Rapido Trains UK has announced that it is planning the release in OO Gauge of a range of pre-grouping wagons, as used on the Great Central Railway (GCR).

There will be multiple versions of each wagon type, with 14 for the Diagram 17B covered van, ten for the Diagram 9A/9B six-plank open wagon, and 12 for the Diagram 6C three-plank open wagon.

Detailing variations will include the use of different axle boxes and brakes, two different door types on the Diagram 17B covered vans. All wagons will be fitted with metal bearings for free running.

Each type will be available in a selection of pre-grouping liveries, including GCR and Cheshire Lines Committee, as well as WD liveries in the six-plank wagon range.

There will also be options of liveries covering the post-grouping and British Railways era, including London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS), and British Railways (BR).

Diagram 17B covered vans

The Diagram 17B covered vans are based on a design introduced by the Great Central Railway in 1910 for its covered vans, which were 19-feet long, with a steel underframe and sliding doors on both sides of the van.

The main difference between the types of van was their type of brakes, with those that were unfitted being allocated Diagram number 17B. This variant was unsuitable for transporting perishable goods as it lacked roof or end vents.

Diagram 9A/9B six-plank open wagons

The Diagram 9A/9B six-plank open wagons used the same underframe design as the Diagram 17B covered vans, and were designed in 1911 to improve the maximum load capacity of open wagons by adding an extra plank design to a five-plank wagon, which increased their maximum load capacity to 10 tons.

Diagram 9A wagons were originally built with a single-sided brake with a right-hand lever and lifting links on the side of the brake blocks. The designs were revised in 1918 to provide independent levers for the brakes on both sides of the wagons.

Over 2000 Diagram 9A wagons were built, making them among the most numerous wagons owned by the Great Central Railway.

In 1919, the Ministry of Munitions ordered 250 wagons similar to Diagram 9A but with a maximum load capacity of 12 tons.

These were designated as Diagram 9B, and were outwardly the same as Diagram 9A versions, but fitted with RCH split axle boxes.

The LNER produced hundreds of the wagons, and by 1928 had built 779 of them, and over 250 of each type were inherited by British Railways upon Nationalisation in 1948.

Diagram 6C three-plank open wagons

The Diagram 6C three-plank open wagons used the same steel underframe design as the Diagram 9A/9B, and had the same 10-ton maximum load capacity. They were fitted with dropside doors on both sides, GCR lifting link brakes, and ribbed buffers.

Prices for the new models are £34.95 for the Diagram 17B covered van and £32.95 for the open wagons.

These new wagons follow last October’s announcement of new OO Gauge four-plank wagons as used by the GWR, December’s announcement of a bespoke livery service for a private owner (PO) wagon.