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Hornby R40499

LNER - Mk4 TSO - 12444 - C Coach

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

Prototype Era
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Following on from the Mk3 coach, the Mk4s were built between 1989 and 1992 at Metro-Cammell’s Washwood Heath facility for the newly-electrified InterCity 225 services on the East Coast Main Line.

A total of 282 carriages were built, to maintain a fleet of 30 fixed formations. Each one comprised of nine vehicles, operating with a Class 91 locomotive and a Driving Van Trailer on the other end to allow trains to operate in both directions without needing to turn the locomotive.

The Mk4 is an all-steel design which incorporates a number of improvements over the previous Mk3s. Most-notably, the inclusion of automatic push-button operated plug-type doors in place of the manually-operated slam doors. The body shells, which were built by BREL and Breda in Milan, also have fully sealed gangways and controlled emission toilets (CETs).

The coaches were used by successive ECML train operators that followed on from BR InterCity, including GNER, East Coast and LNER, though they were largely replaced with the arrival of the first Class 801 ‘Azumas’ from 2019/20, with large numbers going to scrap. Following refurbishment, 12 Mk4s were acquired by Transport for Wales for its Holyhead-Cardiff ‘premier’ service, and these were joined by further examples that had been refurbished for a planned London Euston-Blackpool service by Grand Central that never materialised, bringing the TFW fleet up to 37 vehicles.

This highly detailed OO gauge model coach is based on ‘TS’, a Tourist Standard open coach for standard class passengers, with one retention toilet.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Hornby LNER – Mk4 TSO – 12444 – C Coach is a highly detailed OO gauge model of a Tourist Standard Open (TSO) carriage. The model carries the manufacturer part number R40499 and represents the current era of operation.

The Mk4 coaches were constructed between 1989 and 1992 at Metro‑Cammell’s Washwood Heath works for the electrified InterCity 225 services on the East Coast Main Line. A total of 282 carriages were built to form 30 fixed nine‑vehicle sets, each set comprising a Class 91 locomotive and a Driving Van Trailer at the opposite end.

Key design features of the Mk4s include an all‑steel body, automatic push‑button plug‑type doors, fully sealed gangways and controlled emission toilets. The bodies were assembled by BREL and Breda in Milan. The coaches served successive ECML operators – GNER, East Coast and LNER – before many were withdrawn with the introduction of Class 801 “Azuma” units in the 2019/20 timetable.

Following refurbishment, twelve Mk4s were taken by Transport for Wales for its Holyhead‑Cardiff premier service, and further units originally prepared for a planned Grand Central London Euston‑Blackpool service were added, giving the Welsh fleet 37 vehicles. The Hornby model reproduces the TSO layout with a single retention toilet.