TT:120 Gauge BR Intercity, Mk3 Tourist Standard Open, 42196 - Era 8 Coaches for Model Railway Sets

To allow the operation of trains at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian-era railways, British Railways required new rolling stock. The Mk3 coaches, which were 75ft (23m) long, provided significantly greater capacity than previous coaches. These coaches incorporated significant improvements over the Mk2 model, including a new secondary air suspension system between the bogies and the coach body, as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe. The Mk3 coaches also featured disk brakes and wheel slip protection, enabling faster deceleration.

The first Mk3 coaches were used as part of the High-Speed Train (HST) prototype in 1972, alongside the two Class 41 diesel power cars. The Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975, forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset with the Class 43 power cars.

After the introduction of the Mk3 coach variant for the HST, further Mk3 coaches were deployed on the West Coast Mainline for use in locomotive-hauled trains. While the Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive-hauled stock is the Mk3a. The Mk3a stock differs from the Mk3 in the inclusion of buffers and a different electrical system that uses motor-generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries.

The Mk3a stock was built until 1984, after which 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was produced from 1985 to 1988.

As British Rail began to move away from the corporate blue livery, some of the Mk3 coaches and complementary Class 43 units were painted in a new Intercity Executive livery. This livery consisted of a dark grey upper body, a stripe of white and red, and a light beige sand color on the bottom of the body. Although this livery was popular and long-lasting, the "Executive" name was eventually dropped from the side of the units as it became the sole livery applied to Intercity sets.

Combining a small world with big ideas, Hornby's TT:120 scale offers a model railway solution for those with limited space. This scale, which sits between the mainstream '00' and 'N' scales, allows for easily manageable models that can be accommodated on a baseboard that can be stored in small spaces within the home. Hornby's TT:120 range includes a variety of wagons and coaches, from Brake and Vent vans to Composite Corridors and Tourist Standard Opens, providing ample opportunities to elevate your model railway experience.

Embarking on this hobby can be a lifetime pursuit, encompassing design, creativity, history, and the ability to bring generations and families together. For those working with a young person, it is recommended to start with one of the Hornby TT:120 train sets and build the layout from there, allowing for an engaging and accessible introduction to the world of model railways.

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