Rapido Trains OO 951001 GWR 4400 Churchward 44xx Class Small Prairie 2-6-2T Green GREAT WESTERN

Rapido Trains have announced new OO gauge models of the GWR Small Prairie classes are under development. The design work is covering all of the Small Prairie’ family, including 44xx 45xx and 4575 classes with the intent include key changes made to the engines throughout their lives as well as myriad smaller detail differences between batches. The models will feature a Next18 decoder socket, factory-fitted sound speaker and firebox flicker.
The 11 engines of the 44xx class, the prototype 'small prairie's, were introduced in 1904 with the 4ft 1½in diameter driving wheels. While ideal for steeply graded branch lines the wheel diameter proved rather small for fast running on mainline stopping train services, leading to the very similar 45xx class being built with the larger 4ft 7½in diameter wheels. All of the 44xx class were withdrawn by the end of 1955, 40-50 years being a typical design life for a steam locomotive.
Model finished as number 4400 in Great Western green livery lettered GREAT WESTERN.