Bachmann Thompson All-3rd Coach 34-379
Bachmann introduced their Thompson coaches in 1991 and six versions of the all-third coach have already been released. This latest one is in crimson & cream, a livery used only once before on this model, and carries the running number 'E1011E'.
By 1945, Edward Thompson was in charge of engineering on the LNER and post-war he designed a new range of coaches which bore no resemblance to those of his predecessor. Thompson stock was longer, on 61.5ft underframes, and built in steel on wooden frames. The internal layout was also completely different, having the entrance vestibules not at the ends but between groups of compartments. Arriving passengers needed to pass no more than one compartment in taking up their seats.
An embellishment by which they may be recognised is the oval lavatory window. The main windows, without ventilators, looked large and stark, with their sharp corners. These were softened with rounder corners by Peppercorn.
As a result of the different placement of the entrance vestibules, the coach was divided into three parts. The centre section between the vestibules contained three compartments in the all 3rd class coaches and the two end sections had two compartments apiece - making seven in all.