Rapido Trains UK is proud to announce that we will be adding the next batch of BR 1Co-Co1 ‘Peaks’ to our range of N Gauge ready-to-run models. In much the same way as the locos were produced in real-life, the development of our N Gauge Class 45 has progressed as a continuation from the Class 44.
With the success of the first Type 4 diesels, Derby Works began the development of the next generation of even more powerful locomotives, the Class 45 and Class 46. These would go on to form the bulk of the Midland mainline fleet for many years.
Despite the 45s and 46s not being named after mountains as their Class 44 counterparts had been, many were honoured with the names of famed British Army Regiments, however they still retained the nickname ‘Peaks’.
The Class 45 and 46s were pretty much identical to the 44s, also weighing in at around 135 tonnes and powered by a diesel power unit produced by Swiss engineering company Sulzer. However, the newer power units produced 2500 horsepower, 200 more than their predecessors.
This led to BR placing a more substantial order of 127 locos for Class 45s, this was so many in fact, that Crewe Works were also drafted in to assist Derby with their construction. The first BR Class 45 entered service in late 1960, with the class soon becoming the main loco to work out of St Pancras on the Midland mainline services, demoting the dwindling number of steam locos to cover local services or freight. The 45s were intended to be allocated to multiple regions during their construction and this was initially the case with locomotives allocated to London Midland and Western Region sheds as well as other regions for short stints of training. They soon settle down to more regular work on Midland mainline and Western Region services.
With the introduction of the HSTs on the Midland and Cross Country routes, as well as the introduction of Class 56s to coal traffic, the 45s were moved to the Trans-Pennine route to work passenger services across the North of the country.
The aging fleet of well-travelled ‘Peaks’ started to be withdrawn throughout the 1980s with the final 2 Class 45s soldiering on until 1989. The last ‘Peak’, No.45106, was painted into an approximation of the original BR Green livery and regularly worked the 17:50 St Pancras – Derby service as well as a number of railtours. It sealed the fate of the class after it failed at Wellingborough with a fuel leak and onboard fire, the ignition presumed to be from brake sparks while being towed dead, which sadly resulted in its inevitable retirement. 12 class 45 locomotives were saved for preservation with a number of them currently in operational condition.
Our new models will feature a variety of detail differences seen across the locomotives’ working life to allow us to produce the definitive N Gauge Class 45 model. Twelve different versions featuring a range of liveries from as-built to preservation are available to pre-order and will feature a high-quality specification including:
- Directional Lighting
- Next18 Decoder Socket
- High-quality motor and drive mechanism for smooth running
- DCC Sound option
- NEM Coupler pockets
- Separately-fitted wipers
- Etched radiator fan grill
Order your model now by clicking on the item below:
