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Hornby R40476

BR - Collett Corridor - Third Class - 4551 - Coach

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

Prototype Era
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest

Manufacturer description

Although introduced onto the GWR by Collett from 1925, many of these modern-for-their-time coaches lasted in service until the 1960s, with many examples passing into departmental use. Some retained their chocolate and cream livery after nationalisation of Britain’s railways in 1948 and others were painted in the new owner’s crimson and cream. 

These wooden-framed, but steel-panelled ‘bow-ended’ coaches were also ‘handed’ in a throw-back to the days they were introduced, when coach sets were marshalled with the compartments to the south (sunny) side and the corridors alongside London Paddington’s Platform 1 for ease of loading/unloading. For example, a left-hand brake coach would have its corridor on the opposite side to a right-hand brake.

This highly detailed model coach perfectly replicates the BR era, with sprung metal buffers and NEM couplings for a smooth train connection.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Here is a summary of the content in neutral, factual language:

The Hornby BR Collett Corridor Third Class coach, model number 4551, is part of the 2025 Range catalogue. It is painted in a BR livery of crimson and cream, and is designed to operate on OO gauge tracks. The model features sprung metal buffers and a NEM/Tension Lock coupling.

The real-life coaches that this model is based on were introduced by Charles Collett on the Great Western Railway in 1925. They were a modern design for their time, featuring wooden frames and steel panels. These coaches remained in service until the 1960s, with some being retained in departmental use. After nationalisation in 1948, some were repainted in the new BR colours, while others retained their original chocolate and cream livery.

The coaches were designed to be 'handed' with the corridors on the south side, a practice that was maintained even after nationalisation. This was a legacy of the original design, which was intended to facilitate easy loading and unloading at London Paddington station. The model is designed to be used on tracks with a minimum radius of 438mm, which is equivalent to a 2nd radius curve.