Present Your Case

If there’s a locomotive that you think needs to be offered ready-to-run, here’s the place to voice your opinion…

Item: GWR ‘Toplight’ coaches Gauge: ‘OO’ Proposed by: Simon Moppett, Oxfordshire

What is it?

Hornby introduced a range of Collett 57ft coaches a couple of years ago. These 1930s vehicles are wonderful and Hornby even manufactured left and right-handed stock to allow sets to be run with the corridor down one side, as per the prototype.

As with many railway companies, the GWR introduced its newest and best coaches to its most prestigious trains, and older vehicles were cascaded down the pecking order. This is what I’m proposing – the vehicles that the ‘bow-ended’ stock replaced.

The ‘Toplights’ were introduced in 1907, with almost ornate panelled bodies. The term ‘Toplight’ comes from the small ‘lights’ or windows above the main windows. They were built in various types on 57ft and 70ft underframes.

What would make it viable?

The 1920s livery was brown and cream with lining around the windows and panels, although from this time the bodies were steel without the panels. The lined livery looks gorgeous, and though difficult to reproduce by hand, with modern manufacturing techniques they would look amazing in ready-to-run form. They also received plain chocolate and cream and even BR crimson and cream.

These vehicles took on the role as strengtheners for secondary services, and on branch lines services. They are more useful on model railways than the later designs currently available because many of us don’t have the luxury of modelling full-length trains on expansive main lines. A 70ft ‘Toplight’ would make an interesting and different model and a single brake composite is an ideal single coach for a branch line train later in their working life.

A rake of Toplights in 1920s lined livery would look superb behind a Hornby ‘Star’ or early ‘Castle’ and could raise the bar again in model coach construction and decoration. There is a trend for more locomotives from the pre-grouping period and, who knows, a manufacturer may have plans for older GWR locomotives.

Can I see a real one?

Some 15 GWR ‘Toplights’ still survive, although only a handful have been restored to full working order (Severn Valley Railway) whereas you can see unrestored or under-restoration examples at the West Somerset and Swindon & Cricklade Railways.

Have your say

Do you agree with Simon’s argument? Go to www.model-rail.co.uk and take part in our vote.