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Hornby R40554

RailRoad: GWR - Mk3 - TGS - 44086

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

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

Manufacturer description

The popular Mk3 coaches are now available in RailRoad. This durable coach model represents a Trailer Guard Standard coach in GWR livery.

British Rail introduced the production version of the Mk3 coach in 1975 with improved standards of comfort in response to competition from airlines and increased use of private motor cars.

Designed and built by BREL, initially they were intended as locomotive-hauled stock, but with the development of the High Speed Train (HST), were soon adapted for use at speeds of up to 125mph (220km/h). The first version of the Mk3 coach had actually been built in 1972, with ten coaches produced for the prototype HST.

Mk3 coaches continued to be built until 1988, but multiple units based on the Mk3 body shell were built until the early 1990s. The standard length of a Mk3 coach is 75ft (23m), which is ten feet longer than its predecessor, the Mk2, and is of monocoque construction with an all-welded mild steel stressed skin.

GWR-liveried Mk3 coaches were formed into full-length HST sets and from 2019, in sets of four, to operate as GWR ‘Castle’ sets, which ran as such until May 2024.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Hornby RailRoad GWR – Mk3 – TGS – 44086 is a model railway coach representing a Trailer Guard Standard (TGS) carriage in Great Western Railway livery. The model carries the manufacturer part number R40554 and depicts the current era of British railways.

The real‑world Mk3 coach was introduced by British Rail in 1975, following a prototype built in 1972 for the High Speed Train (HST). Constructed by BREL, the coaches were originally intended for locomotive haulage but were adapted for speeds up to 125 mph (220 km/h) when used on the HST. Production continued until 1988, and derivative multiple‑unit types were built into the early 1990s. At 75 ft (23 m) in length, the Mk3 is ten feet longer than the preceding Mk2 and features monocoque construction with an all‑welded mild‑steel stressed skin.

GWR‑branded Mk3 coaches were operated as full‑length HST sets and, from 01/01/2019, as four‑coach “Castle” sets. These GWR Castle sets remained in service until 01/05/2024. The Hornby model therefore reflects the appearance of a Mk3 TGS carriage in the GWR livery used during that period.