One of the classic Great Western Railway branch trains was a pair of non-corridor Brake Composites coupled together, being hauled by a ‘Small Prairie’ 2-6-2T. These coaches – known as ‘B-sets’ – could often be found on suburban and branch line duties in the West of England.
The first iteration of ‘B-set’ coaches was delivered in 1924 under diagram E116. However, it wasn’t until 1930 when the largest diagram – E140 – were delivered. These vehicles each sported a guard’s compartment, a single First Class compartment and five Third Class compartments. The coaches were close coupled in a fixed formation with the brake compartments on the outer ends.
These coaches were longer and wider than previous designs and necessitated recessed door handles and Guards doors. They ran on 7ft wheelbase bogies whilst later versions – the diagram E145 – used larger 9ft bogies. A total of 41 Dia. E140 sets of coaches were built.
Primarily allocated to the Bristol Division, Dia. 140s could be found further afield, from Cardiff and Taunton to Birmingham and Worcester… not to mention those classic Cornish branch lines so beloved by modellers! As many of these coaches ran specific routes, they often received set markings for the location on the ends adjacent to the brake compartments.
Produced from the original works drawings, these models feature a wealth of detail, inside and out, including etched luggage racks, printed carriage prints, close coupled central coupling for prototypical running, NEM pockets on all coupling fittings, optional open droplight windows as separately fitted parts, and an ease removable roof so passengers can be added and windows changed as desired. The coaches are fitted with Internal lighting, that is activated with an easy-to-use magic wand and includes a stay-alive feature and a hidden compartment for the resistor.
Order your model now by clicking on the item below:
