Rapido's USATC S160s: the locomotives that rebuilt Europe
New arrivals for 'OO' in stock! Secure your Rapido S160 2-8-0 before it's gone...
This week we received these immensely popular eight-coupled USATC S160 locomotives from Rapido Trains. Price: £229.44 DCC ready / £322.94 DCC sound-fitted.
THE 'LIBERATORS'...
The USATC S160 was one of the most important steam locomotive classes to operate in Britain during the Second World War. Designed by the United States Army Transportation Corps specifically for wartime service overseas, nearly 800 locomotives arrived in Britain between 1942 and 1944.
Although built to American practice, they were engineered to fit Britain's restrictive loading gauge and were intended to support the Allied invasion of Europe. Before D-Day, around 400 entered service with the Great Western Railway, LNER, LMS and Southern Railway, hauling heavy freight, military stores, ammunition, engineering trains and supplies to ports and military depots across the country. Their rugged construction, impressive tractive effort and straightforward design made them ideal for demanding wartime conditions, despite crews encountering some early reliability issues, including axlebox overheating and boiler maintenance concerns.
As preparations for the Normandy landings gathered pace, the S160s became a familiar sight across Britain's rail network, working tirelessly to move the vast quantities of equipment needed for Operation Overlord.
Following the success of D-Day, many were shipped across the English Channel to continue their intended role supporting Allied forces as they advanced through Europe. Their distinctive American appearance, combined with their vital contribution to Britain's wartime railway operations, has secured the S160 a lasting place in British railway history and preservation.
Explore the full range, below...
IN STOCK NOW...
926001 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 1604 - Wartime Black
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926501 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No.1604 - Wartime Black
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926002 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2415 - Wartime Grey
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926502 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2415 - Wartime Grey
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926003 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 1712 - Wartime Grey
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926503 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 1712 - Wartime Grey
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926004 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2356 - Wartime Grey
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926504 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2356 - Wartime Grey
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926005 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 700 Major General Carl R Gray Jr - LMR Blue DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926505 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 700 Major General Carl R Gray Jr - LMR Blue DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926006 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 5820 Big Jim Grey as Preserved DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926506 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 5820 Big Jim Grey as Preserved DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926007 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 6046 - Black as Preserved
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926507 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 6046 - Black as Preserved
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926008 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2253 Omaha - Maroon as Preserved DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
Out of stock
926508 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 2253 Omaha - Maroon as Preserved DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926009 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 95820 Big Jim BR black as preserved DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926509 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 95820 Big Jim BR black as preserved DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
926010 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 5197 - Black as Preserved
DCC ready
Rapido price: £269.96
Our price: £229.44
926510 Rapido OO Gauge USATC S160 No. 5197 - Black as Preserved
DCC sound-fitted
Rapido price: £379.96
Our price: £322.94
HERE TO HELP...
Make your new TMC purchase more affordable thanks to our payment solutions on checkout. We offer PayPal's Pay in Three interest-free credit. Alternatively, for store credit to spend on our website or on-site if you visit us, consider a TMC pre-owned trade-in today. Get started here, or call us on 01947 899 125. Our friendly team is on-hand to help make your new dream model purchase reality.
T: 01947 899 125
E: websales@tmc-direct.com
