Moderators Popular Post AY Mod Posted November 10, 2023 Moderators Popular Post Share Posted November 10, 2023 Port of Par Bagnall 0-4-0ST (OO Gauge) Mind your head! We’re announcing a new loco that is way above par. The Port of Par ‘twins’ Alfred and Judy are possibly some of the most recognisable small industrial steam locomotives to work in the UK. The reason these two locomotives were designed requires a look back in time. Isn't it tiny!? Its amazing to realise these little models contain a flywheel and factory fitted speaker - without losing any space in the cab allowing for all the detail to be present. In 1829 Joseph Thomas Treffry started to build Par Harbour. His business interests required coal to be imported and copper, lead and granite to be exported. Other ports were too small or faced logistical obstructions – resulting in the creation of Par Harbour. However geographical restrictions meant that engines had to pass under an 8ft tall bridge under the Cornish Mainline to reach the china clay works along with operating on curves down to a 70’ radius. The port used a number of ramshackle and hand-me-down locomotives but in the mid-1930s it was decided that something better was needed. In September 1937 the new locomotive was delivered at a cost of £1200 carrying the works number 2572. It had originally been planned to name her Chough after the distinctive species of Cornish bird. The message was received by Bagnall as Cough, which they thought was rather strange and so she was sent to Par without a nameplate. She was finally given nameplates that read Judy after 1955. By 1952 the low-profile Sentinel Toby required replacement and an upturn in traffic meant an order was placed for another locomotive. In 1954 Alfred was delivered (named after the manager of the harbour Alfred Truscott). Whilst nominally the same, Alfred had some differences to Judy with different bunker style, tank and handrail alterations (such as a tank filler that opened in the opposite direction) and a different purchase price – this time £7500. The engines had a hard-working life hauling thousands of tons of china clay with both engines in operation each day. However, during the 1960s modernisation of the port started and rail traffic started to diminish. The branch line to the china clay workings was lifted and replaced with a road for lorries. Judy had started to experience boiler troubles so was withdrawn from traffic in 1969 - her driver Del Robins taking her into the shed for one last time not only for Judy’s retirement but his own. Alfred soldiered on until 1977 when, rather unglamorously, shunting was taken over by tractors. The locomotives gained a celebrity status not least because of their unusual size and stature. They were some of the last working steam engines in Cornwall and the site became a stronghold of visits by railway enthusiasts. The engines became so popular that they also inspired the Rev. W. Awdry to immortalise them in his Railway Series stories as Bill and Ben, carrying a striking yellow livery. Judy was kept cleaned and oiled in the shed at Par whilst Alfred was in operation. With the cessation of rail traffic, new homes were sought for the engines. Judy first went to the recently established China Clay Museum at Wheal Martyn whilst Alfred, in operating condition, went to the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society. Both locomotives can now be found on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Judy was returned to operational condition in 2023 whilst plans for returning Alfred to operational condition are being finalised with the intention that both locomotives will be available to work together once again. The Port of Par Bagnall models have been designed using works drawings to ensure accuracy and feature a variety of livery options covering their history, including those sported in preservation. ‘As preserved’ lined light green and 1960s dark-lined green livery versions will be available as part of the Port of Par Twin Pack special editions. In addition to the two incredible models of Alfred and Judy, these packs will feature an Illustrated booklet describing the history of the locomotives, and a postcard print of an exclusive Jonathan Clay painting. All are beautifully presented in a charming wooden box. What a stylish way to house the King and Queen of Cornish preservation. Two single locomotives will also be available in other liveries carried by the individual locomotives – this time in a standard box. Two twin packs and two single packs are available covering all the liveries carried during the locomotives' working and preserved lives. Modellers can look forward to a smooth-running mechanism with flywheel, plunger pickups, a factory-installed speaker on all models, and a Next18 decoder socket fitted under the tank. There will also be separate tooling to accurately portray the slight differences between Alfred and Judy correctly. Sadly, it has not been possible to make the full Bagnall-Price valve gear operational due to the size and clearance of the parts - but we hope the few parts (that are mostly hidden) that don't move will not detract from the overall model. ESU has been working with us since the start of the project, and the DCC Sound options will be fitted with an ESU Nano chip. ESU is also working on a bespoke electronic setup with us to help with smooth running on DCC. The model is currently in tooling and we hope to have some spectacularly small samples shortly. Twin pack models are available with a RRP of £279.95 DCC Ready and £499.95 DCC Sound Fitted. Single locos are available with a RRP of £139.95 DCC Ready and £249.95 DCC Sound Fitted. Pre-order yours today direct from Rapido Trains UK HERE or from any Official Retailer. 21 1 1 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Fair Oak Junction Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2023 Yes, a thousand times YES! Instant pre-order!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HExpressD Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 Fine! I'll get the card out again, see if I care (my partner definitely does, maybe I won't tell her) 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60800 Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 I'm going to need two of the yellow one *cough* 2 1 7 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Wow - email received and pre-orders placed within 5 minutes. Cheers Darius 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 2 minutes ago, 60800 said: I'm going to need two of the yellow one *cough* Nasty cough there - maybe buy some BENadryl? Look out for the BILL though 😏 1 1 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Fair Oak Junction Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2023 Twin set of them in Port of Par light green, and a pair in lined yellow ordered. No regrets 😄 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Wow… yes yes, this is a very big yes. well done Rapido on this one. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 7 minutes ago, 60800 said: I'm going to need two of the yellow one *cough* You mean Chough ? Surely ? better send it without a nameplate. 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WD0-6-0 Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 I shan't repeat the language I used when I read the announcement lest the good Mr York ban me for life but there were several outbursts of expletive joy! Now just decide which ones to get and how I can justify four of them to my wallet... 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenL Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 We’re gonna need some decent china clay wagons… 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium RichardT Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 10, 2023 I’ve said on the J52 thread that it’s lovely but the wrong scale for me. However, my other half is called Judy* and on a recent Cornish holiday she insisted on buying a postcard of said loco, so I can feel my card easing out of my wallet… RT * Yes, we are Richard and Judy. 4 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Uncle Skeleton Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 The only way I can afford all these amazing models is if I stop paying taxes... …good news, turns out I can afford them.! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standards_in_OO Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 For a set of announcements, this is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. The yellow Alfred is a must have. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornbyandbf3fan Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 (edited) Did think watching one of them struggle up the bank out of Parkway that someone needs to do a 00 version. Now to decide whether I want Alfred or Judy. It's a shame that they're not available separately in the light green livery. Edited November 10, 2023 by hornbyandbf3fan 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BR Blue Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Rapido are certainly releasing a lot of steam engines, if their next announcement is Flying Scotsman we will know for certain whete Simon Kohler has found a new home.😁 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidoandy Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 Just now, BR Blue said: Rapido are certainly releasing a lot of steam engines, if their next announcement is Flying Scotsman we will know for certain whete Simon Kohler has found a new home.😁 Errrr.....? 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveyDee68 Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 (edited) As a self-confessed addict to collecting small industrial locos or anything associated with docks, this announcement is not good. Not good at all. I’m a shunting locomotive addict, and I have been sober haven’t bought a loco for 122 days… That might change very shortly… Must resist… MUST resist… PS My ❤️ reaction to the original post is not “supportive” … it’s LOVE! Edited November 10, 2023 by SteveyDee68 Added the PS 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BMacdermott Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Hello everyone Congratulations to Rapido on what will no doubt be a very welcome announcement!👍 We were about to list these locos in the forthcoming Quirky Poll but will now replace them with something else. Yet another winner for Quirky! (The Quirky Poll 2023 will run from around mid-December - more details at that time.) Brian (on behalf of The Quirky Poll Team) 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Spiffing. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold franciswilliamwebb Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 51 minutes ago, AY Mod said: It had originally been planned to name her Chough after the distinctive species of Cornish bird. The message was received by Bagnall as Cough, which they thought was rather strange and to this day, spellcheckers have improved very little 🙄 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 Who's sat on that Bagnall? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 2 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said: Who's sat on that Bagnall? Wozzn't me, Guv ! Gor blimey strike a light, cross me 'art. I never dun nuffin. Honest Guv. It wuz 'em wot dun it.........bu I never seen nuffin. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSG Posted November 10, 2023 Share Posted November 10, 2023 I had never heard of these before today. They are certainly among the most weird looking locos I've seen. Fortunately for my wallet, I don't think even Rule 1 would stretch far enough for me, but it will certainly be interesting to see what other people do with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted November 10, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2023 22 minutes ago, MarkSG said: I had never heard of these before today. They are certainly among the most weird looking locos I've seen. Fortunately for my wallet, I don't think even Rule 1 would stretch far enough for me, but it will certainly be interesting to see what other people do with them. I instantly recognised them as Bill and Ben - never really thought they would have been based on real locos even though all The Railway Series ones are so should have - so I've learnt something today :) Probably not ones for me to buy but their unusual design and history should hopefully mean they are great sellers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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