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Dapol 4P-020-301

GWR Toplight Mainline City GWR Shirtbtn 3rd Brake 3753 S4

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

Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)

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

Dapol to Release GWR Toplight Mainline City Coaches

Dapol is set to produce a range of OO gauge GWR Toplight Mainline City coaches, specifically the 3753 set 4, a GWR Chocolate and Cream livery third brake coach. The model features a highly accurate injection moulded body with bolection window mouldings and frosted Toplight windows.

The coaches were built at Swindon Works between 1920 and 1921, with a total of six sets produced, each consisting of six coaches. They were designed for commuter traffic into the City of London, but their low height, due to the restrictive loading gauge of the London Underground tunnels, allowed them to travel through Metropolitan Underground tunnels. The coaches were eventually removed from revenue-earning service in December 1956, with all coaches gone by December 1957.

The model features a range of details, including separate metal door and commode handles, wire end handrails, and separately applied end communication details. The chassis is highly detailed, with vacuum tanks, battery boxes, and brake linkages all accurately modelled. The coaches will have 9ft bogie bolsters with diecast side frames and split axles for electrical pickup.

The technical specification of the model is equally impressive, with kinematic couplings, NEM pockets, and sprung metal buffers. The coaches are capable of negotiating R2 radius curves and feature internal lighting and a directional tail lamp, with the option to be fitted with a DCC decoder. The heavy diecast chassis ensures a robust and stable base for the model.