New from Rapido: LNER D40 4-4-0 – a Scottish legend for 'OO'
Rapido Trains UK has unveiled its latest addition to its Scottish Legends range: the elegant and historically significant LNER D40 4-4-0, now available to pre-order from us in 12 stunning liveries covering the GNSR V and F Classes, the LNER era, British Railways, and the iconic Gordon Highlander.
The variants below are available in DCC ready and DCC sound-fitted versions.
Model features
This isn't just 'another locomotive'. The D40 model reflects Rapido's commitment to fine detail and historic accuracy. Here’s what you can expect:
- Highly detailed tooling for both 'V' (saturated) and 'F' (superheated) class variants
- Era-specific details including chimneys, smoke boxes, whistles, clack valves, tender springs, coal rails, and more
- Multiple roof and boiler fittings including gas lamps, ejector pipes, tablet catchers, and more
- Dynamic firebox flicker effect with realistic fire draw animation
- Twin factory-fitted speakers for powerful sound performance (sound-fitted versions)
- Smooth-running mechanism with tender pick-ups
- MoPower stay-alive capacitor for reliable running
- ESU 21-pin decoder socket
- Factory-installed NEM coupler pockets
Livery variants from pre-grouping through BR, including the legendary Gordon Highlander in its 1960s railtour condition.
A rich Scottish heritage
The D40 is steeped in Scottish railway history. Originally introduced as the V Class for the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR) in the late 19th century, these 4-4-0 locomotives were built by Neilson, Reid & Co. to support rising traffic across the northeast of Scotland. Designed to mirror the successful earlier T Class, the V Class locomotives featured saturated boilers and distinctive cabside windows.
Later developments led to the F Class, a superheated version of the V Class built under the guidance of T.E. Heywood. These received names and were the last express passenger locos built for the GNSR before the 1923 Grouping. Both V and F classes were absorbed into the LNER as Class D40, with most surviving into British Railways service.
The final chapter of this legacy belongs to No. 62277 Gordon Highlander, the sole preserved example. Renumbered as No. 49 and repainted in striking early GNSR green for railtour use, it captivated enthusiasts across Scotland into the 1960s. Today, it resides at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway and is a fitting symbol of this iconic locomotive family.
