Maunsell Open Third, BR Green Coach, Era 5

The Southern Railway inherited a diverse range of coach stock from various pre-grouping railway companies. Additionally, the Southern Railway continued to construct new coaches based on the designs of the three largest companies. The Maunsell carriage was intended to be the standard carriage design for use across the Southern Railway lines, incorporating the best features of each of the former companies' designs.

Maunsell Coaches were built between 1925 and 1936 at Eastleigh, with 1200 coaches being constructed. The standard coach design was 59ft long and made from wood with steel sheeting. One notable feature of the coaches was the low window placement, which, while less of an issue when seated, made it difficult to see outside the coach when standing without ducking. In 1929, this feature was amended, resulting in the introduction of 'high window' coaches, although on corridor coaches, the low windows remained on the compartment side.

In operation, coaches were grouped together to form sets. The intention was that these sets would remain intact for long durations, with the set numbers appearing at the brake end of the set. A total of 139 sets were created, with loose stock being used to supplement the sets on busier trains.

The model details are as follows: Scale: 1:76 Scale / 00 Gauge Livery: BR Green Motor: 5 pole skew wound Designer: Maunsell ERA: 5 Late British Railways 1956-1968

This Maunsell-designed coach was a significant part of the Southern Railway's rolling stock, showcasing the company's commitment to providing high-quality and standardized passenger experiences across its network. The incorporation of features from multiple former railway companies' designs, along with the introduction of the 'high window' modification, demonstrates the Southern Railway's focus on improving the comfort and functionality of its carriages.

The grouping of coaches into sets and the use of loose stock to supplement busier trains suggests a well-organized and efficient operational approach, ensuring that passengers could reliably expect a consistent and comfortable journey experience. The detailed model specifications provide valuable insights into the technical and design aspects of this iconic Southern Railway carriage.

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