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Dapol 4P-020-001

GWR Toplight Mainline City Lined Crimson 3rd Brake 3747 S1

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 2 (1875 to 1923) Pre-grouping

Manufacturer description

The first order for these coaches was placed in 1915 but, due to the First World War, they were not built until 1920. The second batch was completed in 1921. Six sets of coaches were produced with each set comprising six coaches. The coaches were close coupled and constructed with a steel body rather than the traditional wooden panelling. Due to the restrictive loading gauge of the London Underground tunnels, the carriages are 7 inches lower than other contemporary carriages of the time. This enabled them to travel directly to Aldgate and Liverpool Street, on the Metropolitan Underground system.

The coaches were originally used for commuter traffic from the likes of Reading and Windsor into the City of London. At the start of the Second World War this service was curtailed. However, after the war and into BR days the coaches could be found on services much further afield.

The coaches started to be removed from revenue-earning service in December 1956 and all gone by December 1957. There was only one significant change made to the design during the lifetime of the coaches, which was the removal of one roof ventilator from each compartment.

1n 1958, two brake third coaches and one all third coach were converted into workmen's coaches for the miners service between Glyncorrwg and North Rhondda Halt, which was a former branch line of the South Wales Mineral Railway. The main changes were the addition of an extra window in the end of the guards luggage area and a fitting of a gong to the same end of the coach. This makes coaches 3755, 3756, and 3910 the last three coaches in service. 3755 is fully preserved at Didcot Railway Centre with 3756 being partially restored.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

The Dapol GWR Toplight Mainline City Lined Crimson Third Brake Coach Set 1 is a new model in OO gauge, representing a coach from the GWR's pre-grouping era.

The prototype of this model, built at Swindon Works between 1920 and 1921, was originally intended for London Underground services, with a lowered height to accommodate the restrictive loading gauge of the tunnels. The coaches were constructed with a steel body and were used for commuter traffic from Reading and Windsor into the City of London.

The coaches saw service until December 1956, when they began to be withdrawn from revenue-earning service. By December 1957, all coaches had been removed from service. However, two brake third coaches and one all third coach were converted for use on a miners' service in South Wales in 1958.

The Dapol model features a highly accurate injection-moulded body, with details such as bolection window mouldings, frosted Toplight windows, and separate metal door and commode handles. The model also includes a highly detailed chassis with vacuum tanks, battery boxes, and brake linkages.

Technical specifications for the model include kinematic couplings with NEM pockets, allowing for close coupling, and the ability to negotiate R2 radius curves. The model also features sprung metal buffers, internal lighting, and a directional tail lamp. The coach is available with an optional DCC fitting, allowing for a six-pin decoder to be used.