Rapido Trains announce a OO Gauge GWR Dia. O19 Open C ‘Tube’ wagon

Originally built to deal with timber loads, the Open C design started life in 1907 as Diagram.O8, the Great Western Railway continued making tweaks to the 15ft wheelbase design and subsequently produced the Dia. 016 in 1913/ 14, and the O19 in 1914. The Open C were also one of the first wagons to be designed to use the DC III brakes.

The O19 was produced right through to 1927, making it the longest-produced diagram of the Open C class of wagon. Further similar diagrams of the Open C were produced into the late 1940s.

Despite its original designation as a timber wagon, it wasn’t long before the class was recoded. By World War Two they were considered tube vehicles, as steel tubing had since become their most common load. During this time period, they were also uprated to a 15-ton load capacity.

Surviving the rigours of two World Wars the Open C continued to transport steel tubes across the nation, and continued to do so right through to the nationalisation and beyond. Due to their specific role, they often ventured further afield than the GWR or BR Western region network, one being photographed as far south as Eastleigh, and some even being under the direct ownership of the Port of London Authority.

Incredibly, several examples have survived into preservation, and thanks to the clear works drawings sourced by Rapido, the Dia. O19 was the obvious choice when looking at Open C variants to produce.

The model will feature two types of wheels,  separately fitted lashing rings so you can easily model tided down loads, and tooling variants to cover both flat-sided and sack truck door versions. The models are also fitted with metal bearings that will help with smooth running and shunting.

Engineering Prototypes have already been received, and the order book is now open.

Liveries:

SKU 964001: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94856
SKU 964002: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94887
SKU 964003: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94835
SKU 964004: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.99965
SKU 964005: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No. 94737
SKU 964006: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94888
SKU 964007: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94751
SKU 964008: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.100000
SKU 964009: GWR 'Open C' - GWR No.94901
SKU 964010: GWR 'Open C' - BR No.W99925
SKU 964011: GWR 'Open C' - BR No.W94920
SKU 964012: GWR 'Open C' - BR No.W94864
SKU 964013: GWR 'Open C' - PLA No.D3