Oxford Rail OO OR763FO003 Virgin Trans Mk3a FO First Class Open Coach 11042 Virgin Red
A superbly detailed model of the British Rail mark 3 coach, a design initiated with the HST programme with later builds to the same designs for the electrified West Coast route. These locomotive hauled coaches were classed mark 3a and were fitted with side buffers (the obvious external difference!) and single-phase electric train heating equipment suitable for locomotive haulage.
Initially allocated to West Coast Main Line services from London Euston along with class 86 and 87 locomotives the mk3a fleet was later deployed with class 90 locomotives and driving trailers in 'push-pull' mode on London to Birmingham and Liverpool/Manchester services. The coaches have seen use across many parts of the network, with the spare sets from weekday services often being employed on summer Saturday services to the West Country and many remain in use today. Each model comes with a finely detailed exterior plus correct interior seating for the class, which is fully painted. NEM coupling pockets, fully detailed coach ends, connectors and detailed service pod arrangements for the relevant coach.