'Y7' Class planned for 'OO'

Rapido Trains UK has now added an LNER locomotive to its range and it has chosen one of the smallest: the diminutive Worsdell ‘Y7’ 0-4-0T. Prices are still to be confirmed. However, Rapido hopes to open the order book later this year, with tooling to begin early in 2023.

Key differences between the 1888, 1891, 1897 and 1923 batches have been incorporated. The model will have a coreless motor and flywheel for super-smooth slow running as well as NEM coupler pockets and a factory-fitted sound speaker.

Sales & Marketing Manager Richard Foster said, “This is the first locomotive to be tackled by our UK design team. They have a lot of experience designing wagons and coaches and have put that experience to good use in order to complete the body superstructure and the smaller details. Our factory in China has added all the mechanical and electrical elements.”

The North Eastern Railway built six of these locomotives in 1888 to modernise its dockside railways. Classified ‘H’, they were so successful that more were built in 1891 and 1897. Even the LNER wanted more, ordering five in 1923. Classified ‘Y7’ by the LNER, they could be found all over its network, from St Margaret’s shed and Leith docks in Scotland to Tweedmouth and York and even as far south as Stratford and Neasden.

This net was cast even further during the Second World War: some were loaned to the Ministry of Works at Shrawardine near Shrewsbury, while one went to the Admiralty at Kyle of Lochalsh and three to the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Dock work was hit hard during the Great Depression and withdrawals started in 1929.

Some 17 ended up in industry, while BR inherited only two. 68089, unique in that it was fitted with train brakes, was used on the North Sunderland Railway until it closed in 1951. It ended its days on Morecambe promenade while classmate 68088 was sold to the National Coal Board in 1952. Luckily, 68088 was saved for preservation and is now based at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway. Classmate No. 1310 was sold into industry in 1933 and was saved for preservation in 1965. It’s now based at the Middleton Railway.

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