrapped, Captain Bill Smith stepped in and saved loco No. 68846. He became the owner of the World’s very first privately owned BR steam locomotive, and the J52/2 earned itself a permanent place in the annals of railway preservation history. The aptly and affectionately named Old Lady would live on. Once in his possession, she was repainted into her pre-grouping guise and renumbered to the iconic 1247.

The model is available to pre-order now and is priced at £164.95 DCC Ready and £279.95 DCC Sound Fitted (Next18).

Proposed liveries

• SKU 958001: GNR J13 No.1210 GNR Green
• SKU 958002: GNR J13 No.1234 GNR Grey
• SKU 958003: LNER J52/2 No.1228 L&NER Black with Red Lining
• SKU 958004: LNER J52/2 No.4226 LNER Black with Red Lining
• SKU 958005: LNER J52/2 No.4217 LNER Plain Black with Shaded Lettering
• SKU 958006: LNER J52/2 No.8832 NE Plain Black
• SKU 958007: LNER J52/2 No.68817 British Railways Lettering
• SKU 958008: LNER J52/2 No.68838 BR Unlined Black Early Crest
• SKU 958009: LNER J52/2 No.68832 BR Unlined Black Early Crest
• SKU 958010: LNER J52/2 No.2 BR Unlined Black Early Crest (Departmental Use)
• LNER J52/2 No.68846 BR Lined Black Late Crest
• GNR J13 No.1247 GNR Green 1960s Railtour Condition

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