Rapido Trains UK is excited to announce the release of a third batch of liveries for the highly popular OO Gauge 48’ ‘Evolution’ Bogie Coach range. This new selection expands the series even further, covering additional railway companies across Britain, including those not previously featured in earlier batches, as well as British Railways and more. The aim is to offer modellers a broader choice of authentic liveries from across the British Isles.

As with the first two releases, the Batch 3 models are generic 48’ bogie coaches, carefully designed with features that reflect the distinctive characteristics of various pre-grouping railways. The range includes arc, elliptical, and clerestory roof designs, all of which are removable to allow modellers to add figures inside the coaches if desired.

The coaches are brought to life with a wide range of separately fitted details. Interiors feature luggage racks, picture frames on compartment dividers, and passenger emergency alarm “butterflies” at one end, enhancing both realism and character. Working interior lighting is fitted as standard and is controlled using Rapido’s magnetic 'magic wand.' To suit different preferences, the lighting can be dimmed using an adjustable potentiometer on the PCB. By removing the roof and turning the dial with a small screwdriver, modellers can easily set the brightness to their preferred level.

To match the period details of gas and electric lighting, relevant versions of the coaches include separately fitted underframe equipment such as battery and regulator boxes, a dynamo, roof-mounted gas lamps, plumbing, and gas tanks. Fox pattern bogies with electrical pickups are fitted throughout the range, with some models also featuring additional footboards or central lower footboards for added authenticity.

Each coach is equipped with NEM pockets and includes optional close-coupling bars, modelled on vacuum pipes, to allow modellers to achieve a realistic coupled appearance. These carefully considered details ensure the ‘Evolution’ coaches continue to set a high standard for accuracy, functionality, and visual appeal.