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Prototype Era
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
The prototype coaches were constructed between 1914 and 1920 made of steel body sides with an absence of panelling but with bolection mouldings around the windows and frosted glass top light windows, sitting on Churchward 9’-0” bogies. They were designed to operate as a set comprising Left hand and right-hand Brake Thirds, 1 or 2-Thirds and left hand and right-hand Composites enabling all corridor windows to be displayed on the same side, commonly used for cross country and main line working between cities.
Chassis
Body
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Dapol GWR Corridor Toplight 1940 All Brown Twin Cities Brake Third (left‑hand) is supplied as kit number 4P‑021‑404. The model represents a prototype carriage built between 1914 and 1920 for the Great Western Railway, intended for use on cross‑country and main‑line services between cities.
The chassis features die‑cast bogie frames with two stamped metal compensation beams and stub axles that allow wheel‑bearing electrical pick‑up. Two styles of under‑frame truss rods are provided, together with die‑cast chassis framing. Couplings are close‑coupled on a cam to negotiate R2 (438 mm) curves and include NEM pockets for magnetic couplings; traditional NEM‑compatible couplings may also be fitted. Wheels are sized for 00 gauge (16.5 mm) but have clearance for 18.2 mm gauge wheels, with axles 26 mm over the end points, and sprung metal buffers are fitted.
The body comprises separate ABS‑plastic side panels, gap‑free corridor connections for R2 curves, and a decorative interior with individually fitted luggage racks in each passenger compartment. Roof ventilators are supplied in a period‑appropriate style, and metal door and commode handles are included. Destination boards are supplied separately for the modeller to attach, and all coaches are equipped with interior lighting.
A DCC decoder plug and a blanking plug are provided to allow optional digital control. The kit is presented in an all‑brown livery appropriate to the 1940 Twin Cities period.