Highlights
both bodyside window configurations tooled for
flush-glazed
correct window corner radii
fully detailed interior with partitions
saloon tables
lavatories appropriate to prototype
fully decorated seating painted in accurate colours
exquisite underframe detailing
finely mounded brake details
4 sets of very finely moulded queen post truss rodding and turnbuckles
Dynamos and battery boxes fitted to the SE&CR composite as prototype
Dynamos fitted to the SR / BR Composite and the Brake Third as per prototype
all new well detailed 8ft Heavy Fox coil spring bolster bogies
metal wheels sets and pin point axles running in metal bearings
Detachable couplings in NEM pockets
close coupling mechanism
Separately applied fittings include:
roof vents
vacuum pipes
handrails
grab handles
lamp irons and brake control apparatus (Brake coaches only)
History
Sixty-two 60ft three coach ‘birdcage’ sets were introduced by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR) between 1912 and 1915. The characteristic birdcage lookouts over each of the guards compartments give these sets their name and typify standard SE&CR non-corridor coaching stock. With their distinct character, being of pre-grouping origin, these sets were long lived and little modified during their lifetime, so have a wide applicability to modellers.
The sets comprised 2nd/ 3rd class composite Brake Lavatory (later declassified to Brake Lavatory Third), a 1st / 2nd (later declassified to 1st/ 3rd) Lavatory Composite and Brake Third. The Composites were built in batches with two distinct body side variations. The initial order had two wide windows on each side for the saloon, and the later examples had one wide and one narrow window for the saloon.