Rapido Trains UK announces LNER Dynamometer for 'N'

Rapido Trains UK has unveiled its first ‘N’ gauge carriage as the LNER Dynamometer Car. Its OO gauge version of this model was lauded for its highly detailed interior and underframe. Models are to be priced at £99.95, and tooling work is expected to start soon with an anticipated delivery late 2023/early 2024.

Rapido UK has said that it has "done its best to include as much of this detail on the ‘N’ gauge version, albeit with the compromises that come with working in a smaller scale."

The new ‘N’ gauge Dynamometer Car features a detailed interior while, externally, it features many fine separately fitted parts. Underneath, all the details and parts associated with the ‘recording wheel’ have been included. Sprung-mounted NEM coupler pockets help the model negotiate 263.5mm radius curves.

To re-cap its history, No. 23591 was originally built by the North Eastern Railway in 1906. Rapido’s model depicts it in its post-1928 condition, which makes it suitable for re-creating the LNER’s high speed trials of the 1930s which culminated in Mallard’s record run in July 1938. As with the ‘OO’ model, the Dynamometer Car will be offered in post-1946 livery (perfect for re-creating the 1948 Locomotive Exchanges) and in post-1949 condition (when it was used on trials with Bulleid’s infamous ‘Leader’).

Rapido is also offering a spoof version in Railway Technical Centre livery. This will be the perfect companion to Rapido’s RTC-liveried Class 28. A fifth version in BR lined maroon as E902502 is available exclusively from Rails of Sheffield.

Liveries announced are as follows:

• (955001) No. 23591, LNER livery (1928-1938 condition)
• (955002) No. 902502, LNER livery (post-1946 condition)
• (955003) No. E902502, BR livery (post-1949 condition)
• (955004) DB905202, RTC red/blue (spoof livery)
• (955005) No. E902502, BR lined maroon (spoof livery) EXCLUSIVE TO RAILS OF SHEFFIELD

The order book is now open and the ‘N’ gauge Dynamometer Car can be ordered through Rapido UK stockists or direct from its website.

Sign up to our newsletter and join 23,000 others who never miss out on the latest model railway news and railway developments.