BR(s) Converted Maunsell Pull- Push Sets and Third/Second Open
Image of Pre-production version (yes minus buffers) of the Hornby Converted Maunsell Pull Push set (Picture copyright and courtesy of Hornby Magazine)
Twenty Pull Push sets were converted by BR(SR) from late 1959 to mid 1960 as replacements for earlier Pull Push sets of SR and pre-grouping design, such as the ex LSWR Gate Stock sets that have already been announced by Kernow Models.
They consisted of an 1935 built ex-Diagram 2403 Maunsell Brake Corridor Composite and a Diagram 2023 (ex 1930 built Diagram 2005) Maunsell Second Open (was designated a Third Open until 1956) neither were styles previously produced by Hornby.
Hornby will be releasing the sets both as a coach pack as Set 610 and a train pack as set 600 with M7 30029 (Picture courtesy of Hornby Magazine)
The brake end was modified by inserting two windows to form a driving compartment, with the corridor connection removed, and droplights replacing the familiar former guards lookout duckets. Similarly the outer end of the Second Open had its corridor connection removed but the corridor connection between the two vehicles was retained.
Maunsell Diagram 2005 Third/Second Open (Picture courtesy of Hornby Magaine)
On one hand an obvious choice for Hornby due the success of the standard Maunsell coach range meaning that they have underframes etc. already in place. On the other hand as they did not already have the Diagram 2005 Third / Open Second in the range it has meant two new body moldings. The Second / Third Open type will also be released as a Diagram 2005 loose coach in Olive Green as No. 1400 and BR(s) Green as s1314s.