Rapido Trains has revealed further guises to its GWR Dia. V6 'Iron Mink' wagons, 'Not quite Mink' wagons and GWR Dia. O21 four-plank wagons for 'OO'.

Its new 2025 range promises an "interesting array of new liveries, further running numbers of previously-covered liveries and newly-tooled detail differences."

All vehicles shared the same 16ft 6in underframe, and new guises have been announced today below. Some of the new wagons now include grease axle boxes, representing wagons seen during the pre-grouping era.

Pre-order your models below today to guarantee delivery, and benefit from our market-leading customisation services to give your model great looks, too!

The Return of the Iron Mink & GWR 4-Plank Open Wagons


Timber shortages led the Great Western Railway (GWR) to experiment with all-metal vans, culminating in the famous ‘Iron Mink’ of 1888. With its 16ft 6in frame and 8-ton capacity, the Iron Mink (Diagram V6) became a GWR staple—over 4,000 were built before wooden vans returned in 1901.

These durable wagons served for decades, even into British Railways days, and were seen nationwide—some as far north as Inverness. Their metal bodies also made them perfect gunpowder vans during both World Wars, inspiring copies across other railways.

Sharing its underframe, the GWR 4-Plank Open Wagon (Dia. O21), introduced in 1886, became one of the most numerous in the fleet—over 18,700 in use by 1927. Though once overlooked, their legacy is preserved today thanks to the GWR 813 Preservation Fund.


2025 Range Highlights

Rapido's new OO Gauge range celebrates these iconic wagons with authentic detail and multiple tooling variants, including:

  • New grease axle box tooling for pre-grouping era models
  • Optional GPV door variants and vent, axle box, and brake combinations
  • GWR liveries including rare pre-1904 red, plus colourful Not-Quite Mink liveries representing other companies
  • Special appearances from London, Tilbury & Southend, Midland, LNWR, LMS, LSWR, and BR(S) designs
  • Two versions in the playful G. Fawkes livery – with different running numbers for variety
  • Select four-plank wagons include optional sheet rails for extra realism

All models feature spoked wheels, NEM coupling pockets, brass bearings, and premium livery finishes—bringing classic GWR engineering back to life on your layout.

 

All new Rapido Trains OO Gauge 'Not Quite Minks'

All new Rapido Trains OO Gauge 'Iron Minks'

All new Rapido Trains OO Gauge GWR four-plank opens