Named to mark the coronation of King George VI, 'The Coronation' was for a time the LNER's flagship express passenger service. The train ran between London and Edinburgh in as little time as 6 hours. The service was formed by a rake of four pairs of specially designed streamlined coaches with the addition of a streamlined observation car other than in the winter when the short period of daylight precluded the views. One service was run in each direction each day, the down service departing London for Edinburgh at 16:00pm, and the up service leaving Edinburgh at 16:30pm. Services were usually pulled by an A4 Class locomotive, commonly liveried to match the rest of the train.

The coaches were based upon the successful Silver Jubilee design and featured extensive attempts to reduce drag and increase comfort including the use of articulated pairs of coaches sharing bogies which limited the gap between the coaches, and aerodynamic underframe skirting.

In total, 4 sets of coaches were built plus the two observation cars. 2 sets were used for 'Coronation' (and 'Talisman'; the return service), 1 set for the West Riding Limited service to Leeds, and 1 spare set which could be used for any of the preceding services. After the war, the services were not resumed, and the sets were split up.

After a fire in 1951, additional doors were added to the twin sets to reduce the time needed to disembark in emergencies. All coaches lost their underframe skirting to aid maintenance and reduce unnecessary weight.

One of the most novel features of the 'Coronation' was the inclusion of a specially built streamlined observation car, often affectionately named the 'beaver tail' observation car. Two were built, with one being used for the up service and the other for the down service. Passengers couldn't reserve a seat in the observation car, instead a fee was charged for the use of the carriage by the hour. In reality the streamlined shape of the roof severely limited the views out the back of the carriage. In 1959, long after the 'Coronation' service had ceased, British Railways rebuilt the observation cars with a new un-streamlined end which featured much larger windows and a new seating arrangement to significantly improve the view with the cars being used on the famously picturesque west highlands line.

Formation (observation car and locomotive both turned and arranged depending upon direction of travel):

• Brake Third (A) + Kitchen Third (Twin) (B)
• Open First (C) + Open First (Twin) (D)
• Open Third (E) + Kitchen Third (Twin) (F)
• Open Third (G) + Brake Third (Twin) (H)

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972.

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. 

Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a. Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. 

This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR.

These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project.

 This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR.

These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR. These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR. These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR.These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR. These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR.These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk brakes and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

After their brief stint in the BR Blue and Grey colour scheme the Mark 3 coaches saw a livery change in line with a corporate rebrand of high speed services. The new InterCity livery saw the coaches painted in a darker grey colour with a beige stripe along the top and bottom of the coaches with a red stripe under the windows. This livery was designed to emulate or copy the advanced yet ultimately fruitless APT project. 

This livery would largely remain unchanged even after a further rebrand to Intercity Swallow, before the coaches would transfer into private ownership at the end of BR. These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk breaks and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

The Mk3 coach is perhaps most iconic in its original production livery of the BR Grey and Blue. It is in this livery that the coach, as well as the matching Class 43 units would be introduced, before high speed rail services in the UK would be rebranded into the Intercity Executive livery.

Following the privatisation of the Railway network, Mk3 coaches would find themselves in many colourful liveries, some harking back to the original blue and grey livery of times gone by.

These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.

In-order to allow running at 125 mph on Britain's Victorian era railways, new rolling stock was needed by British Railways. Significant improvements over the Mk2 included new secondary air suspension between the bogies and the coach body as well as aerodynamic skirting on the underframe.

Mk3 coaches are 75ft (23m) long enabling far greater capacity than older coaches. Mk3 coaches also incorporate disk breaks and wheel slip protection enabling faster deceleration. The first Mk3 coaches to be delivered were used as part of the HST prototype along with the two Class 41 diesel power cars in 1972. 

Mk3 coaches entered service in 1975 along with the Class 43 forming the iconic InterCity 125 trainset. After the HST Mk3 coach variant was introduced, further Mk3 coaches were introduced to the West Coast Mainline for use as part of locomotive hauled trains. Whilst Mk3 stock is standard for HST units, the standard locomotive hauled stock is Mk3a.

Mk3a stock differs from Mk3 stock due to the inclusion of buffers as well as a different electrical system that uses motor generator units in each coach to power air conditioning and other ancillaries Mk3a stock was built until 1984, before 3B stock with improved seating and lighting was built from 1985 to 1988.

The Mk3 coach is perhaps most iconic in its original production livery of the BR Grey and Blue. It is in this livery that the coach, as well as the matching Class 43 units would be introduced, before high speed rail services in the UK would be rebranded into the Intercity Executive livery. 

Following the privatisation of the Railway network, Mk3 coaches would find themselves in many colourful liveries, some harking back to the original blue and grey livery of times gone by.

These Mk3 coaches include the provision for lighting provided by the R7305 Maglight lighting unit, as well as fully detailed interiors and metal wheels throughout. For the first time, these coaches also include our new Buckeye style magnetic couplings.