Designed by H.S. Wainwright, the South Eastern & Chatham Railway's Birdcage coaches were built between 1912 and 1915. Named due to the roof observatory fitted to each brake vehicle, the 60ft Birdcage coaches were highly regarded and as such found use with the SECR, SR and BR over a period of more than 50 years.
The coaches operated in three coach sets, each comprising of a Brake Composite, Composite and Brake Third. The Branchline range includes models of each vehicle with many variations allowing accurate models of each coach spanning several eras. Options include with or without roof conduits, 'Eros' or 'Torpedo' roof vents - each of which are separately fitted - and 2 or 3 step bogies. Both window variations are included on the Composite coach, whilst the Brake Third models will be fitted with or without battery boxes and dynamos where appropriate.
Each model features separately fitted handrails, extensive underframe detailing and highly detailed bogies with close coupling mechanism, fitted with NEM coupling pockets.
Three liveries will be available covering SECR Dark Lake (era 2), SR Olive Green (era 3) and BR Vermillion (era 4)