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Hornby R40481

LNER - 'Coronation' Observation Car 1729 (The One:One Collection)

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 LNER built two ‘beaver tail’ observation cars for its ‘Coronation’ service that operated between London and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line. 

Both have survived, finding further use in converted form in Scotland, though Car 1729 has been painstakingly restored to its original profile with a streamlined tail that mirrored the shape of the ‘A4’ Class ‘Pacific’ on the front of the train. 

Passengers paid an additional fee to enjoy the comforts of the observation car in which refreshments were served by the steward at passenger’s individual armchairs. The ‘beaver tail’ was only added to the train during summer months. 

This OO gauge coach model is a highly detailed replica of that classic 'Coronation' Observation Car, as seen in the One:One Collection in Margate. 

What is the One:One Collection?

Imagine a collection of railway locomotives and other vehicles in which the subjects are not scale models but the real thing. The The One:One Collection​​​​​​​ is a unique gathering of some of the most iconic and historically important railway locomotives, rolling stock and memorabilia in the United Kingdom.

Each vehicle in the collection has either undergone, or is undergoing, painstaking restoration to return it to museum quality presentation, with many of the vehicles being certified for use on the United Kingdom’s rail network. From time to time, The The One:One Collection Museum will host guest locomotives for periods of medium or long term storage and display.

When these locomotives are at the Margate warehouse, they will become honorary members of The One:One Collection for promotion and merchandising purposes. As part of The One:One Collection, we are pleased to showcase this model.

Please note: the One:One Collection Museum is still in construction and not yet open to the public.

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Hornby LNER ‘Coronation’ Observation Car 1729 – Part Number R40481. This OO gauge coach model replicates the LNER ‘beaver tail’ observation carriage used on the Coronation service between London and Edinburgh during the era of the Big Four railway companies (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR). The original carriage, numbered 1729, was restored to its original streamlined tail, matching the profile of the A4 Pacific locomotive, and historically offered passengers individual armchairs with steward‑served refreshments during summer months.

The model is part of the One:One Collection range, which showcases full‑size historic railway locomotives, rolling stock and memorabilia that have been or are being restored to museum‑quality standards. Vehicles displayed at the Margate warehouse are promoted as honorary members of the collection, though the dedicated museum is still under construction and not yet open to the public.