Dapol 4P-020-401

GWR Toplight Mainline City GWR All Brown 3rd Brake 3755 S5

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

Brand
Dapol
Product Code
4P-020-401
GTIN
5016927061586
RRP
£64.80
Release date
January 2024

Model details

Livery
GWR brown
Power pickup
All wheels
Coupling
NEM / Tension lock
DCC status
DCC 6
Coupling type
Tension lock
Finish
Pristine
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Chassis construction
Diecast
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Tooling date
2023
Running number
3755

Prototype information

Wheel configuration
2 x Bogies
Build dates
1920 to 1921
Builder
Swindon Works
Type of vehicle
Coach
Main duties
Suburban passenger
Branchline passenger
In service until
Late 1950s
Operated by
Great Western Railway
British Railways
Coach type
GWR Churchward Toplight City
TOPS classification
(BT) Brake Third
Wheel arrangement
2 x Bogies
Built
1920 to 1921
Built by
Swindon Works

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Dapol is set to release a new OO gauge model of the GWR Toplight Mainline City coaches, specifically the All Brown Third Brake 3755 set 5 in GWR brown livery. These coaches were built at Swindon Works between 1920 and 1921 for the Great Western Railway.

The original coaches were ordered in 1915 but due to the First World War, production was delayed until 1920. A total of six sets of coaches were produced, each consisting of six coaches. The coaches were notable for being 7 inches lower than other contemporary coaches, allowing them to run through the London Underground tunnels.

The coaches were primarily used for commuter services from Reading and Windsor into the City of London, but their usage was curtailed at the start of the Second World War. After the war, they continued in service until being withdrawn from revenue-earning service in December 1956, with all coaches retired by December 1957.

One of the coaches, number 3755, was converted into a workmen's coach in 1958 and is now preserved at the Didcot Railway Centre. Another, number 3756, is partially restored. The Dapol model will be available as an all third, composite and brake third coach, suitable for pairing with the Dapol 61xx Prairie 2-6-2 locomotive.

The model features a highly accurate injection moulded body, metal door and commode handles, and a highly detailed chassis with vacuum tanks, battery boxes and brake linkages. The coaches will also have kinematic couplings, sprung metal buffers, internal lighting and directional tail lamp. The model will be capable of negotiating R2 radius curves and will be available with an optional DCC fitting.

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