Railway Models UK

Dapol has invited expressions of interest for a proposed series of GWR corridor Toplight coaches in OO gauge. The collection will cover a range of diagrams and seven liveries from 1914 through to British Rail ownership.

Initial details of the proposed range have been revealed, and Dapol is inviting feedback to gauge demand before making a final decision on production.

The manufacturer states that any production quantities will be closely matched to the level of interest received. At present, provisional CAD renders and artwork are being fine‑tuned after a design review and factory input.

All CAD images and artwork are currently illustrative and may still change.

Livery information

Dapol plans a total of seven liveries covering the GWR and early BR periods:

GWR Lined Crimson Lake (1914)
GWR Lined Chocolate & Cream (1925)
GWR Chocolate & Cream Twin Cities (1930)
GWR Chocolate & Cream Roundel (1935)
GWR All Brown Twin Cities (1940)
GWR Chocolate & Cream Great Western (1947)
BR Crimson & Cream

Each livery will be available in a range of vehicle types, including All Third, Composite (left‑hand and right‑hand) and Brake Third (left‑hand and right‑hand).

The proposed models cover the following diagrams

All Third – Diagram C32/35
Composite – Diagram E98 (left‑hand and right‑hand)
Brake Third – Diagram D56 (left‑hand and right‑hand)

Features and specifications

Die‑cast bogie frames with two stamped metal compensation beams
Wheel‑bearing electrical pick‑up via stub axles
Two styles of underframe truss rods
Close‑coupling mechanism on a cam for operation on R2 (438 mm radius) curves
NEM pockets for magnetic couplings, compatible with traditional NEM couplings
Wheels for 00 gauge (16.5 mm) with clearance for 18.2 mm gauge
Sprung metal buffers

Body

Separate ABS plastic coach sides
Gap‑free corridor connections operable on R2 (438 mm radius) curves
Fully decorated interior
Separate luggage racks in each passenger compartment
Period‑specific roof ventilators
Separate metal door and commode handles
Separate destination boards for customer application

Prototype information

The prototype GWR Corridor Toplight coaches were built between 1914 and 1920. They featured steel body sides without external paneling, with bolection mouldings around the windows and frosted glass Toplight windows. The vehicles ran on Churchward 9‑ft bogies.

The formation concept included left‑hand and right‑hand Brake Thirds, one or two All Thirds, and left‑hand and right‑hand Composites, allowing all corridor windows to be positioned on the same side of the train. These coaches were commonly used on cross‑country and main‑line services between cities.

Pricing

A initial guide price of £80.00 per coach has been indicated, but this may change closer to the release date.

Dapol announces GWR Toplight coaches

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