Hornby 2023 GWR SR LMS LNER Coaches

One of the most novel features of the 'Coronation' was the inclusion of a specially built streamlined observation car, often affectionately named the 'beaver tail' observation car. Two were built, with one being used for the up service and the other for the down service. Passengers couldn't reserve a seat in the observation car, instead a fee was charged for the use of the carriage by the hour. In reality the streamlined shape of the roof severely limited the views out the back of the carriage. In 1959, long after the 'Coronation' service had ceased, British Railways rebuilt the observation cars with a new un-streamlined end which featured much larger windows and a new seating arrangement to significantly improve the view with the cars being used on the famously picturesque west highlands line.

Royal trains have always been a consideration of railway operators, and this included in the early days of the railways. One of the first royal coaches dates back to 1842, and still exists to this day. In 1840, the widow of King William IV became the first member of the British Royal Family to travel by train, and with the decision that this may become a regular occurrence, a special coach was built for her travel two years later.

Queen Adelaide, the aunt of Queen Victoria, would receive this coach in the same year that Queen Victoria would take her first journey by rail, becoming the first British monarch to do so. Queen Adelaide's Saloon, coach number 2, was constructed at Euston works who built the underframe and then combined it with a body built by a coach builder, also based in London. The coach built nature of this saloon led to it resembling a horse drawn carriage of the time. The coach was built by the London and Birmingham Railway.

This highly detailed coach and carriage pack is the perfect addition to the new Hornby L&MR 1930 Centenary Train Pack. The pack includes the 1st Class coach, ‘Huskisson’ and two 3rd Class Carriages. Together with the L&MR 1930 Centenary Train Pack, it recreates the celebratory train to provide remarkable additions for Era 1 model railways.